We have taken great care to make the information below accurate. However, in case of any discrepancies, the academic calendar is the authoritative source of information.
Note: The Major program has been revised in 2025, and the Advanced Major is not available anymore. In the table below, legacy programs are marked with "(before 2025)". The Chair may provide you with information on this if needed.
Click on a program name to learn more about it
Honours
This is the most specialized and the most stringent program in terms of average requirements and complexity of courses. It is designed to prepare students for graduate programs in physics or a related subject such as engineering, meteorology, or climate modeling. In their fourth year, Honours students work on a research project, which will enable them to develop the skills needed for research in these areas.
Major
If you are looking for flexibility, the Major program is ideal. With 36 credits of open electives, 12 credits of science electives, and 12 credits of arts electives, you can take courses from a very wide range of fields. A Major student will acquire the skills to apply mathematical and technical methods for problem solving. Such skills are required in fields such as IT services, financial analysis, or insurance risk estimates. A Physics Major automatically has Physics and Mathematics as teachables for a career in education. Both of these teachables are in high demand at high schools across Canada.
Diploma in Scientific Data Acquisition and Analysis
The Diploma in Scientific Data Acquisition and Analysis (DipSDAA) is a unique 2-year program for students who are interested in science but want to keep their options open. It can be taken alone, or concurrently with a 4-year Major in Physics, Math, Computer Science, or Data Science. The program focuses on scientific data acquisition and the use of simulations combined with data processing to enhance understanding. These skills are essential in diverse fields such as research and development, IT, medical technology, climate modelling, and education.
Physics can be combined with almost all other science programs, with Economics, and with Business Administration.
Minor
A Minor consists of 24 credits of physics courses. Any physics course, except for PHYS 171 and 172 (Astronomy for non-science students), can be part of a Minor for students in a B.Sc. program. Recommended courses for a Minor in Physics include the following. For B.Sc. students: courses that use calculus ♦ PHYS 121 and 122 (Physics for Physical Sciences and Engineering I and II) ♦ PHYS 201 (or 203) (Modern Physics) ♦ PHYS 202 (Relativity and Quantum Physics) ♦ PHYS 221 (Basic Circuits) ♦ PHYS 242 (Classical Mechanics) ♦ PHYS 305 (Quantum Information) ♦ PHYS 371 and 372 (Astronomy I and II) ♦ PHYS 374 (Computational Physics)
For B.Sc. students: courses that use no or little calculus ♦ PHYS 101 and 102 (or 108) (Physics for Life and Health Sciences I and II) ♦ PHYS 202 (Relativity and Quantum Physics) ♦ PHYS 250 (Medical Imaging) ♦ PHYS 299 (Special topics) ♦ PHYS 371 and 372 (Astronomy I and II)
For non-B.Sc. students: ♦ PHYS 101 and 102 (or 108) (Physics for Life and Health Sciences I and II) ♦ PHYS 171 and 172 (Astronomy I and II) ♦ PHYS 202 (Relativity and Quantum Physics) ♦ PHYS 250 (Medical Imaging) ♦ PHYS 299 (Special topics) These courses can be combined, or other physics courses may be taken as well. However, it is not possible to take a Minor in Physics without taking calculus.
Pair
A Pair is a program option in the Faculty of Arts and consists of 12 credits in one subject, with at least 6 credits at the 200-level or higher. Since BA students generally are not required to take calculus, feasible options for a Pair in physics may only include courses that do not employ calculus. The Physics Department offers the following set of courses that meet this criterion. ♦ PHYS 101 and 102 (or 108) (Physics for Life and Health Sciences I and II) ♦ PHYS 171 and 172 (Astronomy I and II) ♦ PHYS 202 (Relativity and Quantum Physics) ♦ PHYS 250 (Medical Imaging) ♦ PHYS 299 (Special topics)
Close program description
Interested? The table below enables you to plan the five most popular programs according to your personal preferences. You can move courses to different time slots, but pre-requisites need to be considered. The program will make you aware of potential problems, but if you need help simply contact the Chair of Physics.
How to use the table
Select the year when you start(ed) your BSc program at StFX
Select the program that you are interested in
Click and drag a course to move it to a different time slot. Drag and drop is not available on some mobile devices. Use the click options instead.
Click on a course to
move the course to a different location. The program will check prerequisites and availability.
show the course outline.
Enter the ID of a specific course. For instance, you can specify that an open elective should be PHYS 371. You can only edit courses shown in gray.
There is an empty 6th column to which you can drag courses as well, in case you are planning to take more than 5 courses in one term.
Contact the Chair if you encounter any problems with the table
PHYS 246: Circuit Analysis Covers advanced circuit analysis techniques, starting with sinusoidal excitation. Topics include grounding and harmonics; symmetrical components and dealing with unbalanced networks; real and reactive power ow; balanced three-phase circuits for power distribution; phasors and complex impedance. Mutual inductance and magnetically coupled coils are used to introduce transformer behaviour and performance. Cross-listed as ENGR 246. Prerequisites: ENGR 144 or CSCI 125; ENGR 237 or PHYS 221. Three credits and three-hour lab.
Notes:
A significant number of our courses is usually offered only every other year. However, we will always make sure that you can complete your program.
The program has information about most courses at StFX, but not about all. If you receive a message that the course is unknown, you need to check prerequisites yourself.
This is only a tool to assist you in planning your studies, not an official resource. You still must fill out a declaration form and have it approved by the Chair of the department and the Dean.
With this web page, you are only creating a plan for your studies. The actual courses you will take may be different, and there is some flexibility in these programs. Talk to the Chair if you have any questions.
If you haven't found the program that you would like to take, contact the Chair. Some of the programs in the table have been created because a student asked for it.
Physics Courses
By level (click on a course number to get more information):
