Physics courses are designated by PHYS.
1020
Introductory Physics I
(F) & (W)
is a non-calculus based introduction to mechanics. This course may be completed by someone who has no physics background provided some extra effort is made.
CO: Mathematics 1090
CR: PHYS 1050
LH: 3; six laboratory sessions per semester
OR: optional tutorials will be available, on average one hour per week
PR: Level III Advanced Mathematics or Mathematics 1090. It is recommended that students have completed at least one of level II and level III high school physics courses
1021
Introductory Physics II
(F) & (W)
is a non-calculus based introduction to fluids, wave motion, light, optics, electricity and magnetism.
CO: Mathematics 1000
LH: 3; normally there will be six laboratory sessions per semester
OR: optional tutorials will be available, on average one hour per week
1050
General Physics I: Mechanics
(F) & (W)
is a calculus based introduction to mechanics. The course will emphasize problem solving. For more details regarding PHYS 1050, see Note 4 under Physics and Physical Oceanography.
CO: Mathematics 1000
CR: PHYS 1020
LH: 3; normally there will be six laboratory sessions per semester
OR: optional tutorials will be available, on average one hour per week
PR: Mathematics 1000
1051
General Physics II: Oscillations, Waves, Electromagnetism (F) (W) & (S)
is a calculus based introduction to oscillations, wave motion, physical optics and electromagnetism.
CO: Mathematics 1001
LH: 3; normally there will be six laboratory sessions per semester
OR: optional tutorials will be available, on average one hour per week
PR: PHYS 1050, or 1021, or 1020 (with a minimum grade of 65%) and Mathematics 1001
2053
Fluids and Thermal Physics
(F)
examines elasticity, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, kinetic theory and statistical mechanics.
CO: Mathematics 1001 and PHYS 1051
LH: 3
2055
Electricity and Magnetism
(W)
examines Gauss' Law, the electrostatic potential, capacitance, magnetic forces and the magnetic field, electromagnetic induction, magnetic materials, ac circuits, superconductivity, the displacement current and Maxwell's equations.
CO: Mathematics 2000
LH: 3
2151
Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics
(F) & (W)
covers atomic structure and spectra. The sun: radiation, energetics, magnetic field. Stars: distance, velocity, size, atmospheres, interiors. Variable stars, multiple stars, clusters and stellar associations. Stellar evolution, interstellar matter, structure of the Milky Way Galaxy. Exterior galaxies, quasi-stellar objects, pulsars. Cosmology.
PR: 6 credit hours in Mathematics courses at the first year level
2750
Modern Physics
(F)
covers special relativity, quanta of light, atomic structure and spectral lines, quantum structure of atoms and molecules, nuclei and elementary particles.
CO: Mathematics 1001 and PHYS 1051
CR: PHYS 2056
2820
Computational Mechanics
(W)
covers newtonian dynamics and celestial mechanics, numerical differentiation and integration, numerical solutions to mechanics problems, data and spectral analysis, Fourier series and normal modes, oscillations and vibrations, linear and non-linear oscillators, nonlinear dynamics and chaos.
CO: Mathematics 2000
LC: 5
LH: 5
3000
Physics of Device Materials
(F)
is structures of crystalline and amorphous solids. Excitations and transport in metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics; electronic band structures. Physics of multi-material devices including photodiodes, solid state lasers, and field-effect transistors.
PR: PHYS 2055 or registration in Academic Term 3 of the Electrical Engineering Program
3150
Astrophysics I
(W)
is a review of macroscopic and microscopic physics. The sun: luminosity, mass, spectrum, photosphere, corona, interior. Principles of stellar structure; radiative and convective transport of energy. The virial theorem. Thermonuclear fusion; temperature dependence; the solar neutrino problem. Nucleosynthesis; the curve of binding energy; the synthesis of heavy elements. White dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; degenerate electron and neutron gases; Chandrasekhar's Limit. Population I and Population II stars; the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram; relationships among luminosity, mass, and effective temperature for main sequence dwarfs. Evolution of post main sequence stars.
3151
Astrophysics II
covers stellar spectra and classification of stars. Hertzsprung-Russell diagram; equations of stellar structure for a star in equilibrium; temperature and density dependencies of nuclear processes. Formation and classification of binary stars; mass and energy transfer in binary star systems; semidetached binaries; cataclysmic variables, pulsars, etc. Galaxies and galactic structure; active galactic nuclei; cosmological redshift. Cosmology.
3220
Classical Mechanics I
(F)
covers kinematics and dynamics of a particle. Moving reference systems. Celestial mechanics. Systems of particles.
CO: PHYS 2820 and Applied Mathematics 3260 or Pure Mathematics 3260
PR: PHYS 2820 and Applied Mathematics 3260 or Pure Mathematics 3260
3230
Classical Mechanics II
(W)
covers rigid body motion. Lagrange's equations. Hamilton's equations. Vibrations. Special theory of relativity.
PR: PHYS 3220 and 3810 (or Applied Mathematics 3202 or Pure Mathematics 3202) and Applied Mathematics 3260 or Pure Mathematics 3260
3300
Introduction to Physical Oceanography
(F)
deals with the physics of processes in the ocean, but provides an integrated view of the whole field of oceanography. The importance of physical processes to other aspects of oceanography is treated.
3340
Principles of Environmental Physics
will explore the basic physical principles of light, heat, energy and sound in the natural environment. Several key aspects of physics in the environment will be covered including climate and the physical evolution of the planet and the present role of the atmosphere and ocean spectroscopy in the atmosphere and measurement and observation of the atmosphere; principles of energy generation and pollution transport in the atmosphere and ocean.
3400
Thermodynamics
(F)
covers the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Entropy. Thermodynamics of real substances. Kinetic theory of matter. Introduction to statistical mechanics.
3410
Statistical Mechanics
(W)
covers ensembles. Classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Statistical mechanics of phase transitions. Advanced topics in statistical mechanics.
CO: PHYS 3750
3500
Electromagnetic Fields I
(F)
examines electrostatic Field: field, potential, Poisson's equation, Laplace's equation, capacitance, dielectrics, polarization, electric displacement, boundary conditions. Magnetic Field: electric current and magnetic field, vector potential, Lorentz force and relativity, changing magnetic field, inductance, magnetic materials, magnetization. Maxwell's equations.
PR: PHYS 2055 and 3810 (or Applied Mathematics 3202 or Pure Mathematics 3202)
3550
Electric Circuits
(S)
covers circuit elements. Simple resistive circuits. Techniques of circuit analysis. Topology in circuit analysis. Operational amplifiers. Reactive circuit elements. Natural response and step response of RL, RC and RLC circuits. Circuits driven by sinusoidal sources. Mutual inductance. Series and parallel resonance. Laplace transforms in the analysis of frequency response.
CO: Applied Mathematics 3260 or Pure Mathematics 3260
CR: Engineering 3821
LC: 6
LH: 6
PR: Mathematics 2050, PHYS 2055 and Applied Mathematics 3260 or Pure Mathematics 3260
3551
Analogue Electronics
(S)
is a review of network analysis. Feedback. Electron tubes. Semiconductor diodes. Introduction to transistors. Introduction to amplifiers. Small signal models. Small signal analysis of amplifiers. Operational amplifiers. Selected topics in circuit design such as biasing, voltage regulators and power circuits, noise. This course is recommended for students with an interest in experimental Physics.
LC: 6
LH: 6
PR: PHYS 3550 and Applied Mathematics 3260 or Pure Mathematics 3260
3600
Optics and Photonics I
(W)
covers geometrical Optics: thin lenses, mirrors, optical systems. Two-beam and multiple-beam interference phenomena. Fraunhofer Diffraction. Introduction to Maxwell's Theory: reflection, transmission, and polarization. Modulation of light waves. Fibre-optical light guides: intermodal dispersion, index profiles, loss mechanisms, single mode fibres. Optical communication systems: free space and fibre systems, emitters, detectors, amplifers, wavelength-division multiplexing, integrated optics.
3750
Quantum Physics I
(F)
covers wave-particle duality of nature. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. Schrödinger equation. One electron atoms. Quantum statistics.
CO: PHYS 3220 and 3810 (or Applied Mathematics 3202 or Pure Mathematics 3202)
PR: PHYS 2750 (or 2056), 3220 and 3810 (or Applied Mathematics 3202 or Pure Mathematics 3202)
3751
Quantum Physics II
(W)
covers multielectron atoms. Molecules. Solids - conductors and semiconductors. Superconductors. Magnetic properties. Nuclear models. Nuclear decay and nuclear reactions. Properties and interactions of elementary particles.
PR: PHYS 3750
3800
Computational Physics
is a project-based course intended to train students to become functional in computational methods, by writing and compiling computer code (C/Fortran) in a Unix environment to solve problems drawn from different areas of physics. Students will complete several projects selected from different areas of physics. Projects will introduce the students to a particular class of numerical methods. Lectures and tutorials will cover the theory that underlies the computational methods and background for code development and the application of the required numerical methods.
CO: Any two 2000-level Physics course plus at least one other 3000-level Physics course
LC: 5
LH: 5
PR: Computer Science 1510, PHYS 2820, Mathematics 3202, Mathematics 3260
3810
Mathematical Analysis
(F)
- inactive course.
3820
Mathematical Physics II
(F)
examines the functions of a complex variable; residue calculus. Introduction to Cartesian tensor analysis. Matrix eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Diagonalization of tensors. Matrix formulation of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanical spin. Vector differential operators in curvilinear coordinate systems. Partial differential equations of Mathematical Physics and boundary value problems; derivation of the classical equations, separation of variables; Helmholtz equation in spherical polar coordinates.
PR: Applied Mathematics 3260 or Pure Mathematics 3260, and PHYS 3810 (or Applied Mathematics 3202 or Pure Mathematics 3202)
3821
Mathematical Physics III
(F)
covers further topics on partial differential equations of Mathematical Physics and boundary value problems; Sturm-Liouville theory, Fourier series, generalized Fourier series, introduction to the theory of distributions, Dirac delta function, Green's functions, Bessel functions, ' functions, Legendre functions, spherical harmonics.
PR: PHYS 3820
3900
Physics Laboratory I
(W)
is a selection of experiments based primarily on material covered in the third year courses.
LH: 6
PR: at least two of PHYS 2053, 2820, 2055, and PHYS 2750 (or 2056)
3920
Physics Laboratory II
(F)
is a selection of experiments based primarily on Modern Physics at the intermediate level.
LH: 6
PR: PHYS 3900
4000
Solid State Physics
covers crystal structure and binding, phonons and lattice vibrations, thermal properties of solids. Electrons in solids, energy bands, semi-conductors, superconductivity, dielectric properties. Magnetic properties of solids.
4200
Classical Mechanics III
- inactive course.
4205
Introduction to Fluid Dynamics
covers basic observations, mass conservation, vorticity, stress, hydrostatics, rate of strain, momentum conservation (Navier-Stokes equation), simple viscous and inviscid flows, Reynolds number, boundary layers, Bernoulli's and Kelvin's theorems, potential flows, water waves, thermodynamics.
CR: Applied Mathematics 4180
PR: PHYS 3220 and either Applied Mathematics 4160 or PHYS 3821 or waiver approved by the instructor
4210
Continuum Mechanics
- inactive course.
4220
Introduction to general Relativity
studies both the mathematical structure and physical content of Einstein’s theory of gravity. Topics include the geometric formulation of special relativity, curved spacetimes, metrics, geodesics, causal structure, gravity as spacetime curvature, the weak-field limit, geometry outside a spherical star, Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes, Robertson-Walker cosmologies, gravitational waves, an instruction to tensor calculus, Einstein’s equations, and the stress-energy tensor.
CO: Applied Mathematics 4230 or Pure Mathematics 4230
CR: Applied Mathematics 4130
PR: Applied Mathematics 3202 or Pure Mathematics 3202 and one of PHYS 3220, Applied Mathematics 4230 or Pure Mathematics 4230 or waiver approved by the instructor
4300
Advanced Physical Oceanography
(W)
covers fundamental properties of seawater and techniques of oceanographic measurement. The dynamical equations of oceanography are derived and solutions explored by comparison with oceanic observations. Properties of waves in rotating and non-rotating fluids. Linear and non-linear wave theory are developed.
PR: PHYS 3300 and 3820 or registration in Academic term 6 of the Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering program, or waiver approved by the instructor
4330
Topics in Physical Oceanography
- inactive course.
4340
Modelling in Environmental Physics
covers the basic principles underlying environmental modelling will be developed and techniques for modelling presented and applied. Techniques for numerical modelling will be developed and simple numerical models will be developed for use in terrestrial, atmospheric and oceanic environments. Free and forced systems will be discussed and the transition to chaos and some aspects of chaotic dynamics.
PR: PHYS 3340 and PHYS 3820 or waiver approved by the instructor
4500
Electromagnetic Fields II
covers multipole expansions, electrostatic fields as boundary value problems, polarizability of molecules in dielectric media, Clausius-Mossotti relation, gauges. Electromagnetic Waves: Poynting's theorem, reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves, cavity resonators, wave guides. Electromagnetic Radiation: dipoles, antennas, quantum mechanics and electro-magnetic interactions. Selected topics in electrodynamics and applied electromagnetism.
4600
Optics and Photonics II
is a review of basic topics in wave optics. Phase sensitive imaging. Electromagnetic waves in anisotropic media. Scattering of electromagnetic waves. The physics of light sources and applications. Non-linear optics and applications.
CO: PHYS 3751
PR: PHYS 3500, 3600, and PHYS 3751 or waiver approved by the instructor
4700
Atomic and Molecular Physics
- inactive course.
4710
Nuclear Physics
- inactive course.
4820
Mathematical Physics IV
- inactive course.
4850
Quantum Mechanics
(F)
examines postulates of quantum mechanics. Operators and operator algebra. Matrix representations. Spin and magnetic fields. Approximation methods: WKB method, time independent perturbation theory, time dependent perturbation theory, variational methods. Elementary scattering theory.
PR: PHYS 3230, 3750, 3820 or waiver approved by the instructor
4851
Advanced Quantum Mechanics
(W)
covers general formulation of quantum mechanics, measurement theory and operators. Hilbert spaces. Advanced topics selected from: electron in a strong magnetic field and the Aharonov-Bohm effect; advanced scattering theory; systems of identical particles; Feynman path integral formulation of quantum mechanics; relativistic quantum mechanics; second quantization; symmetry and group theory; density matrix and mixtures.
4900
Senior Laboratory
- inactive course.
490A/B
Honours Physics Thesis
is required of the Honours program.
6317
Underwater Acoustics
covers basic theory of sound, sound in the ocean environment, wave equation, ray tracing, sonar system operation, transducers, applications.
PR: PHYS 3810 (or the former Applied Mathematics/Pure Mathematics 3220) and 3220, or waiver approved by the instructor
6318
Ocean Climate Modelling
covers numerical techniques, finite difference, finite element and spectral methods. Introduction to the climate system. Ocean climate models. Box models. Variability on interdecadal, centennial and geological scales. Zonally averaged models. 3-D ocean modelling. Thermohaline circulation. General circulation models. Climate modelling and global warming.
PR: PHYS 3810 (or Applied Mathematics 3202 or Pure Mathematics 3202), PHYS 3300 and the completion of any 15 credit hours in core courses at the 3000 or 4000 level in the Faculty of Science or waiver approved by the instructor