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May 06, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar
Physics – Computational Physics specialization
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General information
The Computational Physics specialization within the Physics program allows students to gain a fundamental background in physics coupled with a significant emphasizes on building the computational skills required to be successful in today’s physics research and workplace landscape. This specialization will prepare students for graduate work and a wide variety of career options in physics and beyond. In addition to the regular program, a co-op program is also available. Students in Computational Physics interested in the co-op program , should refer to the Co-op education website for up-to-date information. The Faculty of Business and Information Technology offers a Finance minor specifically for students in Physics. Admission requirements
Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications. Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), or Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all four MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U be taken. All other applicants should refer to admissions for the requirements for their specific category of admission. Program details and degree requirements
Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change.
Note:
No more than 42 credit hours may be taken at the first-year level.
*Electives and breadth requirements
All students must complete 30 elective credit hours, which include: -
3 credit hours in Senior Physics or Senior Computer Science electives -
3 credit hours in Senior Computer Science electives -
6 credit hours in Senior Computational Physics electives Students who are not accepted to take both PHY 4410U and PHY 4420U must instead complete two additional Senior Science electives. This raises their total required elective credits to 36. At least 18 elective credit hours must come from courses offered by the Faculty of Science, including 12 credit hours specifically in Senior Physics electives. The two additional Senior Science electives required for students not enrolled in the thesis do not count toward this 18-credit Faculty of Science requirement. To meet breadth requirements: A Senior Physics elective is defined as a 3000- or 4000-level PHY course. A Senior Computer Science elective is defined as a 3000- or 4000-level Computer Science course. Recommended Senior Computational Physics electives that students may choose to take include:
**Thesis Project or Senior Science electives
Students in clear academic standing who have completed 90 credit hours of their program and six third-year required PHY courses may optionally apply to take a two-course sequence consisting of PHY 4410U – Physics Thesis Project I and PHY 4420U – Physics Thesis Project II. Students not accepted to take the thesis courses must complete two additional Senior Science electives instead. A Senior Science elective is defined as any 3000- or 4000-level science course not specified in the program map, excluding SCIE and ENVS courses. A student meeting the above requirements who does not take PHY 4410U and PHY 4420U may optionally apply to take PHY 4430U – Directed Studies in Physics as one of the required Senior Science electives. Opportunities for the Thesis Project and Directed Studies options are limited; students must apply through Science Advising by March 30 following completion of the first three years of the program. Recommended Senior Physics, Computer Science, and Science electives that students may choose to take include:
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