Science Academic Plans

Advisors:  R. Jayasundera, M. Campbell, B.-Y. Ha

The Honours Life Physics Academic Plan is in the form of a core of required courses, plus appropriate electives.  This plan provides a solid foundation in basic physics, chemistry and biology while allowing a flexible, interdisciplinary and integrative approach to study of the life sciences. While emphasizing physics, through appropriate selection of electives, this plan prepares students for careers which require a broad scientific knowledge or for programs in biophysics, medical physics, optometry, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, forensics, and radiotherapy. The electives allow students to prepare for these programs and strengthen complementary areas of interest. Students are strongly urged to consult the admission requirements of the professional schools of interest to aid in their choice of electives. See the note to all Honours Life Physics students below. This academic plan is also available in the Co-operative system of study.

The Honours Life Physics - Medical Physics Specialization requires additional courses also taken by Honours Physics students, and medical physics courses, in preparation for a graduate level program in Medical Physics, leading to certification or for work in Medical Physics. The Biophysics Specialization increases the depth and breadth of physics and biology courses at an honours level, to allow strengthening of areas of interest and as preparation for gradute level study or work in industry. See the notes below under the heading "Suggested Electives" at the end of each specialization. These Academic Plans are also available in the Co-operative system of study. Departmental advisors for Life and for Medical Physics in Physics and Astronomy, and for Biophysics in Physics and Astronomy and Biology are available to advise students on course sequencing. Consult the Life Physics website for additional information on this program.

Continuation in Honours Life Physics requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and a cumulative average of 60% in Physics courses and 60% in Biology courses.

In order to graduate with an Honours Life Physics degree, the following requirements must be met:

1. Successful completion of 22.25 units.
2. Mandatory (core) courses as listed below.
3. No more than 3.0 "SCI-labelled" units can be used.
4. Completion of the English Language Proficiency Examination (ELPE).

Legend

Year One

Fall

Winter

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
BIOL 239 Genetics
PHYS 122/(PHYS 122L or PHYS 132L) Waves, Electricity and Magnetism/Laboratory
 or PHYS 112/112L Physics 2/Laboratory
CHEM 123/123L
MATH 128 Calculus 2 for the Sciences
On elective (0.5 unit)

Year Two

Fall

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
CHEM 266/266L Basic Organic Chemistry 1/Laboratory (For students interested in Medical Physics, CHEM 266/266L may be taken in 4A)
One elective (0.5 unit)
PHYS 224 Electricity and Magnetism for Life and Medical Physics
 or PHYS 242/242L Electricity and Magnetism 1/Laboratory
PHYS 256/256L Geometrical and Physical Optics/Laboratory
PHYS 225 Modeling Life Physics

Winter

PHYS 10
PHYS 280/BIOL 280 Introduction to Biophysics
BIOL 273/273L Principles of Human Physiology 1/Laboratory
 or One 100- or 200-level Biology course
CHEM 237/237L Introductory Biochemistry/Laboratory
Two Electives (1.0 unit)

Year Three

Fall

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 380 Molecular and Cellular Biophysics
Four Electives (2.0 units)

Winter

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 395 Biophysics of Therapeutic Methods
 or PHYS 396 Biophysics of Imaging
Four electives (2.0 units)

Year Four

Fall

Winter

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 395 Biophysics of Therapeutic Methods
  or PHYS 396 Biophysics of Imaging
Four electives (2.0 units)

Students must take an additional minimum of 2.25 units from the following list:

BIOL 240/240L Fundamentals of Microbiology/Laboratory*
BIOL 308 Principles of Molecular Biology
BIOL 373/373L Principles of Human Physiology 2/Laboratory+
 or BIOL 301 Human Anatomy
PHYS 124 Modern Physics
PHYS 233 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
 or PHYS 234 Quantum Physics 1
PHYS 263 Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity
PHYS 358 Thermal Physics
PHYS 359 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 383 Medical Physics

Notes to all Honours Life Physics Students:

1. Electives may be taken in any area of the student's choosing.  Students should be aware that health profession programs often require courses in one or more of the following subject areas:  English, mathematics, computer science, sociology, accounting, economics, languages, psychology, philosophy and humanities. The departmental Undergraduate Advisors in Physics and Astronomy are available to assist any student in the plan and further information is available from the Life Physics website. 
2. Entry into the School of Optometry and Vision Science and the School of Pharmacy: See admission requirements on either of the respective calendar pages.