Programs
The Faculty of Science offers various undergraduate degree programs. Starting Fall 2024, students are admitted to either one of the new BSc Major programs or new BSc Honors programs. If you are thinking about continuing on to graduate studies (MSc and PhD) after your undergraduate Physics degree, it is a good idea to pursue an Honors program to ensure that enough senior level coursework and thesis project are completed for admission to a graduate program.
The Department of Physics administers students in the following programs:
Honors in:
Major in:
The Department of Physics also advises students in the Honors programs, while the Faculty of Science Student Services advises students in the Major programs.
The required courses for these Honors and Major programs are laid out year-by-year in the current University Calendar. Although there may be changes to program requirements after you have started in your chosen program, you are expected to follow the program as it was listed in the University Calendar the year you officially entered your program. (Please note: there are still minor changes being finalized to the new BSc programs that start Fall 2024 that will appear formally in the 2024-2025 calendar. New students should contact physugrd@ualberta.ca for detailed advice regarding course registration.)
The first year of each of these Major and Honors programs include common courses covering introductory calculus-based university physics and math (calculus and linear algebra).
The second year of each of the Honors programs involve many common courses including intermediate mechanics, introduction to modern physics and computational physics, experimental physics, differential equations for physics, multivariable and vector calculus. There is some variability in the specific coursework required for the new Major programs that depend on the specific Major you have chosen. However, there is enough similarity in the courses required for each program, that transferring between these programs is fairly straightforward even after second year.
The courses required for the third and fourth years of each of these programs can be very different, depending on both the specific area and the selection of Major vs Honors. The Major programs are designed to be very flexible, whereas the Honors programs are more specified with more prescribed senior coursework and a required thesis project, while still allowing the selection of a Minor. It is important that you make sure you are taking courses that allow progress towards fulfilling your program requirements.
* The Geophysics programs (Honors and Specialization) are professionally accredited, allowing graduates from these programs to readily obtain their Professional Geophysicist designation.
If you are not in one of our Department Honors or Major programs, please email advisor.science@ualberta.ca to discuss courses and options appropriate for your program each year.