Physics That Works: Shift in Physics Education Paradigm Based on Work-Integrated Physics Education.

A nontraditional work integrated undergraduate physics degree program that balances the option of pursuing a career path after graduation versus graduate studies will be presented. The main components of this undergraduate physics education model, which will be presented are; work-integrated physics education, emphasis on industrial and applied physics, nontraditional undergraduate research and thesis, an altered academic calendar, required technical sequence courses, and flexibility for each student to engage in courses that best complement physics. The impact on the growth of the physics program, the challenges and rewards involved, as well as pros and cons of such program in contrast with the traditional physics degree programs will be discussed.