Science Academic Programs and Plans

Advisors: See Faculty of Science, academic advisors.

The Honours Life Physics program is in the form of a core of required courses, plus appropriate electives. This program provides a solid foundation in basic physics, chemistry, and biology while allowing a flexible, interdisciplinary, and integrative approach to the study of the life sciences. While emphasizing physics, through appropriate selection of electives, this program prepares students for careers that require a broad scientific knowledge and 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 elective choices.

The Honours Life Physics has two specializations: the Biophysics Specialization and the Medical Physics Specialization .

Academic advisors for Life Physics, Biophysics, and Medical Physics are available to advise students on course sequencing. Students should also consult the Life Physics website for additional information on this program.

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

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

1. 21.75 units that include:
   • 0.75 PHYS unit chosen from: PHYS 111 and PHYS 111L or PHYS 121 and PHYS 121L
   • 0.75 PHYS unit chosen from: PHYS 112 and PHYS 112L or PHYS 122 and PHYS 122L
   • 4.25 PHYS units: PHYS 224, PHYS 225, PHYS 256, PHYS 256L, PHYS 280/BIOL 280, PHYS 380, PHYS 395, PHYS 396, and PHYS 491
   • 1.0 unit MATH unit: MATH 127 and MATH 128
   • 3.0 CHEM units: CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, CHEM 123, CHEM 123L, CHEM 237, CHEM 237L, CHEM 266, and CHEM 266L
   • 1.75 BIOL units: BIOL 130, BIOL 130L, BIOL 239, and BIOL 273
   • 0.5 ENGL unit: ENGL 193/SPCOM 193
   • 9.75 elective units distributed as follows:
   • 2.25 program elective units chosen from: BIOL 240/BIOL 240L, BIOL 301, BIOL 308, BIOL 373/BIOL 373L, PHYS 124, PHYS 233, PHYS 234, PHYS 263, PHYS 358, PHYS 359, and PHYS 383
   • 7.5 units chosen from any subject
2. Enrolment in PHYS 10 when offered.

Notes

1. PHYS 242/PHYS 242L may be substituted for PHYS 224.
2. A 100- or 200- level BIOL course may be substituted for BIOL 273.
3. Students selecting BIOL 240/BIOL 240L as a program elective can take it in the fall term of Year One, Year Two, or Year Three.
4. Students selecting BIOL 373/BIOL 373L as a program elective should take it in Year Three or Year Four.
5. Students interested in pursuing the Biophysics Specialization must take PHYS 121/PHYS 122 rather than PHYS 111/PHYS 112.
6. Students interested in pursuing the Medical Physics Specialization can take CHEM 266/CHEM 266L in Year Four instead of Year Two.
7. Students can choose their elective subjects; however, they 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.
8. Students considering entry into the Doctor of Optometry or Doctor of Pharmacy programs should verify the admission requirements for each program to guide selection of elective courses.

Recommended Course Sequence

Year One

Fall

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
BIOL 130/BIOL 130L Introductory Cell Biology/Cell Biology Laboratory
PHYS 121 Mechanics or PHYS 111 Physics 1
PHYS 121L Mechanics Laboratory or PHYS 111L Physics 1 Laboratory
CHEM 120 Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
CHEM 120L Chemical Reaction Laboratory 1
MATH 127 Calculus 1 for the Sciences
One of ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 Communication in the Sciences

Winter

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
BIOL 239 Genetics
PHYS 122 Waves, Electricity and Magnetism or PHYS 112 Physics 2
PHYS 122L Waves, Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory or PHYS 112L Physics 2 Laboratory
CHEM 123 Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics
CHEM 123L Chemical Reaction Laboratory 2
MATH 128 Calculus 2 for the Sciences
One elective (0.5 unit)

Year Two

Fall

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
CHEM 266 Basic Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 266L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
PHYS 224 Electricity and Magnetism for Life and Medical Physics
PHYS 256 Geometrical and Physical Optics
PHYS 256L Optics Laboratory 
PHYS 225 Modeling Life Physics
One elective (0.5 unit)

Winter

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
One of PHYS 280/BIOL 280 Introduction to Biophysics
BIOL 273 Principles of Human Physiology 1
CHEM 237 Introductory Biochemistry
CHEM 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

PHYS 10 Physics Seminar
PHYS 491 Special Topics in Life, Medical and 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 (1.75 units)