Physics for Modern Technology: Bachelor of Science Major
Description
The B.Sc. Major in Physics for Modern Technology will give students a solid background in physics and also in the applications of physics to modern technology. The program has been designed with the needs of local high-tech industry in mind and will equip students to work in a wide variety areas including (but not limited to):
- Green Energy Technology
- Industrial Process Control
- Electronics
- Robotics
- Technical Sales
- Teaching
In order to ensure students' future success in the workplace, the program includes a work placement and business courses.
Please note: Most first year courses in this program are offered on both the Surrey and Richmond campuses. However, the second, third, and fourth year physics courses required for the degree are offered on the Richmond campus.
Admission Requirements
Students pursuing a major in Physics for Modern Technology must be admitted to the Faculty of Science & Horticulture.
Declaration Requirements
Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Science and Horticulture degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- In good academic standing with the University
- Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
- 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
- PHYS 1102 with a minimum grade of “C” or PHYS 1220 with a minimum grade of “C”
- MATH 1220 with a minimum grade of “C” or MATH 1230 with a minimum grade of “C”
Curricular Requirements
General Requirements
All students must meet the following minimum requirements for a Bachelor of Science at KPU:
- 120 credits from a minimum of 40 courses (at least 3 credits each) at the 1100 level or higher.
- 45 credits from a minimum of 15 courses at the 3000 level or higher, including 9 credits at the 4000 level.
- 18 credits of breadth electives (see Electives below) including:
- at least 12 credits from courses that are offered outside the Faculty of Science & Horticulture; and
- up to 6 credits from fields of science not prescribed in the Major requirements; and
- 3 credits from a course at the 3000 level or higher.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- At least 50% of all courses for the BSc, and at least 66% of upper-level courses for the BSc, must be completed at KPU.
Physics for Modern Technology Major
In addition to meeting the General Requirements, students must complete the following courses.
Year 1
Semester 1 |
|||
| All of: | |||
| CHEM 1110 | The Structure of Matter | 4 credits | |
| ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 1600 | Introduction to Modern Technology | 3 credits | |
| And one of: | |||
| MATH 1120 | Differential Calculus (recommended) | 3 credits | |
| MATH 1130 | Calculus for Life Sciences I | 3 credits | |
| And one of: | |||
| PHYS 1101 | Physics for Life Sciences I | 4 credits | |
| PHYS 1120 | Physics for Physical and Applied Sciences I (recommended) | 4 credits | |
Semester 2 |
|||
| All of: | |||
| BIOL 1110 | Introductory Biology I | 4 credits | |
| CHEM 1210 | Chemical Energetics and Dynamics | 4 credits | |
| And one of: | |||
| MATH 1220 | Integral Calculus | 3 credits | |
| MATH 1230 | Calculus for Life Sciences II | 3 credits | |
| And one of: | |||
| PHYS 1102 | Physics for Life Sciences II | 4 credits | |
| PHYS 1220 | Physics for Physical and Applied Sciences II (recommended) | 4 credits | |
| And: | |||
| One Breadth Elective (see Electives) | 3 credits | ||
Year 2
Semester 3 |
|||
| All of: | |||
| MATH 2721 | Complex Numbers and Linear Algebra | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 2010 | Modern Physics | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 2100 | Experimental Physics | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 2420 | Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism | 3 credits | |
| One Breadth Elective (see Electives) | 3 credits | ||
Semester 4 |
|||
| All of: | |||
| MATH 2821 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 2030 | Classical Mechanics | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 2040 | Thermal Physics | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 2600 | Electronics | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 2610 | Sensors and Actuators | 3 credits | |
Year 3
Semester 5 |
|||
| All of: | |||
| CHEM 2315 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 credits | |
| PHYS 3610 | Introduction to Control | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3900 | Project in Physics & Technology | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 4900 | Special Topics | 3 credits | |
| One Business Elective (see Electives) | 3 credits | ||
Semester 6Semester 6 includes work experience. The remainder of courses will be taken in compressed mode, January to February, in order to make the period from March through August available for work placement. The exact starting date will be determined in consultation with the work experience host. |
|||
| All of: | |||
| PHYS 3620 | Process Control | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3700 | Signal and Image Processing | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3710 | Applied Optics & Optoelectronics | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3950 | Work Experience - Part I | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3951 | Work Experience - Part II | 3 credits | |
Year 4
Semester 7 |
|||
| All of: | |||
| CHEM 4610 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 credits | |
| PHYS 4600 | Programming for Instrumentation (under development) | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 4900 | Special Topics | 3 credits | |
| Two Breadth Electives (see Electives) | 6 credits | ||
Semester 8 |
|||
| All of: | |||
| PHYS 4010 | Quantum and Solid State Physics (under development) | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 4700 | Spectroscopic Instrumentation (under development) | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 4950 | Senior Project in Physics & Technology (under development) | 3 credits | |
| One Breadth Elective (see Electives) | 3 credits | ||
| One Business Elective (see Electives) | 3 credits | ||
Electives
As part of the major program, students are required to complete 21 credits of electives, including 6 credits of Business Electives. These electives must satisfy the General Requirements for 18 credits of beadth as stated above.
Breadth Electives
Breadth electives must be selected from subject areas outside of Physics. No more than six of these credits may be from the Faculty of Science & Horticulture.
Business Electives
At least six credits (two courses) must be selected in consultation with Physics faculty to meet Business Elective requirements. Courses must be selected from:
- Accounting (ACCT) – any course other than ACCT 1130
- Business & Quantitative Methods (BUQU) – any course other than BUQU 1130 or BUQU 1230
- Business (BUSI) – any course other than BUSI 1204 or BUSI 1209
- Marketing (MRKT) – any course
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of the major program students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science. Transcripts will indicate a Major in Physics for Modern Technology.
At a Glance
Faculty of Science and Horticulture
Program Type:
- Undergraduate
Credential Granted:
- Baccalaureate Degree
Offered At:
Richmond
Surrey
Start Date(s):
September
January
May
Intake Type:
Open intake
Format:
Full-time
Part-time
Minimum Credits Required:
- 127
Instructional Cycle:
- Semester-based
Curriculum Effective Date:
- 01-Sep-2016