Physics is the most fundamental of the natural sciences. Physicists look for and examine patterns in nature in order to formulate natural laws. They push scientific boundaries by exploring unknown territory through theory and experimentation, often thinking about and describing our physical world in ways that we cannot yet observe in nature.Carleton University's Department of Physics is engaged in intensive research in particle physics and medical physics. The program emphasizes problem-solving techniques and the development of critical thinking skills. Computation skills are developed as a tool for applying physics in the modern world. Theoretical particle physics research includes work on electroweak models, quantum chromodynamics, string theory, and other extensions to the standard model of particle physics.