Physics Department

Forces and energy play a huge role in how humans and animals move, and how blood flows through the body. This course provides an algebra-based introduction to mechanics. Topics include vectors; Newton’s Laws; static equilibrium; kinematics and dynamics; gravity; momentum and energy conservation; work; rotational dynamics; and fluids. Applications to biology, human physiology, and medical technology will be emphasized. Recommended for students in the life or health sciences. Students expecting to take additional physics courses above the 100-level should take PHYS 121. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 101, PHYS 108, PHYS 121, PHYS 100, or PHYS 120. Three credits and lab.

The human body relies on many physical phenomena to function. Our senses detect optical and sounds waves; thermal energy is released when we move; our nerves and muscles use electrical signals. While the mechanical aspects of the body are covered in PHYS 101, this course provides an algebra-based introduction to wave motion and standing waves; electric charge, field, potential, and circuits; the electromagnetic spectrum; optics; and thermodynamics. Applications to biology, human physiology, and medical technology will be emphasized. Recommended for students in the life or health sciences. Previous physics experience would be an asset but is not required. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 102, PHYS 108, PHYS 122, PHYS 100 or PHYS 120. Three credits and lab.

The human body relies on many physical phenomena to function. Our senses detect optical and sounds waves; thermal energy is released when we move; our nerves and muscles use electrical signals. While the mechanical aspects of the body are covered in PHYS 101, this course provides an algebra-based introduction to wave motion and standing waves; electric charge, field, potential, and circuits; the electromagnetic spectrum; optics; and thermodynamics. Applications to biology, human physiology, and medical technology will be emphasized. Recommended for students in the life or health sciences. Previous physics experience is not required. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 108 or PHYS 100, PHYS 102, PHYS 120, or PHYS 122. Three credits.

The human body relies on many physical phenomena to function. Our senses detect optical and sounds waves; thermal energy is released when we move; our nerves and muscles use electrical signals. While the mechanical aspects of the body are covered in PHYS 101, this course provides an algebra-based introduction to wave motion and standing waves; electric charge, field, potential, and circuits; the electromagnetic spectrum; optics; and thermodynamics. Applications to biology, human physiology, and medical technology will be emphasized. Recommended for students in the life or health sciences. Previous physics experience is not required. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 108 or PHYS 100, PHYS 102, PHYS 120, or PHYS 122. Three credits.

A calculus-based introduction to physics focusing on electricity and magnetism. Topics include simple harmonic motion; electric charge, force, field, and potential; Gauss’s Law; simple electric circuits; magnetism, magnetic forces and fields; electromagnetic induction and Faraday’s Law. Recommended for those considering further study in any of the physical sciences, computer science, engineering, and mathematics. MATH 107, 122, or 127 should be taken concurrently. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 122, PHYS 102, PHYS 100 or 108, or PHYS 120. Prerequisite: PHYS 121; or PHYS 101 with permission of instructor. Three credits and lab.

This course provides an introduction to astronomy for students who have no background in mathematics or science. Topics include observing the night sky with and without optical aid, the development of astronomy and related sciences, time and calendars, the evolution of the solar system, sun, planets, comets, and meteors. Observing sessions will be arranged. This course is intended for non-science students but may be taken by science students as an elective. PHYS 371 is recommended for science students. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 171, PHYS 271, or PHYS 371. Three credits.

This course provides an introduction to astronomy for students who have no background in mathematics or science. Topics include stellar systems, galaxies, quasars, black holes, dark matter, dark energy, cosmology, cosmogony and life in the universe. Observing sessions will be arranged. This course is intended for non-science students but may be taken by science students as an elective. PHYS 372 is recommended for science students. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 172, PHYS 272 or PHYS 372. Three credits.

Relativity and quantum physics have revolutionized the way we understand nature and are essential to describe atoms, molecules, and light. In this course, the foundations of Einstein’s special relativity will be introduced: time dilation and length contraction of moving object. Further topics include wave description of matter; early atomic quantum theory; Schrödinger’s quantum mechanics; nuclear and particle physics. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 201 and PHYS 203. Prerequisite: PHYS 122; MATH 107 or 127 or ENGR 122/MATH 122. Three credits and lab.

Relativity and quantum physics have revolutionized the way we understand nature and are essential to describe atoms, molecules, and light. In this course, the foundations of Einstein’s special relativity will be introduced: time dilation and length contraction of moving object. Further topics include wave description of matter; early atomic quantum theory; Schrodinger’s quantum mechanics; nuclear and particle physics. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 203 or PHYS 201. Prerequisites: PHYS 122; MATH 107 or 127 or ENGR 122/MATH 122. Three credits.

Topics include introductory concepts; resistive networks; response to linear circuits with energy storage; exponential excitation functions; steady-state AC circuits; analysis; network analysis; systems. Cross-listed as ENGR 237. Prerequisites: ENGR 221/MATH 221 concurrent; PHYS 121, 122. Three credits and lab.

This hands-on practical course introduces digital logic and digital electronics and includes applications. Topics include digital electronic technology; combinational logic circuits such as adders and multiplexers and sequential logic circuits such as counters and finites state machines. Cross-listed as ENGR 238. Prerequisites: PHYS 121, 122. Three credits and lab.

Many phenomena in nature and technology, such as sound or radio waves, are generated by oscillating systems. This course uses complex numbers and Fourier transformation to analyze the differential equations describing wave phenomena. Damped, driven and coupled oscillations are treated in detail, and spectral analysis of wave signals is discussed. Analytical and numerical methods will be used. Prerequisites: PHYS 122; MATH 107 or 127) or ENGR 122/MATH 122. Three credits.

The motion of particles is behind many phenomena in nature and is called classical mechanics. It is used in aerodynamics, climate modelling, and the motion of planets and galaxies, for instance. Its main tool is Newton’s second law, and this course introduces methods to use it: energy conservation, reference frames, symmetries and conservation laws, and constraints. Analytical and numerical methods will be used to solve the second law. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of classical mechanics will be discussed. Prerequisites: PHYS 122; MATH 107 or 127 or ENGR 122/MATH 122. Three credits.

Covers advanced circuit analysis techniques, starting with sinusoidal excitation. Topics include grounding and harmonics; symmetrical components and dealing with unbalanced networks; real and reactive power flow; balanced three-phase circuits for power distribution; phasors and complex impedance. Mutual inductance and magnetically coupled coils are used to introduce transformer behaviour and performance. Cross-listed as ENGR 246. Prerequisites: CSCI 161; ENGR 237 or PHYS 221. Three credits and three-hour lab.

The course examines the fundamental principles of medical imaging (radiography, CT, ultrasound, MRI, emission tomography, etc.). The basic physical concepts behind the interactions of light with matter, the production of X-rays and radioactivity will be introduced. Technical parameters important to all forms of diagnostic imaging such as image quality and data processing will be addressed. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 250 or PHYS 297(2019-2020). Three credits.

This course is an introduction to the very broad topic of materials science from a physics perspective. Topics include continuum mechanics and elasticity, fluid mechanics, classical thermodynamic treatment of phase transitions, electronic structure of atoms, bonding, crystallography, electrochemistry, magnetic solids and electrical conductivity. Prerequisites: PHYS 201, 241. Three credits and lab.

This course presents a comprehensive study of electrostatics in the presence of conductors and dielectrics. Particular attention is paid to developing and solving the differential equations that describe the electric field and scalar potential. Topics include vector fields; Coulomb’s Law; Gauss’s Law; Poisson’s/Laplace’s equation; Green’s function; multipole expansion; method of images; polarization of materials; the displacement field; introduction to magnetostatics. Prerequisites: PHYS 122; MATH 267 or ENGR 222/MATH 222; PHYS 241 or MATH 361. Three credits.

This course introduces the statistical nature of physical systems from an energetic perspective. Topics covered: laws of thermodynamics; ideal gases and Einstein solids; entropy and its relation with temperature, pressure, and chemical potential; engines and refrigerators; Helmholtz and Gibbs free energy; chemical thermodynamics; Boltzmann statistics; partition functions; Maxwell distribution; Gibbs factors and quantum statistics; Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions; degenerate electron gases; blackbody radiation and Planck’s distribution; Debye theory of solids. Prerequisites: PHYS 242; CSCI 161 or ENGR 144. Three credits and lab.

Topics include stellar evolution, supernovae, quasars, pulsars, neutron stars, black holes, the universe, our galaxy, and cosmology. Calculus will be used for a detailed quantitative description of topics, and observation sessions will be arranged. Credit will be granted for only one of PHYS 372, 272, or PHYS 172. Prerequisites: PHYS 101 or 121; MATH 107 or 127; PHYS 122 recommended. Three credits.

Introduction to computational modelling in physics and engineering. Topics span deterministic and stochastic methods, including molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, cellular automata, and neural networks. Applications include projectile motion, electromagnetism, astronomy, materials science, quantum mechanics and fluid dynamics. Emphasis on simulation best practices, aligning methods with computing hardware, and analyzing results. Credit only given for one of PHYS 374 or 474. Prerequisites: PHYS 122; MATH 107/127 or 122; CSCI 161 or ENGR 144. Three credits and lab.

This course, a continuation of PHYS 322, covers magnetic fields in magnetic and non-magnetic materials, electromagnetic induction, the electric and magnetic fields of moving electric charges; Maxwell’s equations; and the propagation and radiation of electromagnetic waves in various media. Prerequisites: PHYS 322; ENGR 221/MATH 221 or MATH 367. Three credits.

Students will prepare and present a proposal for a thesis, describing a project of original research they intend to perform under the supervision of a faculty member. Required for honours students with physics as science A. Three credits.

All students in the fourth year of a physics program are required to attend department seminars as scheduled. No credit.

Students will prepare and present a complete thesis based on original research they have performed under the supervision of a faculty member. Required for honours students with physics as science A. Three credits.

Students will prepare and present a report based on a project they have performed under the supervision of a faculty member. Required for advanced major students. No credit.