Four-Year B.Sc. Program in Applied Mathematics:
Theoretical Physics Option
This Honours Program has the Applied Mathematics Program 3 part structure of combining "analytical" math courses (like calculus, differential equations and linear algebra) with numerical and computational courses and with courses in an area where you will apply the ideas and techniques you learn to important and interesting problems of "the real world".
Theoretical physics is an application where the "real world" turns out to be so profoundly different from a daily experience that you might be uncomfortable with the term after taking the program. The world will never seem the same again. It takes the core applied mathematical concepts and uses them to delve into the nature of the very small, the very large, and very cold and the very hot, through quantum mechanics and relativity. These are based on core treatments of electrodynamics and classical mechanics. Of course each of these in turn can have great practical value too: for example, CD players are based on a kind of quantum mechanical light, known as laser light, and computation is just beginning to be done based on quantum mechanical states, rather than states of traditional electronics devices.
Click here if you have any questions or comments you would like to e-mail to an Applied
Mathematics counsellor.
Admission Requirements
A first year program with a mark of at least 60% in Calculus 050a/b plus 051a/b or Applied Mathematics 026, and Physics 020 as principal courses. Linear Algebra 040a/b is strongly recommended.
Second Year
Principal Courses
AM 213b (Linear Algebra II)
AM 261b (Numerical Analysis)
Calculus 250a and 251b (Advanced Calculus and Vector Analysis)
Differential Equations 215a (Ordinary Differential Equations)
Phys. 200 (Physics II)
Phys. 259E (Intermediate Physics
Laboratory)
Subsidiary Course
One half course option: Linear Algebra 040a/b (in first term) if not taken in first year.
Click here for a
timetable. (It gives only one possible scheduling of
required courses - there may be others.) You can use this to find times
for your options. If you have problems,
click here to send us a note.
We'll do our best to resolve them.
Third Year
Principal Courses
AM 301a/b (Complex Variables with Applications)
AM 315a/b (Partial Differential Equations I)
AM 353a†(Advanced Classical Mechanics I)
AM 415b†(Partial Differential Equations II)
AM 420b†(Electromagnetic Theory II)
AM 422b†(Classical Field Theory)
Phys. 365a†(Electromagnetic Theory I)
AM 356b*(Quantum Mechanics II)
AM 425b*(Methods of Applied Mathematics)
AM456b*(Quantum Mechanics III)
Phys. 343b* (Thermal and Statistical Physics)
Phys. 351a* (Quantum Mechanics I)
†In academic years starting September 2000 and other even numbered years
*In academic years starting September 2001 and other odd numbered years
Subsidiary Courses
Stat. Sci. 257a (Probability)
One full-course approved option (Mathematics 207b must be taken in third or fourth year.)
Click here for a
timetable. (It gives only one possible scheduling of
required courses - there may be others.) You can use this to find times
for your options. If you have problems,
click here to send us a note.
We'll do our best to resolve them.
Fourth Year
Principal Courses
AM 353a†(Advanced Classical Mechanics I)
AM 415b†(Partial Differential Equations II)
AM 420b†(Electromagnetic Theory II)
AM 422b†(Classical Field Theory)
Phys. 365a†(Electromagnetic Theory I)
AM 356b*(Quantum Mechanics II)
AM 425b*(Methods of Applied Mathematics)
AM 456b*(Quantum Mechanics III)
Phys. 343b*(Thermal and Statistical Physics)
Phys. 351a*(Quantum Mechanics I)
One full course approved option
†In academic years starting September 2000 and other even numbered years [Applied Mathematics 425a will be offered in 2000]
*In academic years starting September 2001 and other odd numbered years
Subsidiary Courses
One and one half approved options
Click here for a
timetable. (It gives only one possible scheduling of
required courses - there may be others.) You can use this to find times
for your options. If you have problems,
click here to send us a note.
We'll do our best to resolve them.
