Which Physics POSt is right for me?
Physics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/physics-specialist-science-program-asspe1944
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: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/physics-major-science-program-asmaj1944
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: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/physics-minor-science-program-asmin1944
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: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/mathematics-and-physics-specialist-science-program-asspe0397
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 & Its Applications Specialist (Physical Science)
View the requirements for this program at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/mathematics-its-applications-specialist-physical-science-science-program-asspe1758
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Physics and Philosophy Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/physics-and-philosophy-specialist-science-program-asspe2584
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Biological Physics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/biological-physics-specialist-science-program
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: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/chemical-physics-specialist-science-program-asspe0600
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Geophysics Specialist
View the requirements for this program at: fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/geophysics-specialist-science-program-asspe1650
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