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2012-2013

The Undergraduate Calendar

 

 

Science Academic Plans

Physics and Astronomy

Honours Physics and Astronomy
Advisors:  R. Jayasundera, G. Harris, S. Idziak

The Honours Physics and Astronomy academic plan is intended for students with a strong interest in astronomy. The plan provides depth and breadth in physics equal to our current Honours Physics plan, but with additional depth in astronomy. The plan will allow graduates the flexibility to pursue jobs or graduate study in either physics or astronomy. The Honours Physics and Astronomy Academic Plan is in the form of a core of required courses, plus appropriate electives.

Continuation in Honours Physics and Astronomy requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and a 60% cumulative physics average.  In addition, students must have an average of at least 65% in the lecture courses PHYS 121, 122, 124, MATH 114, and MATH 127, 128 (or equivalents) in order to continue into Year Two.

In order to graduate with an Honours Physics and Astronomy degree, the following requirements must be met:
  1. Successful completion of 19.0 lecture units plus 2.0 physics lab units.
  2. Mandatory (core) courses as listed below plus an additional 1.5 units of physics electives which must include both 1.0 unit of astronomy electives (see list below) and 0.5 unit of 400-level courses (neither PHYS 437A nor 437B may be counted towards this 0.5 unit).
  3. No more than 3.0 SCI-labelled units can be used.
  4. Completion of the English Language Proficiency Examination (ELPE).


Year One


Fall

CHEM 120/120L Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter/Laboratory
MATH 114 Linear Algebra for Science
MATH 127 Calculus 1 for the Sciences
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 121/131L Mechanics/Laboratory
One elective (0.5 unit)

Winter

CHEM 123/123L Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics/Laboratory
MATH 128 Calculus 2 for the Sciences
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 122/122L Waves, Electricity and Magnetism/Laboratory
PHYS 124 Modern Physics
PHYS 175/175L Introduction to the Universe/Laboratory

Year Two


Fall

MATH 227 Calculus 3 for Honours Physics
MATH 228 Differential Equations for Physics and Chemistry
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 236 Computational Physics 1
PHYS 256/256L Geometrical and Physical Optics/Laboratory
One elective (0.5 unit)

Winter

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 234 Quantum Physics 1
PHYS 242/242L Electricity and Magnetism 1/Laboratory
PHYS 270/270L Astronomical Observations, Instrumentation and Data Analysis/Laboratory
PHYS 263 Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity
One elective (0.5 unit)

Year Three


Fall

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 334 Quantum Physics 2
PHYS 358 Thermal Physics
PHYS 363 Intermediate Classical Mechanics
PHYS 364 Mathematical Physics 1
One elective (0.5 unit)

Winter

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 342 Electricity and Magnetism 2
PHYS 359 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 370L Astronomy Laboratory
PHYS 375 Stars
Two electives (1.0 unit)

Year Four


Fall

PHYS 10
PHYS 474 Galaxies
PHYS 475 Cosmology
Three electives (1.5 units)

Winter

PHYS 10
Five electives (2.5 units)

Students in Year Four should normally take a total of 5.0 units. In addition to the required courses listed above these must include an additional of 0.5 unit of 400-level physics electives and an additional 1.0 unit of physics electives.

Astronomy Electives:  two of:  PHYS 275, PHYS 239, PHYS 476


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