| Complete Calendar Listings | Typical Honours Program | Typical Advanced Major Program | Typical Major Program | Full Course Descriptions | Graduate Courses |
| 100 | 221 | 242 | 325 | 425 | 422 | 473 | 491 |
| 120 | 223 | 271 | 302 | 342 | 442 | 475 | 493 |
| 170 | 201 | 272 | 303 | 343 | 443 | 476 | |
| 241 | 322 | 344 | 444 | Graduate | |||
| 323 | 474 | All |
D.L. Hunter, Ph.D.
K.P. Marzlin, Ph.D.
K. LeBris, Ph.D.
D.A. Pink, Ph.D.
M.O. Steinitz, Ph.D.
M. Khakzad, Ph.D.
B. van Zyl, Ph.D.
C.P. Adams, Ph.D. (Department Chair)
Physics is the science that deals with the fundamental properties of matter and energy. In general, physics deals with systems which have either a small number of constituents, where we can obtain a detailed understanding of the phenomena, or else a very large number of constituents, where one is interested only in statistical or average results. In either case, we are able to give a precise description of the way these systems behave. Physics, more than other sciences, involves many applications of mathematics; therefore, most of the programs described below require at least four mathematics courses. Much of engineering can be thought of as applied physics: the application of physical knowledge and principles to technological or industrial situations.
In the physics programs, competence in analysing problems, identifying the unknown, and obtaining solutions is stressed. The approach teaches an analytical way of thinking which is of value in all areas of science and even beyond science. An attempt is made to communicate some of the excitement of discovery and an appreciation of the beauty of physics.
Faculty research is concentrated in the areas of cold atoms, quantum information, spectroscopy of molecules of atmospheric interest, biophysics, and the physics of magnetic materials. Both experimental and theoretical approaches are used. The latter make extensive use of dedicated research computing facilities to simulate real systems while the research laboratories for the former are equipped with modern spectrometers, lasers, superconducting magnets, and supporting electronics.
The physics department offers honours, advanced major and major programs, subject to the degree regulations described in section 5. Suggested course patterns for these programs follow and variations on these can be discussed with members of the department. The honours program provides excellent preparation for postgraduate study in physics or in other fields (e.g., electrical or biomedical engineering, materials science, meteorology, oceanography or business administration). All programs prepare the student for careers in business or industry. Many physics graduates have been accepted into programs in medicine, dentistry, law and education.
It is possible to combine physics degree programs with the engineering diploma program. Students who wish to do this should contact the physics department chair.
Joint advanced major/honours programs involving physics and mathematics (mathematics or computer science concentration), physics and geology, physics and chemistry, physics and biology, and a joint advanced major in physics and business administration are available. Students intending to follow these programs should check with the chairs of the departments concerned.
Some courses require a full laboratory (three hours per week for the whole term) while others require only a half-laboratory component (three hours per week for six weeks of the term).
See section 5.6 for degree regulations. The typical program outlined below may be varied with approval of the chair.
| Year 1 | PHYS 120; MATH 111,
112;
CHEM 120
or 100; 6 credits of arts electives; 6 credits open electives |
|
| Year 2 | PHYS 201, 221, 241,
242; MATH
221 or 367, 253, 254, 267; 6 credits from ENGR 144 or CSCI 125 and arts
electives |
|
| Year 3 | PHYS 302, 322, 323,
325, 343,
344; MATH 361, 462 or 481; 6 credits of arts electives |
|
| Year 4 | PHYS 422, 443,
491 (no credit), 493, four of 223, 303, 342, 425*, 444*, 473, 475*,
476* (choice must include at least 2 marked *); MATH 481 or 462; 6
credits of arts electives; 3 credits open elective |
See section 5.3 for degree regulations. The typical program outlined below may be varied with approval of the chair.
| Year 1 | Same as honours program | |
| Year 2 | PHYS 201, 221, 241, 242; MATH 221 or 367, 253, 254, 267; ENGR 144 or CSCI 125; 3 credits approved electives | |
| Year 3 | PHYS 302, 322, 323, 325; MATH 361; 6 credits of arts electives; 6 credits open electives; 3 credits approved elective | |
| Year 4 | PHYS 343, 344, 491
(no credit); 6
credits PHYS electives; 6 credits of arts electives; 12 credits of open
electives; advanced major paper (consult the department chair) |
See section 5.2 for degree regulations. The typical program outlined below may be varied with approval of the chair.
| Year 1 | Same as honours program | |
| Year 2 | PHYS 201, 221, 241, 242; MATH 267, 367; 6 credits of arts electives; 6 credits of open electives | |
| Year 3 | PHYS 223, 271, 325; MATH 223; CSCI 125; 6 credits of arts electives; 9 credits of open electives | |
| Year 4 | PHYS 272, 302, 303; 6 credits of arts electives; 15 credits of open electives |
An introduction to mechanics, heat, electricity, magnetism, waves, optics and modern physics. The course includes some applications of physics to biological problems. Recommended for students in the life sciences program. Six credits and laboratory.
An introduction to mechanics, electricity, and magnetism. This course makes extensive use of calculus. It is intended for students considering further study in any of the physical sciences, mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering. An attempt is made to coordinate the course with MATH 110/120 and CHEM 120. It is suggested, but not required, that students take these three courses concurrently. Six credits and lab.
170 The Implications of Physics
A descriptive course intended for arts students. The main objectives are to de-mystify science and to impart a willingness to analyse the features and problems of modern life in a quantitative manner. Topics may include: nuclear power; heat and insulation; flow of water, electrons and blood (implications for designing people and houses); waves for hearing and seeing; radiation; is it all relative? how small is smallest? structure of solids; the transistor; the periodic table and the consequences of everyone wanting to be iron; metallurgy as the history of civilization; the elementary particle zoo; stargazing; ultrasonic examination of babies and submarines. Six credits.
201 Modern
Physics:
Introduction to Relativity and
Quantum Physics
Topics include special relativity; introduction to quantum physics; atoms and molecules. Three credits and laboratory.
Topics include: fundamental laws of electric circuits; circuit parameters, elementary network theory; network theorems, sinusoidal steady state for RLC circuits; transient response of RC and LC circuits; impedance, admittance, transfer function; transformers. Cross-listed as ENGR 237. Three credits and laboratory.
This hands-on, practical course introduces digital electronics with applications to computer hardware and microcomputer peripherals. Topics include: the families of digital electronic technology; combinational and sequential logic; digital device characteristics; microcomputer interfacing; data acquisition; instrument control; and data transmission. The laboratory gives students an opportunity to design and test practical digital devices. Cross-listed as ENGR 238. Three credits and laboratory.
241 Mathematical Physics: Oscillations and Waves
Complex numbers, ordinary differential equations, partial differential operators, partial differential equations and Fourier series are introduced in dealing with the physics of oscillating systems and waves. Simple, damped, forced and coupled oscillators are treated in detail. The one-dimensional wave equation is derived and solved. Fourier series are introduced in order to satisfy the initial conditions. Some other partial differential equations of physics are considered in less detail. Three credits.
The course covers conservative systems
and potential energy; central forces; angular momentum; Kepler's laws;
orbital transfers: systems of particles, variable mass systems,
collisions,
and centre
of mass frame; generalized coordinates
and forces; Lagrange's equations; constraints; Hamilton's principle and
equations. Three credits.
271 Astronomy: The Solar System
Topics include the evolution of the solar system, sun, planets, planetoids, comets, meteors, and solar wind. Open to science students as a free elective and to arts students with permission of the instructor. Three credits. Offered 2007-2008 and alternate years.
272 Astronomy: The Stellar System
Topics include stellar evolution, supernova, quasars, pulsars, neutron stars, black holes, the universe, our galaxy, and cosmology. PHYS 271 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required. Open to science students as a free elective and to arts students with permission of the instructor. Three credits. Offered 2008-2009 and in alternate years.
302 Modern Physics: Properties of Matter
The course covers kinetic theory; thermodynamics; fluids and solids. Three credits and laboratory.
303 Modern Physics: Subatomic Physics and Cosmology
Topics include nuclei; elementary particles; concepts of general relativity; cosmology. Three credits. Offered in 2008-2009.
This course elaborates on the basic theory covered in PHYS 120. It deals in more detail with electrostatic fields in vacuum and in dielectric materials, and magnetic fields in non-magnetic materials. Three credits.
An introduction to electronic devices and circuits. Devices and topics discussed include diodes, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors, linear models, single stage amplifiers, operational amplifiers, and digital circuits. Three credits and laboratory.
Topics include: the nature of light; combinations of oscillations in space and time; wave propagation; geometrical optics; aberrations; optical instruments; diffraction; interference; the resolving power of instruments. Three credits and laboratory.Topics include: calculus of variations, Hamilton's principle and equations, non-linear dynamical equations, van der Pol's equation, orbits, limit cycles; graphical analysis, fixed and periodic orbits, bifurcations, the transition of chaos; symbolic dynamics, chaos, Sarkovskii's theorem, Newton's method; fractals, the Julia and Mandelbrot sets. Three credits. Not offered 2008-2009.
Covers electron double-slit and Stern Gerlach experiments; states as vectors, measurable quantities as operators in a linear vector space, eigenstates and eigenvalues; the process of measurement, superposition of eigenstates; Schrödinger's equation, applications; orbital and spin angular momentum, applications; time-independent perturbation theory, applications. Three credits.
Explores configurations and states, entropy, laws of thermodynamics, Boltzmann distribution, Helmholtz free energy and partition function, blackbody radiation and Planck's distribution; chemical potential and Gibb's distribution, ideal gases: classical, Fermi, Bose; heat and work; Gibb's free energy, enthalpy. Computer based laboratory. Three credits.
This course, a continuation of PHYS 322, deals with the electric and magnetic fields of moving electric charges, Maxwell's equations, and the propagation and radiation of electromagnetic waves in various media. Three credits.
This course provides an introduction to the theory and operation of lasers and their application. Topics include: the principles of optical coherence; optical resonators; operating principles and the most important laser types; holography; wave mixing; harmonic generation; the optical Kerr effect; and stimulated Raman scattering. Three credits and laboratory. Not offered 2008-2009.
From the majesty of the Great Red Spot on Jupiter to the common-place phenomena of ocean waves, cream mixing in coffee and smoke rings, the motion of fluids is of aesthetic, practical and fundamental interest. Continuum descriptions of ideal and viscous fluid flows, both with and without compresssibility, will be presented. Common flow geometries, wave and surface phenomena, solitons, convective instabilities and turbulent flow will be discussed. Prerequisites: PHYS 242, concurrently with PHYS 344 and MATH 361. Not offered in 2008-2009. Three credits.
Topics include: state vectors, density operator; finite unitary transformations, infinitesimal transformations; generalized uncertainty relations; the Schrödinger, Heisenberg and interaction pictures; angular momentum coupling; perturbation theory: time-independent (degenerate case) and time-dependent; tensor operators, Wigner-Eckart theorem, recognizing symmetries; identical particles; scattering. Three credits.
Covers probabilities in classical and quantum systems: Poisson distribution and Gaussian deviations; phase transitions and critical phenomena: classical and phenomenological theories, approximate methods. Applications may include random walks, percolation, magnetic models, and recent research topics in statistical physics. A computer lab will be associated with the course. Students will devote lab sessions to extending computer-simulation projects begun in class. Three credits and computer laboratory.
473 Soft Materials and Biophysics
This course is concerned with biological and model membranes. Topics include: molecular components such as lipids, proteins (polypeptides) and sugars (polysaccharides); molecular interactions, especially anisotropic and short-range forces (e.g., dipolar interactions and hydrogen bonds); statics (e.g., phase transitions, phase separation) and dynamics (e.g., diffusion, internal lipid and protein motion) of membranes; cell surfaces (e.g., lipopolysaccharides) and receptors; larger scale mechanical properties of membranes. Three credits.
This course covers computational modeling of a variety of systems relevant to physics, physical chemistry, and engineering. Not offered in 2008-2009. Six week laboratory. Three credits.
475 Atomic and Molecular Physics
Covers the one-electron atom; radiation and radiative transitions; the Pauli principle and atomic shell structure; atomic spectroscopy; molecular binding and molecular spectra; scattering theory; electron spectroscopy; resonances and ionization by electron impact. Three credits and laboratory.
An introduction to the theory of solids
and important experimental results. Topics include: crystal structure;
diffraction methods; lattice vibrations; the behavior of electrons in
metals;
magnetism; superconductivity; and current topics of special interest.
Three
credits and laboratory.
491 Physics Seminar
All students in the fourth year of a physics program are required to attend department seminars as scheduled. No credit.
Students will prepare and present a
thesis based on original research they have performed under the
supervision of a faculty member. Three credits.
The following are offered by directed study to students in the M.Sc. program.
| 500 510 515 520 535 545 555 565 575 585 |
Atomic and
Molecular Spectroscopy Low Energy Scattering Quantum Theory I Advanced Spectroscopy Quantum Theory II Mathematical Physics I Statistical Mechanics Many Body Theory and Its Application Group Theory and Its Application Mathematical Physics II |
six credits
six credits three credits six credits three credits three credits three credits three credits three credits three credits |
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