Index to Frequently Asked Questions
Note: This page contains a lot of information.You may find it easier to find what you’re
searching for by starting from the context-sensitive links on the individual
pages that make up the Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate web site.
First Year Students
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Which First-Year Physics course should I take?
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What can I do
if I am missing a high-school pre-requisite?
No high-school Physics? No problem — Grade 12U Physics (SPH4U) is not required for Physics 1028A or 1301A.
If you do not have a credit in Grade 12U Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) you can still take Physics 1028A, provided you have Grade 12U Advanced Functions (MHF4U) or permission from the Dept. of Physics & Astronomy.
To be successful in your first-year physics courses, however, you should have a good working knowledge of vectors, trigonometry, and solving equations (simultaneous linear, quadratic).
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When will my labs / tutorials begin?
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“Where is the Natural Sciences
Centre?”
The Physics and Astronomy Building still carries its historic original name 'Natural Sciences' carved in stone. This can lead to great confusion.
The new Natural Science Centre (since 1965) is across the street to the north of the Physics and Astronomy Building. The Natural Sciences Centre has the Kresge Nursing Building on its west side and the Biological and Geological Sciences Building to the east.
Here is a map of campus.
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How can I score an A in my first-year physics course?
Earning an A in university requires good study habits.
As a rule of thumb, for every hour of class time, plan to devote at least 2–3 hours of extra time to that course: reviewing your notes, doing homework, reading the textbook, or studying for exams. Above all, don’t fall behind.
After putting this effort in to all of your courses – an amount equivalent to a full-time job — don’t forget to relax and have fun with your remaining time. You’ve earned it!
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I’m way behind in my course. Can you recommend a tutor?
Your lectures, textbook, and course material should be sufficient to allow you to succeed. If you are having trouble with the concepts, be sure to attend your professor’s office hours.
If you still find that you need a private tutor, you may be able to find one at the Tutor Referral Service maintained by the Dept. of Statistical & Actuarial Science.
The Department of Physics & Astronomy cannot recommend specific private tutors.
Modules in Physics and Astronomy
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Next year I want to be in an Astrophysics module. How and when do I sign up?
Near the end of each year (typically February-March), students apply to their modules for the upcoming year during the “Intent to Register” period. This is done on-line at the Intent to Register site.
Make sure that you complete an Intent to Register each year, even if you aren’t changing your modules — it is required for course registration.
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What’s the difference between Medical Physics and Medical Biophysics?
The Medical Physics modules are offered by the Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, whereas the Medical Biophysics modules are offered by the Dept. of Biophysics, one of the Basic Medical Sciences in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. As you might guess, these are similar disciplines, and in fact several faculty members are cross-appointed to both departments.
Modules in both areas begin with a basic core of second-year Physics and Calculus. Following that, modules in Medical Physics develop a fundamental understanding of Physics and how it can be employed in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, while modules in Medical Biophysics concentrate on specific techniques of Biophysics.
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Can I combine a module in Physics & Astronomy with a professional degree in, e.g., Engineering, Music, Business, etc.?
Yes — you are looking for a concurrent degree program. Contact your Faculty’s academic advisors for information. Note that most professional programs have specific requirements, so it will likely take five years for you to earn both degrees.
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I’ve heard that the Physics & Astronomy Club goes on fun (non-drug-induced) trips. Can I, as a first-year student, join them?
All students enrolled in a module in Physics & Astronomy are automatically considered to be members, and first-year students are welcome. For more information, see the PASA website.
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I have courses that are common to my two
modules. Can I double count them?
The Faculty of Science rule for course overlap is that up to 1.0 course can be counted towards both modules (provided it is mandatory in both). Common courses beyond that must be replaced by courses approved by the Department(s) offering the module.
Please note that when a module gives you a choice of courses, you must make choices that avoid the overlap, where possible.
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I want to change my module registration. How do I do that?
You can change your module selections every year during Intent to Register if you like. Changing from one module in Physics & Astronomy to another is often simple.
Obviously the later you enter a module, the more difficult it will be to meet its requirements during the span of a four-year degree, particularly if the modules don not share common courses.
If you would like to change modules in your graduating year, you will have to submit a Change of Status form.
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I was dropped out of a module because my
average was too low. Can I get back in?
If your courses still meet the minimum requirements (60% honors degrees, 50% for non-honors degrees) you can apply for the module (either by waiting until the next Intent to Register or by submitting a Change of Status form) once you have brought your average back up.
If you have courses that do not meet the minimum requirements, you will need to repeat them (if they were required) or replace them (if they were optional).
Physics and Astronomy Courses
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Can I take Physics/Astronomy nnnn in the summer?
We typically offer only a subset of our first-year courses in the summer. Check the official Undergraduate Timetable.
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I would like to enroll in Physics nnnn but it’s full. How do I get in?
We do not maintain waiting lists for our courses. If you are in your graduating year and need a particular course to graduate, please contact the Academic Coordinator, Mrs. Clara Buma in PAB 113. (Note that this room will change as of December 2010 due to building renovations.)
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What is the Physics Seminar course?
The Physics Seminar course — 2950Y/3950Y/4950Y — is a noncredit course required of all students in Physics, Astrophysics, and Medical Physics modules. This class meets for one hour each week and brings together students in all years of the modules. In this class, you might hear thought-provoking talks, tour research laboratories, and get advice about scholarships, graduate school, and careers.
Note that Specialization and Honors Specialization students take this course in each of years 2 through 4, Majors take it twice, and students in Minor modules need only take it once.
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Will Astronomy nnnn be offered next year?
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I have a timetable conflict. What can I do?
It is very unlikely that you can persuade one of the departments involved to change the time of their course unless it is an upper-level course with a small enrollment, in which case you should raise the point with the instructor at the first meeting of the class. In large first-year courses there are usually enough sections from which to choose that you can resolve the conflict, although it may involve choosing a (shudder) 8:30 am section.
If you have a partial overlap, e.g., one hour of a 3-hour tutorial, you should first talk to the instructors involved to see if it is feasible for you to miss one of the conflicting classes and make up the lost material in some other way; if this is approved, then you need to obtain Special Permission from both departments to register in the classes despite the conflict.
When all else fails, you may be able to postpone taking one of the courses to the following year. Be very careful to plan your timetable for two years to anticipate future conflicts, which are going to be more likely when you take a course “out of sequence,” as well as possible problems with pre- and co-requisites.
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How do I Add or Drop a course? When is the deadline?
There will be a room assigned with the Physics and Astronomy building for Add / Drop.
It you have any questions, please see the Undergraduate Assistant Mrs. Clara Buma in PAB 113.
Note that this room will change as of December, 2010 due to building renovations.
Always check the Add/Drop deadline on the Registrar’s web site.
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Can I postpone taking a required course to the following year?
Maybe, but if the course is a prerequisite for other required courses, make sure that you can still take all of the courses you need in time to graduate. Note that when you take courses “out of sequence” timetable conflicts become more likely. Although there is no guarantee that the timetable will stay the same next year, it would be wise to plan your course schedule for the next two years to anticipate conflicts that might arise.
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I’m going home for the summer. Can I take courses at another university?
In order to count a course taken at another university towards your Western degree, you need to obtain a Letter of Permission. You will need to apply at least one month prior to the start of classes at the other institution, and can count no more than 5.0 courses from other institutions towards your Western degree.
Graduation and beyond
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I’ll be graduating next year. How can I be sure I’ve met all of the requirements?
It is probably time to brush up on the Graduation Regulations, or at least read the checklist provided by the Faculty of Science. In general, you must:
- have 20.0 courses (15.0 for a three-year degree)
- have at least 5.0 and no more than 7.0 1000-level courses
- have at least 1.0 courses from each of Categories A, B, and C
- have at least 2.0 “essay” credits (usually designated E,F,G), at least 1.0 of which must be a senior course
- meet the requirements of your module(s)
- meet the minimum grade requirements of your degree type:
- honors degrees: 70% average and 60% minimum for courses in your module(s); 65% overall average
- non-honors degrees: 60% average in your module(s) and 60% overall average
- complete 11.0 Science or Basic Medical Science courses for a BSc (8.0 for a three-year BSc)
If you still aren’t sure, feel free to contact the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies.
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Will I be able to get a job after I graduate?
The study of Physics, Astronomy, and related fields emphasizes conceptual understanding and problem-solving — skills that are easily transferred to any endeavour — making graduates sought after by employers. Skills in experimental design, computer simulation, data analysis, and mathematics qualify graduates for a variety of technical fields.
You can find information about graduates from our programs on our careers site (warning: much of this information needs to be updated). The university maintains statistics showing high employment for recent graduates. Please explore the American Institute of Physics website for interesting statistics on the success of physicists seeking employment, or entry to medicine or law.
Instead of immediately entering the workforce, many of our graduates continue on to an MSc or PhD. For information on graduate studies at Western, please visit our Graduate Programs site.
