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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

All of:
  BIOL 1110 Introductory Biology I 4 credits
  CHEM 1110 The Structure of Matter 4 credits
  CHEM 1210 Chemical Energetics and Dynamics 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:
  MATH 1220 Integral Calculus 3 credits
  MATH 1230 Calculus for Life Sciences II 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
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

All of:
  MATH 2721 Complex Numbers and Linear Algebra 3 credits
  MATH 2821 Multivariate and Vector Calculus 3 credits
  PHYS 2010 Modern Physics 3 credits
  PHYS 2030 Classical Mechanics 3 credits
  PHYS 2040 Thermal Physics 3 credits
  PHYS 2100 Experimental Physics 3 credits
  PHYS 2420 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism 3 credits
  PHYS 2600 Electronics 3 credits
  PHYS 2610 Sensors and Actuators 3 credits
  One Breadth Elective (see Electives) 3 credits

Year 3

All of:
  CHEM 2315 Analytical Chemistry 4 credits
  PHYS 3610 Introduction to Control 3 credits
  PHYS 3620 Process Control 3 credits
  PHYS 3700 Signal and Image Processing 3 credits
  PHYS 3710 Applied Optics & Optoelectronics 3 credits
  PHYS 3900 Project in Physics & Technology 3 credits
  PHYS 3950 Work Experience - Part I 3 credits
  PHYS 3951 Work Experience - Part II 3 credits
  PHYS 4900 Special Topics 3 credits
  One Business Elective (see Electives) 3 credits

Year 3 includes work experience. Several courses in the Spring semester 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.

Year 4

All of:
  CHEM 4610 Instrumental Analysis 4 credits
  PHYS 4010 Quantum Mechanics 3 credits
  PHYS 4199 Senior Project I 3 credits
  PHYS 4299 Senior Project II 3 credits
  PHYS 4600 Programming for Instrumentation 3 credits
  PHYS 4700 Solid State Physics: Theory and Practice 3 credits
  Three Breadth Electives (see Electives) 9 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 breadth 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

kpu.ca/science

Program Type:

  • Undergraduate

Credential Granted:

  • Baccalaureate Degree

Offered At:

  • KPU Richmond  Richmond
  • KPU Surrey  Surrey

Start Date(s):

  • Fall Intake (September)  September
  • Spring Intake (January)  January
  • Summer Intake (May)  May

Intake Type:

  • Open Intake  Open intake

Format:

  • Full-time  Full-time
  • Part-time  Part-time

Minimum Credits Required:

  • 127

Instructional Cycle:

  • Semester-based

Curriculum Effective Date:

  • 01-Sep-2017

How to Declare:

Applying to KPU:

Last Updated: 14-Jun-2017

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