A Minor in Physics

Students in other disciplines can obtain a Minor in Physics within their degree programs by completing four full credits from the following courses with a minimum 60 percent average:

• PHYS 1P91 or PHYS 1P21;
• PHYS 1P92 or PHYS 1P22;
• one-half additional PHYS credit;
• two and one-half credits from ASTR 1P01, ASTR 1P02 or PHYS courses numbered 2α00 and above.

Students should consult with the Chair of the Department or one of the Undergraduate Student Advisors for a selection of courses most suitable to their background and future plans.

The goal of the "Minor in Physics" program is to introduce students in other disciplines to the fundamental concepts of various branches of physics and their applications. The new program would provide students with a firm background and practical skills necessary for the pursuit of a wide range of professional activities in science and non-science related fields. The problem-solving skills and critical thinking that the students will learn in this program will be of great value in many cross-disciplinary professions. The program would serve the needs of students, who would like to gain some knowledge in the field of Physics, without having to go through the full rigour of a major or a combined major program. Most disciplines do not have a combined major program with Physics. The minor program will offer the students from these disciplines an opportunity to gain some knowledge of Physics with an official acknowledgement in their transcript.

Notes:

1. The credit for ASTR 1P01 and 1P02 (or any other Physics course) can be applied both towards fulfilling a context requirement and acquiring a minor in Physics.
2. A new year 3 course PHYS 3P02, Cellular Biophysics, will be available as of Fall, 2007, and will be a suitable course for Biology Majors and for students in Neuroscience, and Applied Health Sciences.

Some samples of recommended courses with prerequisites for students from different disciplines/departments are as follows:

• Philosophy, Classics and Great Books, Business, Economics, Applied Linguistics (hearing sciences):

  Year 1

  • MATH 1P01 and 1P02
  • PHYS 1P21 or 1P91
  • PHYS 1P22 or 1P92
  • ASTR 1P01 and 1P02

  Year 2

  • MATH 2P03 (recommended) and 2P08 (recommended)
  • PHYS 2P02, 2P50

  Years 3 and 4

  • two half credits from PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 3P41, 3P70, 3P91, 4P41, 4P51, 4P52, 4P61, 4P94

• Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Applied Health Sciences:

  Year 1

  • MATH 1P01 and 1P02
  • PHYS 1P91 and 1P92
  • ASTR 1P01 and 1P02

  Year 2

  • MATH 2P03 (recommended) and 2P08 (recommended)
  • PHYS 2P02, 2P50, 2P31, 2P51

  Year 3 (if needed)

  • two half credits from PHYS 3P02, 3P35, 3P36, 3P41, 3P70, 3P91 (in lieu of ASTR 1P01 and 1P02)

• Computer Science:

  Year 1

  • MATH 1P01 and 1P02
  • PHYS 1P91 and 1P92

  Year 2

  • PHYS 2P31, 2P32, 2P50

  Year 3

  • three half credits from PHYS 3P35, 3P36, 3P92, 3P93

• Mathematics:

  Year 1

  • PHYS 1P21 or 1P91
  • PHYS 1P22 or 1P92

  Year 2

  • PHYS 2P02, 2P20, 2P50

  Years 3 and 4

  • three half credits from PHYS 3P20, 3P35, 3P36, 3P41, 3P70, 4P30, 4P51, 4P52, 4P61 and 4P94