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Honours Physics and Chemistry (80 credits)

Offered by: Physics     Degree: Bachelor of Science

Program Requirements

This program provides a strong basis in both chemistry and physics. It contains a core of chemistry courses and a mix of honours-level courses in physics and mathematics.

To graduate with an Honours degree, a student must have, at time of graduation, a CGPA of at least 3.0 in the required and complementary courses of the program, as well as an overall CGPA of at least 3.0.

This is a specialized and demanding program. The student will have two advisers, one from Chemistry and the other from Physics. This program may be completed in 80 or 83 credits.

Program Prerequisites

Students entering Physics programs from the Freshman program must have successfully completed the courses below or their equivalents. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses.

  • CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, radiation and nuclear chemistry, valence theory, coordination chemistry, and the periodic table.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Kakkar, Ashok K; McKeague, Maureen; Denisova, Irina (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics or permission of instructor; CHEM 120 is not a prerequisite

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

  • CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Wiseman, Paul; Denisova, Irina (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics, or permission of instructor: CHEM 110 is not a prerequisite

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

  • PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves (4 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : The basic laws and principles of Newtonian mechanics; oscillations, waves, and wave optics.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures; 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours laboratory in alternate weeks; tutorial sessions

    • Corequisite: MATH 139 or higher level calculus course.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking PHYS 101, or who have taken CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent.

    • Laboratory sections have limited enrolment

  • PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics (4 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : The basic laws of electricity and magnetism; geometrical optics.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Guo, Hong (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory in alternate weeks; tutorial sessions

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 131.

    • Corequisite: MATH 141 or higher level calculus course.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking PHYS 102, or who have taken CEGEP objective 00US or equivalent.

    • Laboratory sections have limited enrolment

3 credits from:

  • BIOL 111 Principles: Organismal Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the phylogeny, structure, function and adaptation of unicellular organisms, plants and animals in the biosphere.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Hargreaves, Anna; L'Heureux, Anne-Marie; Shapiro, Benjamin Jesse; Hendry, Andrew; Cristescu, Elena (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UK or equivalent; or BIOL 115.

    • This course serves as an alternative to CEGEP objective code 00UK

    • Labs are held weekly, starting from the second week of term. Attendance at the first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.

  • BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : The cell: ultrastructure, division, chemical constituents and reactions. Bioenergetics: photosynthesis and respiration. Principles of genetics, the molecular basis of inheritance and biotechnology.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; L'Heureux, Anne-Marie; Schöck, Frieder (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory

    • Labs are held weekly, starting from the second week of term. Attendance at the first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.

    • This course serves as an alternative to CEGEP objective code 00XU

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking CEGEP objective 00XU or equivalent;or BIOL 115; or AEBI 122

  • MATH 133 Linear Algebra and Geometry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Systems of linear equations, matrices, inverses, determinants; geometric vectors in three dimensions, dot product, cross product, lines and planes; introduction to vector spaces, linear dependence and independence, bases. Linear transformations. Eigenvalues and diagonalization.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Macdonald, Jeremy; Ayala, Miguel; Branchereau, Romain; Giard, Antoine (Fall)

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial

    • Prerequisite: a course in functions

    • Restriction(s): 1) Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UQ or equivalent. 2) Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 123, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

7-8 credits from:

  • MATH 140 Calculus 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of functions and graphs. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Sabok, Marcin; Trudeau, Sidney; Kalmykov, Artem (Fall)

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial

    • Prerequisite: High School Calculus

    • Restriction(s): 1) Not open to students who have taken MATH139 or MATH 150 or CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent. 2) Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

  • MATH 141 Calculus 2 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The definite integral. Techniques of integration. Applications. Introduction to sequences and series.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Hassan, Hazem; Trudeau, Sidney; Zlotchevski, Andrei (Fall) Trudeau, Sidney (Winter)

    • Prerequisites: MATH 139 or MATH 140 or MATH 150.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122,except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

  • MATH 150 Calculus A (4 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, L'Hospital's rule, applications, Taylor polynomials, parametric curves, functions of several variables.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Kelome, Djivede (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture, 2 hours tutorial

    • Students with no prior exposure to vector geometry are advised to take MATH 133 concurrently. Intended for students with high school calculus who have not received six advanced placement credits

    • Restriction(s): 1) Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 139 or MATH 140 or CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent. 2) Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122,except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

    • MATH 150 and MATH 151 cover the material of MATH 139, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 222

  • MATH 151 Calculus B (4 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Integration, methods and applications, infinite sequences and series, power series, arc length and curvature, multiple integration.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Roth, Charles (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lecture; 2 hours tutorial

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

    • Prerequisite: MATH 150

    • Restriction(s): 1) Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 141 or CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent. 2) Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122, except by permission of the Department of Mathematic sand Statistics.

Note: Either MATH 140 and MATH 141 or MATH 150 and MATH 151.

Required Courses (68 credits)

  • CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Tsantrizos, Youla S; Pavelka, Laura; Luedtke, Nathan (Fall)

    • Fall, Summer

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Not open to students registered in Chemistry or Biochemistry. Not open to students who have taken or are taking CHEM 211, CHEM 242, 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 ().

  • CHEM 213 Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    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 2024

    Instructors: Blum, Amy (Fall)

  • CHEM 273 Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    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 2025

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Winter)

    • Prerequisites: CHEM 213 and MATH 222 or equivalent

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking CHEM 253.

  • CHEM 281 Inorganic Chemistry 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    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 2025

    Instructors: Légaré, Marc-Andre (Winter)

  • CHEM 355 Applications of Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A survey of the principles of electronic, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance and computational methods.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Siwick, Bradley (Winter)

  • CHEM 365 Statistical Thermodynamics (2 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Molecular basis of thermodynamics with applications to ideal gases and simple solids. Topics to be covered will include: calculation of thermodynamic functions, chemical equilibrium constants, Einstein and Debye models of solids, absolute reaction rate theory, Debye-Hückel theory of strong electrolytes.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Simine, Yelena (Winter)

  • CHEM 493 Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Fall) Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Winter)

    • Prerequisite(s): CHEM 273 and CHEM 345 or permission of the instructor.

    • Corequisite(s): CHEM 355

    • Fall, Winter

    • Each lab section has limited enrolment.

  • CHEM 556 Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Quantum mechanical treatment of species of chemical interest. Introduction to perturbation theory, both time-dependent and time-independent. Treatment of the variational principle. Introduction to atomic spectra. Chemical bonding in terms of both the valence bond and molecular orbital theory. Elementary collision theory. Interaction of radiation with molecules.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Kambhampati, Patanjali (Fall)

  • CHEM 574 Introductory Polymer Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A survey course on the structure of polymers, kinetics and mechanisms of polymer and copolymer synthesis; characterization and molecular weight distributions; polymer microstructure, the thermodynamics of polymer solutions; the crystalline and amorphous states, rubber elasticity and structure-property relationships.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Caire da Silva, Lucas (Fall)

  • COMP 208 Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and Engineering (3 credits)

    Offered by: Computer Science (Faculty of Science)

    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 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Langer, Michael; Prémont-Schwarz, Isabeau (Fall) Prémont-Schwarz, Isabeau (Winter)

    • 3 hours

    • Corequisite: MATH 133 and MATH 141, or equivalents.

    • 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.

  • MATH 247 Honours Applied Linear Algebra (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Matrix algebra, determinants, systems of linear equations. Abstract vector spaces, inner product spaces, Fourier series. Linear transformations and their matrix representations. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalizable and defective matrices, positive definite and semidefinite matrices. Quadratic and Hermitian forms, generalized eigenvalue problems, simultaneous reduction of quadratic forms. Applications.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Hoheisel, Tim (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: MATH 133 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Intended for Honours Physics and Engineering students

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 236, MATH 223 or MATH 251

  • MATH 248 Honours Vector Calculus (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Partial derivatives and differentiation of functions in several variables; Jacobians; maxima and minima; implicit functions. Scalar and vector fields; orthogonal curvilinear coordinates. Multiple integrals; arc length, volume and surface area. Line and surface integrals; irrotational and solenoidal fields; Green's theorem; the divergence theorem. Stokes' theorem; and applications.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Mutanguha, Jean Pierre (Fall)

    • Fall and Winter and Summer

    • Prerequisites: MATH 133 and MATH 222 or consent of Department.

    • Restriction: Intended for Honours Physics, Computer Science, Physiology and Engineering students.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 314 or MATH 358.

  • MATH 249 Honours Complex Variables (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Functions of a complex variable; Cauchy-Riemann equations; Cauchy's theorem and consequences. Taylor and Laurent expansions. Residue calculus; evaluation of real integrals; integral representation of special functions; the complex inversion integral. Conformal mapping; Schwarz-Christoffel transformation; Poisson's integral formulas; applications.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Pym, Brent (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite(s): MATH 248 or MATH 358 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Intended for Honours Physics and Engineering students

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 316

  • MATH 325 Honours Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First and second order equations, linear equations, series solutions, Frobenius method, introduction to numerical methods and to linear systems, Laplace transforms, applications.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Lessard, Jean-Philippe (Winter)

    • Fall and Winter

    • (3-0-6)

    • Prerequisite: MATH 222.

    • Restriction: Intended for Honours Mathematics, Physics and Engineering programs.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 263 (formerly MATH 261), MATH 315

  • PHYS 241 Signal Processing (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Linear circuit elements, resonance, network theorems, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, feedback, integrated circuits.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Hessels, Jason (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 hours lectures; 3 hours laboratory alternate weeks

    • Prerequisite: CEGEP physics or PHYS 142.

  • PHYS 251 Honours Classical Mechanics 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Newton's laws, work energy, angular momentum. Harmonic oscillator, forced oscillations. Inertial forces, rotating frames. Central forces, centre of mass, planetary orbits, Kepler's laws.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Chiang, Hsin Cynthia (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisite: CEGEP physics or PHYS 131.

    • Corequisite: MATH 222

    • Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 230.

  • PHYS 257 Experimental Methods 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Introductory laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Introduction to computers as they are employed for laboratory work, for data analysis and for numerical computation. Previous experience with computers is an asset, but is not required.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Vachon, Brigitte (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 6 hours of laboratory and classroom work

    • Corequisite: PHYS 230 or PHYS 251

  • PHYS 258 Experimental Methods 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Advanced laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Computers will be employed routinely for data analysis and for numerical computation, and, particularly, to facilitate the use of Fourier methods.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Cooke, David (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 6 hours of laboratory and classroom work

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 257

  • PHYS 350 Honours Electricity and Magnetism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Fundamental laws of electric and magnetic fields in both integral and differential form.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Liu, Adrian (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisites: MATH 248, MATH 325.

    • Restriction: Honours students or permission of the instructor

    • Restriction: Not open to students having taken PHYS 340

  • PHYS 352 Honours Electromagnetic Waves (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Vector and scalar potentials; plane waves in homogeneous media; refraction and reflection; guided waves; radiation from simple systems; dipole and quadrupole radiation; introduction to fields of moving charges; synchrotron radiation; Bremsstrahlung.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Lovejoy, Shaun MacDonald (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 350.

    • Restriction: Honours students, or permission of the instructor

  • PHYS 357 Honours Quantum Physics 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Experimental basis for quantum mechanics; wave-packets; uncertainty principle. Hilbert space formalism. Schrodinger equation: eigenvalues and eigenvectors: applications to 1-d problems including the infinite and finite potential wells and the harmonic oscillator. Tunneling. Time independent perturbation theory.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Sievers, Jonathan Le Roy (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisites: MATH 223 or equivalent, and one of PHYS 230, PHYS 251, or CIVE 281

    • Restriction: Honours students or permission of the instructor

    • Restriction: Not open to students taking or having passed PHYS 346

  • PHYS 457 Honours Quantum Physics 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Angular momentum and spin operators. Operator methods in quantum mechanics. Coupling of spin and angular momenta. Variational principles and elements of time dependent perturbation theory (the Golden Rule). Solution of the Schrodinger equation in three dimensions. Applications to the hydrogen and helium atoms and to simple problems in atomic and molecular physics.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Jeon, Sang Yong (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 357

    • Restriction: Honours students or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PHYS 346

  • PHYS 558 Solid State Physics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Properties of crystals; free electron model, band structure; metals, insulators and semi-conductors; phonons; magnetism; selected additional topics in solid-state (e.g. ferroelectrics, elementary transport theory).

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Hilke, Michael (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Restriction: U3 Honours students, graduate students, or permission of the instructor

Complementary Courses (12-15 credits)

(with at least 3 credits in Chemistry and 3 credits in Physics)

0-3 credits from:

  • MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    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 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Pym, Brent; Tageddine, Damien (Fall)

*Note: A student who has not taken MATH 222 (or equivalent) prior to entering the program must take it in their first semester, increasing the program credits from 80 to 83. The student must then take MATH 314 in their second semester instead of MATH 248, if scheduling requires it.

3 credits selected from:

  • CHEM 593 Statistical Mechanics and Machine Learning for Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Intermediate topics in statistical mechanics and related machine learning: ensemble theory, critical phenomena, static and time-dependent phenomena, linear response and fluctuations, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation methods, data driven simulation methods: MaxEnt modeling, generative machine learning, active learning.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Simine, Yelena (Winter)

  • PHYS 559 Advanced Statistical Mechanics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Scattering and structure factors. Review of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; correlation functions (static); mean field theory; critical phenomena; broken symmetry; fluctuations, roughening.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Reisner, Walter (Winter)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Restriction: U3 Honours students, graduate students, or permission of the instructor

9 credits selected from the list below:

Note: PHYS 459D1 and PHYS 459D2 are taken together.

  • CHEM 480D1 Undergraduate Research Project 2 (1.5 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A course designed to give students additional 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 or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Fall)

  • CHEM 480D2 Undergraduate Research Project 2 (1.5 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A course designed to give students additional 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 or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Winter)

  • CHEM 505 Computer Modeling of Molecules and Materials (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A comprehensive introduction to computational methods and software for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. The main focus of the course is on important practical aspects of chemistry-related computer modeling: how to perform simulations reliably and efficiently, and how to interpret simulation results. Two main classes of computer simulations--electronic structure methods and statistical mechanics methods--will be discussed in detail together with a wide range of chemical examples.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Khaliullin, Rustam (Winter)

  • CHEM 531 Chemistry of Inorganic Materials (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Structure, bonding, synthesis, properties and applications of covalent, ionic, metallic crystals, and amorphous solids. Defect structures and their use in synthesis of specialty materials such as electronic conductors, semiconductors, and superconductors, and solid electrolytes. Basic principles of composite materials and applications of chemistry to materials processing.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • CHEM 575 Chemical Kinetics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    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: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • CHEM 585 Colloid Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Principles of the physical chemistry of phase boundaries. Electrical double layer theory; van der Waals forces; Brownian motion; kinetics of coagulation; electrokinetics; light scattering; solid/liquid interactions; adsorption; surfactants; hydrodynamic interactions; rheology of dispersions.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: van de Ven, Theo (Winter)

  • PHYS 351 Honours Classical Mechanics 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Rigid bodies, angular momentum, gyroscope, moment of inertia, principal axes, Euler's equations. Coupled oscillations and normal modes. Lagrangian mechanics and applications. Hamiltonian mechanics. Topics in advanced analytical mechanics.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Schutz, Katelin (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 251.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PHYS 451.

  • PHYS 359 Advanced Physics Laboratory 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Ryan, Dominic (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 6 hours

    • Corequisite: PHYS 457 or PHYS 447 or permission of the instructor.

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 258

    • Students who have taken PHYS 469 will conduct different experiments in this course.

    • Restriction: Open to both Majors and Honours students

  • PHYS 404 Climate Physics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : This course covers the essentials of climate physics through the lens of one-dimensional, vertical atmospheric models. This includes shortwave and longwave radiative transfer, convection, phase changes, clouds, greenhouse gases, and atmospheric escape. This is an adequate level of detail for understanding Earth's climate, paleoclimate, anthropogenic climate change, or pursing studies of Solar System planets and extrasolar planets.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Nguyen, Giang (Fall)

  • PHYS 434 Optics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Fundamental concepts of optics, including applications and modern developments. Light propagation in media; geometric optics and optical instruments; polarization and coherence properties of light; interference and interferometry; diffraction theory and applications in spectrometry and imaging; Gaussian beams, Fourier optics and photonic band structure. A laboratory component provides hands-on experience in optical setup design, construction and testing of concepts introduced in lectures.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Wang, Kai (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab

    • Corequisite: PHYS 342 or PHYS 352, or permission of the instructor

  • PHYS 459D1 Research Thesis (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Supervised research project and thesis.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Gale, Charles (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Permission of the instructor.

    • 6 hours

    • Restriction: Honours students or permission of instructor

    • Students must register for both PHYS 459D1 and PHYS 459D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both PHYS 459D1 and PHYS 459D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • PHYS 459D2 Research Thesis (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : See PHYS 459D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Gale, Charles (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 459D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both PHYS 459D1 and PHYS 459D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • PHYS 469 Advanced Physics Laboratory 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Cooke, David (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 6 hours

    • Restriction: Honours students or permission of instructor

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 258 or permission of the instructor

    • Corequisite: PHYS 457 or PHYS 447 or permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction: Open to honours and majors physics students

    • Student who have taken PHYS 359 will conduct different experiments in this course.

  • PHYS 479 Physics Research Project (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : A supervised research project.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Siwick, Bradley (Fall) Siwick, Bradley (Winter)

    • 6 hours

    • Restriction: U2 or U3 students in a Physics program, or permission of the instructor.

  • PHYS 512 Computational Physics with Applications (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Computational methods in Physics illustrated with realworld applications.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Sievers, Jonathan Le Roy (Fall)

    • U3 or graduate students in Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering, or permission of the instructor. Basic familiarity with computer programming highly recommended.

  • PHYS 562 Electromagnetic Theory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, timevarying fields, relativity, radiating systems, fields of moving charges.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Rutledge, Robert (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisites (Graduate): U1 or U2 Honours Physics or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: U3 Honours students, graduate students, or permission of the instructor

Faculty of Science—2024-2025 (last updated Aug. 21, 2024) (disclaimer)
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