The Astronomy & Physics Specialist program combines rigorous training in the full spectrum of core physics subfields with their application in astronomy. Lecture courses are complemented by practical courses, and the program culminates in a supervised research project, where all the skills learned are used.

(14.0 credits, including at least 4.0 credits at the 300+ level, and at least 1.0 credit at the 400-level)

First Year:

1. 1.0 credit from ( MAT148H1, MAT149H1/​ MAT137Y1)/ ( MAT158H1, MAT159H1/​ MAT157Y1) (( MAT148H1, MAT149H1/​ MAT137Y1) recommended);
2. 0.5 credit from MAT223H1/​ MAT240H1 ( MAT223H1 recommended);
3. 1.0 credit from PHY131H1/​ PHY151H1, PHY132H1 / PHY152H1 ( PHY151H1, PHY152H1 recommended);
4. 0.5 credit from CSC108H1/​ CSC110Y1/​ CSC148H1 or another course that gives a foundation in computer programming approved by the Undergraduate Chair.
5. ( AST121H1 is encouraged, but not required)

Second Year:

1. 1.0 credit of AST221H1, AST222H1;
2. 1.0 credit from ( MAT235H1, MAT236H1)/ MAT235Y1/​ MAT237Y1/​ MAT257Y1 ( MAT237Y1 recommended);
3. 1.5 credit of PHY250H1, PHY252H1, PHY256H1
4. 0.5 credit from MAT244H1/​ MAT267H1 ( MAT244H1 recommended);

Third Year:

1. 0.5 credit of AST320H1;
2. 0.5 credit from AST325H1/​ AST326Y1;
3. 1.5 credit of PHY224H1, PHY254H1, PHY354H1
4. 1.0 credit from APM346H1, PHY356H1, MAT224H1, MAT327H1, MAT334H1, MAT363H1, STA257H1

Fourth Year:

1. 1.0 credit from AST425Y1/​ ( AST424H1, and 0.5 credit from lines 2 or 3 below; see notes);
2. 0.5 credit of PHY350H1
3. 0.5 credit from one of the following subject areas:
   Computer Science: CSC336H1, CSC385H1, CSC413H1, CSC456H1;
   Statistics: STA302H1, STA313H1;
   Mathematics: APM346H1, MAT327H1, MAT334H1, MAT363H1;
   Physics: PHY350H1, PHY354H1, PHY356H1, PHY357H1, PHY358H1, PHY385H1, PHY407H1, PHY408H1, PHY450H1, JPE395H1;
   Astronomy: AST430H1
4. 1.0 credit from AST430H1, PHY450H1, PHY452H1, PHY454H1, PHY456H1, PHY460H1, PHY483H1, PHY484H1
5. 0.5 credit from AST310H1, ENV222H1, ENV333H1, ESS205H1, HPS200H1, JPH441H1, PHL273H1, VIC172Y1, or another course with a significant emphasis on Social and Ethical Responsibility approved by the Undergraduate Chair.

Notes:

• First-year students are encouraged, but not required, to take AST121H1.
• Second-year students who wish to keep open the option of pursuing a physics specialist degree should consider taking PHY254H1 in 2nd year.
• Third-year students are invited and fourth-year students are expected to attend the weekly departmental colloquia.
• Third-year students can take AST424H1 (Introduction to Research) provided they have at least a B+ average in program courses.
• Fourth-year students are encouraged to enrol in the independent research course AST425Y1, but this is guaranteed for students with at least a B+ average in the program courses and requires identifying a supervisor. Others who wish to take AST425Y1 should consult the course coordinator or the undergraduate chair.