Science Academic Programs and Plans

Advisors: See Faculty of Science, academic advisors.

The Honours Co-operative Physics and Astronomy program offers courses integrated with five four-month work terms, and extends over four and two-thirds years. Students work and study in alternate terms starting at the end of the 2A term. There is a double work term between terms 2B and 3A.

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 Co-operative Physics and Astronomy program is in the form of a core of required courses, plus appropriate electives.

Continuing in Honours Co-operative Physics and Astronomy requires both a cumulative overall and a cumulative Physics average of 60%.

In order to graduate with Honours Co-operative Physics and Astronomy, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

1. 22.0 units that include:
   
   • 11.25 PHYS units: PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 122L, PHYS 124, PHYS 131L, PHYS 175, PHYS 175L, PHYS 234, PHYS 236, PHYS 242, PHYS 242L, PHYS 256, PHYS 256L, PHYS 263, PHYS 267, PHYS 270L, PHYS 334, PHYS 342, PHYS 358, PHYS 359, PHYS 363, PHYS 364, PHYS 370L, PHYS 375, PHYS 474, and PHYS 475
   • 1.0 PHYS elective unit selected from: PHYS 239, PHYS 275, or PHYS 476
   • 2.5 MATH units: MATH 114, MATH 127, MATH 128, MATH 227, and MATH 228
   • 1.25 CHEM units: CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, and CHEM 123
   • 0.5 ENGL unit: ENGL 193/SPCOM 193
   • 5.5 elective units distributed as follows:
     
     • 1.5 PHYS lecture units that include at least 0.5 unit at the 400-level
     • 0.5 PHYS lab unit 300-level or higher
     • 3.5 units chosen from any subject, with a maximum of 1.5 lab units
2. Enrolment in PHYS 10 when offered
3. Co-operative program requirements that include:
   • A minimum of four work terms: COOP 1, COOP 2, COOP 3, and COOP 4.
   • A minimum of three work-term reports: one as part of PD 11, WKRPT 200S, and WKRPT 300S.
   • A minimum of four Professional Development courses: PD 1, PD 11, and two other PD courses.

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 437A, and PHYS 442 are recommended electives for students wishing to pursue graduate studies.

Recommended Course Sequence

Year One

Fall

CHEM 120 General Chemistry 1
CHEM 120L General Chemistry 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
One of ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 Communication in the Sciences

Winter

CHEM 123 General Chemistry 2
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)

Spring

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 267 Probability, Statistics, and Data Analysis for Physics and Astronomy
PHYS 270L Astronomical Observations, Instrumentation and Data Analysis Laboratory
One elective (0.5 unit)

Year Three

Spring

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 1
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)