Faculty
Sheldon Opps, Associate Professor, Chair
William M. Whelan, Professor 
Douglas C. Dahn, Associate Professor
Derek W. Lawther, Associate Professor
James Polson, Associate Professor

Departmental Website
Major in Physics
Honours in Physics
Major in Physics for Engineering Diploma
Physics Co-operative Education Program
Minor in Physics
Physics Courses

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN PHYSICS
Candidates for the BSc with a major in physics must fulfil the general requirements set by the University Senate and the Departmental requirements listed below. It is suggested that students progress through these requirements in the order given below. However, the courses may be taken in a different sequence provided that the pertinent prerequisites are fulfilled.
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NOTE: Students who intend to major in Physics are advised to consult the Department before registration. The Departmental requirements and the prerequisites indicated in the Physics courses should normally be followed. In exceptional cases these may be discussed with the Department.
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REQUIREMENTS FOR HONOURS IN PHYSICS
The Honours program in Physics is intended to provide research experience at the undergraduate level. It is designed for students who are interested in continuing their studies at the graduate level in Physics or related fields, or who are planning careers where research experience would be an asset.

The Honours program comprises a total of 126 semester hours of course credit, including a research project worth 12 semester hours. A total of at least 60 semester hours of Physics is required (16 courses plus project).

Course Requirements
The normal University requirements must be met in addition to the Departmental requirements listed below. Biology 131-132 are highly recommended electives.

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Entrance Requirements
For admission to the program, students must normally have a minimum average of 70% in all previous courses. First-class or high second-class standing in all previous Physics courses is expected. Permission of the Department is required. Acceptance will be contingent upon the student's finding a project advisor, approval of the research project topic, and the Department's assessment of the student's suitability for the program. Students interested in doing Honours should consult the Department Chair as early as possible, normally before the beginning of the student's third year, and no later than January 31 of the third year. Before registering for Physics 490, the student must have been accepted into the Honours program, and the project topic must be approved by the Department.

To graduate with Honours in Physics, the student must maintain a minimum average of 75% in all Physics courses combined. Students must also maintain a minimum overall average of 70% in each of the four years of study.

Project (Physics 490 - Advanced Research and Thesis)
This is a 12 semester hour course required of all Honours Physics students. An independent research project or study is done under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Before registering for Physics 490, the student must have been accepted into the Honours program, and the project topic must be approved by the Department. The objective of this course is to provide research experience for the student who intends to pursue further studies at the graduate level, or who is planning a career where research experience in Physics or related areas would be an asset.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BSc WITH A MAJOR IN PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERING DIPLOMA STUDENTS
Students enrolled in the Engineering Diploma program may wish to take additional Physics courses and work towards a Bachelor of Science degree.  Students intending to enter this program should consult the Physics Department for detailed advice on course selection.

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PHYSICS CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM (PHYSICS CO-OP)
The Physics Co-op program is an integrated approach to university education which enables students to alternate academic terms on campus with work terms in suitable employment. The success of such programs is founded on the principle that students are able to apply theoretical knowledge from course studies in the workplace and return to the classroom with practical workplace experience. The Physics Co-op program consists of eight academic terms and a minimum of four work terms. It is available as an option for students in both the Major and Honours Physics Programs. Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the program will have the notation entered on their transcripts and their degree parchment.

Academic Course Requirements
Academic course requirements for the Physics Co-op Major and Physics Co-op Honours are identical to those for the conventional degrees, except for the inclusion of the work-term courses as follows: Physics 280, Physics 380, and Physics 480 are required three-semester-hour physics courses (these replace three general electives); Physics 580 is a required physics course with no semester-hours of credit awarded; and Physics 680 is an optional physics course with no semester-hours of credit awarded.

Students admitted to the co-op program should consult with the department concerning their course selection.

Admission Requirements
Students interested in entering the Physics Co-op Program should submit a completed application to the Physics Co-op Program Director no later then the fall semester of their second year of study. Early applications are encouraged. Applicants must be full-time students in either a major or the honours physics program and must have a cumulative average of at least 70% in the required physics courses taken to date. Students will be admitted to the program based on their interest, aptitude and assessed ability, to combine successfully the academic requirements with the work-term requirements of the Physics Co-op Program. Students not admitted may reapply at the next opportunity.

Continuance Requirements 
Students admitted to the program must continue to be enrolled full-time (except while on work-terms). Students are expected to maintain the minimum academic performance as may be specified for the applicable Physics Major or Honours program. Students who fail to meet these standards or who fail a required course will be placed “on notice” for the next academic semester. Students who do not meet these standards for two consecutive academic semesters may be dismissed from the program. Dismissal from, discontinuance of, or failure of a work-term course may result in immediate withdrawal from Physics Co-op program.
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Work Term Requirements 
Satisfactory fulfilment of the work-term component of the Physics Co-op program requires:

1. Successful completion of a minimum of four work terms (one must be in a fall semester, and one must be in a winter semester) in approved, academically-related, paid employment situations of 12 to 16 weeks duration; 
2. Fulfilment of any other requirements specified by the Department of Physics, such as the participation in seminars and workshops. 

Although successful work-term placement is not guaranteed by the University, every reasonable effort is made to assist Physics Co-op students. In the event that a placement outside the University is unsuccessful, the option to complete the work-term within the Physics Department will be considered.

Registration and Grading 
It is the responsibility of the students to register for the work-term courses. Work term courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

MINOR IN PHYSICS
Students in the Minor Program in Physics must complete a total of 21 semester hours of Physics including:

Physics 111 - 3 hours
Physics 112 - 3 hours
Physics 221 - 3 hours

Four additional Physics courses (12 semester hours) at the 200 level or above.  Students intending to do a Minor in Physics are advised to take Mathematics 151-152 instead of 112.
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PHYSICS COURSES

111 GENERAL PHYSICS I
This course emphasizes the fundamentals of mechanics and is intended as a first course in physics for students in the physical sciences and engineering, or who are planning to take Physics courses beyond the first-year level. Topics include vectors, kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, gravitation, circular motion, static equilibrium, moment of inertia, torque, rotational motion, and conservation of energy and momentum.
PREREQUISITE: Proficiency in High School algebra, trigonometry and graphing is expected. Grade 12 Physics is required. It is required that Mathematics 151 be taken at least concurrently.
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory or tutorial per week.

122 PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES II
This course is a continuation of Physics 121 intended for students in the life sciences, introducing additional physics concepts with emphasis on their application to biology. Topics include properties of waves, acoustics and hearing, optics and vision, thermodynamics, and basic electricity and magnetism.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 121 or 111  and either Mathematics 112 or Mathematics 151, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory or tutorial per week.
NOTE: Students may obtain credit for Physics 122 or 112 but not both.
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201  WAVES AND OSCILLATIONS
This course provides a basic introduction to the physics of mechanical waves.  It begins with a study of the free, forced and damped harmonic oscillator and is followed by a study of discrete coupled oscillators in one dimension.  This is used to derive the one-dimensional wave equation, which is used to study traveling and standing waves in continuous media.  The course also provides an introduction to relevant mathematical concepts and methods, including complex numbers, partial derivatives, techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations, and Fourier series.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 112 and Math 152, or permission of the instructor
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week

202 MECHANICS
Using a more advanced treatment than in the 100-level physics courses, this course gives the student a deeper understanding of the principles of mechanics. Topics include: vector kinematics, Newton's laws, momentum, work and energy, rotational motion, and central force motion.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 112 and Mathematics 251, or permission of the instructor. It is recommended that Mathematics 252 be taken at least concurrently.
Three hours lecture per week.

221 MODERN PHYSICS
This course is a survey of the fundamental concepts of modern physics intended for both physics majors and other science majors. Topics include: relativity, photons and matter waves, the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, the uncertainty principle, quantum tunnelling, the hydrogen atom, line spectra, orbital and spin angular momentum, magnetic dipole moments, x-rays, the laser, electron energy bands in solids, nuclear properties, radioactive decay, fission, fusion, quarks, leptons, and the Big Bang.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 112 and Mathematics 152, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture per week.

241 (formerly 341) BIOPHYSICS I - PHYSICS OF THE HUMAN BODY
This course provides students with an introduction to the physics of the human body. Physics concepts such as mechanics, energy, work, fluid statics and dynamics, sound, optics, electricity, and magnetism will be applied to better understand the functioning of the human body. 
PREREQUISITE: Biology 131, and Physics 122 or Physics 112. Otherwise, permission of the instructor is required. 
Three hours lecture per week

242 INTRODUCTION TO BIOMECHANICS
(See Kinesiology 312)

251 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY I
This course introduces students to basic astronomical concepts. Specific topics include the history of astronomy; celestial mechanics; charting the sky; time and the calendar; the Earth, Moon, and the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system; and the formation and structure of the solar system.
PREREQUISITE: Grade XII Academic Mathematics or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture, field observations to be arranged.

252 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY II
This course builds on Physics 251 to explore further the universe as a whole. Topics of study include astronomical instruments; properties and energy production of our Sun; methods of measuring stellar distances; the structure, energy, and evolution of stars; interstellar matter and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy; other galaxies; cosmology; and some other related topics of interest.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 251 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture, field observations to be arranged.
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261 ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY
This course is directed to both science and non-science students who wish to improve their understanding of this major technological issue. Topics include: the basic concepts necessary to understand photosynthesis, nuclear power, acid deposition, the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion and pollution. Particular emphasis is placed on Canadian and PEI examples, and on the implications for Third World development.
PREREQUISITE: Permission of the department
Three hours lecture (seminars and/or field visits to be arranged).

272 ELECTRONICS AND INSTRUMENTATION
This course is a practical introduction to analog electronics, and to electronic techniques useful in the sciences. Topics include alternating current circuits, transistors, operational amplifier circuits, feedback, noise, and an introduction to computer data acquisition.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 201 or Engineering 341, and Mathematics 152, otherwise, permission of the instructor is required.
Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week.

280 CO-OP WORK TERM 1 - PROFESSIONALISM 
This course is available only to Physics Co-op students, and is an integration of the first work-term experience with the learning of professional skills related to job placement such as the writing of resumes and cover letters, job-search strategies, and interviewing. Students are required to submit a work-term report. Students are assessed on a pass/fail basis. 
PREREQUISITE: Acceptance into the Physics Co-op program.
Semester hours of credit: 3

312 ELECTROMAGNETISM I
This course develops fundamental concepts in electricity and magnetism. Topics include electric fields and potentials, capacitance, dielectric materials, magnetic fields, magnetic properties of materials, electromagnetic induction, inductance, Maxwell's equations, and an introduction to electromagnetic waves.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 112 and Math 252.
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week

322 QUANTUM PHYSICS I
This course introduces some of the fundamental methods of quantum mechanics. Topics include the postulates and mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, the Dirac description of quantum mechanics, applications to a variety of onedimensional problems such as quantum tunnelling, and the harmonic oscillator.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 202, Physics 221 and Mathematics 252, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture per week.

342 BIOPHYSICS II - INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL PHYSICS
This course provides students with an introduction to physics methods and methodology in medicine. Topics include: basic concepts in medical imaging, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources, radiation transport in tissues, nuclear medicine, radiation dosimetry and therapy, and biomedical optics and acoustics applications. 
PREREQUISITE: Biology 131, and Physics 122 or Physics 112. Otherwise, permission of the instructor is required.
Three hours lecture per week

351 ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS
(See Kinesiology 481)
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372 STATISTICAL PHYSICS I
This course provides students with an introduction to the statistical description of macroscopic systems and focuses on both statistical and classical thermodynamics. Topics include the microcanonical and canonical ensembles, the perfect quantal and classical gas, black body radiation, the Einstein and Debye description of solids, and the laws of thermodynamics and some of their consequences and applications.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 112 and Mathematics 252, or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture per week.

380 CO-OP WORK TERM II - SCIENTIFIC WRITING 
This course is available only to Physics Co-op students, and is an integration of the second work-term experience with the learning of scientific-writing skills. Students learn how to write scientific abstracts and papers for publication in science journals. Students are required to submit a work-term report in the form of a science publication. Students are assessed on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 280. 
Semester hours of credit: 3 

381 MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
This course is an introduction to some of the mathematical methods commonly used in the physical sciences and engineering, with an emphasis on applications in physics. Topics include: vector analysis in curvilinear coordinates, tensor analysis (with applications in fluid mechanics), introduction to complex variables, Fourier series, calculus of variations and applications.
Cross-listed with Mathematics (cf. Mathematics 381 ).
PREREQUISITE: Math 252 and either Physics 112 or Physics 122
Three hours lecture per week.

382 COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS
This course is designed to provide students with direct experience in the use of advanced computer-based techniques for modelling physical systems. A variety of computational techniques are used to study a number of phenomena, including realistic projectile motion, chaotic motion, planetary dynamics, electromagnetism, wave motion, and quantum wave function dynamics.  The course also provides an introduction to advanced molecular simulation methods, including Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics techniques.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 202 or Physics 221, Mathematics 252, and Computer Science 151 or Engineering 132.
Three hours lecture per week.

391 RADIATION DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT
This course provides students with an understanding of the theory and operation of radiation detectors. Topics include: radiation sources; the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter; the principles of operation and use of gas-filled, scintillation and semiconductor diode detectors; spectroscopy techniques and the use of related electronics; and shielding.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 221 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours lecture per week.

402 STATISTICAL PHYSICS II
This course builds upon the material presented in Statistical Physics I and covers the basic elements of equilibrium statistical mechanics. Topics include an introduction to the grand canonical ensemble, thermodynamic equilibrium, stability, fluctuations, phase transitions, quantum statistics, and interacting systems. A variety of applications to systems such as ideal gases, Bose gases, Fermi gases, and paramagnets is included.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 322 and Physics 372.
Three hours lecture per week.

412 ELECTROMAGNETISM II 
This is an advanced course covering classical electromagnetic theory based on Maxwell’s equations. Topics include: electrostatics, magnetostatics, solutions to boundary value problems, electric and magnetic properties of materials, electromagnetic wave propagation, electromagnetic radiation, and an introduction to relativistic electrodynamics.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 312 and 381
Three hours lecture per week.

414 OPTICS AND PHOTONICS
This course focuses on the fundamentals of optics and photonics with biomedical applications. Topics include energy flow in electromagnetic fields, reflection and transmission, interference and diffraction, optical properties of materials, dispersion and losses, waveguides, spectra and spectral line broadening, partially polarized radiation, lasers and modulators, crystal optics, detectors and couplers.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 201, Physics 312 and Physics 381
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week.
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421 QUANTUM PHYSICS II
This course further develops the fundamental concepts and methodology of quantum mechanics. Topics include angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, spin, matrix mechanics, and time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 322 and Physics 381
Three hours lecture per week.

422 ADVANCED TOPICS IN QUANTUM PHYSICS
This is an advanced course in which important physical problems are solved using the basic methods of quantum mechanics. Topics include the quantum mechanics of atoms and molecules, scattering theory, and an introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 421
Three hours lecture per week.

431 SOLID STATE PHYSICS
This is an introductory course in Solid State Physics, which covers the basic physics of crystalline solids. Topics include: crystal structures; structure determination by x-ray diffraction; crystal bonding; lattice vibrations and phonons; the free and nearly-free electron models; and the energy band structures of metals, insulators and semiconductors.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 322
Three hours lecture per week.

441 EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
This advanced laboratory course introduces students to all phases of an experimental project, from design, planning, and setup of the apparatus, to detailed analysis and formal presentation of the results. Students choose a small number of in-depth experiments to perform.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 272, Physics 312 and at least Third Year standing in a Science program.
One hour lecture, six hours laboratory per week.

451 ADVANCED MECHANICS
The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations are presented as alternatives to the conventional treatment of Newton's laws and are applied to classical problems such as harmonic and anharmonic oscillators, the two-body central force problem, and rigid body motion.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 202 and Physics 381 or Mathematics 301.
Three hours lecture per week.

461-462 DIRECTED STUDIES
These courses are either reading courses, or research projects, which require the students to investigate a specific topic to a much greater depth than is possible in the department’s usual course offerings.
PREREQUISITE: Physics Majors with at least third-year standing, or permission of the department.
Three semester hours of credit
(See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies).
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463-464 SPECIAL TOPICS
These courses take advantage of unusual opportunities such as the availability of a visiting researcher to teach a course related to his/her field of expertise, or a course offer on an experimental basis, etc.
PREREQUISITE: Physics Majors with at least third-year standing, or permission of the department.
Three semester hours of credit.

480 CO-OP WORK TERM III - SCIENCE COMMUNICATION 
This course is available only to Physics Co-op students and is an integration of the third work-term experience with the learning of science communication skills. Students learn how to prepare and present oral and poster presentations. Students are required to submit a work-term report in the form of a science publication, and present their work during a public presentation. Students are assessed on a pass/fail basis. 
PREREQUISITE: Physics 380.
Semester hours of credit: 3

490 ADVANCED RESEARCH AND THESIS
The objective of this course is to provide research experience for the student who intends to pursue further studies at the graduate level, or who is planning a career where research experience in Physics or related areas would be an asset. An independent research project is done under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The research results are reported in thesis format and are presented orally at a department seminar.
PREREQUISITE: Acceptance into the Honours Physics program.
Twelve semester hours of credit.

580 CO-OP WORK TERM IV 
This course is available only to Physics Co-op students and is the fourth work term. Students are required to submit a work-term report in the form of a science publication, and present their work during a public presentation. Students are assessed on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 480. 
Semester hours of credit: 0

680 CO-OP WORK TERM V 
This course is available only to Physics Co-op students and is the optional fifth work term. Students are required to submit a work-term report in the form of a science publication, and present their work during a public presentation. Students are assessed on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE: Physics 580
Semester hours of credit: 0
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