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    * Honours BSc Physics - Biological Physics Option

  Honours BSc Physics - Biological Physics Option

      120 Units

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          Why is our world the way it is? How can we understand and explain what we observe around us, from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the largest galaxies? How can we apply this understanding to manipulate our world? Studying physics gives insight into the fundamental laws of nature.

          But an education in physics gives so much more. The rigorous training our students receive in analyzing and understanding complex problems is valuable in many future careers. While many of our graduates have established careers in universities and in the high tech sector as research and development scientists, others have used their physics degrees as a springboard to careers in finance, administration, medicine, management or education. The range of career opportunities is perhaps wider than for any other students with a science education.

          Physicists have revolutionized the way we live our lives, with groundbreaking discoveries and new technologies, transferable to other fields such as biology or finance. Our professors and graduates are an important part of this chain. Many of our professors have also been recognized for their teaching and are seen as world-class researchers in their fields of expertise.

          The research conducted by the professors in the Department of Physics is concentrated in several sub-specialties, including the physics of biological and complex systems, condensed matter physics, photonics and the physics of geomaterials. Depending upon your choice of program, you have the opportunity to take courses and participate in research projects in these specialized areas.

          In addition to the Honours BSc in Physics, we offer three other Honours BSc programs. The first is in physics-mathematics, which provides enriched mathematics training within a physics program. The second is the option in photonics, which gives students a solid training in physics and a more applied and industry-related training in photonics. The third is the option in biological physics, which teaches students to apply a rigorous education in physics to various areas of life sciences. We also offer a Major in Physics that can form the core of an Honours BSc when combined with a major or a minor in another discipline in the Faculty of Science, or in another faculty. Finally, starting in fall 2016, we will offer a five-year integrated program in physics (BSc) and electrical engineering (BASc), jointly with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS). This unique program will offer a full education in physics and electrical engineering. Graduates will be sought after by industry and academia, as they will have the capacity to develop technology from a basic physics idea to the final product.

          The Department of Physics also has strong graduate programs, leading to an MSc or PhD. They give students the opportunity to work on cutting edge science in a research group led by one or more department professors.

          This program is offered in English and in French.

        Co-operative education is available with this program.

        The French immersion stream is available with this program.

        Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2025-2026 calendars for the previous requirements.

      Course List
        Code                                                                                                                                                                Title                                                      Units  
        Compulsory Courses at the 1000 level                                                                                                                                                                                         
        BIO 1141                                                                                                                                                            Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology                 3 Units
        CHM 1311                                                                                                                                                            Principles of Chemistry                                    3 Units
        MAT 1320                                                                                                                                                            Calculus I                                                 3 Units
        MAT 1322                                                                                                                                                            Calculus II                                                3 Units
        MAT 1341                                                                                                                                                            Introduction to Linear Algebra                             3 Units
        PHY 1121                                                                                                                                                            Fundamentals of Physics I                                  3 Units
        PHY 1122                                                                                                                                                            Fundamentals of Physics II                                 3 Units
        Compulsory Courses at the 2000 level                                                                                                                                                                                         
        PHY 2104                                                                                                                                                            Introduction to Circuit Theory and Electronics             3 Units
        PHY 2311                                                                                                                                                            Waves and Optics                                           3 Units
        PHY 2323                                                                                                                                                            Electricity and Magnetism                                  3 Units
        PHY 2325                                                                                                                                                            Physics in Biology                                         3 Units
        PHY 2333                                                                                                                                                            Mechanics                                                  3 Units
        PHY 2361                                                                                                                                                            Modern Physics                                             3 Units
        Compulsory Courses at the 3000 level                                                                                                                                                                                         
        BIO 3153                                                                                                                                                            Cell Biology                                               3 Units
        PHY 3320                                                                                                                                                            Electromagnetic Theory                                     3 Units
        PHY 3325                                                                                                                                                            Introduction to Molecular Biophysics                       3 Units
        PHY 3341                                                                                                                                                            Theoretical Physics                                        3 Units
        PHY 3350                                                                                                                                                            Thermodynamics                                             3 Units
        PHY 3355                                                                                                                                                            Statistical Thermodynamics                                 3 Units
        PHY 3370                                                                                                                                                            Introductory Quantum Mechanics                             3 Units
        PHY 3902                                                                                                                                                            Physics and Applied Physics Laboratory I                   3 Units
        PHY 3904                                                                                                                                                            Physics and Applied Physics Laboratory II                  3 Units
        Compulsory Courses at the 4000 level                                                                                                                                                                                         
        PHY 4322                                                                                                                                                            Biological Physics                                         3 Units
        Optional Courses                                                                                                                                                                                                             
        3 course units from:                                                                                                                                                3 Units                                                  
          MAT 2122                                                                                                                                                          Multivariable Calculus                                            
          MAT 2322                                                                                                                                                          Calculus III for Engineers                                        
        3 course units from:                                                                                                                                                3 Units                                                  
          MAT 2324                                                                                                                                                          Ordinary Differential Equations and the Laplace Transform         
          MAT 2384                                                                                                                                                          Ordinary Differential Equations and Numerical Methods             
        One option from the following:                                                                                                                                      6 Units                                                  
          Option 1:                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
          PHY 4006                                                                                                                                                          Physics Research Project                                          
          Option 2:                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
          PHY 4903                                                                                                                                                          Physics Laboratory                                                
          PHY 4906                                                                                                                                                          Physics Project                                                   
        3 optional course units in mathematics (MAT) at the 2000, 3000 or 4000 level, excluding SAT 2392 1                                                                  3 Units                                                  
        6 optional course units in biology (BIO) at the 2000, 3000 or 4000 level                                                                                            6 Units                                                  
        Elective Courses                                                                                                                                                                                                             
        12 elective course units from the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Telfer School of Management  12 Units                                                 
        18 elective course units 1, 2                                                                                                                                       18 Units                                                 
        Total:                                                                                                                                                              120 Units                                                
        

        Note(s)

        1

        (MAT 2141 or MAT 2342) or (MAT 2371 or STA 2391) is recommended.

        2

        Of the 18 elective course units, some breadth in other sciences is recommended. In particular, the following courses are recommended: CHM 1321, PHY 1112 .

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