À¦°óSMÉçÇø

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Physics (PHYS)

Note: This is the 2020–2021 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .

Physics (PHYS)

Location

Location

  • Rutherford Physics Building, Room 108
  • 3600 University Street
  • Montreal QC H3A 2T8
  • Telephone: 514-398-6477
  • Fax: 514-398-8434
  • Email: chairsec.physics [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website:

About Physics

About Physics

Physics is in many ways the parent of the other natural sciences and its discoveries and laws continually affect their development. Its range and scope extend in space and time from subnuclear particles to the universe itself. The subfields of physics such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, atomic physics, and quantum mechanics, to mention but a few, permeate all other scientific disciplines. People trained in physics are employed in industry, government, and educational systems where they find many challenges as teachers, researchers, administrators, and in the rapidly developing area of scientific business.

The two main undergraduate programs in physics at À¦°óSMÉçÇø are the Honours and the Major. The Honours program is highly specialized and the courses are very demanding. This program is appropriate for students who wish to make an in-depth study of the subject in preparation for graduate work and an academic or professional career in physics. The three multidisciplinary honours programs—in Mathematics and Physics, in Physics and Chemistry, and in Physics and Computer Science—are even more specialized and demanding. They are intended for students who wish to develop a strong basis in both physics and the other discipline and are intended as preparation for graduate work and a professional or academic career. Although these programs have a bias for theoretical work, they are broad enough and strong enough to prepare students for further study in either experimental physics or respectively mathematics, chemistry, or computer science.

The Major program, on the other hand, offers a broad training in classical and modern physics and yet leaves room for the student to take a meaningful sequence of courses in other areas. It is intended primarily for students who wish to pursue careers in fields for which physics provides a basis. However, this program also provides a preparation for graduate studies.

It is possible for students to transfer from the Major program to the Honours program after the first year of studies; see Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Physics (63 credits).

There are also a number of other major programs, offered jointly with other departments:

  • Atmospheric Sciences and Physics;
  • Physics and Computer Science;
  • Physics and Geophysics;
  • Physiology and Physics;

and minor programs:

  • Electrical Engineering, available only to students in the Physics Major;
  • Minor in Physics.

The Concentration program allows students a greater focus in biological physics. There is also a core Physics component of the Liberal Science program, for students less interested in a specialized education.

Students from outside of the Province of Quebec will ordinarily register in the Science Freshman program. Physics offers two sequences of courses for this program, described below.

The list of pre- and corequisites is not absolute. In many cases, permission of the Department may be sought to have a specific prerequisite waived. The procedure is to ask the professor in charge of the course to review the request for such a waiver. The prerequisites of the 100-level courses are described in the following section entitled Science Freshman program.

Students interested in any of the Physics programs should contact the for an adviser.

A Science Major Concentration in physics is available to students pursuing the B.A. & Sc. degree. This Major Concentration is described in Bachelor of Arts & Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Physics (PHYS).

Internship Year in Science (IYS)

Internship Year in Science (IYS)

IYS is a pregraduate work experience program available to eligible students and normally taken between their U2 and U3 years. For more information, see Science Internships and Field Studies.

The following programs are also available with an internship component:

  • Major in Physics
  • Major Program in Atmospheric Science and Physics
  • Major Program in Physics and Computer Science
  • Major Program in Physics and Geophysics
  • Honours in Physics
  • Honours Program in Physics and Chemistry
  • Honours Program in Physics and Computer Science
  • Honours Program in Physics and Mathematics

Science Freshman Program

Science Freshman Program

Students entering À¦°óSMÉçÇø with a Quebec CEGEP profile in Science will normally begin their programs in Physics with courses at the 200 level.

Students without this profile should normally take courses PHYS 131 and PHYS 142 if they have previously taken physics at the high school level and should be taking differential calculus concurrently with PHYS 131 and integral calculus concurrently with PHYS 142. Those students who have not previously taken physics at the high school level and who intend to do programs in the Biological Sciences may instead take courses PHYS 101 and PHYS 102. All students are expected to have reasonable fluency in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry at the high school level. If this is not the case, then MATH 112 should be taken concurrently with PHYS 101. Those for whom this is not necessary are advised to take MATH 139 concurrently with PHYS 101.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Mar. 26, 2020) (disclaimer)

Physics Faculty

Physics Faculty

Chair
S. Jeon
Director of Graduate Studies
A. Cumming
Emeritus Professors
J. Barrette; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.)
J.E. Crawford; B.A., M.A.(Tor.), Ph.D.(McG.)
S. Das Gupta; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Calc.), Ph.D.(McM.) (Macdonald Emeritus Professor of Physics)
N.B. de Takacsy; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(McG.)
R. Harris; B.A.(Oxf.), Ph.D.(Sus.)
C.S. Lam; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(MIT)
D.G. Stairs; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Qu.), Ph.D.(Harv.) (Macdonald Emeritus Professor of Physics)
J.O. Ström-Olsen; B.A., M.S., Ph.D.(Camb.)
M. Sutton; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.) (James À¦°óSMÉçÇø Professor) (Rutherford Professor)
M.J. Zuckermann; M.A., D.Phil.(Oxf.), F.R.S.C.
Post-Retirement Professors
Z. Altounian; Ph.D.(McM.)
F. Buchinger; Ph.D.(JGU, Mainz)
Professors
R. Brandenberger; Dip.(ETH Zurich), A.M., Ph.D.(Harv.) (Canada Research Chair)
J. Cline; B.S.(Harvey Mudd), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Caltech)
F. Corriveau; B.Sc.(Laval), M.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(ETH Zurich) (Affiliated I.P.P. Scientist)
M. Dobbs; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Vic., BC)
C. Gale; B.Sc.(Ott.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (James À¦°óSMÉçÇø Professor)
G. Gervais; B.Sc.(Sher.), M.Sc.(McM.), Ph.D.(N’western)
M. Grant; B.Sc.(PEI), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.), F.R.S.C. (James À¦°óSMÉçÇø Professor)
P. Grütter; Dip., Ph.D.(Basel), F.R.S.C. (James À¦°óSMÉçÇø Professor)
H. Guo; B.Sc.(Sichuan), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Pitt.), F.R.S.C. (James À¦°óSMÉçÇø Professor)
D. Hanna; B.Sc.(McG.), A.M., Ph.D.(Harv.) (Macdonald Professor of Physics)
S. Jeon; B.Sc.(SNU, S. Korea), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Wash.)
V. Kaspi; B.Sc.(McG.), M.A., Ph.D.(Princ.), F.R.S.C. (Canada Research Chair) (Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology)
S. Lovejoy; B.A., M.A.(Camb.), Ph.D.(McG.)
A. Maloney; B.S., M.S.(Stan.), Ph.D.(Harv.)
N. Provatas; Ph.D.(McG.) (Canada Research Chair)
K. Ragan; B.Sc.(Alta.), Ph.D.(Geneva) (Macdonald Professor of Physics)
D.H. Ryan; B.A., Ph.D.(Dub.)
P. Wiseman; B.Sc.(St. FX), Ph.D.(UWO) (joint appt. with Chemistry)
Associate Professors
H. Cynthia Chiang; B.Sc.(Ill.-Urbana-Champaign), Ph.D.(Caltech)
L. Childress; B.A., Ph.D.(Harv.) (Canada Research Chair)
B. Coish; B.Sc.(Manit.), M.Sc.(McM.), Ph.D.(Basel)
D. Cooke; B.Sc.(St. FX), Ph.D.(Alta.)
N. Cowan; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Wash.) (joint appt. with Earth and Planetary Sciences)
A. Cumming; B.A.(Camb.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
K. Dasgupta; M.Sc.(IIT Delhi), Ph.D.(TIFR, India)
P. Francois; Ph.D.(Paris VII)
M. Hilke; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Geneva)
S. Leslie; B.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
T. Pereg-Barnea; B.Sc.(Jerus.), M.Sc, Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
W. Reisner; B.A.(Reed), Ph.D.(Princ.)
S. Robertson; B.Sc.(Calg.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Vic., BC) (Affiliated I.P.P. Scientist)
R. Rutledge; B.Sc.(USC), Ph.D.(MIT)
J. Sankey; Ph.D.(Cornell) (Canada Research Chair)
J. Sievers; Ph.D.(Caltech)
B. Siwick; B.A.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.) (Canada Research Chair) (joint appt. with Chemistry)
B. Vachon; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Vic., BC)
A. Warburton; B.Sc.(Vic., BC), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.)
T. Webb; B.Sc.(Tor.), M.Sc.(McM.), Ph.D.(Tor.)
Assistant Professors
K. Agarwal; B.Tech(IIT Kanpur), Ph.D.(Harv.)
T. Brunner; Dip., Ph.D.(TUM)
S. Caron-Huot; B.Sc.(Laval), M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
D. Haggard; B.A.(St. John's), M.Sc.(SF State), Ph.D.(Wash.)
E. Lee; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Tor.), M.A., Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
A. Liu; B.A.(Princ.), Ph.D.(MIT)
Associate Members
G. Bub (Physiology)
M. Chacron (Physiology)
S. Devic (Oncology)
S. Enger (Oncology)
K. Gehring (Biochemistry)
P. Kambhampati (Chemistry)
A. Khadra (Physiology)
J. Kildea (Medical Physics)
D. Rassier (Kinesiology)
D. Ronis (Chemistry)
J. Seuntjens (Medical Physics)
T. Szkopek (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Adjunct Professors
O. Hernandez,A. Najafi-Yazdi, B. Palmieri, M. Pearson, V. Tabard-Cossa, W. Witczak-Krempa
Curator (Rutherford Museum and McPherson Collection)
J. Barrette
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Aug. 24, 2020) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Physics (18 credits)

The 18-credit Minor permits no overlap with any other programs. It contains no Mathematics courses, although many of the courses in it have Math pre- or corequisites. It will, therefore, be particularly appropriate to students in Mathematics, but it is also available to any Science student with the appropriate mathematical background. ...

For more information, see Minor Physics (18 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Electrical Engineering (24 credits)

[Program registration done by Student Affairs Office] ...

For more information, see Minor Electrical Engineering (24 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Physics (45 credits)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Physics (63 credits)

60-63 credits

For more information, see Major Physics (63 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Physics: Biological Physics (82 credits)

The B.Sc. Major Physics: Biological Physics program keeps a strong core of foundational physics and specializes through courses in biology, mathematics, physiology, computer science, and chemistry. Complementary courses provide background in molecular and cell biology, computer science, and organic chemistry, whereas introductory and advanced biophysics courses...

For more information, see Major Physics: Biological Physics (82 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Physics and Geophysics (69 credits)

This joint program in Physics and Geophysics provides a firm basis for graduate work in geophysics and related fields as well as a sound preparation for those who wish to embark on a career directly after the B.Sc.

For more information, see Major Physics and Geophysics (69 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Physics and Computer Science (66 credits)

The Major Physics and Computer Science is designed to give motivated students the opportunity to combine the two fields in a way that will distinguish them from the graduates of either field by itself. The two disciplines complement each other, with physics providing an analytic problem-solving outlook and basic understanding of nature, while computer science...

For more information, see Major Physics and Computer Science (66 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Physics (78 credits)

Students entering this program for the first time should have high standing in mathematics and physics. In addition, a student who has not completed the equivalent of MATH 222 must take it in the first term without receiving credit toward the 78 credits required in the Honours program. ...

For more information, see Honours Physics (78 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Physics: Biological Physics (82 credits)

The B.Sc. Honours Physics: Biological Physics program keeps a strong core of foundational physics and specializes through courses in biology, mathematics, physiology, computer science, and chemistry. The Honours program offers a more rigorous preparation, with additional research experience, for students with a strong interest in biophysics. In the final year,...

For more information, see Honours Physics: Biological Physics (82 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Mathematics and Physics (81 credits)

This is a specialized and demanding program intended for students who wish to develop a strong basis in both Mathematics and Physics in preparation for graduate work and a professional or academic career. Although the program is optimized for theoretical physics, it is broad enough and strong enough to prepare students for further study in either experimental...

For more information, see Honours Mathematics and Physics (81 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Physics and Chemistry (80 credits)

This is a specialized and demanding program intended primarily, although not exclusively, for students with a theoretical bias who are interested in working in fields of study at the crossroads of physical chemistry and physics. The program will prepare students for either theoretical or experimental graduate work in departments where there is an emphasis on such...

For more information, see Honours Physics and Chemistry (80 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Physics and Computer Science (81 credits)

** NEW PROGRAM ** ...

For more information, see Honours Physics and Computer Science (81 credits).

Physics (PHYS) Related Programs

Physics (PHYS) Related Programs

Major in Atmospheric Science and Physics

Major in Atmospheric Science and Physics

See Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC). This program provides a firm basis for graduate work in atmospheric science and related fields as well as a sound preparation for those who wish to embark on a career directly after the B.Sc. Students should consult undergraduate advisers in both departments.

Major in Physiology and Physics

Major in Physiology and Physics

See Physiology (PHGY). This program provides a firm basis for graduate work in bio-physics and other interdisciplinary fields involving the physical and biological sciences.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Jan. 9, 2020) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Science—2020-2021 (last updated Mar. 26, 2020) (disclaimer)
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