Physics PHYS
Instruction offered by members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science.
Department Head - R. B. Hicks
Note: For listings of related courses, see Applied Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Medical Physics and Space Physics.
Students intending to register in any Physics course should read the relevant Faculty of Science Program section of this Calendar.
Some Physics courses offered during First Year and the first session of Second Year are composed of modules (M1 to M13 and L1 to L4, listed below); see course listings for Physics 211, 219, 221, 223, 259, 269, 319, 321, 323 below.
Modules for First Year and First Session Second Year Physics Courses
M1 Motion and Kinematics. Motion in one dimension, including displacement, velocity and acceleration; relative motion; graphical analysis of motion.
M2 Forces and Acceleration. Newton's laws of motion; vectors; statics with forces; vector kinematics; uniform circular motion and other curvilinear motion; non-inertial reference frames.
M3 Energy, Momentum and Torques. Work and energy; gravitational energy; conservation of mechanical energy; friction; systems of particles and momentum conservation; statics involving torques.
M4 Electric Forces and Circuits. Electric force, field, potential energy, potential, and potential gradient. Current, electromotive force, Ohm's law, meters, DC circuits, Kirchhoff's rules.
M5 Magnetic Forces. Magnetic field, force on a moving charge, flux, Faraday's law, Lenz's law; applications; magnetic force on a current; magnetic field of a current; magnetic materials; applications.
M6 Thermal Physics. Gas laws; kinetic theory of gases; temperature; internal energy; specific heat; energy transfer; laws of thermodynamics; PVT diagrams.
M7 Basic Optics. Reflection, refraction; real and virtual images; images as objects; mirrors; lenses; optical instruments; wave nature of light; interference.
M8 Harmonic Motion. Simple harmonic motion (SHM) and its representation using complex numbers; physical examples; superposition; differential equation for SHM and its solution; damped and forced harmonic oscillators; physical examples.
M9 Waves I. Equations for travelling and standing waves; waves in gases, fluids, solids, and on strings; acoustic waves; superposition; wave speed; intensity and intensity level; Doppler shift for sound waves; energy transfer by radiation.
M10 Waves II. Wave equation and its harmonic solutions; waves in gases, fluids, solids, and on strings; acoustic waves; superposition; group and phase velocity; energy transport by waves; reflection and transmission; complex impedance; normal modes.
M12 Rotational Motion. Rotational kinematics and dynamics; linear dynamics; applications of the centre-of-momentum frame.
M13 Electricity and Magnetism III: Topics Involving Calculus. Non-uniform electric fields: continuous charge distributions, potential difference, potential gradient; magnetic fields: law of Biot and Savart, Ampere's law, inductance; spherical and cylindrical capacitors; RL and RC circuits.
L1 Physics Laboratory I. Laboratory to accompany Physics 223. Experimental techniques, data collection, graphical analysis, and report writing, applied to experiments in mechanics, electromagnetism, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. Students will be required to choose 8 experiments from a list of experiments.
L2 Physics Laboratory II. Ten laboratory experiments to accompany Physics 321 and 323.
L4 Physics Laboratory IV. Ten laboratory experiments to accompany Physics 259 and 269. Five of these experiments (L4a) will be completed as part of Physics 269 and five (L4b) as part of Physics 259.
Physics 004 E(12 hours)
Module M4 Electric Forces and Circuits
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Physics 013 E(12 hours)
Module M13 Electricity and Magnetism III: Topics Involving Calculus
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Physics 020 Q(16 hours)
Physics Skills I
Use of laboratory tools such as electronic devices, oscilloscopes, and vacuum systems. The "Physics Dictionary" and other useful study tools.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 or 221, and 213 or 223 or 225; or 215 and 217; or 259 and 269.
NOT INCLUDED IN GPA
Physics 030 Q(16 hours)
Data Analysis I
Acquisition and analysis of experimental data; computational techniques.
Prerequisites: Physics 315 or 323 or 355.
NOT INCLUDED IN GPA
Physics 041 Q(16 hours)
Computers in Physics II: Document Preparation
Preparation of reports, papers, and other documents using Tex and LaTex.
Prerequisites: Physics 315 or 323 or 355.
NOT INCLUDED IN GPA
Junior Courses
Physics 211 H(4-2T)
Mechanics
Modules M1, M2 and M3.
Prerequisites: Pure Mathematics 30 or Mathematics II (offered by Continuing Education). Note: Physics 30 is recommended as preparation for Physics 211.
Note: Credit for both Physics 211 and any of 205, 217, 221 or 231 will not be allowed.
Note: Not open to students with 70% or higher in Physics 30 and Pure Mathematics 30 and 60% or higher in Mathematics 31, except with special Departmental permission.
Note: Physics 211 and 221 differ in their prerequisites, but cover the same material and have the same examinations and tutorial quizzes. Physics 211 has an extra lecture hour per week to deal with certain topics from High School Physics and Mathematics 31.
Physics 221 H(3-2T)
Mechanics
Modules M1, M2 and M3.
Prerequisites: A grade of 70% or higher in Physics 30; 50% or higher in Mathematics 31; and 70% or higher in Pure Mathematics 30 or a grade of "B-" or above in Mathematics II (offered by Continuing Education).
Note: Credit for both Physics 221 and any of 205, 211, 217 or 231 will not be allowed.
Physics 223 H(3-3)
Introductory Electromagnetism, and Thermal Physics
Modules M4, M5, M6 and L1. Intended for students intending to major in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology, or Geophysics.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 or 217 or 221.
Note: Credit for both Physics 223 and any of 207, 213 or 355 will not be allowed.
Physics 225 H(3-1T-3
Classical Physics
Rotational mechanics; simple harmonic motion; waves; fluids.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 or 217 or 221; Applied Mathematics 217 or Mathematics 249 or 251 or 261.
Note: Credit for both Physics 225 and any of Physics 321 or Modules M8, M10 or M12 will not be allowed.
Note: For students intending to major in Physics, Applied Physics, Astrophysics, or Chemical Physics.
Physics 259 H(3-IT-3/2)
Electricity and Magnetism (for students in Engineering)
Electric charges and electric current; Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws, application to simple circuits; potential and capacitance. An introduction to electromagnetic induction; inductance; electromotive force; electrical properties of materials.
Prerequisites: Engineering 205.
Corequisites: Prerequisite or Corequisite: Applied Mathematics 219.
Senior Courses
Physics 301 H(3-2)
Modern Physics I
Relativistic kinematics; spacetime diagrams; relativistic energy and momentum conservation with applications to particle physics. Nuclear radiation and exponential decay. Probabilistic aspects of nuclear processes. Planck's blackbody radiation law. Elementary particle physics.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 or 221; 213 or 223 or 225; Mathematics 221 or 211.
Physics 319 H(3-3T) or H(2-2T-3) or H(1-1T-6)
Directed Study in Physics II
Three modules, subject to prerequisites and availability. At least one module must be from Modules M8, M10, M12 and M13.
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Physics 321 H(3-3T)
Harmonic Motion, Waves, and Rotation
Modules M8, M10 and M12.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 or 217 or 221; Mathematics 221 or 211; and 253 or Applied Mathematics 219.
Note: Credit for both Physics 321 and any of Physics 225 or 311 or 313 or 317 or 363 will not be allowed.
Physics 323 H(2-2T-3)
Optics and Electromagnetism
Modules M7, M13 and L2.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 or 221, and 213 or 223; Applied Mathematics 217 or Mathematics 249 or 251 or 261.
Corequisites: Mathematics 253 or 263.
Note: Credit for both Physics 323 and any of Physics 209 or 311 or 313 or 355 will not be allowed.
Physics 325 H(3-3)
Modern Physics II
Origins of quantum mechanics, a historical perspective. Concepts of wave mechanics and applications: atoms, molecules, and solids. Kinetic theory of gases; distribution functions; statistics of quantum gases with applications.
Prerequisites: One of: (a) Physics 311, 313 and 315, (b) Physics 321 and 323, or (c) Physics 341, 355.
Note: Credit for both Physics 209 and 325 will not be allowed.
Physics 341 H(3-1)
Classical Mechanics I
Forced and damped harmonic oscillations with real and complex numbers; anharmonic oscillators; central force motion and scattering; non-inertial frames; 2- and 3-body problems; applications of linear differential equations and complex numbers.
Prerequisites: Physics 225 or 321; Mathematics 211 or 221.
Corequisites: Prerequisite or Corequisite: Applied Mathematics 307 or Mathematics 253 or 263.
Physics 343 H(3-0)
Classical Mechanics II
Rotating frames of reference; general rotations of rigid bodies; moment of inertia tensor; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics; potential theory and tides; perturbation theory.
Prerequisites: Physics 341; Applied Mathematics 307 or Mathematics 253 or 263.
Physics 347 H(3-0)
(formerly Physics 447)
Thermodynamics
Laws of thermodynamics, absolute temperature, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, applications.
Corequisites: Prerequisites or Corequisites: Physics 217 or 223 or 315 or 325; Applied Mathematics 307 or 311 or Mathematics 349 or 351.
Note: Credit for both Physics 347 and Chemistry 371 will not be allowed.
Physics 355 H(3-3)
Electromagnetic Theory I
Electrostatics, DC circuits, calculation of magnetic intensity from currents, motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, transient effects in capacitors and inductors, electric and magnetic properties of materials.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 or 221; Applied Mathematics 219 or Mathematics 253 or 263.
Note: Credit for both Physics 355 and 323 will not be allowed.
Physics 369 H(3-3/2)
Acoustics, Optics and Radiation (for students in Engineering)
Wave motion as applied to acoustics, geometric and physical optics, and radiant energy transfer. Traditional and modern applications.
Prerequisites: Applied Mathematics 217, 219, Physics 259.
Physics 443 H(3-0)
Quantum Mechanics I
Basic postulates of quantum mechanics. Mathematical formalism of the theory and its physical interpretation. Schr枚dinger's time-dependent and time-independent equations. Single particle in a potential field (square well, potential barrier, harmonic oscillator, Kronig-Penney, Coulomb) and rigid rotator. The applicability of these potentials to atomic, molecular, nuclear, and solid state physics will be indicated.
Prerequisites: Physics 325; 343 or 433.
Note: Credit for both Physics 443 and Chemistry 373 will not be allowed.
Physics 449 H(3-0)
Statistical Mechanics
An introduction to statistical mechanics with applications.
Prerequisites: Physics 347 or 447.
Physics 455 H(3-0)
Electromagnetic Theory II
Macroscopic Maxwell equations. Scalar and vector potentials. Energy and momentum in Maxwell's theory. Electrostatics and magnetostatics. Dielectric and magnetic properties of materials. Superconductors.
Prerequisites: Physics 313 or 323 or 355; Applied Mathematics 309 or Mathematics 353.
Corequisites: Prerequisite or Corequisite: Applied Mathematics 413.
Physics 457 H(3-0)
Electromagnetic Theory III
Electromagnetic wave solutions to Maxwell's equations, in vacuum and in insulating and conducting media. Waveguides. Electromagnetic radiation from accelerated charges. Relativistic formulation of electrodynamics.
Prerequisites: Physics 455, Applied Mathematics 413.
Note: (formerly Physics 555)
Physics 471 H(3-3)
Optics
Geometrical Optics: lenses, mirrors, and other basic optical components. Matrix Methods. Physical Optics: Interference, Diffraction, and Polarization. Fourier Optics. Modern Optics: Lasers and Fibre Optics.
Prerequisites: Physics 325, 455, Applied Mathematics 413.
Physics 491 Q(1S-0)
Undergraduate Seminar I
Attendance at weekly seminars and presentation of one seminar on current physics-related research areas based on literature research, plus a written report.
Prerequisites: Physics 325, 343, 455.
Physics 499 H(1-3T)
Problem Solving in Physics
Solving problems that require methods from more than one area of physics. Problems may include physics of lasers, atoms and molecules, plasmas, rocket flight, fluids, and special relativity.
Prerequisites: Physics 343.
Corequisites: Prerequisite or Corequisite: Physics 443.
Physics 501 H(3-0)
The Theory of Relativity
Review of relativistic kinematics and its geometrical interpretation. Applications of relativistic kinematics. Four-vector formalism and tensors in Minkowski space with applications. Introduction to Riemannian geometry and tensors in curved spacetime. Einstein equation. Schwarzschild metric and applications.
Prerequisites: Physics 301 and one of Mathematics 353 or Applied Mathematics 309.
Physics 507 H(3-0)
Solid State Physics
Crystal structure. Classification of solids and their bonding. Fermi surface. Elastic, electric and magnetic properties of solids.
Prerequisites: Physics 443 or Chemistry 373; Physics 449, 455.
Physics 509 H(3-0)
Plasma Physics
Occurrence of plasmas in nature, single particle motion, plasmas as fluids, waves in plasmas, diffusion, resistivity, equilibrium and stability, kinetic theory of plasmas, non-linear effects.
Prerequisites: Physics 343 or 433; 455.
Physics 533 H(3-0)
Advanced Mathematical Methods of Physics
Hilbert space. Complete orthonormal sets of functions. Sturm-Liouville theory. Green functions. Integral equations.
Prerequisites: Physics 443 or Chemistry 373; Physics 455.
Physics 535 H(3-3)
Computational Methods in Physics
Solution of problems associated with the analysis of physical systems, using digital computers, high level programming languages, and mathematical computation systems (e.g., Maple, Macsyma).
Prerequisites: Physics 443 or Chemistry 373, Physics 455 and 499. Note: A knowledge of a high level programming language (C, C++, Fortran or Pascal) is highly recommended.
Physics 543 H(3-0)
Quantum Mechanics II
Theory of angular momentum and applications, perturbation theory and applications. Identical particles. Introduction to relativistic wave equations.
Prerequisites: Physics 443 or Chemistry 373.
Physics 561 H(2-1)
Stable and Radioactive Isotope Studies, Fundamentals
A multidisciplinary course. Topics include nucleosynthesis, radioactive decay, isotope exchange phenomena, kinetic isotope effects, tracer techniques, molecular spectra and instrumentation.
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Physics 571 H(3-0)
Laser Physics
Theoretical aspects of lasing and lasers. Principles of operation of solid-state, liquid, and gas lasers. Applications of laser systems to research, medical, and industrial projects.
Prerequisites: Physics 443, 455.
Note: Physics 449 is suggested but not required.
Physics 591 Q(1S-0)
Undergraduate Seminar II
Similar to Physics 491, but including literature research into the connection between, influence on, or role of Physics in other areas of academia or society.
Prerequisites: Physics 491.
Physics 597 H(1-6)
(formerly Physics 409)
Senior Laboratory
Selected advanced experiments. Where possible, students may choose those experiments most suited to their interests.
Prerequisites: Physics 325; Physics 355; and Applied Physics 407 or 507.
Physics 598 F(0-6)
Research in Physics
Research project in Physics.
Prerequisites: Physics 443, 449, 455 and consent of the Department.
Physics 599 H(0-9)
Independent Study
Each student will be assigned a project in consultation with a tutor. A written report and oral presentation are required.
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Note: This course may be repeated once for credit.
Graduate Courses
Only where appropriate to a student飥絪 program may graduate credit be received for courses numbered 500-599.
Physics 603 H(3-0)
Experimental Methods of Physics
Instrumentation for physical experiments. General philosophy of experimentation; signal processes; signal processing methods; instrument design and control; data acquisition and storage; specific detection methods.
Physics 605 H(3-0)
Advanced Data Analysis
Methods of extraction of significant information from experimental data degraded by noise. Parametric and non-parametric statistical methods; curve fitting; spectral analysis; filtering, sampling, convolution and deconvolution techniques.
Physics 609 H(3-0)
Advanced Classical Mechanics
Variational principles, Lagrange's equations, Noether's theorem. Hamilton's equations and canonical transformations. Hamilton-Jacobi theory, action-angle variables. Perturbation theory.
Prerequisites: Note: It is expected that a student's background will include Physics 433 or equivalent.
Physics 611 H(3-0)
Statistical Physics
Classical and quantum ensemble theory applied to interacting systems: real gases, spin lattices, phase transitions. Kinetic theory: Boltzmann equation, transport processes, irreversible processes and fluctuations.
Prerequisites: Note: It is expected that a student's background will include Physics 449 or equivalent.
Physics 613 H(3-0)
Electrodynamics
Interaction between charged particles and the electromagnetic field in relativistic formulation. Scattering and energy losses of charged particles. Radiation by charged particles.
Prerequisites: Note: It is expected that a student's background will include Physics 457 and 501 or equivalents.
Physics 615 H(3-0)
Advanced Quantum Mechanics I
Basic formalism of the theory and its interpretation, symmetry generators. Scattering theory. Bound states. Charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. Approximation methods.
Prerequisites: Note: It is expected that a student's background will include Physics 543 or equivalent.
Physics 617 H(3-0)
Advanced Quantum Mechanics II
Second quantized description of N-particle systems. Quantum theory of the electromagnetic field, coherent states. Relativistic quantum mechanics.
Prerequisites: Note: It is expected that a student's background will include Physics 543 or equivalent.
Physics 629 H(3-0)
Gravitation
An introduction to Einstein's theory of gravitation. Applications to the solar system, black holes, and cosmology.
Prerequisites: Note: It is expected that a student's background will include Physics 501 or equivalent.
Physics 663 H(2-1)
(Geology 663)
Applications of Stable Isotopes
Applications in archaeology, biology, chemistry, engineering, geography, geology, medicine, meteorology, paleontology, physics and space sciences. Topics include hydrology, paleoclimates, ore deposits, geothermometry, fossil fuels exploration and recovery, pollutant tracing, food webs and forensic investigations.
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Physics 671 H(3-0)
Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy
Atomic structure and spectra. Rotational, vibrational and electronic spectra of diatomic molecules, including microwave, infrared, Raman and visible/ultraviolet spectroscopic techniques. Hund's coupling cases. Polyatomic molecular spectroscopy. Examples from astronomy and upper atmosphere/space physics.
Physics 673 H(3-0)
Non-Linear and Quantum Optics
Quantum theory of light, atom-light interactions, incoherent processes, density matrix theory, linear and non-linear susceptibilities, electromagnetically-induced transparency, nonlinear optical processes. Additional topics may include: atom optics, laser cooling, photonic crystals, cavity QED, quantum information and other applications.
Physics 675 H(3-0)
Special Topics in Laser and Optical Sciences
Lectures by Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, Engineering, and/or Medicine staff on current research topics in laser science and modern optical techniques.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Physics 677 H(3-0)
Implementations of Quantum Information
Principles of quantum information, physical realizations in various technologies: Optics, atoms, ions, quantum dots, etc. Survey of major experimental implementations and future prospects.
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Physics 691 H(2S-0)
Graduate Seminar
Reports on studies of the literature or of current research. Required of all graduate students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
NOT INCLUDED IN GPA
Physics 697 H(3-0)
Topics in Contemporary Physics
Topics will be from the research areas of staff members.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Physics 699 H(0-9)
Project in Physics
Each student will select a project in consultation with a staff member. The project may be experimental or theoretical in nature. A written report and an oral presentation are required.