Major in Physics

Students starting Fall 2020 are expected to follow the new set of degree requirements for the Majors program. Majors students who entered into the program prior to Fall 2020 can tailor their coursework according to either ONE of the original or new set of degree requirements.

(63 credits)

Major Program Map

Transition from Major to Honours after U1

U1 Required Courses (24 credits)

MATH 222 (3) Calculus 3

MATH 223 (3) Linear Algebra

COMP 208 (3) Computer Programming for Physics Sciences and Engineering

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

U2 Required Courses (24 credits)

MATH 314 (3) Advanced Calculus

MATH 315 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations

PHYS 331 (3) Topics in Classical Mechanics

PHYS 333 (3) Thermal and Statistical Physics *

PHYS 339 (3) Measurements Laboratory in General Physics

PHYS 340 (3) Majors Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS 342 (3) Majors Electromagnetic Waves

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

* PHYS 329 Statistical Physics with Biophysical Application may be substituted for PHYS 333 Thermal and Statistical Physics with written permission of an advisor.

U3 Required Courses (3 credits)

PHYS 447 (3) Applications of Quantum Mechanics

12 credits selected from:

PHYS 319 (3) Introduction to Biophysics

PHYS 320 (3) Introductory Astrophysics (formerly PHYS 214)

PHYS 321 (3) Data Science and Observational Astrophysics

PHYS 328 (3) Electronics

PHYS 404 (3) Climate Physics

PHYS 432 (3) Physics of Fluids

PHYS 434 (3) Optics

PHYS 439 (3) Majors Laboratory in Modern Physics

PHYS 449 (3) Majors Research Project **

PHYS 459D1 (3) Honours Research Thesis **

and PHYS 459D2 (3) Honours Research Thesis **

PHYS 469 (3) Honours Laboratory in Modern Physics 2

PHYS 479 (3) Physics Research Project **

PHYS 512 (3) Computational Physics with Applications

PHYS 519 (3) Advanced Biophysics

PHYS 521 (3) Astrophysics

** A maximum of 6 credits of complementary courses may be from research courses PHYS 449, PHYS 459D1/D2, and PHYS 479.

It is possible for students to transfer from the Major to the Honours program after the U1 year; see the conditions and courses described after the description of the Honours program.

Students in Major Physics programs may substitute equivalent Honours-level courses. Registration for Honours courses may require permission of the course instructor.