Biophysics
Biophysics combines fundamental courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology together with specialized courses in biological physics. This new program has been introduced in response to the growing demand for specialists with physics background in the areas of biology and medicine. Are you interested in understanding how the building blocks of biology, such as proteins, DNA and RNA, fit together and interact to form the living world around us? Maybe you would like to build an instrument that can rapidly identify blood-borne infections or diagnose and track the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Perhaps you’re interested in programming a computer to figure out the ideal way for a drug to target and attack a cancer cell. These are some of the challenges that biophysicists tackle every day.
Honours Bachelor of Science
Program Plans
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Tip Sheets
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- Chemical physicist
- Environmental scientist
- Doctor
- Particle physicist
- Radiologist
Admission Requirements
Regional Requirements
Admissions RequirementsLife in Biophysics
Buzz Around Campus
On the afternoon of April 15, 2015, an earthquake rocked the Himalayas, causing widespread death and damage across Nepal, India and Tibet. The magnitude 7.8 quake—the strongest ever recorded in the region—rattled glaciers and ice falls along a ridge just to the west of Mount Everest.
A major shift in western Arctic wind patterns occurred throughout the winter of 2017 and the resulting changes in sea ice movement are possible indicators of a changing climate, says Kent Moore, a professor of physics at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
A new study from the University of Toronto aims to a unravel the mystery of why some tuberculosis cases fail to respond to medical treatment.
Sample Courses
A modular practical course that develops the experimental and computational skills necessary to get deeper insight in physical phenomena. Selected physics experiments and modeling that illustrate important principles of physics are applied.
An overview of electromagnetism leading to the study of radiation. A review of electrostatics, magnetostatics, and Maxwell's equations is followed by a discussion of propagating, non-propagating and guided waves.
Statistical methods for bridging the quantum behaviour of atoms and molecules to their macroscopic properties in solid, liquid and gaseous states. The course introduces partition functions, canonical ensembles, and their application to thermodynamic properties.
Other Programs to Consider
Biological Chemistry
Biological Chemistry deals with the chemical processes of and relating to living organisms. The program, with its solid core of chemistry, plus the required biology and biochemistry courses, provides an interesting and challenging interdisciplinary study experience. Biological Chemistry examines nature at the molecular level by using a combination of synthetic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry as well as the tools of molecular biology.
Environmental Geosciences
Completion of this program is intended to fulfill the knowledge requirements for certification as a Professional Geoscientist (P. Geo.) in conformity with the stipulations of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO) and the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG).
Chemistry
Chemistry plays a vital and well-integrated role in many areas of scientific discovery, including the development of new drugs, materials and diagnostics. Advancements made in the field of chemistry have brought improvements to our quality of life, and will help us to control the impact we are making on our environment in order to form the basis for a strong economy.