{"id":110,"date":"2024-02-02T17:31:24","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T17:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calendar.upei.ca\/future\/chapter\/physics\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T13:46:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T13:46:01","slug":"physics","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/calendar.upei.ca\/2024-2025\/chapter\/physics\/","title":{"raw":"Physics","rendered":"Physics"},"content":{"raw":"

http:\/\/upei.ca\/physics<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n

Physics Faculty\r\n<\/strong>Derek W. Lawther, Associate Professor, Chair\r\nSheldon Opps, Professor\r\nJames Polson, Professor\r\nWilliam Whelan, Professor\r\nMaria Kilfoil, Associate Professor\r\nMichelle Patterson, Adjunct Professor<\/p>\r\n

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN PHYSICS\r\n<\/strong>Students who intend to major in Physics are advised to consult the Department before registration. The normal University requirements must be met in addition to the Departmental requirements listed below. In exceptional cases, courses may be taken in a different sequence provided that the pertinent prerequisites are fulfilled or permission is granted by the Department.\u00a0 NOTE: As per Academic Regulation #1 h), all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040, one of UPEI-1010, 1020 or 1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.<\/span><\/b><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/td>\r\n Semester hours of credit<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
First Year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 1110-1120\u00a0 Physics for Physical Sciences I and II<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 1910-1920\u00a0 Single Variable Calculus I and II<\/td>\r\n8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Chemistry 1110-1120 General Chemistry I and II<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
UPEI 1010, 1020 OR 1030<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
IKE 1040 Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives (Biology 1310-1320 are highly recommended)<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Second Year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2010\u00a0 Waves and Oscillations<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2020 Mechanics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2120 Electricity, Magnetism, and Circuits<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2210 Modern Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2820 Mathematical Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2030 Computational Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2610 Linear Algebra I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2910 Multivariable and Vector Calculus<\/td>\r\n4<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Third and Fourth Years<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3120 Electromagnetism I \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3220\u00a0Quantum Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3330 Experimental Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3720 Statistical Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4430 Experimental Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics- Three additional Physics courses taken at the 3000 level or above, but at least one must be above the 3000 level<\/td>\r\n9<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives (Mathematics 3010 is highly recommended)<\/td>\r\n30<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Total<\/strong><\/td>\r\n 120\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
SPECIALIZATION IN MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS\r\n<\/strong>Students can specialize in Medical and Biological Physics within the Major in Physics program\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
First Year <\/strong><\/td>\r\nSemester hours of credit<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 1110-1120 Physics for Physical Sciences I and II\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 1910-1920 1920 Single Variable Calculus I and II<\/td>\r\n8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Chemistry 1110-1120 General Chemistry I and II<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Biology 1210-1230 OR Biology 1310-1320<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
UPEI 1010, 1020 OR 1030<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
IKE 1040 Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Second Year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2010 Waves and Oscillations \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2020 Mechanics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2120\u00a0Electricity, Magnetism, and Circuits<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2210 Modern Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2430 Physics of the Human Body<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2820 Mathematical Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2030 Computational Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2610 Linear Algebra I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2910\u00a0Multivariable and Vector Calculus<\/td>\r\n4<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Third and Fourth Years<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3120 Electromagnetism I \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3220\u00a0Quantum Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3330 Experimental Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3420 Introduction to Medical Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3520 Biomedical Imaging<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3720 Statistical Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4430 Experimental Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics\u2014One additional Physics course taken at the 3000 level or above<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives (Biology 2260 and Biology 4010 are highly recommended. Mathematics 3010 is highly recommended)<\/td>\r\n30<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Total<\/strong><\/td>\r\n120<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

REQUIREMENTS FOR HONOURS IN PHYSICS\r\n<\/strong>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.\u00a0\u00a0The Honours program comprises a total of 126 semester hours of course credit, including a research project and thesis worth 12 semester hours. A total of at least 60 semester hours of Physics is required.\u00a0 NOTE: As per Academic Regulation #1 h), all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040, one of UPEI-1010, 1020 or 1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.<\/span><\/b><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

COURSE REQUIREMENTS\r\n<\/strong>The normal University requirements must be met in addition to the Departmental requirements listed below. Biology 1310 and 1320 are highly recommended electives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/td>\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Semester hours of credit<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
First Year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 1110-1120 Physics for Physical Sciences I and I\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 1910-1920 Single Variable\r\nCalculus I and II<\/td>\r\n8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Chemistry 1110-1120 General Chemistry I\/II<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
UPEI 1010, 1020 OR 1030 First Year Experience<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
IKE 1040 Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives (Biology 1310-1320 are highly recommended)<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Second Year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2010 Waves and Oscillations\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2020 Mechanics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2120\u00a0Electricity, Magnetism, and Circuits<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2210 Modern Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2030 Computational Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2820 Mathematical Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2610 Linear Algebra I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2910\u00a0Multivariable and Vector Calculus<\/td>\r\n4<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Third and Fourth Years<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3010 Advanced Mechanics\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3120 Electromagnetism I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3220 Quantum Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3330 Experimental Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3720\u00a0Statistical Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4020 Statistical Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4120 Electromagnetism II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4210 Quantum Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4430 Experimental Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4901 Honours Project I: Research<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4902 Honours Project II: Thesis<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 3010 Differential Equations<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
At least one additional Math course at the 3000 or 4000 level<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives, at least one of which must be an additional Physics Course at the 3000 level or above<\/td>\r\n15<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Total<\/strong><\/td>\r\n126<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS\r\n<\/strong>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.<\/p>\r\n

Acceptance will be contingent upon the student\u2019s finding a project supervisor, approval of the research project topic, and the Department\u2019s assessment of the student\u2019s 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\u2019s third year, and no later than January 31 of the third year. Before registering for Physics 4901, the student must have been accepted into the Honours program, and the project topic must be approved by the Department.<\/p>\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n

SPECIALIZATION IN MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS\r\n<\/strong>Students can specialize in Medical and Biological Physics within the Honours in Physics program.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/td>\r\nSemester hours of credit<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
First Year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 1110-1120 Physics for Physical Sciences I and II \u00a0\u00a0 \r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 1910-1920 Single Variable Calculus\r\nI and II<\/td>\r\n8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Chemistry 1110-1120\u00a0General Chemistry I and II<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Biology 1210-1230 OR Biology 1310-1320<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
UPEI 1010, 1020 OR 1030\u00a0 First Year Experience<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
IKE 1040 Indigenous Teaching of Turtle Island<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Second Year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2010 Waves and Oscillations\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2020 Mechanics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2120 Electricity, Magnetism, and Circuits<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2210 Modern Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2430 Physics of the Human Body<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2030 Computational Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 2820 Mathematical Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2610 Linear Algebra I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 2910 Multivariable and Vector Calculus<\/td>\r\n4<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Third and Fourth Years<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3010 Advanced Mechanics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3120 Electromagnetism I\r\n<\/strong><\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3220 Quantum Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3330 Experimental Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3420 Introduction to Medical Physics<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3520 Biomedical Imaging<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 3720 Statistical Physics I<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4020 Statistical Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4120 Electromagnetism II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4210 Quantum Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4430 Experimental Physics II<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4901 Honours Project I: Research<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Physics 4902 Honours Project II: Thesis<\/td>\r\n6<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Mathematics 3010 Differential Equations<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
At least one additional Math course at the\r\n3000 or 4000 level<\/td>\r\n3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Electives, at least one of which must be an additional Physics course at the 3000 level or above (Biology 2260 and Biology 4010 are highly recommended, if Biology 1210-1230 NOT taken.)<\/td>\r\n9<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Total<\/strong><\/td>\r\n126<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

The honours research project will be relevant to Medical or Biological physics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

CO-OP EDUCATION in PHYSICS<\/strong><\/h1>\r\nThe UPEI 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. Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the program will have the notation entered on their transcripts and on the graduation parchment.\r\n\r\nStudents accepted into the program complete at least three paid work terms of normally 14\u201316 weeks duration, but at least 12 weeks, and three professional development courses. Credits earned through completion of work terms are counted as general electives.\r\n\r\nThe Co-op option is available to full-time students in the Physics Major or Honours program. Applications to the Co-op Education Program are normally made after completion of the first year of study.\r\n\r\nSee the Co-operative Education Program section<\/a> of the UPEI Academic Calendar for more information.\r\n\r\nMINOR IN PHYSICS\r\n<\/strong>Students in the Minor Program in Physics must complete a total of 21 semester hours of Physics including:\r\nPhysics 1110 Physics for Physical Sciences I \u2013 3 hours\r\nPhysics 1120 Physics for Physical Sciences II \u2013 3 hours\r\nPhysics 2210 Modern Physics \u2013 3 hours\r\n\r\nFour additional courses (12 semester hours) from the following list:\r\n