Faculty of Arts and Science
Introduction to Physics I
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-6
Calculus-based introduction to mechanics. Kinematics and mechanics in one, two and three-dimensional space. Newton's laws and conservation laws will be explored. Linear and rotational systems are studied as well as different coordinate systems and coordinate transformations. Concepts and problem-solving skills are emphasized.
Prerequisite(s):One of Physics 20 or Physics 1050 AND
One of Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 0500, or Mathematics 0520
Corequisite(s):One of Mathematics 1560 or Mathematics 1565 (recommended)
Recommended Background:
Physics 30
Lib Ed Req:Science
Introduction to Biophysics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
A non-calculus based introduction to biophysics, which emphasizes the application of physical principles to different areas of the physical and life sciences. Subject matter will come from biomechanics, molecular biophysics, environmental physics, neurophysics, medical physics, and health physics, and topics may include animal dynamical biomechanics, fluids, acoustics, and radiation biophysics.
Prerequisite(s):One of Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 0500, Mathematics 0520, or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science
Recommended Background:
One course in the physical sciences at the 20 level or above
Lib Ed Req:Science
Introduction to Physics II
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-6
The second introductory calculus-based physics course. Concepts and problem-solving skills are emphasized. Material studied: electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, and circuits.
Prerequisite(s):One of Physics 1000 or [Physics 2130 and Engineering 2000] AND
One of Mathematics 1560 or Mathematics 1565 (recommended)
Corequisite(s):One of Mathematics 2560 or Mathematics 2565
Lib Ed Req:Science
The Physics of Everyday Life
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Investigation of the connection between science and the world in which we live. Exploration of the fundamental science behind ordinary objects, devices, and technologies upon which we all depend in our everyday lives.
Lib Ed Req:Science
Note:No mathematical or science background is required for this course.
Introduction to Physics III
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
The third introductory calculus-based physics course. Concepts and problem-solving skills are emphasized. Material studied: rotational physics, thermodynamics, gravitation, relativity, photons, and matter waves.
Prerequisite(s):One of Physics 1000 or [Physics 2130 and Engineering 2000] AND
One of Mathematics 1560 or Mathematics 1565 (recommended)
Corequisite(s):One of Mathematics 2560 or Mathematics 2565
Lib Ed Req:Science
Waves, Optics and Sound
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
An introductory-level, calculus-based course in waves, optics and sound. The course will cover fluids; oscillations; mechanical and sound waves; superposition and standing waves; geometric optics including refraction, reflection and optical instruments; physical optics including interference, diffraction and polarization.
Prerequisite(s):One of Physics 30, Physics 1000 or Physics 1050 AND
One of Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 0500, or Mathematics 0520
Corequisite(s):One of Mathematics 1560 or Mathematics 1565 (recommended)
Lib Ed Req:Science
Quantum Mechanics I
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
An introductory course in quantum mechanics. Topics include the origin of quantum mechanics, wave properties of particles, and the Schrödinger equation and solutions in one and three dimensions.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2000 AND
Physics 2130 AND
One of Mathematics 2570 or Mathematics 2565 (recommended)
Lib Ed Req:Science
Methods in Mathematical Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
A course which provides the tools and develops the skills required to solve physical problems typical of those encountered at the second-year level and above. Areas studied include: matrix theory and applications, ordinary differential equations, series solutions, Laplace transforms, and vector analysis.
Prerequisite(s):Mathematics 1410 AND
One of Mathematics 2560 or Mathematics 2565 (recommended)
Lib Ed Req:Science
Studies in Experimental Physics (Series)
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Topics and techniques used in experimental physics are explored at an introductory level.
Prerequisite(s):Will be specified (including any recommended background) for individual offerings
Lib Ed Req:Science
Introduction to Experimental Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Experiments selected from areas such as analog electronics, digital electronics, mechanics, acoustics, X-ray crystallography, solid state physics, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermometry, and nuclear physics.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2000 AND
Physics 2120 AND
Physics 2130
Lib Ed Req:Science
Quantum Mechanics II
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
The fundamentals of quantum mechanics, starting with the wave-mechanical description of Schrödinger. Material studied: quantum states and amplitudes, simple harmonic oscillator, superposition and packet states, scattering and barrier penetration, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, identical particles, and atomic radiation.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2150 AND
One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Recommended Background:
Physics 3175
Lib Ed Req:Science
Electricity and Magnetism
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
The basic elements of electromagnetic theory. Material studied: electrostatics, magnetostatics, steady currents, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations in both differential and integral forms, and electric and magnetic fields in matter.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2000 AND
One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Lib Ed Req:Science
Mechanics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Intermediate-level classical mechanics. Material studied: Newton's laws of motion and their applications, conservation laws, collisions, oscillators, rigid body dynamics, central forces, relativistic dynamics, introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2000 AND
One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Lib Ed Req:Science
Thermal and Statistical Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Phenomena of heat and properties of matter from a statistical point of view. Material studied: thermal equilibrium, processes and their reversibility, laws of thermodynamics and their microscopic basis, thermodynamic measurements; classical and quantum properties of matter and radiation, statistical ensembles, and distributions.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2120 AND
Physics 2150 AND
One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Lib Ed Req:Science
Optics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Classical electromagnetic waves. Physical optics. Quantum optics. Experimental work includes: constructing optical systems, use of lasers in optical measurements, holography.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2000 AND
Physics 2130 AND
One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Recommended Background:
Physics 3175
Lib Ed Req:Science
Contemporary Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-1
A survey of current developments in physics. The focus will be to highlight current research interests and recent applications of physics in industry and academia. Specific topics will be presented each week in seminars given by invited speakers and staff. Pre-seminar literature will be made available, and there will be class discussions, written reports, and student presentations associated with the seminars.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2120 AND
Physics 2130
Lib Ed Req:Science
Methods of Theoretical Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Mathematical tools essential for advanced-level courses in classical and quantum mechanics. Topics may include: complex analysis, Fourier series and integral transforms, solution of partial differential equations, special and generalized functions, Green's functions, tensors, and group theory.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2800 AND
One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Lib Ed Req:Science
Introduction to Computational Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
An introduction to numerical techniques and their application in experimental and theoretical physics. Material studied: symbolic and numeric computation, numerical analysis, and introductory programming and applications.
Prerequisite(s):One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Lib Ed Req:Science
Note:Prior knowledge of physics and programming is preferred but is NOT required.
Intermediate Experimental Physics (Series)
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Topics and techniques used in experimental physics are explored at an intermediate level.
Prerequisite(s):Will be specified (including any recommended background) for individual offerings
Lib Ed Req:Science
Experimental Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Emphasis on techniques in experimental research such as experimental design and precise measurements. Experiments may include topics from: EM waves; solid state physics; semiconductor physics; NMR, NQR, MRI and ESR; spectroscopy; and digital electronics.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2150 AND
Physics 2925
Lib Ed Req:Science
Advanced Studies in Physics (Series)
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Subject material is chosen from advanced topics in contemporary physics.
Prerequisite(s):Will be specified (including any recommended background) for individual offerings
Lib Ed Req:Science
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
An introductory survey of nuclear and modern particle physics. Topics range from the structure of nuclei and radioactivity to elementary particles such as quarks, gluons, and neutrinos, and their Feynman diagrams.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 3150 AND
Physics 3200
Lib Ed Req:Science
Quantum Mechanics III
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Mathematical and conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics at an advanced level. Material studied: general formalism, quantum dynamics, angular momentum, symmetries, approximate methods, scattering theory, path integrals, and interpretation.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 3150 AND
Physics 3200
Lib Ed Req:Science
The Electromagnetic Interaction
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Fundamental concepts of electromagnetic theory at an advanced level and some of their applications. Unity of electric and magnetic phenomena emphasized. Material studied: boundary value problems; energy density and energy flow; electromagnetism in relativistic notation; radiation; resonant cavities and waveguides.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 3175
Lib Ed Req:Science
Advanced Mechanics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Hamilton's equations, canonical transformations, Lagrange and Poisson brackets, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, separation of variables, action angle variables, constants of motion, integrability, simple non-linear Hamiltonian systems, chaotic motion.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 3200
Lib Ed Req:Science
Solid State Physics
Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
An introductory study of the physical properties of solids. Material studied: crystalline structures; the formation of solids (different types of bonding); diffraction; energy bands in solids; and physical properties such as electrical, thermal, optical, and magnetic.
Prerequisite(s):Physics 2150 AND
Physics 2925 AND
One of Mathematics 2575 (preferred) or Mathematics 2580
Corequisite(s):Physics 3150
Recommended Background:
Physics 3400
Lib Ed Req:Science
Undergraduate Thesis
Credit hours: 6.00
Contact hours per week: Variable
This is a challenging, work-intensive, research-oriented course in which the student will conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member, give a public presentation on their work, and submit an Undergraduate Thesis which will be made publicly available.
Prerequisite(s):Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND
A minimum GPA of 3.30 calculated on all completed University of Lethbridge courses or calculated on all University of Lethbridge and transferable courses taken within the terms containing the last 20 courses (60.0 credit hours), whichever is higher AND
A minimum of 13 courses (39.0 credit hours) in Physics
Corequisite(s):A minimum of two further courses (6.0 credit hours) in Physics
Note:Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.