Minor in Another Subject

You may combine a Major in Physics with a Minor in another subject in the Faculties of Science, Arts or Commerce. The Minor allows you to concentrate your electives in a single subject or field of specialization. The program must be approved by a Faculty of Science Senior Advisor who will check that the program is coherent and academically sound. The approval should be sought in the beginning of the second year and is not automatic.

"Double counting" is allowed e.g. MATH 317 can count both towards a Major in Physics and minor in Mathematics, but a minor in another program in Science requires at least 42 upper level courses in Science.

A minor program in the Faculty of Arts must include 18 credits 300 or higher in the specialty. Most often such courses have lower level prerequisites, so early planning is necessary. Some departments such as Geography, Psychology and Mathematics offer both Arts and Science courses. The situation then becomes a bit complicated, see the Calendar.

Many physics majors are interested in philosophy. If you wish to obtain a minor in philosophy you should take one of PHIL 220 or PHIL 240 before taking the required 18 credits of courses numbered 300 and over. PHIL 220 opens the door to courses in logic such as PHIL 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 420, 427 and 428. PHIL 240 allows you to take upper level theory of knowledge courses such as PHIL 340, 440. The series of courses on the history of philosophy PHIL 310,311, 314, 315, 416 have no second year prerequisite, nor have the philosophy of science PHIL 460, 462.

The Minor program in Commerce has restricted enrollment. The program includes ECON 309 (6), COMM 329 (3), COMM 457 (3), COMM 458 and COMM 465. Application forms are available in the Office of the Dean of Science.

If you satisfy the requirements for a Major in two subject you can graduate with a Double Major. Double counting of courses is allowed but a student with a Double Major in two Sciences requires at least 42 upper level Science credits.

Minor in Physics or Astronomy

You may also combine a Major/Honours degree in another subject with a Minor in Physics or a minor in Astronomy. See details below for minor's requirement. You must also satisfy the requirements in the subject of the Major/Honours program and you must take at least 42 credits in upper level Science for a Major/Minor or 54 credits for Honours/Minor.

Minor (1195): Physics (PHYS)

The Minor consists of one of PHYS 200 or PHYS 250 plus 12 upper-level credits of PHYS courses and a further 6 upper-level credits of PHYS and/or ASTR courses. PHYS 301 and/or PHYS 304 must be included. Note that MATH 215 is a prerequisite for many upper-level physics courses.

Minor (3192): Astronomy (ASTR)

The Minor consists of one of PHYS 200 or PHYS 250 plus 12 upper-level credits of ASTR and a further 6 upper-level credits of ASTR and/or PHYS courses. Note that MATH 215 is a prerequisite for many upper-level physics courses.