PCDR
Person smiles at the camera, in front of a microscope in a lab setting.

Chemical Physics Co-op Information for Employers

Adding Value to Your Team

Chemical Physics examines the atomic and molecular nature of chemical and physical processes. It combines the theoretical approach with the molecular focus of chemistry. Chemical Physics emphasizes laboratory work and recognizes the links between many areas of Chemistry and Physics, such as the use of X-ray diffraction to determine molecular structure. Students cover issues such as the study of organic, inorganic and biological chemistry and fundamental interactions at the atomic level.

Students also study the use of physical techniques such as spectroscopy, X-ray, nuclear scattering and microscopy to examine the identity and structure of chemical compounds. Overall, the Chemical Physics major provides a broader background than a major in either Physics or Chemistry and opens the door to a wide variety of possible careers.

University of Guelph Advantage

  • An international reputation for excellence in research grants awarded to faculty that have been consistently higher than the national average for over a decade
  • Five Physics/Biological & Medical Physics faculty members have been named as Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Our co-op process responds to your needs. Employers can post, interview and hire throughout the semester and our students are available for 4 or 8 month work terms. The Experience Guelph hiring tool makes hiring Guelph co-op students easy!

Student Strengths

 Knowledge

Fundamental knowledge of basic physics, chemistry, math and scientific programming. A solid foundation in circuit theory, wave theory and optics as well as analytical, physical and/or organic chemistry.

 Application

Strong lab technique, report writing and spectroscopy skills.

 Communication

Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.

Chemical Physics Work Term Schedule

YEAR
 

FALL

 

WINTER

 

SUMMER

ONEAcademicAcademicOff
TWOAcademicAcademicWork
THREEWorkAcademicWork
FOURAcademicWorkWork
FIVEAcademicAcademic 

Chemical Physics Course Sequencing

Please see the current undergraduate calendar for more information.

Fall

  • Integrated Mathematics & Physics I
  • General Chemistry I
  • Programming
  • One Of: Discovering Biodiversity or Biological Concepts of Health or Introduction to Molecular And Cellular Biology

Winter

  • Integrated Mathematics & Physics II
  • General Chemistry II
  • Linear Algebra I
  • One Of: Discovering Biodiversity or Biological Concepts of Health or Introduction to Molecular And Cellular Biology

Fall

  • Structure and Bonding
  • Advanced Calculus I
  • Electricity and Magnetism I
  • Introduction to Co-operative Education
  • 1 Liberal Education Elective
  • Applied Differential Equations

Winter

  • Structure And Spectroscopy
  • Analytical Chemistry I: Chemical Analysis
  • Experimental Techniques In Physics
  • Mechanics
  • Electricity and Magnetism II

Summer

Work Term One

Fall

Work Term Two

Winter

  • 2 Electives
  • Analytical Chemistry II: Instrumental Analysis
  • One Of: Intermediate Programming or 1 Elective
  • One Of: Molecular Spectroscopy or 1 Elective

Summer

Work Term Three

Fall

  • Quantum and Computational Chemistry
  • Quantum Mechanics I
  • Science Communication
  • Mathematical Physics
  • One Of: Thermodynamics And Kinetics or Thermal Physics

Winter

Work Term Four

Summer

Work Term Five

Fall

  • Chemical Instrumentation 
  • One Of: Main Group Chemistry or Organic Chemistry II: Structure and Synthesis or 1 Elective 
  • Statistical Physics II
  • 2 Electives

Winter

  • Quantum Mechanics II
  • One Of: Molecular Spectroscopy or Advanced Physical Chemistry or 1 Elective
  • Optics: Fundamentals And Applications
  • 1 Elective
  • Computational Methods In Materials Science