Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics student takes a break in the lab

Explore how things work and approach the world’s problems analytically.

Associate of Science Degree

Complete up to two years of studies in sciences at Okanagan College, which you can transfer to a university of your choice.

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Meet our faculty

Dr. Terry Bridges

Chair - Physics and Astronomy
Office: C Building 173
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4484
Physics Department - Terry Bridges

I have been an astronomy researcher in France, England, and Australia. My astronomy research interests are in early-type galaxies, and objects in our outer solar system. I have taught physics and astronomy as an adjunct at Queen's University, online astronomy, and high school in Ontario and Istanbul. I currently teach university transfer courses in physics and astronomy at Okanagan College, and am the Chair of the OCFA's Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee. I enjoy astronomy and physics outreach, and am also involved in social justice and sustainability initiatives at the College and in the Kelowna community.

Credentials:
PhD, Education, Queen's University
BEd, Education, Queen's University
PhD, Astrophysics, Queen's University
MSc, Astrophysics, Queen's University
BSc, Physics, University of Alberta

Robert Stutz

Physics and Astronomy
Office: Sunoka Building 011
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-492-4305 ext. 3318

I joined the Physics and Astronomy Department at Okanagan College in September, 2014.

Credentials:
MSc, Interdisciplinary Studies (Astrophysics), UBC Okanagan
BSc (Hons), Physics, UBC Okanagan

Dr. Brian May

Mathematics and Statistics / Physics and Astronomy
Office: Salmon Arm Building 116
Campus: Salmon Arm
Phone: 250-832-2126 ext. 8212
Math Department - Brian May

Dr. Ryan Ransom

Physics & Astronomy
Office: Sunoka Building 012
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-492-4305 ext. 3273

 

I received my PhD in Astrophysics from York University (Toronto) in 2003. My thesis focused on observational support of NASA’s Gravity Probe B (GP-B) mission. I continued with GP-B as a postdoc between 2003 and 2006, working with radio astronomy groups at York University and the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. I moved to Penticton in 2007 to join the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey team at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO). I started a continuing faculty position at Okanagan College in August 2008. I maintain a Visiting Scientist position at DRAO, studying, when time permits, old planetary nebulae.

Credentials:
PhD, Astrophysics, York University
MSc, Astrophysics, York University
BSc, Space and Communications Sciences, York University

Dr. Kevin Douglas

Interim Associate Dean - Science and Technology
Office: C Building 245A
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4268
Associate Dean Kevin Douglas

I grew up in the Okanagan, left for university, and came back 20 years later, having achieved my goal of being a professional radio astronomer. On the way I lived in interesting places like California, England, and Puerto Rico. I joined Okanagan College in 2013.

Credentials:
PhD, Physics (Specialization in Radio Astronomy), University of Calgary

Flora Cheng

Physics & Astronomy
Office: C Building 277
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6462
Flora Xinru Cheng - Physics/Astronomy

In a past life, I did research in experimental quantum optics. My thesis focused on generating entangled photon sources.

Having experienced life as an international student and “outsider” for almost a decade in Germany, the US, and Canada, I empathize deeply with minority students. I’m passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and making physics more fun - ask me about the quantum physics book I translated!

I joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy in January 2021. I am excited to grow my career at Okanagan College and share my unique perspective to help students make sense of - and thrive in - an increasingly complex world.

Dr. Amir Qamar

Physics & Astronomy
Office: A Building 345
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4444
Amir Qamar

After receiving B.Sc. (Hons) from University of Saskatchewan (U of S), I perused Ph.D. in Solid State Physics also at U of S. My research during graduate studies involved discovering the relationship between structural and electronic properties of novel bulk and low-dimensional materials using:

• Synchrotron based X-ray spectroscopic techniques.

• Quantum mechanical theoretical simulations based on density functional theory.

I enjoy teaching as it provides me the opportunity to change lives. I have taught Physics at Okanagan College for two years.

Credentials:
Ph.D., Solid State Physics & Material Science, University of Saskatchewan
B.Sc. (Hons), Concentration in Theoretical Physics, University of Saskatchewan

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