Science Academic Programs and Plans

Advisors: See Faculty of Science academic advisors.

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

The Honours Physics plan is in the form of core required courses, plus appropriate electives, integrated with five work terms for those in the co-op system, allowing students to take a wide variety of course combinations. With judicious selection of elective courses, students can deepen their knowledge of theoretical or experimental physics, or emphasize particular aspects of the subject, such as optics, condensed matter physics, astrophysics, or biophysics. Physics students can (subject to timetable restrictions) also use their elective courses to gain expertise in other subjects (e.g., business administration, computing, electrical engineering, or philosophy).

Continuing in Honours Physics (regular and co-op) requires both a minimum cumulative overall average and a minimum cumulative Physics average of 60%. 

Successful completion requires:

1. 22.0 units distributed as follows:
   • 10.0 PHYS units: PHYS 121, PHYS 121L, PHYS 122, PHYS 122L, PHYS 124, PHYS 160L, PHYS 232L, PHYS 234, PHYS 242, PHYS 242L, PHYS 249, PHYS 256, PHYS 256L, PHYS 260L, PHYS 263, PHYS 267, PHYS 334, PHYS 342, PHYS 358, PHYS 359, PHYS 360A, PHYS 363, PHYS 364, PHYS 365
   • 2.0 MATH units: MATH 127, MATH 128, MATH 227, MATH 228
   • 1.25 CHEM units: CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, CHEM 123
   • 0.5 CS unit: CS 114
   • 0.5 ENGL unit: ENGL 193/SPCOM 193
   • 7.75 elective units distributed as follows:
     • 2.0 PHYS lecture units that must include at least 1.5 units at the 400-level
     • 0.25 PHYS lab unit at the 300- or 400-level
     • 5.5 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 (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.

Additional condition:

A maximum of 3.0 SCI units may be counted.

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 1.5 PHYS lecture units at the 400-level.
3. 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.
4. PHYS 434, PHYS 437A, and PHYS 442 are recommended electives for students wishing to pursue graduate studies.

Recommended Course Sequences

See regular plan.

See co-op plan.