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Perimeter Scholars International

Why PSI?

PSI provides an exciting new path for you to follow, from physics student to physics researcher. Working with other bright, highly motivated students from around the world, you will be taught by some of the world's best lecturers to solve problems that underlie the foundations of physics, in the inspiring environment of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, while earning a Master of Science degree in Physics from the University of Waterloo.

The Power of Theoretical Physics

The goal of theoretical physics is to identify the basic mathematical principles relevant to a particular physical problem and then to translate those principles into accurate predictions. Historical successes include the dynamics of planetary motion, thermodynamics, relativity, quantum mechanics, the theory of the transistor, and many others. Future examples will include unifying quantum mechanics with gravity and understanding and predicting new fundamental particles and new states of matter.

Course Philosophy

Learning at PSI is very different from other graduate courses. PSI is designed to cultivate and reinforce students' abilities in critical and creative thinking since these are the skills that drive new scientific breakthroughs.

 

Student Experience

Students will live close to the Perimeter Institute and attend lectures and study in a dedicated facility. Working with renowned lecturers, tutors, and each other, you will be immersed in an environment of great science, learning and discovery.

 
 

The Facility

Perimeter Institute is a facility like no other.  Designed from the bottom up to facilitate basic research and discovery, the building boasts over 120,000 square feet of blackboard-lined offices, casual interaction spaces, formal conference and seminar rooms, and the Black Hole Bistro.  With Collaborative opportunities around every corner, Perimeter Institute's home is an important contributor to the culture within.

Perimeter's facility has seen significant growth in its history.  The first custom-built facility was opened in 2004 as a deliberate marriage of form and function, later winning the national Governor General's Medal for Architecture.  Perimeter outgrew its original facility, and by 2011 opened the doors of the Stephen Hawking Centre at Perimeter Institute, to accommodate its expanding research, training and outreach activities.  This expansion has doubled the size of the institute, making room for up to 250 researchers and students operating as a single community.

 

The building includes:

State-of-the-art IT infrastructure supports visualization, analysis of complex calculations, and remotre collaboration.

The Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) program is centrally located on the second floor of the new Stephen Hawking Centre at Perimeter Institute.  PSI facilities include a custom-designed lecture hall - known as the Time Room - as well as a work room with space for over 50 students.  PSI students have complete access to the entire Perimeter Institute facility, and all of the blackboards and chalk within.

 

For more information on Perimeter Institute's award-winning facility:

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