Program Information

Biophysics students are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator no later than year 2 of their studies, to ensure that their chosen sequence of course satisfies all academic constraints. In view of the vastness of the field of Biophysics and the enormous diversity among its various subfields, the program offers a high degree of flexibility to its students at the 4th year level in terms of choice in PHYS, CHEM, BIO, BTEC, PYSC/NEUR and PEKN courses.

Biophysics is an honours-only program. Eligibility to continue in the program is based on maintaining a minimum of 70% major average. All courses required for the program, excluding electives, will be considered for the major average.

If a student's average falls below the required 70% average by year three, they are advised to seek a three-year B.Sc. Degree in General Studies. Students should not that such a degree requires a minimum of five credits in one subject.

Program Notes

1. Students are encouraged to include CHEM 3P40, 4P17, 4P18, MATH 2F05 and PHYS 3P92 among their electives.

2. BPHY 4F90 and 4F91 projects should be approved by the Co-ordinator. Projects under the supervision of faculty members outside the Faculty of Mathematics and Science are possible, but may require co-supervision by a member from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, in addition to being approved by the Co-ordinator. BPHY 4F90/4F91 may, under special circumstances, be started in the summer months following year 3.

3. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

Year 1

• PHYS 1P91 (Mechanics and Waves with Laboratory), one of PHYS 1P92 (Electromagnetism, Optics and Modern Physics with Laboratory), PHYS 1P93 (Fluids,Heat and Light with Laboratory)[recommended]
• BIOL 1F90 (Concepts in Biology)
• CHEM 1F92 (Chemical Principles and Properties)
• MATH 1P01 (Calculus I) and MATH 1P02 (Calculus II) or MATH 1P05 and 1P06 [recommended]
• One Humanities context credit or one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2

• PHYS 1P93 (Fluids, Heat, Light)  PHYS 2P50 (Modern Physics), PHYS 2P51 (Introduction to Classical and Modern Optics)
• MATH 1P12 (Linear Algebra I)
• BIOL 2F01 (Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology)
• CHEM 2P20 (Principles of Organic Chemistry I)
• One half credit chosen from:
  BIOL 2P92 (Animal Form, Function and Diversity), BIOL 2P94 (Plant Biology: Growth and Development), BIOL 2P97 (Human Physiology), or BIOL 2P98 (Principles of Microbiology)
• One Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit, if not taken in year 1

Year 3

• PHYS 2P31 (Electronics I), PHYS 3P41 (Statistical Physics I), PHYS 3P70 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics), PHYS 3P91 (Experimental Physics I)
• CHEM 2P63 (Introduction to Biophysical Chemistry)
• BIOL 3P34 (Neurobiology)
• One credit from CHEM 2P12 (Modern Physical Chemistry), BIOL 3P35 (Comparative Animal Physiology), BIOL 3P50 (Molecular Genetics), BIOL 3P90 (Investigative Neurobiology), BIOL 3P91 (Plant Physiology: Metabolic and Biophysical Processes)
• One elective credit (see program note 1)

Year 4

• PHYS 3P02 (Cellular Biophysics), PHYS 3P35 (Electromagnetism I)
• One credit from:
  BIOL 4P03 (Current Topics in Photobiology), BIOL 4P34 (Systems Neurophysiology), BIOL 4P84 (Physiology of Excitable Cells), BTEC 4P67 (Biophysical Techniques)
• BPHY 4F90, BPHY 4F91 (see program note 2) or two credits from PSYC/NEUR 3F81 (Neuroscience), PEKN 4P10 (Biomechanics II)
• PHYS 3P36 (Electromagnetism II), PHYS 3(alpha)90 or above, BIOL 3(alpha)90 or above, CHEM 3(alpha)90 or above, not taken in year 3 or 4 (see program note 1)
• One elective credit (see program note 1)

Description of Courses

• BPHY 4F90: Research Project I

  A small research project to be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member from the departments of Physics, Chemistry or Biology.

• BPHY 4F91: Research Project II

  A small research project to be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member from the departments of Physics, Chemistry or Biology.

• See the relevant calendar entry for all other course descriptions.