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Introduction

Physics is the study of natural phenomena at the most fundamental level. Physicists investigate the properties of the states of matter and the structure and behaviour of the components of matter. The gravitational, electromagnetic and nuclear interactions are examined and different systems of mechanics including classical, relativistic, quantum and statistical, are developed to describe interactions between systems ranging from sub-atomic to galactic in size.

A program in physics has much to offer you. Besides traditional careers in teaching and research, knowledge of Physics is a powerful tool for a career in the Environmental or Life Sciences. An understanding of Physics is essential for those who are concerned about how society is affected by the impact of modern technology. The conceptual tools one acquires as a physicist can be applied with great success to many occupations.

The Specialist Program offers an intensive preparation for a career in Physics. By choosing courses from the wide variety offered, one can emphasize experimental, theoretical or even applied sides of physics. In fourth year, students intending to undertake graduate studies are encouraged to take advanced optional courses. Optional courses are offered in Sub-Atomic Physics, Quantum Optics and Condensed Matter Physics, or Geophysics and Atmospheric Physics, reflecting the research excellence of the faculty.
Programs in Biophysics and Molecular Biophysics are offered that combine the analytical problem solving skills of the physicist with sound backgrounds in relevant biology and chemistry. If you have an interest in biophysics please contact the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies.

The Applied Physics program focuses more on subject matter that will help one in an industrial career. As part of this program, students are encouraged to take advantage of the Professional Experience Year program.

A number of joint Physics Specialist programs are also offered in cooperation with the Departments of Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environment, Geology, Mathematics, Philosophy, and Physiology.

The Professional Experience Year program (“PEY”: see also page 19 and www.peyonline.com) is available to eligible, full-time Arts & Science Specialist students after their second year of study. Physics students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to apply their scientific and mathematical skills in a 12-16 month professional internship.

Scientifically literate teachers are important for educating citizens in modern society. Students interested in a career as a teacher should contact the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies for advice on suitable programs and courses.

The Departmental website gives detailed information on programs and courses, and describes the operation of the Department and the counselling services available. All students, most particularly those entering first year, are strongly urged to consult the website before term begins.

Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies):Professor D. Bailey, Room 328, McLennan Physical Laboratories (416-978-6674);

E-mail address: ugchair@physics.utoronto.ca

Enquiries:Undergraduate Office, Room 301, McLennan Physical Laboratories (416-978-7057)

Web site: http://www.physics.utoronto.ca

Physics Programs

Enrolment in the Physics programs requires completion of four courses; no minimum GPA is required. Students with a good grade in PHY 110Y1 may apply to the Physics Undergraduate Office for permission to enter a Physics Program requiring (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/138Y1 or (PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/140Y1.

Applied Physics (Science program)

Consult Professor D. Bailey, Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), Department of Physics.

Specialist program:

(13.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1, MAT223H1; (PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/140Y1

Second Year:
MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1, MAT244H1; PHY225H1, PHY251H1, PHY252H1, PHY255H1, PHY256H1

Third Year:
APM346H1; MAT334H1; PHY351H1, PHY352H1, PHY355H1

Fourth Year:
1. PHY459H1, PHY478H1/PHY426H1
2. In addition, students are required in their 3rd/4th year to take 2.0 courses in practical physics from:
PHY 305-PHY308H1; 407-PHY408H1; PHY326H1/PHY426H1/PHY428H1/PHY429H1; PHY495H1/PHY496H1; and
3. An equivalent of 1.5 courses selected from one of the following streams:
Condensed Matter Physics and Quantum Optics: PHY353H1, PHY485H1, PHY487H1
Atmospheric Physics: PHY315H1, PHY353H1, PHY498H1
Geophysics: JGP438H1, PHY359H1, PHY493H1, PHY494H1

Note:
Students intending to pursue a career in Industry are strongly urged to take advantage of the Professional Experience Year Program.

Biophysics (Science program)

Consult Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), Department of Physics or Physiology.

Specialist program:
(15.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
BIO 150Y1; (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/ (PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/138Y1/140Y1 ((PHY151H1, PHY152H1) recommended)

First or Second Year:
MAT223H1

Second Year:
BCH 210H1; BIO 250Y1; CHM247H1; MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1, MAT244H1; PHY251H1

Third Year:
JBO302Y1; PHY225H1, PHY252H1, PHY255H1, PHY256H1, PHY346H1, PHY351H1

Fourth Year:
PSL350H1/BIO 349H1; PHY355H1, PHY407H1; PSL303Y1, PSL432H1

NOTES: We strongly recommend you consider taking the research project PHY478H1/PSL499H1.

Molecular Biophysics (Science program)

Consult Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), Department of Physics, Biochemistry, or Chemistry.

Molecular Biophysics is the application of physics and physical chemistry to biological problems at the molecular level. Ideas, instrumentation and computational models of physics and chemistry are used to understand the molecules of life. What are the three-dimensional structures of these molecules? How do these structures change over time? How do molecules interact to relay information? What are the forces that govern biomolecular interactions? How can we manipulate these molecules for the benefit of humankind? These are some of the questions that molecular biophysicists attempt to address rigorously. Of course many of the answers to these questions will have profound implications for human health. The Molecular Biophysics Program combines mathematics, physics, chemistry and biochemistry in an unusual and exciting opportunity for undergraduates, including undergraduate research in some of the finest laboratories in the world.

Specialist program:

(16.0 full courses of their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year (3.0 FCE):
(CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1; PHY151H1/PHY131H1, PHY152H1/PHY132H1; (CHM151Y1, PHY151H1, PHY152H1 recommended)

First or second year (0.5 FCE):
MAT223H1/MAT240H1

Second Year (3.5 FCE):
BCH 210H1; (CHM220H1, CHM221H1)/CHM225Y1; MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1; PHY251H1, PHY252H1

Second or Third Year (2.0 FCE):
MAT244H1; PHY225H1, PHY255H1; CHM247H1/CHM249H1

Third Year (3.0 FCE):
BCH 335H1/311H1, BCH 340H1; CHM326H1/PHY355H1, CHM327H1, PHY346H1, PHY352H1

Third or Fourth Year (0.5 FCE):
APM346H1

Fourth Year (3.5 FCE)
BCH 427H1; CHM328H1, CHM423H1/PHY457H1; PHY307H1, PHY351H1/PHY353H1, BCH473Y1/PHY479Y1/CHM499Y1

Physics (Science program)

Consult Professor D. Bailey, Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), Department of Physics.

Specialist program:

(13.0 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one full-course at the 400 level)

First Year:
MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1, MAT223H1; (PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/140Y1
Note: Students with a good grade in PHY132H1/110Y/138Y may ask the Physics Undergraduate Office for entry into this or other Physics Programs requiring PHY152H1 /140Y.

Second Year:
MAT237Y1, MAT244H1; PHY225H1, PHY251H1, PHY252H1, PHY255H1, PHY256H1

Third Year:
APM346H1; MAT334H1; PHY351H1, PHY352H1, PHY353H1, PHY355H1, PHY357H1/PHY358H1/PHY359H1

Fourth Year:
PHY457H1; two of PHY459H1/PHY460H1/PHY480H1

NOTE: Third/Fourth Year Laboratories:

All specialists must take a minimum of 1.5 courses in practical physics in third/fourth year. One half-course must be in the Advanced Physics Laboratory.

Advanced Physics Laboratory: PHY326H1, PHY426H1, PHY428H1, PHY429H1
Electronics Laboratory: PHY305H1
Computational Laboratory: PHY307H1/PHY308H1/PHY309H1/PHY407H1/ PHY408H1/PHY409H1
Medical Imaging: PHY445H1

Major programs:

A. ‘Core’ Major

(7.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 1.5 full-course equivalents at the 300+ level)

First Year:
MAT137Y1, MAT223H1; (PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/140Y1

Second Year:
1. MAT237Y1, PHY225H1
2. Three of: PHY251H1, PHY252H1, PHY255H1, PHY256H1

Third Year:
1. MAT244H1; PHY305H1/PHY307H1/PHY308H1/PHY309H1/PHY326H1
2. Two of: PHY351H1, PHY352H1, PHY353H1, PHY355H1, PHY357H1, PHY358H1, PHY359H1

B. ‘General’ Major

(7 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 1.5 full-course equivalents at the 300+ level)

NOTE: This program is intended for students in the Life Sciences

First Year:
MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/ (PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/138Y1/140Y1

Second Year:
MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1; PHY225H1, PHY238Y1/(PHY251H1, PHY255H1)

Third Year:
1. MAT244H1, PHY256H1, PHY305H1/PHY307H1/PHY308H1/PHY309H1/PHY326H1
2. One full course equivalent from: JPA305H1, JPA310H1, JGP438H1, PHY315H1, PHY346H1, PHY445H1

Minor programs:

A. ‘Core’ Minor

(4 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/140Y1

Second Year:
1. PHY225H1
2. Three of: PHY251H1, PHY252H1, PHY255H1, PHY256H1

Third Year:
1. PHY305H1/PHY307H1/PHY308H1/PHY309H1/PHY326H1
2. One of PHY351H1, PHY352H1, PHY355H1

B. ‘Life, Environmental, and General’ Minor

(4 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/138Y1/140Y1

Second Year:
ENV235Y1/ PHY238Y1 or any other 1 full course equivalent from PHY courses at the 200+ level

Third Year:
One full course equivalent from: BIO 472H1, JPA305H1, JPA310H1; JGP438H1; PHY315H1, PHY346H1, PHY445H1 or any other PHY300+ course; PSL454H1; JBO302Y1 may count as a half-course credit to this requirement.

Earth Systems: Physics and Environment: see Centre for Environment

Physics and Astronomy: see Astronomy

Physics and Chemistry: see Chemical Physics in the Chemistry section

Physics and Computer Science: see Computer Science

Physics and Geology: see Geology

Physics and Mathematics: see Mathematics

Physics and Philosophy (Science program)

Consult Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), Department of Physics or Philosophy.

Specialist program:

(16.0 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 2 full-course equivalents at the 400 level)

First Year:
(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/140Y1; MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1; MAT223H1; PHL100Y1

Second Year:
MAT237Y1; MAT244H1; PHY251H1; PHY255H1; PHY256H1; HPS250H1

Third Year:
MAT334H1; PHY252H1; PHY351H1; PHY352H1; PHY355H1

Fourth Year:
PHY457H1; PHY480H1/PHY483H1; PHY491H1

Any Year:
PHL245H1; PHL345H1/PHL347H1/PHL348H1/PHL349H1; PHL355H1; PHL356H1; PHL415H1/PHL482H1
2.5 additional PHL courses, including at least 0.5 at the 300+ level

Planetary Science: see Astronomy and Astrophysics