COURSE CURRICULUM

In the Biological and Medical Physics program at Waterloo, you’ll begin your studies with a strong interdisciplinary foundation that sets the stage for upper-year specialization. Whether you're in Biological and Medical Physics, Physics, or Physics and Astronomy, all students follow a common first-year curriculum. From September to December, you’ll take PHYS 10 (Physics Seminar), BIOL 130/130L (Introductory Cell Biology and Lab), CHEM 120/120L (General Chemistry 1 and Lab), PHYS 121/121L (Mechanics and Lab), CS 114 (Principles of Computing for Science), and MATH 127 (Calculus 1 for the Sciences). From January to April, your courses include PHYS 10 again, CHEM 123/123L (General Chemistry 2 and Lab), PHYS 122/122L (Waves, Electricity and Magnetism and Lab), MATH 128 (Calculus 2 for the Sciences), ENGL 193 or COMMST 193 (Communication in the Sciences), and one elective. This strong scientific core prepares you for upper-year courses such as PHYS/BIOL 280 (Introduction to Biophysics), PHYS 380 (Molecular & Cellular Biophysics), PHYS 383 (Medical Physics), PHYS 395 (Biophysics of Therapeutic Methods), PHYS 396 (Biophysics of Imaging), and PHYS 483 (Advanced Therapeutic Concepts in Oncology). This curriculum blends biology, physics, and computing to prepare you for cutting-edge research or careers in medical technology, imaging, and therapeutic innovation.