Which Physics POSt is right for me?
Physics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The Physics Specialist program is intended as preparation for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in theoretical, computational, or experimental physics. It is a rigorous program and very demanding in its upper years. Students in this program will complete the lab courses PHY224, PHY324, and PHY424, in addition to another lab course of their choice in fourth year. Students must also fulfill the Ethics and Social Responsibility requirement with one 0.5-FCE course. The required course-load for the Physics Specialist can be completed in four years.
The program requires a strong mathematical background, and students who complete the Physics Specialist will also have completed a Mathematics Minor without having taken any additional math courses.
The Physics Specialist program may be completed alongside a major or minor program in another subject, though this requires careful planning by the student.
PhySU note: This program may be right for you if you know you want to pursue graduate studies in physics, enjoy experimental work, and/or are willing to complete your breadth requirements early in your degree.
Physics Major
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The Physics Major is intended to introduce students to multiple fields of physics and to allow them to choose one or several areas in which to refine their knowledge. Students in this program will complete the lab course PHY224, in addition to another lab course of their choice in third year. Students must also fulfill the Ethics and Social Responsibility requirement with one 0.5-FCE course. The required course-load for the Physics Major can be completed in three years.
The Physics Major leaves ample space for students to pursue another program of study. Many students opt to pursue a second major in mathematics or science, or in a different discipline entirely.
PhySU note: This program may be right for you if you are equally interested in physics and another subject (or subjects) and/or are unsure as to whether you want to pursue graduate studies or industry work. If you are not interested in experimental work, you may prefer the Physics Major to the Physics Specialist.
Physics Minor
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The Physics Minor is intended to introduce students to the most important general topics in physics at an undergraduate level. Students in this program have the freedom to choose classes in only the areas of physics that interest them. Students will complete the lab course PHY224, in addition to another lab course of their choice. In this program, students bypass the Ethics and Social Responsibility requirement that is characteristic of the Major and Specialist programs. The required course-load for the Physics Minor can be completed in two years with careful planning, but is typically completed in three years.
The Physics Minor can be completed concurrently with nearly any other program of study, as it consists of only 4.0 FCEs.
PhySU note: This program may be right for you if you are not interested in studying physics beyond an introductory level and/or if you want to supplement your primary program of study with an understanding of physical principles.
Mathematics and Physics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The Mathematics and Physics Specialist program is intended as preparation for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in theoretical physics or mathematics. The program is challenging and highly rigorous; it requires students to take most of the courses required by the Physics Specialist program as well as most of the courses required by the Mathematics Specialist program. Students will complete the lab courses PHY224 and PHY324, with the option of also taking PHY424. Students must also fulfill the Ethics and Social Responsibility requirement with one 0.5-FCE course. The required course-load for the Mathematics and Physics Specialist can be completed in four years with careful planning.
PhySU note: It is generally not feasible to complete the Mathematics and Physics Specialist in addition to a second program. Most students in the program do not have another POSt; many find their workload in upper years to be overwhelming and opt to either complete this program in 5 years or switch to a double major to allow for more flexibility in their degree.
This program may be right for you if you know you want to pursue graduate studies in mathematics or theoretical physics and you have a lot of time to dedicate to your studies. If you are not interested in experimental work, you may prefer the Mathematics and Physics Specialist to the Physics Specialist.
Mathematics and Its Applications Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The Specialist in Mathematics & Its Applications (Probability/Statistics) is directed toward students whose interests include both Mathematics and its applications in Probability and Statistics. These skills are in high demand in a world in which the uses of AI are expanding by leaps and bounds.
Physics and Philosophy Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
Students who pursue Physics and Philosophy Specialist are interested in the philosophical connotations of theories and scientific practices. Students enrolled in this program have the chance to study the classical philosophy topics such as metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and ethics, with an emphasis on the philosophy of science. This program requires most of the theoretical physics courses other physics specialists take, while sparing students the need to take experimental physics labs. The philosophy side of the program is very flexible, so students may be able to fit in courses for other POSt.
Biological Physics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
Intended for students planning to pursue graduate studies in the discipline of Biological Physics and it's sub-fields, the Biological Physics specialist is an highly interdisciplinary program. By taking core classes in Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physiology, students gain the theoretical abilities to investigate the how and why of physical processes on the molecular, sub-cellular, and organismic levels.
There are four streams students can choose from: Advanced Physics, Biochemistry, Immunology, or Physiology. The first and second year recommended courses are the same for each stream, with stream-specific requirements usually taken in upper years.
PhySU note: Many of the required courses in the Biological Physics Specialist overlap with those of the Math and Physics Specialist as well as the Physics Major, including the lab courses PHY224 and PHY324.
This program may be right for you if you have a strong biology and chemistry foundation in addition to interest in math and physics. Note that the interdisciplinary nature of this programs means the course-load may be significant, as many life science courses have labs in addition to the lecture section.
Chemical Physics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The Chemical Physics Specialist program is intended for students interested in experimental or theoretical molecular physics and physical chemistry. Students will complete most of the core physics and maths courses from the Physics Specialist program (also covering the requirements for a Mathematics Minor), as well as select courses in organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry. Unlike most physics programs there is no Ethics and Social Responsibility requirement, and instead of taking PHY224/324 students take the physical chemistry laboratory course CHM327, as well as the laboratory components of their other chemistry courses. The program can be completed in four years.
PhySU note: This program may be right for you if you are interested in the intersections of physics and chemistry and wish to continue at the graduate level. The upper year requirements are quite flexible allowing you to focus primarily on physics or chemistry if desired.
Geophysics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The geophysics program is intended for students planning to pursue graduate studies in geophysics or physics, or for students who wish to go into industry directly after graduation. Students in this program will take courses in physics, geology, and geophysics, including summer field courses ESS234 and ESS450. Students must also fulfil the Ethics and Social Responsibility requirement with one 0.5-FCE course. The program also offers courses that run well funded field trips to geophysical sights of interest, such as Turkey and Chile to develop a greater understanding of the features and processes explored in class.
PhySU Note: There is some overlap with the Physics major, including PHY250, PHY254 and PHY408, and there is an option to emphasise physics in the program for preparation of graduate studies in physics. This program may be right for you if you are interested in maths, physics, and geology and hope to explore the physical interactions within Earth's systems. Students often find their interest in this program by taking JEG100 or ESS262.
Planetary Science Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: Requirements
The Planetary Sciences Specialist is constructed to mimic the Astronomy & Astrophysics degrees, with similar first and second year courses, with further specialisation in the upper year courses. The multifaceted nature of planetary sciences is reflected in the ability to choose and ignore particular aspects of the field in your studies. Requirements 3, 10, 11, 16, and 17 allow for a wide selection of options, including the taking of chemistry courses, which do not have to be taken for physics oriented students. As an example of this flexibility and specialisation, if your aim is to research planetary atmospheres, it would be recommended to take CHM222 and CHM223 in requirement 10, and then PHY392 and PHY492 in requirement 17. Conversely, if planetary dynamics are of interest, it would be recommended to take PHY354 and perhaps PHY460 in requirement 17, and to also take APM346. The Department also works closely with two related academic units, the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics.
PhySU Note: It should be noted the required care to meet prerequisites, and to plan your courses in advance. It is recommended to meet with the undergraduate coordinator to discuss a course plan that suits your interests and best sets you up for the future, such as expected course requirements for graduate studies in particular fields. It is also recommended to take additional upper year courses beyond the degree requirements within your area of interest to broaden your understanding, with the ability to CR/NCR these additional courses.