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Science – Physics and Astronomy

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In addition to the programs defined below, the Department of Physics and Astronomy also offers a Specialized Honours BSc degree stream in space science whose degree requirements are specified in a separate entry in the  Faculty of Science Programs of Study section.

The program core is defined to be (24 credits): SC/PHYS 1010 6.00; SC/PHYS 2010 3.00; SC/PHYS 2020 3.00; SC/PHYS 2040 3.00; SC/PHYS 2060 3.00; SC/PHYS 3040 6.00. (Note: all program core courses require mathematics prerequisites or corequisites.)

Bachelor Program

Students may follow a stream emphasizing physics or astronomy.

A. General education:

B. Major requirements:

Physics Stream

Astronomy Stream

C. Science breadth: satisfied by above requirements.

D. Upper level requirements: a minimum  of 18 credits at the 3000 level or above.

E.  Additional elective credits, as required for a total of 90 credits.

F. Standing requirement: a minimum overall grade point average of 4.00 (C) is required in order to be eligible to graduate with a BSc degree (bachelor program). 

Honours Programs

Specialized Honours Program

Students may follow a stream emphasizing physics, applied physics or astronomy.

A. General education:

B.  Major requirements:

Physics Stream

Applied Physics Stream

Astronomy Stream

C.  Science breadth: satisfied by above requirements.

D.  Upper level requirements: a minimum of 42 credits at the 3000 level or above.

E.  Additional elective credits, as required for a total of 120 credits.

F.  Standing requirements: to graduate in an Honours program requires successful completion of all Faculty requirements and departmental required courses and a minimum cumulative credit-weighted grade point average of 5.00 (C+) over all courses completed.

Honours Major, Honours Double Major and Honours Major/Minor Programs

An Honours Major in physics and astronomy may be taken stand-alone or combined with an Honours Major in another subject area in an Honours Double Major BSc degree program, or with an Honours Minor in another subject area in an Honours Major/Minor BSc degree program. Possible subject combinations are listed under Undergraduate Degree Programs in the Faculty of Science Undergraduate Degree and Certificate Programs section. Students should consult with a departmental advisor to plan their studies in order to meet the requirements for both majors and their prerequisites.

Note: if the other major or the minor is biology or environmental biology, the foundational science requirement will be met by taking SC/BIOL 1000 3.00, SC/BIOL 1001 3.00 and SC/PHYS 1010 6.00.

Honours Major

Students may follow a stream emphasizing physics or astronomy.

A. General education:

B. Major requirements:

Physics Stream

Astronomy Stream

Note: the following courses are required as prerequisites or corequisites for the courses above: SC/MATH 1013 3.00; SC/MATH 1014 3.00; SC/MATH 1025 3.00; SC/MATH 2015 3.00; SC/MATH 2271 3.00.

C.  Science breadth: a total of 24 credits in science disciplines outside the major, of which at least three credits must be at the 2000 level or above (satisfied by the above requirements).

D.  Upper level requirements: a minimum of 42 credits at the 3000 level or above.

E.  Additional elective credits, as required for a total of 120 credits.

F.  Standing requirement: to graduate in an Honours program requires successful completion of all Faculty requirements and departmental required courses and a minimum cumulative credit-weighted grade point average of 5.00 (C+) over all courses completed, subject to the exception in the following note.  In addition, a minimum cumulative credit-weighted grade point average of 5.00 (C+) over all biology courses completed is required to graduate in an Honours Double Major program where biology is the other major.

Honours Minor

Students may follow a stream in physics or a stream in astronomy in the minor subject area.

Note: the following courses are required as prerequisites or corequisites for the courses below: SC/MATH 1013 3.00; SC/MATH 1014 3.00; SC/MATH 1025 3.00; SC/MATH 2015 3.00; SC/MATH 2271 3.00.

Physics Stream

Astronomy Stream

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