Science Academic Programs and Plans

Advisors: See Faculty of Science academic advisors.

Honours Life Physics, Biophysics Specialization is available in both systems of study: regular and co-operative.

Honours Life Physics, Biophysics Specialization is an interdisciplinary plan offered jointly by the Department of Biology and the Department of Physics and Astronomy. It increases the depth and breadth of physics and biology courses at an honours level and prepares students for graduate-level study or work in industry. 

This Specialization includes the requirements for Honours Life Physics, with the following additional requirements and substitutions:

• BIOL 308 and five BIOL elective courses at 300-level or higher
• PHYS 234, PHYS 263, PHYS 358, PHYS 359, and one PHYS elective course at the 300-level or higher
• MATH 114, MATH 227, and MATH 228
• PHYS 242 and PHYS 242L in place of PHYS 224
• PHYS 121 and PHYS 122 in place of PHYS 111 and PHYS 112

Continuing in Honours Life Physics, Biophysics Specialization (regular and co-op) requires a minimum cumulative overall average of 60%, a minimum cumulative Physics average of 60%, and a minimum cumulative Biology average of 60%.

Successful completion requires:

1. 21.75 units distributed as follows:
   • 8.0 PHYS units: PHYS 121, PHYS 121L, PHYS 122, PHYS 122L, PHYS 225, PHYS 234, PHYS 242, PHYS 242L, PHYS 256, PHYS 256L, PHYS 263, PHYS 280/BIOL 280, PHYS 358, PHYS 359, PHYS 380, PHYS 395, PHYS 396, PHYS 491
   • 2.5 MATH units: MATH 114, MATH 127, MATH 128, MATH 227, MATH 228
   • 3.0 CHEM units: CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, CHEM 123, CHEM 123L, CHEM 237, CHEM 237L, CHEM 266, CHEM 266L
   • 2.25 BIOL units: BIOL 130, BIOL 130L, BIOL 239, BIOL 273, BIOL 308
   • 0.5 ENGL unit: ENGL 193/SPCOM 193
   • 5.5 elective units distributed as follows:
     • 0.5 PHYS lecture unit 300-level or higher
     • 2.5 BIOL lecture units 300- level or higher
     • 2.5 units chosen from any subject
2. Enrolment in PHYS 10 when offered.
3. Co-operative program requirements (when applicable) that include:
   • A minimum of four work terms: COOP 1, COOP 2, COOP 3, COOP 4.
   • A minimum of three work-term reports: one as part of PD 11, WKRPT 200S, WKRPT 300S.
   • A minimum of four Professional Development courses: PD 1, PD 11, and two other PD courses.

Notes

1. PHYS 111L may be substituted for PHYS 121L.
2. A 100- or 200-level BIOL course may be substituted for BIOL 273.
3. STAT 202 may be substituted for PHYS 225.
4. PHYS 437A (for one-term research projects) or PHYS 437A and PHYS 437B (taken over two terms) or BIOL 499A and BIOL 499B (taken over two terms) may be substituted for PHYS 491.
5. Students wishing to purse graduate studies (including areas in biology, physics, or biophysics) 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.

Recommended Course Sequence

See academic advisor for regular and co-operative plan sequencing.

Suggested Electives for the Biophysics Specialization

Prerequisites to a number of fourth-year physics courses: PHYS 334, PHYS 342, PHYS 364.

Interest in Experimental Methods

2.0 units from the following: BIOL 335L, BIOL 361, PHYS 249, PHYS 260L, or PHYS 391 and PHYS 391L

Interest in Theoretical Methods

2.0 units from the following: BIOL 364, BIOL 382/AMATH 382, PHYS 249, PHYS 334, PHYS 364, PHYS 365, PSYCH 420, SYDE 544, or SYDE 584 (if BIOL 273 not yet completed)

Interest in Biophotonics

PHYS 342, PHYS 364, and 1.0 additional unit from the following: PHYS 391 and PHYS 391L, PHYS 393, or PHYS 394

Interest in Microbiology

BIOL 240 and BIOL 240L, BIOL 241, and 2.0 additional units from the following: BIOL 345, BIOL 346, BIOL 348L, BIOL 431, BIOL 442, BIOL 443, BIOL 444, BIOL 447, BIOL 448, BIOL 449

Interest in Environmental Sciences

BIOL 150, BIOL 350, BIOL 359, and 1.5 additional units from the following: BIOL 351, BIOL 354, BIOL 361, BIOL 383, BIOL 450, BIOL 452, BIOL 455, BIOL 456, BIOL 457, BIOL 462, BIOL 470, BIOL 479, BIOL 488, PHYS 364

Interest in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

BIOL 309, BIOL 342, BIOL 432, and 1.5 additional units from the following: BIOL 331, BIOL 335L, BIOL 434, BIOL 483, BIOL 484