Department of Physics, College of Physical and Engineering Science.

Major (Honours Program)

A grade of 70% in the physics and biology courses of semesters 1 and 2 is normally required for admission to semester 3 of this program. The program emphasizes the physics of biological systems. It provides an excellent background for careers in the expanding interdisciplinary research laboratories of Government and Industry. Completion of the program at an appropriate level will qualify a student to pursue post-graduate studies in biophysics and certain areas of physics.

Since some of the required courses are not offered every semester, students entering the Major in Biophysics should plan their program in consultation with the Department of Physics Departmental Advisor.

This major requires the completion of 21.25 credits as indicated below:

Semester 1

BIOL*1030 [0.50] Biology I

CHEM*1040 [0.50] General Chemistry I

One of:

CIS*1500 [0.50] Introduction to Programming

CIS*1650 [0.50] Programming I

Note: Students who have had no prior programming experience should take CIS*1500, and if they are planning to take further CIS courses should consult their Program Counsellor.

One of (MATH*1200 recommended):

MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I

MATH*1200 [0.50] Calculus I

One of (PHYS*1000 recommended):

PHYS*1000 [0.50] An Introduction to Mechanics

PHYS*1070 [0.50] Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences I

PHYS*1110 [0.50] Introductory Physics with Applications I

Semester 2

BIOL*1040 [0.50] Biology II

CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II

0.50 Arts or Social Science elective

1 physics course from the following list (PHYS*1010 recommended):

PHYS*1010 [0.50] Introductory Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS*1080 [0.50] Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences II

PHYS*1130 [0.50] Introductory Physics with Applications II

One of (MATH*1210 recommended):

MATH*1210 [0.50] Calculus II

MATH*2080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus II

Semester 3

MATH*2160 [0.50] Linear Algebra I

MATH*2200 [0.50] Advanced Calculus I

PHYS*2440 [0.75] Mechanics I

PHYS*2460 [0.75] Electricity and Magnetism I

One of:

BIOL*2210 [0.50] Introductory Cell Biology

MBG*2000 [0.50] Introductory Genetics

Semester 4

MATH*2170 [0.50] Differential Equations I

PHYS*2030 [0.50] Biophysics of Excitable Cells

PHYS*2260 [0.50] Experimental Basis of Quantum Physics

PHYS*2450 [0.75] Mechanics II

PHYS*2470 [0.75] Electricity and Magnetism II

Semester 5

CHEM*2580 [0.50] Introductory Biochemistry

MATH*3100 [0.50] Differential Equations II

PHYS*3100 [0.75] Electronics

PHYS*3230 [0.50] Quantum Mechanics I

PHYS*3240 [0.50] Statistical Physics I

Semester 6

CHEM*3560 [0.50] Structure and Function in Biochemistry

PHYS*3220 [0.50] Waves and Optics

PHYS*3510 [0.50] Intermediate Laboratory

PHYS*4040 [0.50] Quantum Mechanics II

PHYS*4540 [0.50] Molecular Biophysics

Semester 7

CHEM*4570 [0.50] Applied Biochemistry

PHYS*4240 [0.50] Statistical Physics II

PHYS*4560 [0.50] Biophysical Methods

One of:

PHYS*4120 [0.50] Atomic and Molecular Physics

0.50 elective

One of:

PHYS*4500 [0.50] Advanced Physics Laboratory

0.50 elective

Note: At least one of PHYS*4120 in semester 7 or PHYS*4150 in semester 8 must be taken.

Semester 8

CHEM*4580 [0.50] Membrane Biochemistry

PHYS*4510 [0.50] Advanced Physics Project

0.50 Arts or Social Science elective

0.50 elective

One of:

PHYS*4150 [0.50] Solid State Physics

0.50 elective

Note: At least one of PHYS*4120 in semester 7 or PHYS*4150 in semester 8 must be taken.

Note: PHYS*4510 will be projects in biophysics, some of which may be in biological areas outside the Department of Physics.