Major in Physics with a concentration in Biological Physics

(81-82 credits)

The Physics Major program with a concentration in Biological Physics keeps a strong core of foundational physics and specializes through adding courses in biology, mathematics, physiology, computer science and chemistry. Specifically, the program adds five to seven courses in biology which provide background in molecular and cell biology, a course in computer science, a course in organic chemistry, and the introductory and advanced biophysics courses offered by the Physics Department, which will function as integrative courses. This program provides students with the skills necessary to continue on to graduate studies in biophysics / biological physics, or for a research career in hospital, Industrial, or university settings.

Required Courses (63 credits)

Bio-Physical Sciences Core (27 credits)

BIOL 219 (4) Introduction to Physical Biology of the Cell

BIOL 395 (1) Quantitative Biology Seminar 1

CHEM 212 (4) Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 *

MATH 222 (3) Calculus 3 *

MATH 223 (3) Linear Algebra

MATH 315 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations

MATH 323 (3) Probability

PHYS 319 (3) Introduction to Biophysics

PHYS 329 (3) Statistical Physics with Biophysical Application

* Students who have taken the equivalent of CHEM 212 or MATH 222 can make up the credits with complementary 3 or 4 credit courses in consultation with the program adviser.

Biology and Mathematics (6 credits)

BIOL 202 (3) Basic Genetics

MATH 314 (3) Advanced Calculus

Physics (30 credits)

PHYS 230 (3) Dynamics of Simple Systems

PHYS 232 (3) Heat and Waves

PHYS 241 (3) Signal Processing

PHYS 257 (3) Experimental Methods 1

PHYS 258 (3) Experimental Methods 2

PHYS 340 (3) Majors Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS 342 (3) Majors Electromagnetic Waves

PHYS 346 (3) Majors Quantum Physics (formerly PHYS 446)

PHYS 449 (3) Majors Research Project

PHYS 519 (3) Advanced Biophysics

Complementary Courses (18-19 credits)

3 credits selected from:

COMP 202 (3) Foundations of Programming

COMP 250 (3) Introduction to Computer Science

3 credits selected from:

PHYS 328 (3) Electronics

PHYS 331 (3) Topics in Classical Mechanics

3 credits selected from:

PHYS 339 (3) Measurements Laboratory in General Physics

PHYS 439 (3) Majors Laboratory in Modern Physics

3 credits selected from:

CHEM 514 (3) Biophysical Chemistry

MATH 437 (3) Mathematical Methods in Biology

PHGY 425 (3) Analyzing Physiological Systems

PHYS 432 (3) Physics of Fluids

PHYS 434 (3) Optics

PHYS 447 (3) Applications of Quantum Mechanics

6 or 7 credits selected from:

BIOL 300 (3) Molecular Biology of the Gene

BIOL 301 (4) Cell and Molecular Laboratory

BIOL 303 (3) Developmental Biology

BIOL 306 (3) Neural Basis of Behaviour

BIOL 313 (3) Eukaryotic Cell Biology

BIOL 316 (3) Biomembranes and Organelles

BIOL 551 (3) Principles of Cellular Control