Program Requirements
The Major Concentration Physics, which is restricted to students in the B.A. & Sc. or B.Sc./B.Ed., is a planned sequence of courses designed to permit a degree of specialization in this discipline. This program is insufficient to prepare a student for professional or graduate work in physics; students interested in pursuing a career in physics are advised to take the appropriate B.Sc. program in physics.
Required Courses* (30 credits)
* Required courses taken at CEGEP or elsewhere that are not credited toward the B.A. & Sc. or B.Sc./B.Ed. must be replaced by courses from the Complementary Course List.
-
MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Drury, Stephen W; Huang, Jingyin (Fall) Drury, Stephen W (Winter) McGregor, Geoffrey (Summer)
-
MATH 223 Linear Algebra (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Fox, Thomas F (Fall) Pichot, Michael (Winter)
-
MATH 314 Advanced Calculus (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Panati, Annalisa (Fall) Roth, Charles (Winter)
-
MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Xu, Jian-Jun (Fall) Lu, Xinyang (Winter) Roth, Charles (Summer)
-
PHYS 230 Dynamics of Simple Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Pereg-Barnea, Tamar (Fall)
-
PHYS 232 Heat and Waves (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Lovejoy, Shaun MacDonald (Winter)
-
PHYS 257 Experimental Methods 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Warburton, Andreas; Engelberg, Edith M (Fall)
-
PHYS 333 Thermal and Statistical Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Leslie, Sabrina (Winter)
-
PHYS 340 Majors Electricity and Magnetism (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Siwick, Bradley (Fall)
-
PHYS 446 Majors Quantum Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Cumming, Andrew (Fall)
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits selected from:
-
PHYS 214 Introductory Astrophysics (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : An introduction to astrophysics with emphasis placed on methods of observation and current models. Stellar radiation and detectors, quasars, black holes. Galaxies, large scale structure of the universe, cosmology.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Rutledge, Robert (Fall)
-
PHYS 224 Physics of Music (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : An introduction to the physics of music. Properties of sound and their perception as pitch, loudness, and timbre. Dissonance, consonance, and musical intervals and tuning. Physics of sound propagation and reflection. Resonance. Acoustic properties of pipes, strings, bars, and membranes, and sound production in wind, string, and percussion instruments. The human voice. Room reverberation and acoustics. Directional characteristics of sound sources.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Gale, Charles (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lectures
Designed for students in the Faculty of Music but suitable for students with an interest in music and its physical basis.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PHYS 225
-
PHYS 241 Signal Processing (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Linear circuit elements, resonance, network theorems, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, feedback, integrated circuits.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Dobbs, Matthew Adam (Winter)
Winter
2 hours lectures; 3 hours laboratory alternate weeks
Prerequisite: CEGEP physics or PHYS 142.
-
PHYS 258 Experimental Methods 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Warburton, Andreas; Engelberg, Edith M; Brunner, Thomas (Winter)
Winter
6 hours of laboratory and classroom work
Prerequisite: PHYS 257
-
PHYS 334 Advanced Materials (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : The physicochemical properties of advanced materials. Topics discussed include photonics, information storage, 'smart' materials, biomaterials, clean energy materials, porous materials, and polymers.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Fall
Prerequisites: CHEM 110, CHEM 120 or CHEM 111, CHEM 121 and PHYS 101, PHYS 102 or PHYS 131, PHYS 142, or CEGEP Physics and Chemistry, or equivalent. Pre- or Co-requisite: one of CHEM 203, CHEM 204, CHEM 213, CHEM 214 or equivalent; or one of PHYS 230 and PHYS 232, or equivalent; or permission of instructor
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking CHEM 334
-
PHYS 534 Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Topics include scanning probe microscopy, chemical self-assembly, computer modelling, and microfabrication/micromachining.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Grutter, Peter H (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: U3 or graduate students in Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering, or permission of the instructor.
or any 300- or 400-level course approved by an adviser.