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| Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV Calendar | Summer 2015

Physics Major

Bachelor of Science

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 - General Chemistry and Laboratory I (4)

Atomic and molecular structure; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; elements; periodic table; gases liquids, solids, and solutions. This course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: BC high school chemistry 12 or CHEM 111. Recommended: MATH 151 (or 154) and PHYS 120 (or 101) as a corequisite. Students may not count both CHEM 120 and 121 for credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Lee Hanlan
Sophie Lavieri
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D110 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Sessional Instructor
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Surrey
D201 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Surrey
D202 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey
D203 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Surrey
LA06 Sophie Lavieri
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
LA07 Sophie Lavieri
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Fri, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
LB06 Sophie Lavieri
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
LC01 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II (2)

Chemical equilibria; electrochemistry; chemical thermodynamics; kinetics. Students who intend to take further laboratory courses in chemistry should take CHEM 122 concurrently with CHEM 126. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 or 120. Recommended: MATH 152 (or 155) and PHYS 121 (or 102) as a corequisite. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Hogan Yu
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMPT 102 - Introduction to Scientific Computer Programming (3)

A programming course which will provide the science student with a working knowledge of a scientific programming language and an introduction to computing concepts, structured programming, and modular design. The student will also gain knowledge in the use of programming environments including the use of numerical algorithm packages. Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 (or 158). Students with credit for CMPT 120, 125, 126, 130, 135, or 128 may not take CMPT 102 for further credit. Quantitative.

MATH 251 - Calculus III (3)

Rectangular, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. Vectors, lines, planes, cylinders, quadric surfaces. Vector functions, curves, motion in space. Differential and integral calculus of several variables. Vector fields, line integrals, fundamental theorem for line integrals, Green's theorem. Prerequisite: MATH 152; or MATH 155 or MATH 158 with a grade of at least B. Recommended: It is recommended that MATH 240 or 232 be taken before or concurrently with MATH 251. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
TBA TBA
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
OP01 TBD
MATH 252 - Vector Calculus (3)

Vector calculus, divergence, gradient and curl; line, surface and volume integrals; conservative fields, theorems of Gauss, Green and Stokes; general curvilinear coordinates and tensor notation. Introduction to orthogonality of functions, orthogonal polynomials and Fourier series. Prerequisite: MATH 240 or 232, and 251. MATH 240 or 232 may be taken concurrently. Students with credit for MATH 254 may not take MATH 252 for further credit. Quantitative.

PHYS 131 - Physics Laboratory I (2) *

Elementary experiments in optics, electricity, and mechanics that are designed to augment the general survey courses. Corequisite: PHYS 121 or 126 should be taken concurrently or may precede; or by permission of the department. Students with credit for PHYS 130 or 141 may not take PHYS 131 for further credit. Quantitative.

PHYS 211 - Intermediate Mechanics (3)

An intermediate mechanics course covering kinematics, dynamics, calculus of variations and Lagrange's equations, non-inertial reference frames, central forces and orbits, and rigid body motion. Prerequisite: PHYS 126 or 121 or 141, with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: MATH 251; MATH 232 or 240. Recommended: MATH 310 and PHYS 255. Quantitative.

PHYS 231 - Physics Laboratory II (3)

Introductory physics laboratory with experiments chosen from mechanics, heat, optics, electricity, magnetism, properties of matter, atomic and nuclear physics, along with lectures on the use of computers for data acquisition and data analysis in the physics laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 141 or 131 or 130, with a minimum grade of C-. Recommended co-requisite: PHYS 255. Students with credit for PHYS 234 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

PHYS 233 - Physics Laboratory III (2)

Experiments chosen from among mechanics, heat, optics, electricity, magnetism, properties of matter, atomic and nuclear physics. Engineering Science students will do a selected set of experiments. Prerequisite: PHYS 231 or ENSC 220, with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Neil Alberding
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Tue, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
PHYS 255 - Vibrations and Waves (3)

The physics of vibrations and waves. Topics include periodic motion, including free and forced oscillations, coupled oscillators, normal modes, and waves in one and higher dimensions. Prerequisite: PHYS 126 or 121 or 141 with a minimum C- grade; or PHYS 101 and 102 with a grade of B or better. Corequisite: MATH 251; MATH 232 or 240. Recommended concurrent: PHYS 211 and MATH 310. Quantitative.

PHYS 285 - Introduction to Relativity and Quantum Mechanics (3)

Special relativity, including relativistic kinematics and dynamics; tests of relativity; matter waves and early quantum models; wave mechanics and its application to molecular, atomic and subatomic systems. Prerequisite: PHYS 255, with a minimum grade of C-. Quantitative.

and one of

MATH 125 - Introduction to Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences-l (3)

Review of sequences and series, complex numbers and link to polar coordinates, vectors and parametric curves, introduction to multivariate integration, solution of first and second order ODE, linear independence, introduction to Fourier Series. Approximation algorithms for simple ODE systems. Prerequisite: Math 152 or equivalent. Permission of the Department. Corequisite Physics 125.

MATH 150 - Calculus I with Review (4)

Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Topics as for Math 151 with a more extensive review of functions, their properties and their graphs. Recommended for students with no previous knowledge of Calculus. In addition to regularly scheduled lectures, students enrolled in this course are encouraged to come for assistance to the Calculus Workshop (Burnaby), or Math Open Lab (Surrey). Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B+, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B-, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 151, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 150 for further credit. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Distance Education
TBA TBA
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
OP01 TBD
MATH 151 - Calculus I (3)

Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of Differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, related rates, Newton's method. Antiderivatives and applications. Conic sections, polar coordinates, parametric curves. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least A, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 151 for further credit. Quantitative.

and one of

MATH 126 - Introduction to Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences-ll (3)

Method of characteristics for 1-D transport and wave equations. Similarity solutions including plane waves, traveling waves and scaling solutions, with applications in the physical sciences. Introduction to vector calculus, including differentiation, decompositions via potentials. Multivariate integration, including Green's, the Stokes and the Divergence theorem. Introduction to abstract vector spaces. Linear independence. Inner products and orthogonally. Some applications of infinite dimensional vector spaces. Prerequisite: A grade of C+ or higher in Math 125 AND Physics 125. Permission of the Department. Corequisite: Physics 126.

MATH 152 - Calculus II (3)

Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence and applications of power series. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MATH 154 or 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 155 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Justin Gray
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
OP01 TBD

and one of

MATH 232 - Applied Linear Algebra (3)

Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Introduction to vector spaces and linear transformations and bases. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. An emphasis on applications involving matrix and vector calculations. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MACM 101; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 240 make not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Randall Pyke
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Surrey
OP01 TBD
MATH 240 - Algebra I: Linear Algebra (3)

Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Real and abstract vector spaces, subspaces and linear transformations; basis and change of basis. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. Applications. Subject is presented with an abstract emphasis and includes proofs of the basic theorems. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MACM 101; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 232 cannot take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Jonathan Jedwab
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
OPO1 TBD

and one of

PHYS 120 - Mechanics and Modern Physics (3)

A general calculus-based introduction to mechanics. Topics include translational and rotational motion, momentum, energy, gravitation, and selected topics in modern physics. Prerequisite: BC Principles of Physics 12 or PHYS 100 or equivalent, with a minimum grade of C-. This prerequisite may be waived, at the discretion of the department, as determined by the student's performance on a regularly scheduled PHYS 100 final exam. Please consult the physics advisor for further details. Corequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154 must precede or be taken concurrently. Students with credit for PHYS 101, 125 or 140 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

PHYS 125 - Mechanics and Special Relativity (3) +

An enriched course in mechanics for students with good preparation in physics and mathematics. Special relativity and classical topics such as translational and rotational dynamics and conservation laws will be given a much more sophisticated treatment than in our other first-year courses. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Co-requisite: MATH 125. Students with credit for PHYS 101, 120 or PHYS 140 may not take PHYS 125 for further credit. Quantitative.

PHYS 140 - Studio Physics - Mechanics and Modern Physics (4) *

A general calculus-based introduction to mechanics taught in an integrated lecture-laboratory environment. Topics include translational and rotational motion, momentum, energy, gravitation, and selected topics in modern physics. Prerequisite: BC Principles of Physics 12, or equivalent, with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154 must precede or be taken concurrently. Students with credit for PHYS 125 or 120 or 101 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

and one of

PHYS 121 - Optics, Electricity and Magnetism (3)

A general calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics. Topics include electricity, magnetism, simple circuits, optics and topics from applied physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 120 or 125 or 140 (or PHYS 101 with a grade of A or B). Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 must precede or be taken concurrently. Students with credit for PHYS 102, 126 or 141 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Kory Stevens
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
PHYS 126 - Electricity, Magnetism and Light (3) +

An enriched course in electromagnetism for students with good preparation in physics and mathematics. Classical topics such as waves, electricity and magnetism, as well as wave particle duality and the birth of Quantum Mechanics, will be given a much more sophisticated treatment than in our other first year courses. Prerequisite: PHYS 125 and permission of the department. Co-requisite: MATH 126. Students with credit in PHYS 102, 121 or 141 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

PHYS 141 - Studio Physics - Optics, Electricity and Magnetism (4) *

A general calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics taught in an integrated lecture-laboratory environment. Topics include electricity, magnetism, simple circuits, optics and topics from applied physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 140, with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 must precede or be taken concurrently. Students with credit for PHYS 126 or 121 or 102 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Neil Alberding
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Surrey
D101 Neil Alberding
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Surrey
LA01 Neil Alberding
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Surrey

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

+ recommended

Upper Division Requirements

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

MATH 310 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations (3)

First-order differential equations, second- and higher-order linear equations, series solutions, introduction to Laplace transform, systems and numerical methods, applications in the physical, biological and social sciences. Prerequisite: MATH 152; or MATH 155/158 with a grade of at least B, MATH 232 or 240. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Sessional Sessional
May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D107 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 May 11 – Aug 10, 2015: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
PHYS 321 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (3)

Development and application of Maxwell's equations in vector differential form. Notation and theorems of vector calculus; electric charge, fields, potentials, capacitance and field energy; conductors; methods for solving electrostatic problems; electric fields in matter; electrical current and the magnetic field; Ampere's law and the vector potential; magnetic fields in matter; electromotive force, electrical resistance, Faraday's law and inductance; Maxwell's correction to Ampere's law and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite: PHYS 130 or 131 or 141; MATH 252 or 254; MATH 310, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for PHYS 221 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

PHYS 332W - Optics Laboratory (4)

Experiments in optics and modern physics, including diffraction, interference, spectroscopy, lasers and holography. Engineering Science students will do a selected set of experiments. Prerequisite: PHYS 233 and 285, or equivalent, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for PHYS 332 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.

PHYS 344 - Thermal Physics (3)

Heat, temperature, heat transfer, kinetic theory, laws of thermodynamics, entropy, heat engines, applications of thermodynamics to special systems, phase transitions. Prerequisite: PHYS 126 or PHYS 121 or PHYS 141, MATH 251. Quantitative.

PHYS 385 - Quantum Mechanics I (3)

Wave mechanics and the Schroedinger equation, the harmonic oscillator, introduction to Dirac notation, angular momentum and spin, the hydrogen atom, atomic structure, time-independent perturbation theory, atomic spectra, and applications. Prerequisite: MATH 252 or 254; PHYS 285 or ENSC 380 or CHEM 260, with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: PHYS 211; MATH 310. Quantitative.

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 Major 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 Ά‘ΟγΤ°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 Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See 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 Ά‘ΟγΤ°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)

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.

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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 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.