¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

Physics Major Program

Department of Physics | Faculty of Science
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2013 Summer

This bachelor of science (BSc) program offers a solid physics background with the opportunity to explore other disciplines.

Because of flexibility in upper division physics requirements, students can plan their own upper division courses to fit their individual objectives. Students are advised to consult an advisor when planning, and to have their program approved.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Students wishing to enrol in physics courses must obtain a C- grade or better in prerequisite courses.

Program Requirements

Students complete 120 units, as specified below.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum total of 46 units, including all of

  • CHEM 121-4 General Chemistry and Laboratory I
  • CHEM 122-2 General Chemistry II
  • CMPT 102-3 Introduction to Scientific Computer Programming
  • MATH 152-3 Calculus II
  • MATH 251-3 Calculus III
  • MATH 252-3 Vector Calculus
  • PHYS 131-2 Physics Laboratory I*
  • PHYS 211-3 Intermediate Mechanics
  • PHYS 231-3 Physics Laboratory II
  • PHYS 233-2 Physics Laboratory III
  • PHYS 255-3 Vibrations and Waves
  • PHYS 285-3 Introduction to Relativity and Quantum Mechanics

and one of

  • MATH 150-4 Calculus I with Review
  • MATH 151-3 Calculus I

and one of

  • MATH 232-3 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 240-3 Algebra I: Linear Algebra

and one of

  • PHYS 120-3 Mechanics and Modern Physics
  • PHYS 125-3 Mechanics and Special Relativity†
  • PHYS 140-4 Studio Physics – Mechanics and Modern Physics*

and one of

  • PHYS 121-3 Optics, Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 126-3 Electricity, Magnetism and Light†
  • PHYS 141-4 Studio Physics – Optics, Electricity and Magnetism*

*students with credit for PHYS 140 and 141 are not required to complete PHYS 131
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Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum total of 31 units, including all of

  • MATH 310-3 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
  • PHYS 321-3 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 332W-4 Optics Laboratory
  • PHYS 344-3 Thermal Physics
  • PHYS 385-3 Quantum Mechanics I

In addition, a minimum of 15 other upper division physics units must be completed to satisfy the physics subject area requirements for a major.

Faculty of Science Requirements

In addition to the above requirements, students must also satisfy Faculty of Science major program requirements to complete a total of 120 units including

  • additional upper division units to total a minimum of 44 upper division units (excluding EDUC 401 to 406)
  • students who were enrolled at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV between fall 1991 and summer 2006 are required to complete a minimum of 12 units in subjects outside the Faculty of Science (excluding EDUC 401 to 406) including six units minimum to be completed in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit.
Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject
Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division
6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc
6 units Humanities: B-Hum
6 units Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements)
Additional breadth units must be from outside the student's major and may be B-designated (B-Hum, B-Soc, B-Sci courses). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 units as upper division work.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.

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