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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_O 121, 123 | 6 |
| ENGL_O 1091, or two of ENGL_O 1121, 113, 1141, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH_O 203 | 6 |
| MATH_O 100 or 116 | 3 |
| MATH_O 101 or 103 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 121 or 122 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| ASTR_O 210, or one of PHYS_O 225, 305, 314, 320 | 3 |
| MATH_O 200, 2213, 225, 3174 | 12 |
| PHYS_O 200, 215, 216, 231, 232 | 15 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Third and Fourth Years |
|
|---|---|
MATH_O 319 | 3 |
PHYS_O 301, 304, 328, 331 | 12 |
One of PHYS_O 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 electives6 | 12 |
Electives2 | 9 |
Total Credits | 60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL_O 109, 112 or 114.
2COSC_O 111 and 121 are strongly recommended. Students considering a career in geosciences should take EESC_O 111, 121, and 350. Students considering a career in astronomy should take ASTR_O 110, 120, 210 and 321.
3MATH_O 221 may be taken in the second term of the first year.
4MATH_O 317 may be taken in the third year.
5PHYS_O 335 cannot be used as upper-level Physics electives. Capable students are advised to consider selecting the directed studies course PHYS_O 448, which grants either 2, 3, 4, or 6 upper-level credits in Physics.
6 Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 or later must complete at least 9 credits of non-science designated courses and 3 credits from INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114. Students who entered the B.Sc. prior to 2024 are required to complete 12 credits of non-science designated courses. These students are strongly encouraged to take INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114.
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_O 111 or CHEM_O 121; and CHEM_O 113 or CHEM_O 123 | 6 |
| MATH_O 100 | 3 |
| MATH_O 101 or 103 | 3 |
| ENGL_O 1091, or two of ENGL_O 1121, 113, 1141, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH_O 203 | 6 |
| PHYS_O 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 121 or 122 | 3 |
| COSC_O 111 | 3 |
| DATA_O 101 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| PHYS_O 200, 215, 216 | 9 |
| Two of ASTR_O 210; PHYS_O 231, 232 | 6 |
| MATH_O 200, 221, 225, 3172 and STAT_O 203 | 15 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| MATH_O 220, 319, 327, 350, STAT_O 303 | 15 |
| PHYS_O 301, 304, 328 | 9 |
| One of PHYS_O 4013, 4023, 4183 | 3 |
| Two of MATH_O 303, 408, 459; STAT_O 403 | 6 |
| Three of ASTR_O 321; PHYS_O 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_O 109, 112 or 114.
2MATH_O 317 may be taken in the third year but is a requirement for PHYS_O 301.
3Each of PHYS_O 401, 402, 418 may only fulfill one requirement.
4 Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 or later must complete at least 9 credits of non-science designated courses and 3 credits from INDG_O 100 or ENGL _O 114. Students who entered the B.Sc. prior to 2024 are required to complete 12 credits of non-science designated courses. These students are strongly encouraged to take INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114.
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_O 319 | 3 |
PHYS_O 301, 304, 328, 331, 401, 402, 403, 441 | 24 |
PHYS_O 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_O 112 or 114.
2COSC_O 111 and 121 are strongly recommended. Students considering a career in geosciences should take EESC_O 111, 121, and 350. Students considering a career in astronomy should take ASTR_O 110, 120, 210 and 321.
3MATH_O 221 may be taken in the second term of the first year.
4MATH_O 317 may be taken in the third year.
5PHYS_O 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_O 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_O 449 with a minimum grade of 76%. A written thesis is required, with a public seminar presentation of the thesis research.
Combined Physics and Mathematics Honours Program
This program enables high-achieving students to gain research experience through the completion of an Honours Thesis. It is particularly recommended to students intending to pursue graduate studies. The course requirements for first- and second-year are the same as in the Combined Majors in Physics and Mathematics.
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| MATH_O 220, 319, 327, 350, STAT_O 303 | 15 |
| PHYS_O 301, 304, 328 | 9 |
| One of PHYS_O 4011, 4021, 4181 | 3 |
| Two of MATH_O 303, 408, 459; STAT_O 403 | 6 |
| Three of ASTR_O 321; PHYS_O 331, 400, 4011, 4021, 403, 407, 408, 4181, 420, 425, 441, 474 | 9 |
| Non-science electives2 | 12 |
| PHYS_O 449 or MATH_O 448 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1 Each of PHYS_O 401, 402, 418 may only fulfill one requirement | |
2 Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 and later will be required to take 3 credits of an indigenous content course to partially fulfill this requirement | |
Admission Requirements
- Fourth-year standing in the Combined Major in Physics and Mathematics 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; Students taking PHYS_O 449 must have the thesis proposal and research supervisor 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 Combined Physics and Mathematics Honours Program; and
- Six credits of either PHYS_O 449 or Math _O 448 with a minimum grade of 76%.