PHYS 223Waves

Units: 0.50
Faculty: Science
Subject: Physics

When it runs

Ran in 0 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introductory course in oscillations and waves and their importance to a wide variety of modern physics topics. Concepts include simple harmonic motion, resonance, damped harmonic motion, wave motion and interference, wave optics and diffraction, quantum mechanics.

Prerequisites

Complete all of the following
- Complete 1 of the following
  - Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    - AMATH271 - Introduction to Theoretical Mechanics (0.50)
    - ECE105 - Classical Mechanics (0.50)
    - PHYS115 - Mechanics (0.50)
    - PHYS121 - Mechanics (0.50)
  - Earned a minimum grade of 80% in each of the following:
    - PHYS111 - Physics 1 (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
  - ECE205 - Advanced Calculus 1 for Electrical and Computer Engineers (0.50)
  - MATH116 - Calculus 1 for Engineering (0.50)
  - MATH117 - Calculus 1 for Engineering (0.50)
  - MATH127 - Calculus 1 for the Sciences (0.50)
  - MATH137 - Calculus 1 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
  - MATH147 - Calculus 1 (Advanced Level) (0.50)

Antirequisites

Not completed:
- PHYS122

Leads to

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar

2026–27 (shown here)
2019–20 and earlier on ucalendar