Physics Major (B.Sc.) (63 credits)
Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 63
Program Description
The B.Sc.; Major in Physics program covers a range of fundamental physical concepts from classical physics to modern topics relevant to contemporary research. The program may be completed in 60-63 credits.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Program Prerequisites
Students entering Physics programs from the Freshman program must have successfully completed the courses below or their equivalents. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 110 | General Chemistry 1. | 4 |
General Chemistry 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, radiation and nuclear chemistry, valence theory, coordination chemistry, and the periodic table. | ||
| CHEM 120 | General Chemistry 2. | 4 |
General Chemistry 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry. | ||
| MATH 133 | Linear Algebra and Geometry. | 3 |
Linear Algebra and Geometry. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Systems of linear equations, matrices, inverses, determinants; geometric vectors in three dimensions, dot product, cross product, lines and planes; introduction to vector spaces, linear dependence and independence, bases. Linear transformations. Eigenvalues and diagonalization. | ||
| PHYS 131 | Mechanics and Waves. | 4 |
Mechanics and Waves. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The basic laws and principles of Newtonian mechanics; oscillations, waves, and wave optics. | ||
| PHYS 142 | Electromagnetism and Optics. | 4 |
Electromagnetism and Optics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The basic laws of electricity and magnetism; geometrical optics. | ||
7-8 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 140 | Calculus 1. | 3 |
Calculus 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Review of functions and graphs. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications. | ||
| MATH 141 | Calculus 2. | 4 |
Calculus 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025 The definite integral. Techniques of integration. Applications. Introduction to sequences and series. | ||
| MATH 150 | Calculus A. | 4 |
Calculus A. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, L'Hospital's rule, applications, Taylor polynomials, parametric curves, functions of several variables. | ||
| MATH 151 | Calculus B. | 4 |
Calculus B. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Integration, methods and applications, infinite sequences and series, power series, arc length and curvature, multiple integration. | ||
Note: Either MATH 140 Calculus 1. and MATH 141 Calculus 2. or MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B..
Required Courses (45 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMP 208 | Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and Engineering . 1 | 3 |
Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and Engineering . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Programming and problem solving in a high level computer language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms such as searching and sorting. Modular software design, libraries, file input and output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in Physical Sciences and Engineering, such as root finding, numerical integration, diffusion, Monte Carlo methods. | ||
| MATH 223 | Linear Algebra. | 3 |
Linear Algebra. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications. | ||
| MATH 314 | Advanced Calculus. | 3 |
Advanced Calculus. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Derivative as a matrix. Chain rule. Implicit functions. Constrained maxima and minima. Jacobians. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss. Fourier series with applications. | ||
| MATH 315 | Ordinary Differential Equations. | 3 |
Ordinary Differential Equations. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions. | ||
| PHYS 230 | Dynamics of Simple Systems. | 3 |
Dynamics of Simple Systems. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Translational motion under Newton's laws; forces, momentum, work/energy theorem. Special relativity; Lorentz transforms, relativistic mechanics, mass/energy equivalence. Topics in rotational dynamics. Noninertial frames. | ||
| PHYS 232 | Heat and Waves. | 3 |
Heat and Waves. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The laws of thermodynamics and their consequences. Thermodynamics of P-V-T systems and simple heat engines. Free, driven, and damped harmonic oscillators. Coupled systems and normal modes. Fourier methods. Wave motion and dispersion. The wave equation. | ||
| PHYS 241 | Signal Processing. | 3 |
Signal Processing. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Linear circuit elements, resonance, network theorems, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, feedback, integrated circuits. | ||
| PHYS 257 | Experimental Methods 1. | 3 |
Experimental Methods 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introductory laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Introduction to computers as they are employed for laboratory work, for data analysis and for numerical computation. Previous experience with computers is an asset, but is not required. | ||
| PHYS 258 | Experimental Methods 2. | 3 |
Experimental Methods 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Computers will be employed routinely for data analysis and for numerical computation, and, particularly, to facilitate the use of Fourier methods. | ||
| PHYS 331 | Topics in Classical Mechanics. | 3 |
Topics in Classical Mechanics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Forced and damped oscillators, Newtonian mechanics in three dimensions, rotational motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, small vibrations, normal modes. Nonlinear dynamics and chaos. | ||
| PHYS 339 | Measurements Laboratory in General Physics. | 3 |
Measurements Laboratory in General Physics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to modern techniques of measurement. The use of computers in performing and analysing experiments. Data reduction, statistical methods, report writing. Extensive use of computers is made in this laboratory; therefore some familiarity with computers and computing is an advantage. | ||
| PHYS 340 | Majors Electricity and Magnetism. | 3 |
Majors Electricity and Magnetism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The electrostatic field and scalar potential. Dielectric properties of matter. Energy in the electrostatic field. Methods for solving problems in electrostatics. The magnetic field. Induction and inductance. Energy in the magnetic field. Magnetic properties of matter. Maxwell's equations. The dipole approximation. | ||
| PHYS 342 | Majors Electromagnetic Waves. | 3 |
Majors Electromagnetic Waves. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Maxwell's equations. The wave equation. The electromagnetic wave, reflection, refraction, polarization. Guided waves. Transmission lines and wave guides. Vector potential. Radiation. The elemental dipole; the half-wave dipole; vertical dipole; folded dipoles; Yagi antennas. Accelerating charged particles. | ||
| PHYS 346 | Majors Quantum Physics. | 3 |
Majors Quantum Physics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. De Broglie waves, Bohr atom. Schroedinger equation, wave functions, observables. One dimensional potentials. Schroedinger equation in three dimensions. Angular momentum, hydrogen atom. Spin, experimental consequences. | ||
| PHYS 447 | Applications of Quantum Mechanics. | 3 |
Applications of Quantum Mechanics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. One electron atoms, radiation, multielectron atoms, molecular bonds. Selected topics from condensed matter, nuclear and elementary particle physics. | ||
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Students coming into the program with sufficient knowledge of computer programming may replace COMP 208 Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and Engineering . with PHYS 512 Computational Physics with Applications. or another 3-credit COMP course at the 200 level or above after consulting with an adviser.
Complementary Courses (15-18 credits)
0-3 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 222 | Calculus 3. 1 | 3 |
Calculus 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals. | ||
- 1
Students who did not complete an equivalent to MATH 222 Calculus 3. on entering the program must take this course.
3 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 329 | Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications. | 3 |
Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This interdisciplinary course introduces Statistical Physics illustrated with modern biophysical applications. Principles covered include partition functions, Boltzmann distribution, bosons, fermions, Bose Einstein condensates, Ferni gases, chemical potential, thermodynamical forces, biochemical kinetics, and an introduction to noise and phase transitions in biology. | ||
| PHYS 333 | Thermal and Statistical Physics. | 3 |
Thermal and Statistical Physics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introductory equilibrium statistical mechanics. Quantum states, probabilities, ensemble averages. Entropy, temperature, Boltzmann factor, chemical potential. Photons and phonons. Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions; applications. | ||
12 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 319 | Introduction to Biophysics. | 3 |
Introduction to Biophysics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies. These principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and RNA. | ||
| PHYS 320 | Introductory Astrophysics. | 3 |
Introductory Astrophysics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of astrophysics ranging from stars and planets, to compact objects, galaxies, and the large-scale evolution of the Universe. A calculusbased course, with a focus on simple mathematical derivations that capture the essential physics. | ||
| PHYS 321 | Data Science and Observational Astrophysics. | 3 |
Data Science and Observational Astrophysics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Data analysis methods as applied in experimental physics, with an emphasis on applications in observational astrophysics. An introduction to Bayesian inference, model selection, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, common probability distributions, jackknives and null tests, as they are used in the analysis of observational data from across the electromagnetic spectrum. | ||
| PHYS 328 | Electronics. | 3 |
Electronics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Semiconductor devices, basic transistor circuits, operational amplifiers, combinatorial and sequential logic, integrated circuits, analogue to digital converters. The laboratory component covers design, construction and testing of basic electronic circuits. | ||
| PHYS 359 | Advanced Physics Laboratory 1. | 3 |
Advanced Physics Laboratory 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics. | ||
| PHYS 404 | Climate Physics. | 3 |
Climate Physics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course covers the essentials of climate physics through the lens of one-dimensional, vertical atmospheric models. This includes shortwave and longwave radiative transfer, convection, phase changes, clouds, greenhouse gases, and atmospheric escape. This is an adequate level of detail for understanding Earth's climate, paleoclimate, anthropogenic climate change, or pursing studies of Solar System planets and extrasolar planets. | ||
| PHYS 432 | Physics of Fluids. | 3 |
Physics of Fluids. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physical properties of fluids. The kinematics and dynamics of flow. The effects of viscosity and turbulence. Applications of fluid mechanics in biophysics, geophysics and engineering. | ||
| PHYS 434 | Optics. | 3 |
Optics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental concepts of optics, including applications and modern developments. Light propagation in media; geometric optics and optical instruments; polarization and coherence properties of light; interference and interferometry; diffraction theory and applications in spectrometry and imaging; Gaussian beams, Fourier optics and photonic band structure. A laboratory component provides hands-on experience in optical setup design, construction and testing of concepts introduced in lectures. | ||
| PHYS 449 | Majors Research Project. 1 | 3 |
Majors Research Project. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A supervised research project. | ||
| PHYS 459D1 | Research Thesis. 1,2 | 3 |
Research Thesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Supervised research project and thesis. | ||
| PHYS 459D2 | Research Thesis. 1,2 | 3 |
Research Thesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See PHYS 459D1 for course description. | ||
| PHYS 469 | Advanced Physics Laboratory 2. | 3 |
Advanced Physics Laboratory 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics. | ||
| PHYS 479 | Physics Research Project. | 3 |
Physics Research Project. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A supervised research project. | ||
| PHYS 512 | Computational Physics with Applications. | 3 |
Computational Physics with Applications. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Computational methods in Physics illustrated with realworld applications. | ||
| PHYS 519 | Advanced Biophysics. | 3 |
Advanced Biophysics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An advanced biophysics course, with a special emphasis on stochastic and out of equilibrium physical processes in living matter. | ||
| PHYS 521 | Astrophysics. | 3 |
Astrophysics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An advanced course in modern astrophysics, covering topics such as the basic tools of astronomy (statistics, mathematical methods, computational tools, and instrumentation); stellar astrophysics (properties, structure, atmospheres, binaries/exoplanets); the interstellar medium, star formation, stellar evolution and endpoints (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes); and the Milky Way, galaxies, and cosmology. | ||
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Note: A maximum of 6 credits of complementary courses may be from research courses PHYS 449 Majors Research Project., PHYS 479 Physics Research Project., and PHYS 459D1 Research Thesis./PHYS 459D2 Research Thesis..
- 2
NOTE: If chosen, PHYS 459D1 Research Thesis. and PHYS 459D2 Research Thesis. are taken together.
Note: It is possible for students to transfer from the Major to the Honours program after U1 year if they have passed all the 200-level required courses listed above and MATH 314 Advanced Calculus. and MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations. with a C or better, and obtained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in these courses. The written permission of an adviser is required for this change of program. The missing MATH 249 Honours Complex Variables. and PHYS 260 Modern Physics and Relativity. from the U1 Honours year should be taken in U2.