Introduction

Physics is in many ways the parent of the other natural sciences and its discoveries and laws continually affect their development. Its range and scope extend in space and time from subnuclear particles to the universe itself. The subfields of physics such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, atomic physics and quantum mechanics, to mention but a few, permeate all other scientific disciplines. People trained in physics are employed in industry, government, and educational systems where they find many challenges as teachers, researchers, administrators and in the rapidly developing area of scientific business.

The two main undergraduate programs in Physics at McGill are the Honours and the Major. The Honours program is highly specialized and the courses are very demanding. This program is appropriate for students who wish to make an in-depth study of the subject in preparation for graduate work and an academic or professional career in physics. The two joint honours, one in Mathematics and Physics and the other in Physics and Chemistry, are even more specialized and demanding. They are intended for students who wish to develop a strong basis in both physics and the other discipline and are intended as preparation for graduate work and a professional or academic career. Although these two programs have a bias for theoretical work, they are broad enough and strong enough to prepare students for further study in either experimental physics or respectively mathematics or chemistry. High standing in CEGEP or Foundation-year mathematics and physics is a requirement for admission to these Honours programs.

The Major program, on the other hand, offers a broad training in classical and modern physics and yet leaves room for the student to take a meaningful sequence of courses in other areas. It is intended primarily for students who wish to pursue careers in fields for which physics provides a basis. However, this program also provides a preparation for graduate studies.

It is possible for students to transfer from the Major program to the Honours program after the first year of studies; see comments to this effect below after the description of the Honours program.

There are also a number of other Major programs: Atmospheric Sciences and Physics, Physics and Computer Science, Physics and Geophysics, and Physiology and Physics, offered jointly with other departments, and a Minor program in Electrical Engineering, available only to students in the Physics Major program. In addition, there is a Minor in Physics and a core Physics component of the Liberal Science Program, for students less interested in a specialized education.

In both the Major and Honours programs, we offer a concentration in Biological Physics that keeps a strong core of foundational physics and specializes through adding courses in biology, mathematics, physiology, computer science and chemistry. These concentrations provide 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.

For those interested in a career as a high school science teacher, the concurrent program leading to both a B.Sc. and a B.Ed. degree provides several physics options. These combine physics courses from the Major and Minor programs with courses from either Biology or Chemistry and with Education courses. (For details, see “Science or Mathematics for Teachers”, in section 12.13.34. of the calendar)

A Science Major Concentration in Physics is available to students pursuing the B.A. & Sc. degree.

Physics Pre-Program Requirements

Students entering Physics programs from the Foundation Program should check the Physics specific requirements. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses.

Internship Year in Science (IYS)

IYS is a pre-graduate work experience program available to eligible students and normally taken between their U2 and U3 years. For more information, see “Industrial Practicum (IP) and Internship Year in Science (IYS)”, in section 12.12.4, under Faculty of Engineering. The following programs are also available with an internship component:

Major in Physics
Honours in Physics
Joint Honours Program in Physics and Chemistry
Joint Honours Program in Physics and Mathematics
Joint Major Program in Atmospheric Science and Physics
Joint Major Program in Physics and Computer Science
Joint Major Program in Physics and Geophysics