Course Descriptions PHYC 6261   Statistical Mechanics I
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Statistical mechanics describes the equilibrium properties of systems. Really it is about how to model properties of soft-systems in the face of fluctuations. We will start with a review of the basic formalism, then discuss mean-field theories, critical phenomenon, diffusion, and stochastic models. Depending on interest and time, we may also discuss opological defects, non-equilibrium phenomenon, and computational techniques. Physical examples and simple models will be discussed throughout the course.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: PHYC 3210.03 and 4151.03, or permission of the instructor

PHYC 6301   Electrodynamics I
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Topics will normally include: boundary-value methods for problems in electrostatics and magnetostatics, multipolar expansions for the electrostatic and magnetostatic fields, Maxwell equations, plane electromagnetic waves and wave propagation in a variety of media, reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves at an interface, simple radiating systems, elementary Mie scattering theory.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: PHYC 4110.03, or permission of the instructor

PHYC 6400   Med. Img. Physics (Part I)
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is the first of a two-part Medical Imaging Physics course. In this course students become familiar with the fundamental science of medical imaging systems. Topics covered include X-ray radiography imaging, linear systems, signal and noise transfer theories, and the physics and applications of computed tomography (CT).
FORMAT: Lecture
COREQUISITES: PHYC 6421.03 or MEDP 6421.03
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6400.03

PHYC 6401   Fundamentals on Nonlinear Optics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Introduction covering the following topics: nonlinear refractive index, nonlinear wave equations, some indifference frequency generation, second harmonic generation, optical solitons and their propagation in nonlinear fibres, resonant matter interaction, self-induced transparency, electromagnetically induced transparency, quantum theory of nonlinear optical susceptibility.
PREREQUISITES: ECED 3300 and ECED 4502 or equivalent; ENGM 2062 recommended; or instructor approval
CROSS-LISTING: ECED 6400.03

PHYC 6410   Medical Imaging Physics (Part II)
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is the second of a two-part Medical Imaging Physics course that introduces a variety of medical imaging methodologies such as Nuclear Medicine Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Ultrasound (US). Various topics such as the fundamental physics, hardware, specialized techniques, image quality, and safety will be covered. Additional topics include advanced applications such as vascular and cardiac imaging techniques.
PREREQUISITES: PHYC 6400.03
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6410.03
RESTRICTIONS: Graduate students

PHYC 6416   Seminars in Medical Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 0
A seminar in various topics of medical physics. Students will be required to present journal articles from the field of medical physics and participate in the subsequent discussion. This course will allow the students to develop their presentation, discussion and critical appraisal skills.
FORMAT: Seminar
PREREQUISITES: MEDP 6424.03
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6416.00

PHYC 6421   Radiological Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The material in this course is designed to teach a graduate in physics (or engineering, with strong physics and math) the basics of radiological physics and dosimetry. Quantities and units are introduced early so that radioactive decay and radiation interactions can then be discussed, with emphasis on energy transfer and dose deposition. Exponential attenuation under both narrow and broad-beam conditions must be understood before a student can go on a shielding design in a health physics course.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6421.03

PHYC 6423   Radiation Therapy Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 4
The course covers ionizing radiation generation and use in radiation therapy to cause controlled biological effects in cancer patients. Topics include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, treatment planning, radiation therapy devices, special techniques in radiotherapy, radiation therapy with neutrons, protons, and heavy ions.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES: PHYC 6421.03 or MEDP 6421.03
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6423.04

PHYC 6424   Special Topics in Medical Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course covers topics in Medical Physics that are not covered in other courses, including: safety; introduction to medical linear accelerations; bioethics; professional ethics; conflict of interest; scientific misconduct; clinical research; anatomy and physiology; grant writing; intellectual property; statistics; and scientific communications.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Seminar

FORMAT COMMENTS: Combination of lectures and seminars
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6424.03

PHYC 6430   Radiation Biology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Radiobiology topics include: basic physical and chemical mechanisms, cellular radiation biology, mechanisms of cancer induction, the effects of radiation on normal tissues and malignant cells, and competing treatment modalities. Radiation protection and health physics topics include: risk versus benefit, radiation shielding properties and design, and radiation monitoring of personnel.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6430.03

PHYC 6431   Radiation Safety and Protection in Medicine
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is concerned with the hazards of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and with safe handling and use of radiation sources. Covered are: basic principles; safety codes; laws and regulations; organization; shielding design; and practical safety measures and procedures.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES: (PHYC 6421.03 or MEDP 6421.03) and (PHYC 6430.03 or MEDP 6430.03)
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6431.03

PHYC 6440   Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The physics principles involved with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be introduced. Topics such as elementary NMR signal formation and detection, nuclear interactions that produce image contrast/artifacts, introductory spin manipulation, MRI hardware, and advanced techniques in signal excitation, manipulation and reception will be discussed.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor

PHYC 6450   Computational Methods in Medical Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course offers an introduction to established and emerging computational methods in radiation therapy physics, with emphasis on modeling of radiation dose deposition. Topics include empirical, analytic and Monte Carlo methods for dose calculation, as well as image co-registration and treatment planning. Weekly lecture are followed by practical laboratory assignments.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Lab

PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor
CROSS-LISTING: MEDP 6450.03

PHYC 6560   Atmospheric Boundary Layers
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5
A detailed mathematical description of atmospheric boundary layers. After developing the fundamental equations for turbulence, Monin-Obukov similarity theory is used to predict profiles and fluxes. Topics include surface properties, energy fluxes, convective and stable conditions, cloud-topped layers, tracer diffusion, time-dependent effects and parameterizations for large scale models.
FORMAT: Lecture
FORMAT COMMENTS: The course will be comprised of 12 lectures, one per week, during the winter term. Each lecture will be 1 hour and 20 minutes long. (Note: only integer values for Lec Hours per Week are permitted in the box below)
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 1
PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor

PHYC 6576   Topics in Atmospheric Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course will focus on current research topics in atmospheric science. Fundamental theories of atmospheric science will be applied to selected topics.
FORMAT:
  • Seminar
  • Discussion

FORMAT COMMENTS: Readings + seminar/discussions
PREREQUISITES: Permission of Instructor

PHYC 6580   Cloud Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
A detailed examination of the behaviour of condensed water in the atmosphere. Topics include nucleation, hydrodynamics of cloud and precipitation particles, ice physics, mechanisms of precipitation formation, electrical and radiative properties. Cloud dynamics will include effects of latent heating feedback, thunderstorm structure, precipitation efficiency, mixed-phased storms and cloud models.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor
CROSS-LISTING: OCEA 5580.03

PHYC 6585   Advanced Remote Sensing
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Topics involving the remote sensing of the atmosphere and surface using space and ground-based instrumentation and radiative transfer theory will be covered.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES: Permission of Instructor

PHYC 6600X/Y    Topics in Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Topics selected will depend on the current interests of the instructor and the students.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor

PHYC 6601   Topics in Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Topics selected will depend on the current interests of the instructor and the students.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor

PHYC 6602   Topics in Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Topics selected will depend on the current interests of the instructor and the students.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor