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. This academic plan is also available in the Co-operative system of study.

The Honours Life Physics has two specializations available in the Regular and Co-operative system of study. The 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 strengthen areas of interest and as preparation for graduate level study or work in industry. Departmental advisors for Life Physics and 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 requirement.

Notes

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. Students considering entry into the School of Optometry and Vision Science or the School of Pharmacy should verify the admission requirements for each program to guide selection of elective courses.

Legend

*Can be taken Fall of first, second or third year.
 ** Can be taken in third or fourth year.

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

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

Year Three

Fall

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

Elective courses for Life Physics

Students must take a minimum of 2.25 units of the following courses:

BIOL 240/BIOL 240L Fundamentals of Microbiology/Laboratory*
BIOL 308 Principles of Molecular Biology
BIOL 373/BIOL 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