McGill.CA / Science / Department of Physics

Joint Major in Physiology and Physics

82 credits

This program provides a firm foundation in physics, mathematics and physiology. It is appropriate for students interested in applying methods of the physical sciences to problems in physiology and allied biological sciences. For further information about this program, please contact Dr. Michael Guevara at [email protected].

Note: for the 2022/23 year, PHYS 329 and PHYS 519 should be replaced with other courses:

PHYS 329: please take PHYS 333 instead.
PHYS 519: students must take a 400-or-higher level quantitative course in the biological or biomedical sciences. Approval to take the selected course must be obtained from the departmental academic advisor (Dr. Guevara for 2022/23), who also will be available for consultation in making that choice.
U1 Required Courses (26 credits)
MATH 222 (3) Calculus 3
PHGY 209 (3) Mammalian Physiology 1
PHGY 210 (3) Mammalian Physiology 2
PHGY 212 (1) Introductory Physiology Laboratory 1
PHGY 213 (1) Introductory Physiology Laboratory 2
PHYS 230 (3) Dynamics of Simple Systems
PHYS 232 (3) Heat and Waves
PHYS 241 (3) Signal Processing
PHYS 257 (3) Experimental Methods 1
PHYS 258 (3) Experimental Methods 2
U1 Complementary Courses (6 credits)
MATH 223 (3) Linear Algebra
or MATH 247 (3) Honours Applied Linear Algebra
MATH 315 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations
or MATH 325 (3) Honours Ordinary Differential Equations
U2 Required Courses (19 credits)
BIOL 219 (4) Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology
MATH 326 (3) Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
MATH 437 (3) Mathematical Methods in Biology
PHGY 312 (3) Respiratory, Renal, & Cardiovascular Physiology
PHGY 313 (3) Blood, Gastrointestinal, & Immune Systems Physiology
PHYS 329 (3) Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications
U2 Complementary Courses (6 credits)
MATH 314 (3) Advanced Calculus
or MATH 248 (3) Honours Advanced Calculus
PHGY 311 (3) Channels, Synapses & Hormones
or PHGY 314 (3) Integrative Neuroscience
U3 Required Courses (22 credits)
BIOL 395 (1) Quantitative Biology Seminar
BMDE 519 (3) Analysis of Biomedical Systems and Signals
PHGY 461D1 (4.5) Experimental Physiology
PHGY 461D2 (4.5) Experimental Physiology
PHYS 339 (3) Measurements Laboratory in General Physics
PHYS 340 (3) Majors Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 346 (3) Majors Quantum Physics
U3 Complementary Courses (3 credits)
PHYS 519 (3) Advanced Biophysics
or PHYS 413 (3) Physical Basis of Physiology
Recommended electives
BIOL/PHYS 319 (3) Introduction to Biophysics