FACULTY OF SCIENCE | physics.mcmaster.

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Physics & Astronomy

The Department of Physics & Astronomy is research intensive, with a strong commitment to excellence in teaching. In its unique undergraduate programs,
students begin by learning the fundamental concepts and ideas through which physics has transformed the modern world and then taught how to translate
these ideas into the elegant language of mathematics, solve questions, and develop deeper understanding.

Areas of Research Science Career & Cooperative Education

Focus of Study for Astrophysics Co-Op Programs
Undergraduate Programs Benefitting from remarkable advances in telescope technology, instrument design, computing techniques, and software Beginning in Level III, the Co-op options in Honours Medical and Biological Physics
for data analysis, modern astrophysics combines many branches of physics, mathematics, and computing to explore the and Honours Physics provide students with 16 months of relevant, paid work.
An undergraduate degree in Physics & Astronomy is a good
universe beyond the Earth.
choice for anyone who seeks an understanding of the world Postgraduate Opportunities
at its most fundamental level. Physics underlies all other Elementary Particle Physics Graduates from our Honours programs are well prepared to apply to graduate and
sciences. Its power comes from this universal nature and the Identifies the elementary constituents of matter and their physical properties; the fundamental interactions through which professional schools in the following areas:
fact that training in physics provides transferrable skills in they interact; and how these ingredients combine to produce the organization we see around us in nature.
Physics Engineering Law
experimental design, modelling, computing, critical thinking,
Laser Physics, Quantum Optics & Ultracold Atoms
and problem solving. Students appreciate the challenge and Geophysics Finance Bachelor of Education
excitement of experimentation in the laboratory through Covers distinct areas of physics which study the behaviour of matter or the interaction of light with matter under extreme
Medical Physics Medicine
witnessing new physical phenomenon, hands-on testing, and conditions which are far removed from those experienced under everyday circumstances.
Astrophysics MBA
development of new theories. Quantum Condensed Matter Physics
Students enrolled in a Physics and Astronomy program have Careers
Quantum condensed matter theory attempts to describe and sometimes predict the behavior of systems of relatively large
the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics including: Physics & Astronomy students develop a range of skills that are easily transferred
numbers of particles at low energies.
Planetary Astronomy Particle Physics to a wide range of careers. Graduates have pursued careers in the following areas:
Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics
Galaxies and Cosmology Thermodynamics and Aerospace Energy Sector Medical Physics
Soft matter has been described as materials which can experience large transformations in response to small
Molecular Biophysics Statistical Mechanics Software Engineering Manufacturing Industry Nuclear Industry
perturbations. Biophysics bridges physics and biology and applies the principles, techniques, and problem-solving skills
Medical and Health Soft Matter
from the physical sciences to the study of living systems. Financial Risk Analysis Climatology Astrobiology
Physics Radiation Biology
Medical Physics Information Technology Materials Science Data Science
Quantum Mechanics Radioactivity and
Quantum Optics Radiation Interactions Medical Physics and Health Physics are professions and research disciplines where physics knowledge of the laws which
govern our universe is used to study, protect, diagnose and treat the human body.
Computational Physics
 Level II Programs
Honours Medical and
Honours Mathematics Biological Physics Honours Physics Chemical and
Honours Astrophysics and Physics Co-op option begins in Level III Co-op option begins in Level III Physical Sciences
(Honours B.Sc.) (Honours B.Sc.) (Honours B.Sc.) (Honours B.Sc.) (B.Sc.)
Enrolment in this program is limited Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 including: Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point
and possession of the published minimum Average of at least 3.5 including:
requirements does not guarantee admission.
Selection is based on academic achievement
but requires, as a minimum, completion
of any Level I program with a Grade Point
Average of at least 5.0 including:

• Two of MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1LS3, 1LT3, • One of MATH 1A03, 1LS3, 1X03, 1ZA3 • Two of MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1LS3, 1LT3, 1X03, 1XX3, • Two of MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1LS3, 1LT3, 1X03, 1XX3,1ZA3, 1ZB3 • MATH 1A03 or MATH 1LS3
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1X03, 1XX3, 1ZA3, 1ZB3
• One of PHYSICS 1A03, 1C03, 1D03
• One of PHYSICS 1AA3, 1CC3, 1E03
• CHEM 1A03 or 1E03
• 9 units from the Science I Course List
See Admission Notes 1 and 2
• One of MATH 1AA3, 1LT3, 1XX3, 1ZB3 with a grade 1ZA3, 1ZB3 • One of PHYSICS 1A03, 1C03, 1D03 • Three of CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, 1E03, PHYSICS 1A03,
of at least C+ • One of PHYSICS 1A03, 1C03, 1D03 • One of PHYSICS 1AA3, 1CC3, 1E03 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, 1D03, 1E03 with an average of at
• MATH 1B03 or 1ZC3 • One of BIOPHYS 1S03, LIFESCI 1D03, PHYSICS 1AA3, • CHEM 1A03 or 1E03 least 4.0
• PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03 1CC3, 1E03 • 9 units from the Science I Course List • 12 units from the Science I Course List
• PHYSICS 1AA3 or 1CC3 • CHEM 1A03 or 1E03
See Admission Note 1
• 3 units from the Science I Course List • One of BIOLOGY 1A03, CHEM 1AA3, MATH 1B03, 1ZC3
See Admission Notes 5 and 6 • 6 units from the Science I Course List
See Admission Notes 3 and 4

1. Completion of MATH 1B03 is required by the end of Level II and is strongly recommended in Level I.
ADMISSION NOTES

2. Completion of ASTRON 1F03 is required by the end of Level II and is strongly recommended in Level I.
3. Completion of BIOLOGY 1A03, CHEM 1AA3 and MATH 1B03 is required by the end of Level II. Completion in Level I is strongly recommended. BIOLOGY 1M03 is also recommended.
4. Completion of BIOPHYS 1BS0, LIFESCI 1D03, PHYSICS 1CC3 is recommended in Level I.
5. MATH 1C03 must be completed by the end of Level II.
6. MATH 1MP3, although not required, is strongly recommended, if not completed in Level I.

Science I Course List:

ASTRON 1F03, BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03, BIOPHYS 1S03, CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, EARTHSC 1G03, ENVIRSC 1C03, ENVSOCTY 1HA3, 1HB3, LIFESCI 1D03, MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1B03, 1LS3, 1LT3, 1MM3, 1MP3, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, PSYCH 1F03, 1FF3, 1X03, 1XX3, SCIENCE 1A03

CONTACT
physics.mcmaster.ca | physics@mcmaster.ca
INFORMATION AN Bourns Science Building (ABB), Room 241 10/21