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2018-2019

The Undergraduate Calendar

 

 

Science Academic Plans

Physics and Astronomy

Honours Physics and Astronomy
Advisors: See Faculty of Science, academic advisors.

The Honours Physics and Astronomy program is intended for students with a strong interest in astronomy. It provides depth and breadth in physics equal to the Honours Physics program, with additional depth in astronomy. This program allows graduates the flexibility to pursue jobs or graduate study in either physics or astronomy. The Honours Physics and Astronomy program is in the form of a core of required courses, plus appropriate electives.

Continuation in Honours Physics and Astronomy requires both a cumulative overall and a cumulative physics average of 60%. 

In order to graduate with an Honours Physics and Astronomy degree, the following requirements must be successfully completed:
  1. 22.0 units that include:
  2. Enrolment in PHYS 10 when offered

Additional Program Condition:

A maximum of 3.0 SCI units may be counted towards this program.

Notes

  1. Year One CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, and CHEM 123 may be replaced by Year One BIOL or EARTH courses.
  2. PHYS 437A and PHYS 437B may not count toward the 0.5 PHYS lecture unit at the 400-level.
  3. The total 0.50 PHYS lab unit may be taken in either terms of Year Three or Year Four.
  4. Students wishing to pursue graduate studies should consult with a Physics advisor and a graduate officer in order to choose electives that provide them with the desired background for their choice of graduate program and/or school.
  5. PHYS 434, PHYS 442, and PHYS 437A are recommended electives for students wishing to pursue graduate studies.

Recommended Course Sequence


Year One


Fall
CHEM 120 Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
CHEM 120L Chemical Reaction Laboratory  1
MATH 114 Linear Algebra for Science
MATH 127 Calculus 1 for the Sciences
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 121 Mechanics
PHYS 131L Mechanics Laboratory 
SCCOM 100 Communication in the Sciences
Winter
CHEM 123 Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics
MATH 128 Calculus 2 for the Sciences
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 122 Waves, Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 122L Waves, Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory
PHYS 124 Modern Physics
PHYS 175 Introduction to the Universe
PHYS 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 Geometrical and Physical Optics
PHYS 256L Optics Laboratory 
One elective (0.5 unit)
Winter
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 234 Quantum Physics 1
PHYS 242 Electricity and Magnetism 1
PHYS 242L Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory
PHYS 263 Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity
PHYS 270 Astronomical Observations, Instrumentation and Data Analysis
PHYS 270L Astronomical Observations, Instrumentation and Data Analysis Laboratory
One elective (0.5 unit)

Year Three


Fall
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 342 Electricity and Magnetism 2
PHYS 358 Thermal Physics
PHYS 363 Intermediate Classical Mechanics
PHYS 364 Mathematical Physics 1
One PHYS lab elective at the 300-level or higher (0.25 unit)
One elective (0.5 unit)
Winter
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 334 Quantum Physics 2
PHYS 359 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 370L Astronomy Laboratory
PHYS 375 Stars
One PHYS lab elective 300-level or higher (0.25 unit)
Two electives (1.0 unit)

Year Four


Fall and Winter
PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 474 Galaxies
PHYS 475 Cosmology
One PHYS elective 400-level (0.5 unit)
Two PHYS electives (1.0 unit)
Four electives (2.0 units)

 


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