B.ScH '26, MAPH
MSc Student in Physics at University of Toronto
It's clear to me now that I have always been passionate about math, but something told me early on that a research career in math and physics would be too "down bad" -- like, one must be stuck in their own head to pursue these subjects seriously. Nevertheless, I have made it to Canada and to Queen's intending to major in Physics, which, to my surprise, turned into a second major in Math thanks to the influence of my professors and peers.
Upper-year undergraduate math was quite different than the computational manipulations that I had liked to do, yet also familiar in the process of trying to discover a general rule/structure in a mathematical problem. On the other hand, all my physics courses just taught to apply some rules without understanding where those rules come from. I believe these two subjects can mutually benefit from each other; for example, by thinking about abstract math using physical intuition. I'm very glad my degree at Queen's has let me appreciate this mutual interaction.
I've had the fortune to visit Germany for a research internship and experience a variety of other research topics, and I can only thank my rigorous math background for this that sets me apart from ordinary scientists. I am starting my master's in Physics at UofT soon, but my delightful times with Queen's math are once again stressing me about the choice between a math or physics PhD. Regardless of what happens, math will stay close to my heart.