Please note that this informal guidance covers the Biological Physics Specialist Program and assumes you have taken all compulsory courses in the program. Please contact the Undergraduate Office (physics.ugprogram@utoronto.ca) for more advice and guidance.
If you are interested in Biological Physics note that there are four streams that share a core set of courses but have different sets of advanced courses. Students interested in receiving advanced training in the Life Sciences with a core of Physics should look carefully at the Biochemistry and Physiology Streams. The Biochemistry stream is focused on the chemical and molecular details of Biological Physics while the Physiology stream is more focused on system-level details. Both streams cover the Physical Biology of the Cell. An Immunology stream is also offered. Students looking for less Life Science focus should choose the Advanced Physics Stream.
Biological Physics Specialist - Biochemistry Stream
In the Biochemistry Stream, BCH370H1 and many BCH400-level courses can be used to satisfy the stream's requirements. Below is a list of some of the courses you might consider.
- Courses specialized in molecular biophysics: BCH425H1 “Structural Biology: Principles and Practice”.
- Courses in Cellular Biophysics: BCH426H1 “Regulation of Signalling Pathways” and BCH446H1 “Membrane Dynamics of the Cell Surface.”
- Independent study and research courses: PHY37X/PHY47X.
Biological Physics Specialist - Physiology Stream
In the Physiology Stream, PSL304H1/PSL305H1/PSL372H1 and PSL400-level courses can be used to satisfy the stream's requirements. Below is a list of some of the courses you might consider.
- Courses specialized in modeling and computation: PSL304H1 “Topics in Cellular, Molecular and Organismic Physiology” and PSL432H1 “Theoretical Physiology”.
- Courses in Neuroscience: PSL432H1 “Theoretical Physiology”, PSL440Y1 “Neuroscience I: Systems and Behaviour” and PSL445H1 “Neuroscience: Cellular and Molecular”.
- Independent study and research courses: PHY37X/PHY47X.
Biological Physics Specialist - Immunology Stream
In the Immunology stream, IMM341H1, IMM351H1 and IMM400-level courses can be used to satisfy the stream's requirements. Below is a list of some of the courses you might consider.
- Courses in advanced immunology: IMM341H1 “Fundamental Immunology (Advanced)” and IMM351H1 “The Immune System in Action (Advanced)”.
- Courses in applied aspects of immunology: IMM435H1 “Practical Immunology” and IMM431H1 "Immunotherapy".
- Independent study and research courses: PHY37X/PHY47X, IMM450Y1.
Biological Physics Specialist - Advanced Physics Stream
In the Advanced Physics Stream, APM346H1, PHY300-level and PHY400-level courses can be used to satisfy the stream's requirements. Below is a list of some of the courses you might consider.
- Courses in Statistical Mechanics: PHY452H1 “Statistical Mechanics".
- Courses in Mathematical Physics: APM346H1 “Partial Differential Equations” and “PHY460H1 Nonlinear Physics”.
- Courses providing practical skills: PHY405H1 "Electronics Lab", PHY407H1 "Computational Physics".
- Independent study and research courses: PHY37X/PHY47X.