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Note: This is the 2023–2024 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Note: This is the 2023–2024 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
This program may be completed in 81 or 82 credits.
The B.Sc.; Major in Physics; Biological Physics program keeps a strong core of foundational physics and specializes 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 offered by the Physics Department as integrative courses
Bio-Physical Science Core (27 credits)
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Hendricks, Adam; Watt, Alanna; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 112; CHEM 110 and CHEM 120; MATH 140, MATH 141 and MATH 133; PHYS 131 and PHYS 142; or the equivalents of these courses.
Corequisite(s): MATH 222 or equivalent
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking ANAT 212, BIOC 212, BIOL 200, and BIOL 201, or BIEN 219. Only open to students in Bioengineering, Computer Science-Biology, Biology-Mathematics, Biology-Quantitative Biology, Chemistry-Biophysical Chemistry, and Physics-Biological Physics Options.
This course is meant to prepare students for related 300-level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics.
Biology (Sci) : Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Hayer, Arnold; Wiseman, Paul; Hendry, Andrew; Guichard, Frederic; Fussmann, Gregor; Leung, Brian; Abouheif, Ehab; Kleinman, Claudia; Oeffinger, Marlene; Hendricks, Michael (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites: BIOL 219; or BIOL 200 plus BIOL 201 or ANAT 212 or BIOC 212; CHEM 212; COMP 202 or COMP 204 or COMP 250; MATH 222; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Only open to U2 students in the following programs: B.Sc.; Major and Honours in Biology; Quantitative Biology, B.Sc.; Major and Honours Computer Science and Biology, B.Sc.; Major Biology and Mathematics, B.Sc.; Major Physiology and Mathematics, B.Sc.; Major Physiology and Physics, B.Sc.; Major and Honours Chemistry; Biophysical Chemistry, and B.Sc.; Major and Honours Physics; Biological Physics.
Chemistry : A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.
Terms: Fall 2023, Summer 2024
Instructors: Pavelka, Laura; Luedtke, Nathan; Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell (Fall) Vlaho, Danielle; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Denisova, Irina; Pavelka, Laura (Summer)
Fall, Winter, Summer
Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.
Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.
Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 211 or equivalent
Each lab section is limited enrolment
Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page ().
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024
Instructors: Sabok, Marcin; Allen, Patrick (Fall) Trudeau, Sidney (Winter) Bibby, Sean (Summer)
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Kelome, Djivede; Pichot, Mikael (Fall) Pichot, Mikael (Winter)
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Hurtubise, Jacques Claude (Fall) Bélanger-Rioux, Rosalie (Winter)
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024
Instructors: Sajjad, Alia; Nadarajah, Tharshanna (Fall) Sajjad, Alia; Nadarajah, Tharshanna (Winter) Kelome, Djivede (Summer)
Physics : Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies. These principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and RNA.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Reisner, Walter (Winter)
Physics : This interdisciplinary course introduces Statistical Physics illustrated with modern biophysical applications. Principles covered include partition functions, Boltzmann distribution, bosons, fermions, Bose Einstein condensates, Ferni gases, chemical potential, thermodynamical forces, biochemical kinetics, and an introduction to noise and phase transitions in biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
* Students who have taken the equivalent of CHEM 212 or MATH 222 can make up the credits with complementary 3 or 4 credits courses in consultation wit the program adviser.
Biology and Mathematics (6 credits)
Biology (Sci) : Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Moon, Nam Sung; Nilson, Laura; Schoen, Daniel J; Hipfner, David; Champetier, Serge (Winter)
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Derivative as a matrix. Chain rule. Implicit functions. Constrained maxima and minima. Jacobians. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss. Fourier series with applications.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Toth, John A (Fall) Allen, Patrick (Winter)
Physics (30 credits)
Physics : Translational motion under Newton's laws; forces, momentum, work/energy theorem. Special relativity; Lorentz transforms, relativistic mechanics, mass/energy equivalence. Topics in rotational dynamics. Noninertial frames.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Guo, Hong (Fall)
Physics : The laws of thermodynamics and their consequences. Thermodynamics of P-V-T systems and simple heat engines. Free, driven, and damped harmonic oscillators. Coupled systems and normal modes. Fourier methods. Wave motion and dispersion. The wave equation.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Hilke, Michael (Winter)
Physics : Linear circuit elements, resonance, network theorems, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, feedback, integrated circuits.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Reisner, Walter (Winter)
Winter
2 hours lectures; 3 hours laboratory alternate weeks
Prerequisite: CEGEP physics or PHYS 142.
Physics : Introductory laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Introduction to computers as they are employed for laboratory work, for data analysis and for numerical computation. Previous experience with computers is an asset, but is not required.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Vachon, Brigitte (Fall)
Physics : Advanced laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Computers will be employed routinely for data analysis and for numerical computation, and, particularly, to facilitate the use of Fourier methods.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Cooke, David (Winter)
Winter
6 hours of laboratory and classroom work
Prerequisite: PHYS 257
Physics : The electrostatic field and scalar potential. Dielectric properties of matter. Energy in the electrostatic field. Methods for solving problems in electrostatics. The magnetic field. Induction and inductance. Energy in the magnetic field. Magnetic properties of matter. Maxwell's equations. The dipole approximation.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Lovejoy, Shaun MacDonald (Fall)
Physics : Maxwell's equations. The wave equation. The electromagnetic wave, reflection, refraction, polarization. Guided waves. Transmission lines and wave guides. Vector potential. Radiation. The elemental dipole; the half-wave dipole; vertical dipole; folded dipoles; Yagi antennas. Accelerating charged particles.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Gervais, Guillaume (Winter)
Physics : De Broglie waves, Bohr atom. Schroedinger equation, wave functions, observables. One dimensional potentials. Schroedinger equation in three dimensions. Angular momentum, hydrogen atom. Spin, experimental consequences.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Vachon, Brigitte (Fall)
Physics : A supervised research project.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Hanna, David (Fall) Hilke, Michael (Winter)
Winter or Summer
6 hours
Restrictions: U2 or U3 students in a Physics program, or permission of the instructor.
Physics : An advanced biophysics course, with a special emphasis on stochastic and out of equilibrium physical processes in living matter.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Wiseman, Paul (Winter)
(18-19 credits)
3 credits selected from:
Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, primitive types, methods, conditionals, loops. Introduction to algorithms, data structures (arrays, strings), modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging, exception handling. Selected topics.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024
Instructors: M'hiri, Faten (Fall) M'hiri, Faten (Winter) Parekh, Deven (Summer)
3 hours
Prerequisite: a CEGEP level mathematics course
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 204, COMP 208, or GEOG 333; not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 206 or COMP 250.
COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 204 is intended for students in life sciences, and COMP 208 is intended for students in physical sciences and engineering.
Computer Science (Sci) : Mathematical tools (binary numbers, induction, recurrence relations, asymptotic complexity, establishing correctness of programs), Data structures (arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary trees, binary search trees, heaps, hash tables), Recursive and non-recursive algorithms (searching and sorting, tree and graph traversal). Abstract data types, inheritance. Selected topics.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Alberini, Giulia (Fall) Alberini, Giulia (Winter)
3 credits selected from:
Physics : Semiconductor devices, basic transistor circuits, operational amplifiers, combinatorial and sequential logic, integrated circuits, analogue to digital converters. The laboratory component covers design, construction and testing of basic electronic circuits.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Hanna, David (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lectures; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: PHYS 241 or permission of instructor
Physics : Forced and damped oscillators, Newtonian mechanics in three dimensions, rotational motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, small vibrations, normal modes. Nonlinear dynamics and chaos.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Gervais, Guillaume (Winter)
3 credits selected from:
Physics : Introduction to modern techniques of measurement. The use of computers in performing and analysing experiments. Data reduction, statistical methods, report writing. Extensive use of computers is made in this laboratory; therefore some familiarity with computers and computing is an advantage.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Ryan, Dominic (Winter)
Winter
6 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 241 or permission of instructor
Physics : Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Ryan, Dominic (Winter)
Physics : Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Sankey (Childress), Jack (Fall)
Fall
6 hours
Restriction: Honours students or permission of instructor
Prerequisite: PHYS 258 or permission of the instructor
Corequisite: PHYS 457 or PHYS 447 or permission of the instructor.
Restriction: Open to honours and majors physics students
Student who have taken PHYS 359 will conduct different experiments in this course.
3 credits selected from:
Chemistry : Physical chemistry concepts needed to understand the function of biological systems at the molecular level, including the structure, stability, transport, and interactions of biological macromolecules.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The formulation and treatment of realistic mathematical models describing biological phenomena through qualitative and quantitative mathematical techniques (e.g. local and global stability theory, bifurcation analysis and phase plane analysis) and numerical simulation. Concrete and detailed examples will be drawn from molecular and cellular biology and mammalian physiology.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Khadra, Anmar (Winter)
Physiology : An introduction to quantitative analysis of physiological data, both to the mode of thinking and to a set of tools that allows accurate predictions of biological systems. Examples will range from oscillating genetic networks to understanding higher brain function. Modelling and data analysis through examples and exercises will be emphasized.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Cook, Erik; Glavinovic, Mladen I; Baker, Curtis L; Bashivan, Pouya (Fall)
Physics : The physical properties of fluids. The kinematics and dynamics of flow. The effects of viscosity and turbulence. Applications of fluid mechanics in biophysics, geophysics and engineering.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Lee, Eve J (Winter)
Physics : Fundamental concepts of optics, including applications and modern developments. Light propagation in media; geometric optics and optical instruments; polarization and coherence properties of light; interference and interferometry; diffraction theory and applications in spectrometry and imaging; Gaussian beams, Fourier optics and photonic band structure. A laboratory component provides hands-on experience in optical setup design, construction and testing of concepts introduced in lectures.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Wang, Kai (Fall)
Physics : One electron atoms, radiation, multielectron atoms, molecular bonds. Selected topics from condensed matter, nuclear and elementary particle physics.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Wang, Kai (Winter)
Restriction(s): Not open to students in the following programs: · Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) - Honours Electrical Engineering · Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) - Minor Physics · Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Mathematics and Physics · Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Physics · Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Physics and Chemistry · Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Physics and Computer Science
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking PHYS 457.
1. Winter
2. 3 hours lectures
6 to 7 credits selected from:
Biology (Sci) : A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Schöck, Frieder; Moon, Nam Sung (Fall)
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo; Harrison, Paul; Leroux, Maxime (Fall) Hayer, Arnold; Harrison, Paul; Leroux, Maxime (Winter)
Fall or Winter
1 hour lecture and one 6-hour laboratory
Prerequisites: BIOL 200, BIOL 201 (or ANAT 212/BIOC 212); or BIOL 219
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOC 300, or BIOC 220 and BIOC 320. Requires departmental approval.
For approval email maxime.leroux [at] mcgill.ca. Specify your ID number as well as the term and two lab day preferences.
Biology (Sci) : A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Gerhold, Abigail; Rao, Yong; Dufort, Daniel (Winter)
Biology (Sci) : Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Sakata, Jon; Dent, Joseph Alan (Fall)
Biology (Sci) : In-depth examination of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, with an emphasis on experimental design and interpretation. Examination of the molecular mechanisms of various cellular processes, including protein homeostasis, intracellular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, multicellular organization and cell proliferation.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Zetka, Monique (Winter)
Biology (Sci) : The course focuses on biomembranes and subcellular organelles and their implications for disease. The topics include: protein and lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and transport; intracellular compartmentalization, protein sorting and modification, intracellular membrane trafficking; energy transfer, organization and dynamics of chloroplasts and mitochondria; extracellular matrix and cell walls.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Zheng, Huanquan (Fall)
Biology (Sci) : Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells..
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Vogel, Jacalyn (Winter)