PSI Bridge Program

Perimeter Institute recognizes that there can be many barriers students face in reaching their potential, such as not having had the opportunity to study advanced undergraduate physics, having encountered barriers in their studies, or wanting to switch to theoretical physics from a different background (e.g., engineering, mathematics). In order to help students overcome these barriers and acquire skills that will help them apply to a physics graduate program, such as Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) master’s program, Perimeter Institute has introduced the PSI Bridge program.

Five to ten participants in the PSI Bridge program will attend online tutorials and discussion sessions on advanced topics in undergraduate physics including quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, relativity, and statistical physics. Participants will also meet regularly with assigned mentors and have opportunities to interact with PI researchers.

PSI Bridge is a part-time online program designed to supplement the final year of a degree program or facilitate the transition from full-time work to graduate school. From May to December (with a break in August), participants should expect to spend approximately 5 to 10 hours per week on the program. Of that time, one or two hours per week will be virtual meetings with other participants, the mini-course instructors, or other Perimeter Institute staff, faculty, or students. Three to eight hours should be reserved each week for independent study.

Activities will include:

• Guided, asynchronous self-study of topics in advanced undergraduate physics
• Synchronous collaborative problem-solving sessions
• Synchronous discussions and Q&A sessions
• Synchronous one-on-one meetings with mentors