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, and teaching. In order to ensure students' future success in the workplace, the program includes a work placement and business courses.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
Year Two Admission
- Applicants must have completed 30 undergraduate-level credits with no grade less than 'C' in each course, including the following required courses:
- ENGL 1100 (or equivalent)
- MATH 1230 or MATH 1220 (or equivalents)
- PHYS 1220 or PHYS 1102 (or equivalents)
Note: Graduates of KPU's Certificate in Engineering may receive advanced standing into the program.
Foundation Year
Students who do not qualify for Year Two admission, may be eligible for entry to the Foundation Year. Other applicants who do not qualify are encouraged to consult an Educational Advisor for the appropriate qualifying courses that satisfy the application criteria
Program Requirements
General Requirements
All students must complete the following general requirements for a Bachelor of Science:
- A minimum of 120 credits and a minimum of 40 courses (at least 3 credits each) at the post-secondary level (numbered 1100 or higher).
- At least 45 of the credits (15 courses) must be at the 3000- or 4000-level; at least 9 of these credits must be at the 4000-level.
- A minimum of 18 credits of breadth electives (see Electives) including:
- at least one 3000- or 4000-level course; and
- at least 12 credits from fields or courses not regarded as science; and
- a maximum of 6 credits may come from fields of science not already included in the Physics for Modern Technology Major requirements.
- A minimum of a passing grade (D or better) in all courses counting towards the BSc, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
To meet residency requirements, 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 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 with Microcontrollers | 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 (under development) | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3900 | Project in Physics & Technology (under development) | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 4800 | Special Topics I (under development) | 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 (under development) | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3700 | Signal and Image Processing | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 3710 | Applied Optics and Optoelectronics (under development) | 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 (under development) | 4 credits | |
| PHYS 4600 | Programming for Instrumentation (under development) | 3 credits | |
| PHYS 4801 | Special Topics II (under development) | 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 4900 | 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 15 credits of Breadth Electives as well as 6 credits of Business Electives.
Breadth Electives
Breadth electives must be selected from subject areas outside of Physics. No more than six of these credits may be from the sciences.
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 or ACCT 1230
- 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.
