Major in Physics
This program aims to provide a comprehensive physics education with considerable emphasis on both theoretical foundations and laboratory practice. The theoretical and mathematical components develop the intellectual skills and versatility needed either to pursue physics professionally at the post-graduate level, or to cross over into other professions such as medicine, actuarial science, meteorology, and secondary education, in which a physics background is strongly preferred. The senior laboratory components consist of long-range projects rather than prescribed exercises, to encourage initiative on the part of the student and to prepare them for the inventive atmosphere of modern high-tech industry. Graduates of this program have attained success in high-tech industry, computer software development, secondary education, and post-graduate studies.
| First Year | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 111 or CHEM 121; and CHEM 113 or CHEM 123 | 6 |
| ENGL 109, or two of ENGL 1121, 113, 1141, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH 203 | 6 |
| MATH 100 or 116 | 3 |
| MATH 101 or 103 | 3 |
| PHYS 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS 121 or 122 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| ASTR 210, or one of PHYS 225, 305, 314, 320 | 3 |
| MATH 200, 2213, 225, 3174 | 12 |
| PHYS 200, 215, 216, 231, 232 | 15 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
|
Third and Fourth Years |
|
|---|---|
|
MATH 319 |
3 |
|
PHYS 301, 304, 328, 331 |
12 |
|
One of PHYS 401, 402, 403 |
3 |
|
400-level Physics and Astronomy elective |
3 |
|
Upper-level Physics and Astronomy electives5 |
9 |
|
Upper level science electives |
3 |
|
Upper level electives |
6 |
|
Non-science electives |
12 |
|
Electives2 |
9 |
|
Total Credits |
60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL 112 or 114.
2COSC 111 and 121 are strongly recommended. Students considering a career in geosciences should take EESC 111, 121, and 350. Students considering a career in astronomy should take ASTR 110, 120, 210 and 321.
3MATH 221 may be taken in the second term of the first year.
4MATH 317 may be taken in the third year.
5PHYS 335 cannot be used as upper-level Physics electives. Capable students are advised to consider selecting the directed studies course PHYS 448, which grants either 2, 3, 4, or 6 upper-level credits in Physics.
Combined Major in Physics and Mathematics
Provides students with a rich background in both theoretical physics and mathematics. The program consists of core training in both disciplines and electives that highlight common ground between the two fields. Graduates of the program will be well prepared for post-graduate studies in theoretical physics or applied mathematics. The combined major will also prepare students for further training and careers in education, finance, computer software development, or industrial research.
| First Year | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 111 or CHEM 121; and CHEM 113 or CHEM 123 | 6 |
| MATH 100 | 3 |
| MATH 101 or 103 | 3 |
| ENGL 109, or two of ENGL 1121, 113, 1141, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH 203 | 6 |
| PHYS 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS 121 or 122 | 3 |
| COSC 111 | 3 |
| DATA 101 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| PHYS 200, 215, 216 | 9 |
| Two of ASTR 210; PHYS 231, 232 | 6 |
| MATH 200, 220, 221, 225, 3172 and STAT 203 | 15 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| MATH 220, 319, 327, 350, STAT 303 | 15 |
| PHYS 301, 304, 328 | 9 |
| One of PHYS 4013, 4023, 4183 | 3 |
| Two of MATH 303, 408, 459; STAT 403 | 6 |
| Three of ASTR 321; PHYS, 331, 400, 4013, 4023, 403, 407, 408, 4183, 420, 425, 441, 474 | 9 |
| Non-science electives | 12 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL 112 or 114.
2MATH 317 may be taken in the third year but is a requirement for PHYS 301.
3Each of PHYS 401, 402, 418 may only fulfill one requirement.
4Students are strongly encouraged to take 3 credits of an Indigenous content course to partially fulfill this requirement. Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 and later will have to successfully complete an Indigenous content course.
Physics Honours Program
This program enables high-achieving Physics Major students to gain research experience through the completion of an Honours Thesis. It is particularly recommended to those students intending to pursue post-graduate studies.
The course requirements for first and second year are the same as in the Major in Physics program.
|
Third and Fourth Years |
|
|---|---|
|
MATH 319 |
3 |
|
PHYS 301, 304, 328, 331, 401, 402, 403, 441 |
24 |
|
PHYS 449 |
6 |
|
Upper-level Physics and Astronomy electives5 |
3 |
|
Non-science electives |
12 |
|
Electives2 |
12 |
|
Total Credits |
60 |
|
Minimum credits for degree |
120 |
1Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL 112 or 114.
2COSC 111 and 121 are strongly recommended. Students considering a career in geosciences should take EESC 111, 121, and 350. Students considering a career in astronomy should take ASTR 110, 120, 210 and 321.
3MATH 221 may be taken in the second term of the first year.
4MATH 317 may be taken in the third year.
5PHYS 335 cannot be used as upper-level Physics electives.
Admission Requirements
- Fourth-year standing in the Physics Major program;
- Students with a minimum grade average of 76% in all courses taken to date may apply to be considered for the Honours program. Admission is at the discretion of the Department Head, and may be subject to a ranking of those students applying
- Enrollment in PHYS 449 (Honours Thesis). The thesis proposal and research supervisor must be approved by the Academic Department.
In exceptional cases, such as transferees from another institution, a student may be admitted by permission of the Academic Department notwithstanding the above criteria.
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum cumulative grade average of 76% for all second-, third-, and fourth-year non-elective science courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the Physics Honours Program; and
- Completion of PHYS 449 with a minimum grade of 76%. A written thesis is required, with a public seminar presentation of the thesis research.