The following undergraduate programs are available in the Department:
- Major in Physics
- Honours in Physics
- Applied Mathematics/Physics Joint Honours
- Applied Mathematics/Physics Joint Major
- Physics/Biochemistry Joint Honours
- Physics/Chemistry Joint Honours
- Physics/Computer Science Joint Honours
- Physics/Computer Science Joint Major
- Physics/Earth Sciences Joint Honours
- Geophysics/Physical Oceanography Joint Honours
- Physics/Earth Sciences Joint Major
- Minor in Physics
Details of these joint programs are given after the Honours B.Sc. Regulations. Other joint programs may be arranged in consultation with the departments concerned.
NOTES: 1) The attention of students intending to follow any one of the programs listed above is drawn to the University Regulations governing the appropriate degree. Additional Departmental requirements are given below.
2) Faculty advisors are appointed to provide advice to students who are registered in, or who are considering registering in, any of the programs. Students are urged to consult with these advisors at their earliest opportunity in order to ensure that they select appropriate courses and programs. Students with credits in Physics courses which are not listed in this calendar should consult with the Department.
3) The six course stream consisting of Physics 1050, 1054, 2053, 2054, 2055 and 2056, or alternatively the seven course stream of Physics 1020, 1021, 1054, 2053, 2054, 2055 and 2056 is intended to provide a cohesive overview of Physics for potential Physics majors.
4) Physics 1050 is open to and recommended for students who have completed Level II Physics, Level III Physics and Level III Advanced Mathematics. Mathematics 1000 must be taken at the same time as, or be completed prior to, taking Physics 1050.
5) Physics 1020 is intended for students who do not qualify for Physics 1050, and while it may be taken by students who have no background in Physics it is recommended that students wishing to take Physics 1020 should have completed at least one of Level II and Level III Physics. Students who complete Physics 1020 and Mathematics 1000 are eligible for admission to Physics 1054. Students may receive credit for only one of Physics 1050 and 1020.
6) For the purposes of fulfilling Physics degree requirements and prerequisites for higher level physics courses Physics
1020/1054 will be considered equivalent to Physics 1050/1054 provided the following criteria are satisfied
- Completed Level II and Level III Physics
- Completed Physics 1020 with a grade of A
- Completed Mathematics 1000
Such students are not required to take Physics 1021
7) Students who have successfully completed Advanced Placement courses in both Physics and Mathematics will normally be eligible for direct entry into Physics 1054, 2053 and 2054, all of which are offered in the Fall semester. Such students are advised to consult the Department.
8) Where circumstances warrant, any prerequisites listed below may be waived by the Head of the Department.
9) Supplementary examinations will be allowed in certain Physics courses which have written final examinations. Students should refer to the Faculty of Science Degree regulations for details.
MINOR IN PHYSICS
A minor in Physics will consist of 24 credit hours in Physics courses which must include Physics 1050 (or 1020 and 1021), 1054, 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056. Only six credit hours at the 1000 level can be used to fulfill the 24 credit hours. For those students whose major is Chemistry or Biochemistry, the 24 credit hours in Physics will not include 2053.
a) English 1080 and English 1110 (or equivalent).
b) Chemistry 1050 and 1051 (or equivalents).
c) Mathematics 1000 and 1001.
d) Mathematics 2000, Mathematics 2050 and AM/PM 3260.
e) Physics 1050 and 1054, or Physics 1020, 1021 and 1054.
f) Physics 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 3220, 3400, 3500, 3750 and 3900.
g) An additional twelve credit hours in physics courses numbered 3000 or higher which shall include at least six credit
hours selected from the courses numbered Physics 3150, 3300, 3410, 3550, 3600, 3751.
h) Physics 3810 or AM/PM 3202.
Mathematics 1001, 2000 and 2050 are prerequisites to many Physics courses and should be completed by the end of second year. AM/PM 3260 is corequisite to Physics 3220 and should be completed before the winter of the third year. Those who intend to make a career in Physics should note that additional Physics courses are strongly recommended. Computer Science 2602 and Mathematics 2051 are also recommended.
HONOURS IN PHYSICS
a) English 1080 and English 1110 (or equivalent).
b) Chemistry 1050 and 1051 (or equivalents).
c) Mathematics 1000 and 1001.
d) Mathematics 2000, 2050 and AM/PM 3260.
e) Physics 1050 (or 1020 and 1021) and 1054.
f) Physics 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 3220, 3230, 3400, 3410, 3500, 3600, 3750, 3820, 3821, 3900, 3920, 4500, 4850, 490A/B.
g) Physics 3810 or AM/PM 3202.
h) An additional twelve credit hours in physics courses numbered 3000 or higher which shall include at least six credit
hours selected from physics courses numbered 4000 or higher.
i) Fifteen credit hours in applicable elective courses*
NOTE: Certain of the graduate courses may be taken in the final year of the Honours Program with the permission of the Head of the Department.
*Only six credit hours at the 1000 level in each of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics can be used to fulfil the 120 credit hours required for the Honours program. The inclusion of Mathematics 1090, the substitution of Physics 1020 and 1021 for Physics 1050 or Chemistry 1010, 1011 and 1031 for Chemistry 1050 and 1051 will each increase the number of credit hours required for the Honours Physics program by three.
An Honours thesis is to be presented on work undertaken by the candidate under the guidance of a Department of Physics faculty member. The thesis comprises the six credit-hour course Physics 490A/B. Students should seek departmental advice regarding a thesis project no later than the winter preceding the semester in which the project will be started.
The Honours Physics program in and beyond the third year requires a familiarity with computer programming and numerical analysis. In choosing electives for this program, the Department recommends that students supplement the prescribed program with the following courses Computer Science 2602 and 3731 (or Applied Mathematics 2130 and 3132). Mathematics 2051 and 2001 are also suitable electives. For specific courses and recommendations about electives, consultation with a faculty advisor in the Department is suggested.
The Department recommends that students wishing to complete the Honours Physics program in 120 credit hours follow the schedule given below. This schedule is intended for students who qualify for Physics 1050 and 1054. Other suggested course schedules are available from the Head of the Department.
| Year | Semester I | Semester II |
| I | English 1080 | English 1110 (1101, 1102) |
| Chemistry 1000 | Chemistry 1001 | |
| Mathematics 1000 | Mathematics 1001 | |
| Physics 1050 | Physics 1054 | |
| Elective | Elective or Physics 2056 | |
| II | Mathematics 2000 | AM/PM 3202 |
| Mathematics 2050 | AM/PM 3260 | |
| Physics 2053 | Physics 2055 | |
| Physics 2054 | Physics 2056 or Elective | |
| Elective | Elective | |
| III | Physics 3220 | Physics 3900 |
| Physics 3400 | Physics 3600/4500 | |
| Physics 3500 | Physics 3230/3410 | |
| Physics 3750 | Physics Elective | |
| Physics 3820 | Elective | |
| IV | Physics 3821 | Physics 4500/3600 |
| Physics 3920 | Physics 3410/3230 | |
| Physics 4850 | Physics 490B | |
| Physics 490A | Physics Elective | |
| Physics Elective | Physics Elective |
TABLE OF CREDIT RESTRICTIONS
CREDIT MAY BE OBTAINED FOR ONLY ONE COURSE FROM EACH OF THE PAIRS OF COURSES LISTED IN THIS TABLE.
| Present Course | Former Course | Present Course | Former Course | |
| 1020 | 1200 | 2055 | 2550 | |
| 1021 | 1201 | 2056 | 2700 | |
| 1021 | 1051 | 3220 | 3200 | |
| 1054 | 1052 | 3230 | 2210 | |
| 1054 | 2050 | 3750 | 3700 | |
| 1054 | 2200 | 3750 | 3850 | |
| 2053 | 2450 | 490A/B | 4990 | |
| 2054 | 2550 |
Physics 1021 and the former Physics 1201 will be considered equivalent for prerequisite purposes. Physics 1054 and the former Physics 1052 and 2050 will be considered equivalent for prerequisite purposes.
NOT ALL COURSES ARE OFFERED EVERY YEAR. STUDENTS SHOULD CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO REGISTRATION TO PLAN PROGRAMS.
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