Note: This is the 2022–2023 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
This program trains students in the fundamentals of chemistry and develops the physical science, computational, and mathematical skills needed for advanced biophysical chemistry research in the biomedical and biotechnology industries. The program features integrative, interdisciplinary courses in bio-physical sciences.
Program Prerequisites
Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.
Pre-Program Requirements: Students entering from the Freshman program must have included CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 or CHEM 115, BIOL 111 or BIOL 112, MATH 133, MATH 140/MATH 141 or MATH 150/MATH 151, PHYS 131/PHYS 142, or their equivalents in their Freshman year. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses. Note that students who have successfully completed MATH 150 and MATH 151 do not have to take MATH 222.
Required Courses (65 credits)
The courses marked with an asterisk (*) are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level. Students completing the program will not be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec without additional chemistry electives. This program is not currently accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
Completion of Mathematics MATH 222 and MATH 315 during U1 is strongly recommended.
* Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
** Students who have successfully completed MATH 150 and MATH 151 are not required to take MATH 222.
Bio-Physical Sciences Core
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BIOL 219 Introduction to Physical
Molecular and Cell Biology (4 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Hendricks, Adam; Watt, Alanna; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo; Weber, Stephanie (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 112; CHEM 110 and CHEM 120; MATH 140, MATH 141 and MATH 133; PHYS 131 and PHYS 142; or the equivalents of these courses.
Corequisite(s): MATH 222 or equivalent
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking ANAT 212, BIOC 212, BIOL 200, and BIOL 201, or BIEN 219. Only open to students in Bioengineering, Computer Science-Biology, Biology-Mathematics, Biology-Quantitative Biology, Chemistry-Biophysical Chemistry, and Physics-Biological Physics Options.
This course is meant to prepare students for related 300-level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics.
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BIOL 319 Introduction to Biophysics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies. These principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Reisner, Walter (Winter)
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BIOL 395 Quantitative Biology Seminar (1 credit)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Hayer, Arnold; Francois, Paul; Kleinman, Claudia; Oeffinger, Marlene; Ehrlicher, Allen; Hendricks, Michael; Bui, Khanh Huy; Weber, Stephanie; Reznikov, Natalie; Gerhold, Abigail (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites: BIOL 219; or BIOL 200 plus BIOL 201 or ANAT 212 or BIOC 212; CHEM 212; COMP 202 or COMP 204 or COMP 250; MATH 222; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Only open to U2 students in the following programs: B.Sc.; Major and Honours in Biology; Quantitative Biology, B.Sc.; Major and Honours Computer Science and Biology, B.Sc.; Major Biology and Mathematics, B.Sc.; Major Physiology and Mathematics, B.Sc.; Major Physiology and Physics, B.Sc.; Major and Honours Chemistry; Biophysical Chemistry, and B.Sc.; Major and Honours Physics; Biological Physics.
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CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Pavelka, Laura; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Vlaho, Danielle; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Fall) Vlaho, Danielle; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Pavelka, Laura; Luedtke, Nathan (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell (Summer)
Fall, Winter, Summer
Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.
Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.
Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 211 or equivalent
Each lab section is limited enrolment
Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page ().
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.
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MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits) **
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Paquette, Elliot; Wrobel, Konrad (Fall) Trudeau, Sidney (Winter) Barill, Gavin (Summer)
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MATH 223 Linear Algebra (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023
Instructors: Macdonald, Jeremy; Pichot, Mikael (Fall) Macdonald, Jeremy (Winter)
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MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Berk, Aaron (Fall) Bélanger-Rioux, Rosalie (Winter) Roth, Charles (Summer)
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MATH 323 Probability (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Nadarajah, Tharshanna; Sajjad, Alia (Fall) Asgharian, Masoud; Sajjad, Alia (Winter) Kelome, Djivede (Summer)
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PHYS 329 Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : This interdisciplinary course introduces Statistical Physics illustrated with modern biophysical applications. Principles covered include partition functions, Boltzmann distribution, bosons, fermions, Bose Einstein condensates, Ferni gases, chemical potential, thermodynamical forces, biochemical kinetics, and an introduction to noise and phase transitions in biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Chemistry
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CHEM 213 Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Thermodynamics. Topics include gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies, the entropy and free energy functions, absolute entropies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states, phase rule and phase diagrams, ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility, electrochemistry, Debye-Hückel Theory.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Blum, Amy (Fall)
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CHEM 222 Introductory Organic Chemistry 2 (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Vlaho, Danielle; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Pavelka, Laura; Auclair, Karine (Fall) Pavelka, Laura; Vlaho, Danielle; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell (Summer)
Fall, Winter
Prerequisite: CHEM 212 or equivalent.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken an equivalent Organic 2 at CEGEP (see Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Basic Math and Sciences Equivalence Table at ) or who have or are taking CHEM 234.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.
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CHEM 267 Introductory Chemical Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods. The laboratory component includes introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Mauzeroll, Janine (Fall)
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CHEM 273 Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Kinetics: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry. Methods: physical chemistry laboratory, differential equations and linear algebra applied to physical chemistry, computation methods for data analysis and modeling
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: McCalla, Eric Russell; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Winter)
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CHEM 281 Inorganic Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Basic concepts of electronic structure and molecular bonding will be developed and applied to the understanding of common materials. Acid-base chemistry. Survey of the chemistry of the main group elements. Introduction to coordination and organometallic chemistry.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Légaré, Marc-Andre (Winter)
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CHEM 345 Introduction to Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : An introduction to quantum chemistry covering the historical development, wave theory, methods of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum chemistry.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Reven, Linda (Fall)
- CHEM 355 Applications of Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)
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CHEM 367 Instrumental Analysis 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : An introduction to modern instrumental analysis emphasizing chromatography, atomic spectroscopy and computational data analysis. Analytical methods to be examined in detail include gas-liquid and high performance liquid chromatography, LC mass spectrometry, and common methods of atomic determinations using flames/furnaces/plasma sources.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Thibodeaux, Christopher; Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 267.
Each lab section is limited enrolment
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CHEM 377 Instrumental Analysis 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Spectroscopic methods of analysis will be studied with respect to fundamentals, operational aspects and instrument design. Topics will range from UV-visible to x-ray spectrometry. Methodologies will be evaluated with respect to their application in spectrometric systems. Laboratory automation will be studied and applied in the laboratory.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Preston, Thomas; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisite: CHEM 367
Each lab section is limited enrolment
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CHEM 470 Research Project 1 (6 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : A course designed to give students research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental and /or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination.
Terms: Summer 2023, Fall 2022, Winter 2023
Instructors: Légaré, Marc-Andre (Summer) Kakkar, Ashok K (Fall) Kakkar, Ashok K (Winter)
Fall, Winter
Prerequisite: registration by Departmental permission only
**Although this is a research course from May 3rd until August 31st, it does not follow the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines. Therefore, add/drop is July 6th and withdrawal is August 3rd.
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CHEM 493 Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023
Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Stein, Robin Stephanie (Fall) Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Winter)
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PHYS 242 Electricity and Magnetism (2 credits)
Overview
Physics : Properties of electromagnetic fields, dipole and quadropole fields and their interactions, chemical binding of molecules, electromagnetic properties of materials, Maxwell's equations and properties of electromagnetic waves, propagation of waves in media.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Chiang, Hsin Cynthia (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lectures
Prerequisites: CEGEP Physics, MATH 222
Complementary Courses
(9-10 credits)
3 credits of:
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CHEM 302 Introductory Organic Chemistry 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Damha, Masad J (Fall)
Fall, Winter
Prerequisites: CHEM 222, or permission of the instructor.
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CHEM 381 Inorganic Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Bohle, Scott (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: CHEM 281.
Restriction: For Honours and Major Chemistry students
6-7 credits of:
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BIOL 300 Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Schöck, Frieder; Moon, Nam Sung (Fall)
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BIOL 301 Cell and Molecular Laboratory (4 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023
Instructors: Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo; Harrison, Paul; Leroux, Maxime (Fall) Hayer, Arnold; Harrison, Paul; Leroux, Maxime (Winter)
Fall or Winter
1 hour lecture and one 6-hour laboratory
Prerequisites: BIOL 200, BIOL 201 (or ANAT 212/BIOC 212); or BIOL 219
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOC 300, or BIOC 220 and BIOC 320. Requires departmental approval.
For approval email hugo.zheng [at] mcgill.ca. Specify your ID number as well as the term and two lab day preferences.
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BIOL 316 Biomembranes and Organelles (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The course focuses on biomembranes and subcellular organelles and their implications for disease. The topics include: protein and lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and transport; intracellular compartmentalization, protein sorting and modification, intracellular membrane trafficking; energy transfer, organization and dynamics of chloroplasts and mitochondria; extracellular matrix and cell walls.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
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BIOL 551 Principles of Cellular Control (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells..
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Vogel, Jacalyn; Francois, Paul (Winter)
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CHEM 302 Introductory Organic Chemistry 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Damha, Masad J (Fall)
Fall, Winter
Prerequisites: CHEM 222, or permission of the instructor.
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CHEM 381 Inorganic Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Bohle, Scott (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: CHEM 281.
Restriction: For Honours and Major Chemistry students
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CHEM 502 Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Thibodeaux, Christopher; Luedtke, Nathan (Winter)
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CHEM 514 Biophysical Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Physical chemistry concepts needed to understand the function of biological systems at the molecular level, including the structure, stability, transport, and interactions of biological macromolecules.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
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CHEM 520 Methods in Chemical Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : An overview of advanced techniques at the leading edge of Chemical Biology, including some or all of: biological imaging, kinetics of enzyme inhibition, combinatorial synthesis, atomic force microscopy of biological molecules, self assembling biomimetic structures, oligonucleotide therapeutics, biomolecular X-ray crystallography, computational methods, and nuclear magnetic resonance applied to protein interactions.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Kostikov, Alexey; Mauzeroll, Janine; Mittermaier, Anthony; Thibodeaux, Christopher (Fall)
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CHEM 555 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : The fundamental principles underlying Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Electron Paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be covered and applied to biomolecules and materials chemistry. Topics include multidimensional spectra, molecular dynamics, the density matrix, and the product operator formalism.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Reven, Linda; Mittermaier, Anthony (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisite: CHEM 355 or equivalent
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CHEM 575 Chemical Kinetics (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Kinetic laws, measurement of reaction rates, transition state and collision theory, experimental techniques in reaction kinetics, reaction mechanisms, RRKM theory, Marcus theory of electron transfer, photochemistry and catalysis. Recent developments and their application to chemical and biological problems. Elementary reactions in gas, solution and solid phases and on surfaces.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Cosa, Gonzalo (Fall)
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COMP 208 Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and
Engineering
(3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Programming and problem solving in a high level computer language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms such as searching and sorting. Modular software design, libraries, file input and output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in Physical Sciences and Engineering, such as root finding, numerical integration, diffusion, Monte Carlo methods.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023
Instructors: M'hiri, Faten (Fall) Parekh, Deven (Winter)
3 hours
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 202, COMP 204, orGEOG 333; not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 206 or COMP 250.
COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 208 is intended for students with sufficient math background and in (non-life) science or engineering fields.
Faculty of Science—2022-2023 (last updated Aug. 24, 2022) (disclaimer)
