PHYS 601 Perimeter Scholars International Quantum Field Theory 10.50 units
Canonical quantization of fields, perturbation theory, derivation of Feynman diagrams, applications in particle and condensed matter theory, renormalization in phi^4.
Physics (PHYS)
84 graduate courses in the Fall 2026 Graduate Calendar.
PHYS 602 Perimeter Scholars International Statistical Physics0.50 units
A brief review of ensembles and quantum gases, Ising model, Landau theory of phase transitions, order parameters, topology, classical solutions.
PHYS 603 Perimeter Scholars International Quantum Field Theory 20.50 units
Feynman Path Integral, abelian and nonabelian guage theories and their quantization, spontaneous symmetry breaking, nonperturbative techniques: latticef ield theory, Wilsonian renormalization.
PHYS 604 Perimeter Scholars International Relativity0.50 units
Special relativity, foundations of general relativity, Riemannian geometry, Einstein's equations, FRW and Schwarzschild geometries and their properties
PHYS 605 Perimeter Scholars International Quantum Theory0.50 units
Schrodinger equation: free particle, harmonic oscillator, simple time-dependent problems. Heisenbrerg picture and connection with classical physics. Entaglement and non-locality. Pure and mixed states, quantum correlators, measurement theory and interpretation.
PHYS 606 Perimeter Scholars International Information and Data Analysis0.50 units
Probability, entropy, Bayesian inference and information theory. Maximum likelihood methods, common probability distributions, applications to real data including Monte-Carlo methods.
PHYS 607 Perimeter Scholars International Dynamical Systems0.50 units
Maps, flows, stability, fixed points, attractors, chaos, bifurcations, ergodicity, approach to chaos. Hamiltonian systems, Liouville measure, Poincare theorem, integrable systems with examples.
PHYS 608 Perimeter Scholars International Computation0.50 units
Common algorithms for ode and pde solving, with numerical analysis. Common tasks in linear algebra. Focus on how to write a good code, test it, and obtain a reliable result. Parallel programming.
PHYS 609 Perimeter Scholars International Conformal Field Theory0.50 units
This course is an introduction to the key ideas and techniques of conformal field theories. These theories play a central role In the study of phase transitions in statistical physics and condensed matter systems, as well as in string theory. Conformal field theories provide a theoretical laboratory in which the constraints imposed by symmetries allow for the exact solution of field theories, which have found important applications in both physics and mathematics.
PHYS 610 Perimeter Scholars International Mathematics Physics0.50 units
This course will include the study of Perturbation Theory (Regular and Singular) Speeding Up Convergence: Shanks Transformations and Richardson Extrapolation Taylor Series, Fourier Series and the Gibbs Phenomenon Using Diveregent Series: Generalised Summation Analytic Continuation, Riemann Surfaces and Branch Points Continued Functions and Pade Approximants Steiltjes Functions, the Herglotz Property and the Carleman Bound Feynman Diagrams.
PHYS 611 PSI Condensed Matter Physics0.50 units
Theories of Condensed Matter Physics emphasizing the consequences of broken symmetries and the resulting collective modes which emerge, including broken translational symmetry and phonons, broken spin rotational symmetry and magnons, electronic properties of normal metals, and broken U(1) gauge symmetry in superconductors, excitations above the gap and collective modes in superconductors.
PHYS 612 Perimeter Scholars International Classical Physics0.50 units
This is a theoretical physics course that aims to review the basics of theoretical mechanics, special relativity, and classical field theory, with the emphasis on geometrical notions and relativistic formalism.
- Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in:
PHYS 621 Perimeter Scholars International Cosmology0.25 units
FRW metric, Hubble expansion, dark energy, dark matter, CMB. Thermodynamic history of early universe. Growth of perturbations, CDM model of structure formation and comparison to observations, cosmic microwave background anisotropies, inflation and observational tests.
PHYS 622 Perimeter Scholars International Standard Model0.25 units
Application of Yang-Mills theory to particle physics, QCD and its tests in the perturbative regime, theory of weak interactions, precision tests of electroweak theory, CKM matrix and flavour physics, open questions.
PHYS 623 Perimeter Scholars International String Theory0.25 units
Superstring spectrum in 10d Minkowski, as well as simple toroidal and orbifold compactifications. T-duality, D-branes, tree amplitudes. Construct some simple unified models of particle physics. Motivate the 10- and 11-dimensional supergravities. Simple supergravity solutions and use these to explore some aspects of AdS/CFT duality.
PHYS 624 Perimeter Scholars International Mathematical Physics Topics0.25 units
Differential forms, de Rham cohomology, differential topology and characteristic classes, monopoles and instantons, Kahler manifolds, Dirac equation, zero modes and index theorems.
PHYS 625 Perimeter Scholars International Supersymmetry0.25 units
The following topics will be discussed: The Lorentz Group: Properties and Representations; Manipulating Spinors; Supersymmetry Algebra and Representations; Superfields and Superspace; 4d Supersymmetric Lagrangians; Supersymmetry Breaking; Constructing the MSSM; Collider Phenomenology of Supersymmetric Theories; and Dark Matter.
PHYS 635 Perimeter Scholars International Quantum Information Review0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Quantum Information
PHYS 636 Perimeter Scholars International Gravitational Physics Review0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Gravitational Physics
PHYS 637 Perimeter Scholars International Condensed Matter Theory0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Condensed Matter Theory
PHYS 638 Perimeter Scholars International Quantum Gravity0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Quantum Gravity
PHYS 639 Perimeter Scholars International Foundations of Quantum Theory0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Foundations of Quantum Theory
PHYS 641 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Quantum Information0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Quantum Information
PHYS 642 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Numerical Gravitational Physics0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Gravitational Physics
PHYS 643 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Condensed Matter Theory0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Condensed Matter Theory
PHYS 644 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Quantum Gravity0.25 units
Review of selected topics in quantum Gravity
PHYS 645 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Foundations of Quantum Theory0.25 units
Review of Selected topics in Foundations of Quantum Theory
PHYS 646 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Particle Physics0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Particle Physics
PHYS 647 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in String Theory0.25 units
Review of selected topics in String Theory
PHYS 648 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Complex Systems0.25 units
Review of selected topics in Complex Systems
PHYS 649 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Cosmology0.25 units
Review of Selected topics in Cosmology
PHYS 650 Perimeter Scholars International Explorations in Quantum Gravity0.25 units
This course will introduce the students to the basic techniques and results of the field of loop quantum gravity. Possible topics include: 1) The Ashtekar variables and the Hamiltonian formalism; 2) The Plebanski action for general relativity; 3) The Hilbert space of loop quantum gravity and basic operators such as the area and volume operators; 4) Spin foam models; 5) Group field theory; 6) Quantum black hole horizons.
PHYS 701 Quantum Mechanics 10.50 units
Review of formalism of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics including symmetries and invariance. Approximation methods and scattering theory. Elementary quantum theory of radiation. Introduction to one-particle relativistic wave equations.
PHYS 702 Quantum Mechanics 20.50 units
Concepts of relativistic quantum mechanics, elementary quantum field theory, and Feynman diagrams. Application to many particle systems. Students who have not taken PHYS 701 but have an equivalent background in Quantum Mechanics may seek the instructor's consent to register in this course.
- Prerequisites
- Must have completed the following:
- PHYS701 - Quantum Mechanics 1 (0.50)
- Must have completed the following:
PHYS 703 Introduction to Quantum Field Theory0.50 units
Review of relativistic quantum mechanics and classical field theory. Quantization of free quantum fields (the particle interpretation of field quanta). Canonical quantization of interacting fields (Feynman rules). Application of the formalism of interacting quantum fields to lowest-order quantum electrodynamic processes. Radiative corrections and renormalization.
- Prerequisites
- Must have completed the following:
- PHYS701 - Quantum Mechanics 1 (0.50)
- Must have completed the following:
- Cross-listed
- AMATH 873
PHYS 704 Statistical Physics 10.50 units
Statistical basis of thermodynamics; microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles; quantum statistical mechanics, theory of the density matrix; fluctuations, noise, irreversible thermodynamics; transport theory; application to gases, liquids, solids.
PHYS 705 Statistical Physics 20.50 units
Phase transitions. Fluctuation phenomena. Kubo's theory of time correlation functions for transport and spectral properties; applications selected from a variety of topics including linearized hydrodynamics of normal and superfluids, molecular liquids, liquid crystals, surface phenomena, theory of the dielectric constant, etc. Students who have not taken PHYS 704 but have an equivalent background in Statistical Physics may seek the instructor's consent to register in this course.
- Prerequisites
- Must have completed the following:
- PHYS704 - Statistical Physics 1 (0.50)
- Must have completed the following:
PHYS 706 Electromagnetic Theory0.50 units
Maxwell's equations and conservation laws; accelerated point charges and electromagnetic radiation; multipole expansions; electromagnetism and special relativity; selected applications.
PHYS 708 Applications of Group Theory0.50 units
Introduction to group theory; symmetry, the group concept, representation theory, character theory. Applications to molecular vibrations, the solid state, quantum mechanics and crystal field theory.
PHYS 709 Green's Function Method0.50 units
Review of essential quantum field theory. Zero and finite temperature Green's functions. Applications.
PHYS 710 Atomic Physics0.50 units
Emphasis on atomic structure and spectroscopy. Review of angular momentum, rotations, Wigner-Eckart theorem, n-j symbols. Energy levels in complex atoms, Hartree-Fock theory, radiative transitions and inner shell processes. Further topics selected with class interest in mind, at least one of which to be taken from current literature.
PHYS 712 Special Topics in Theoretical Physics0.50 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 713 Molecular Physics0.50 units
Angular momentum and the rotation of molecules; introduction to group theory with application to molecular vibrations; principles of molecular spectroscopy; spectra of isolated molecules; intermolecular interactions and their effects on molecular spectra; selected additional topics (e.g., electronic structure of molecules, experimental spectroscopic techniques, neutron scattering, correlation functions, collision induced absorption, extension of group theory to molecular crystals, normal coordinate analysis, etc.).
PHYS 714 Nonlinear Optics0.50 units
Laser and nonlinear optics; techniques for controlling laser beams such as mode selection and mode locking; laser spectroscopy.
PHYS 715 Nuclear Physics0.50 units
Static properties of nuclei; alpha, beta, gamma-decay; two-body systems; nuclear forces; nuclear reactions; single-particle models for spherical and deformed nuclei; shell, collective, interacting boson models.
PHYS 716 Special Topics in Subatomic and Nuclear Physcis0.50 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 717 Intermediate and High Energy Physics0.50 units
Strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions. Isospin, strangeness, conservation laws and symmetry principles. Leptons, hadrons, quarks and their classification, formation, interactions and decay.
PHYS 718 Special Topics in Subatomic and Nuclear Physics0.25 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 730 Liquid State Physics0.50 units
Physical properties of atomic liquids; distribution functions and equilibrium properties, elementary perturbation theories and integral equation theories; simple metals, simple computer simulation; viral expansions and thermodynamic derivatives of g(r); experimental determination of g(r).
PHYS 731 Solid State Physics 10.50 units
Phonons, electron states, electron-electron interaction, electron-ion interaction, static properties of solids.
PHYS 732 Solid State Physics 20.50 units
Transport properties; optical properties; magnetism; superconductivity; disordered systems.
PHYS 733 Special Topics in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics0.50 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 737 Special Topics in Surface Physics0.50 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 738 Special Topics in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics0.25 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topics and instructor.
PHYS 739 Quantum Many Body Physics0.50 units
A modern approach to the quantum many-body problem from the perspective of condensed matter physics. Low energy effective theories, continuum field theories, and lattice models. Phases and phase transitions in the path integral formulation of bosons, fermions and quantum spins. Quantum critical points, topological phases, gauge theories, and connections to quantum information.
- Prerequisites
PHYS 745 Special Topics in Experimental Physics0.50 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 747 Optical Electronics0.50 units
Optoelectronic component fabrication, light propagation in linear and nonlinear media, optical fiber properties, electro-optic and acousto-optic modulation, spontaneous and stimulated emission, semiconductor lasers and detectors, noise effects in fiber systems.
PHYS 749 Special Topics in Experimental Physics0.25 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 751 Clinical Applications of Physics in Medicine0.50 units
This course provides an overview of the application of physics to medicine. The physical concepts underlying the diagnosis and treatment of disease will be explored. Topics will include general imaging principles such as resolution, intensity and contrast; x-ray imaging and computed tomography; radioisotopes and nuclear medicine, SPECT and PET; magnetic resonance imaging; ultrasound imaging and radiation therapy.
PHYS 752 Molecular Biophysics0.50 units
Physical methods of determining macromolecular structure: energetics, intramolecular and intermolecular forces, with applications to lamellar structures, information storage, DNA and RNA, recognition and rejection of foreign molecules.
PHYS 754 Special Topics in Biophysics0.50 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 757 Special Topics in Biophysics0.25 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 760 Laboratory on Control of Quantum Technology0.50 units
Experiments to control and characterize quantum systems.
- Cross-listed
- QIC 860
PHYS 761 Laboratory on Photonic Quantum Technology0.50 units
Selected advanced experiments in photonics-based quantum technology.
- Cross-listed
- QIC 861
PHYS 762 Laboratory on Low Temperature Quantum Technology and Nanofabrication0.50 units
Methods in low temperature physics as applied to quantum technology and an introduction to fabrication techniques.
- Cross-listed
- QIC 862
PHYS 763 Independent Project in Quantum Technology0.50 units
A research project in any area of Quantum Technology approved by the course co-ordinator(s). The student is required to present a summary of the project orally and to submit a written report.
- Cross-listed
- QIC 863
PHYS 767 Quantum Information Processing0.50 units
Review of basics of quantum information and computational complexity; Simple quantum algorithms; Quantum Fourier transform and Shor factoring algorithm: Amplitude amplification, Grover search algorithm and its optimality; Completely positive trace-preserving maps and Kraus representation; Non-locality and communication complexity; Physical realizations of quantum computation: requirements and examples; Quantum error-correction, including CSS codes, and elements of fault-tolerant computation; Quantum cryptography; Security proofs of quantum key distribution protocols; Quantum proof systems. Familiarity with theoretical computer science or quantum mechanics will also be an asset, though most students will not be familiar with both.
- Cross-listed
- CS 768, PMATH 871, CO 681, QIC 710, AMATH 871
PHYS 768 Special Topics in Quantum Information Processing0.50 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 769 Special Topics in quantum Information Processing0.25 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 771 Special Lecture and Reading Course0.50 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 773 Special Topics in Physics0.50 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 775 Inter-Institution Exchange0.50 units
At the Director's discretion, a PhD or MSc student may receive course credit for a term of specialized studies at another institution. Formal evaluation is required.
PHYS 776 Special Topics in Physics0.50 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 777 Special Topics in Physics0.25 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 781 Fundamentals of Astrophysics0.50 units
Multi-wavelength astronomy: radio, infrared, optical and x-ray observations. Radiative Processes: macroscopic description, thermal and non-thermal emission, scattering, line transitions and plasma effects. Gravitational Dynamics: potential and orbits, self-gravitating systems, the Collisionless Boltzmann Equation, gravitational encounters. Fluid Mechanics: simple fluids, soundwaves and shocks, instabilities and transport mechanisms.
PHYS 782 Fundamentals of Astrophysics II: Observational Techniques and Data Analysis0.50 units
Astronomical observations, including telescopes and instrumentation, data processing and calibration, photometry, astrometry and spectroscopy. Measurement of luminosity functions, spectral energy distributions and other fundamental astrophysical quantities. Data analysis techniques: statistical modelling, hypothesis testing, Bayesian analysis, selection effects, correlations, archives and databases.
- Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in:
PHYS 784 Advanced techniques in General Relativity and Applications to Black Holes0.50 units
Review of elementary general relativity. Timelike and null geodesic congruences. Hypersurfaces and junction conditions. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of general relativity. Mass and angular momentum of a gravitating body. The laws of black-hole mechanics.
- Cross-listed
- AMATH 874
PHYS 785 Introduction to Quantum Field Theory for Cosmology0.50 units
Introduction to scalar field theory and its canonical quantization in flat and curved spacetimes. The flat space effects of Casimir and Unruh. Quantum fluctuations of scalar fields and of the metric on curved space-times and application to inflationary cosmology. Hawking radiation.
- Cross-listed
- AMATH 872
PHYS 786 Introduction to General Relativity with Applications to Cosmology0.50 units
Introduction to the differential geometry of Lorentzian manifolds. The priniciples of general relativity. Causal structure and cosmological singularities. Cosmological space-times with Killing vector fields. Friedmann-Lemaitre cosmologies, scalar, vector and tensor perburbations in the linear and nonlinear regimes. De Sitter space-times and inflationary models.
- Cross-listed
- AMATH 875
PHYS 787 Cosmology0.50 units
Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric and dynamics; big bang thermodynamics; nucleosynthesis; recombination; perturbation theory and structure formation; anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background; statistics of cosmological density and velocity fields; galaxy formation; inflation.
PHYS 788 Special Topics in Astrophysics0.50 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 789 Special Topics in Astrophysics0.25 units
Consult the schedule of classes for specific topics being offered.
PHYS 790 Special Topics in Gravitation and Cosmology0.50 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topic and instructor.
PHYS 791 Special Topics in Gravitation and Cosmology0.25 units
Offered on demand. Course content depends on topics and instructor.