Areas of Specialization

Please click "Outline" for Technical Elective Information. Contact the department if anything is unclear.

An introduction to optical gain media, spectroscopy of light-emitting materials, laser cavities, and steady-state theories of optical amplifiers and lasers. Applications of amplifiers and lasers in fiber-optic systems and photonic integrated circuits are covered.

An examination of the theory of operation, manufacture, and application of semiconductor diode lasers. Emphasis will be on InGaAsP diode lasers and the application of these devices in optical communication systems.

Optoelectronic devices and the physics that governs their operation: the electro-optic, acousto-optic, and photo-elastic effects; optics in semiconductors: free carrier effects, heterojunctions, quantum wells, electro-absorption; guided wave optics; optical modulators; photonic switching and optical interconnects; Fourier optics.

The student is required to spend four months carrying out an approved project under the supervision of a member of the faculty of Engineering Physics. Assessment of the project is performed by the faculty member after preparation of a written report by the student. The student must attain a grade of B. The project requires full-time attention and as such the student is not expected to take any other courses during the project. It is expected that the project will take place during the summer term. This course is available only to students in the M.Eng. degree program in the department of Engineering Physics.

Crystallography: binding and structure; free and nearly free electrons, energy bands; electronic aspects of semi-conductors: doping, carrier statistics; point defects; energy levels, atomic configuration, thermodynamics; experimental aspects of defect spectroscopy.

Development of electromagnetic theory - fields, Gauss’ law, electric potential, Laplace equation, dielectrics, Ampere’s law, magnetism, Faraday’s law, inductance, development of Maxwell’s equations via vector calculus.

Three lectures, one tutorial, one lab (three hours each) every other week, second term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in any Engineering Physics or Mechatronics Engineering Program; PHYSICS 1E03; and credit or registration in MATH 2Z03
Antirequisite(s): ENG PHYS 2A03

Design and analysis of analog and digital electrical circuits - component analysis, circuit analysis and theorems, binary numbers, Boolean analysis and digital circuit design.

Three lectures, one lab (three hours each); first term

Prerequisite(s): PHYSICS 1E03 and registration in an Engineering program

Thermal Systems Design covers the physics, thermodynamics and design of energy conversion systems utilized in many engineering systems. The topics include the first and second law of thermodynamics, irreversibility, the Rankine and Brayton cycles, and common refrigeration cycles.

Three lectures, one tutorial; first term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above of an Engineering program
Antirequisite(s): MECHENG 2W04

Classical mechanics topics including static equilibrium, machines and trusses, determinacy, force and bending moment diagrams, elasticity, shear, principal stresses, tensors, Voigt notation, flexure, and torsion. Course topics are explored analytically and computationally using finite element method and computer algebra system software.

Three lectures, one laboratory (two hours each); first term

Prerequisite(s): PHYSICS 1D03; and credit or registration in MATH 2Z03
Antirequisite(s): CIVENG 2P04, ENGINEER 2P04, MECHENG 2P04

Basic foundations of quantum mechanics; wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle, Hydrogen atom, Schrodinger Equation, barriers and tunnelling, probability, spin, quantum statistics, selected applications.

Three lectures, one tutorial; second term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above of an Engineering program
Antirequisite(s): PHYSICS 2C03

P-N junctions, diodes, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors, DC and AC modeling, differential amplifiers and operational amplifiers, feedback and oscillators, digital circuits and multivibrators, signal processing.

Two lectures, lab (four hours); first term

Prerequisite(s): One of ENGPHYS 2A03, 2A04, 2E04, PHYSICS 2BB3
Antirequisite(s): PHYSICS 3B06, 3BA3, ENGPHYS 3BA3
Last offered in 2022-23

Design and synthesis project in electronics, focused on integrating analog electronics with a microcontroller to create a PID-controlled device. Programming and interfacing the microcontroller are taught in weeks 1-6; the device is designed and built in weeks 7-12. Prior knowledge of basic electronics, including op-amps and transistors is required.

Two lectures, lab (four hours); second term

Prerequisite(s): One of ENGPHYS 3BA3, 3BA4 or PHYSICS 3BA3
Antirequisite(s): PHYSICS 3B06, 3BB3, ENGPHYS 3BB3
Last offered in 2022-23

Geometrical optics, electromagnetic waves, interference of light, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, polarized light, Fresnel equations, optical properties of materials, introduction to optical systems and precision optics experiments, selected topics in modern optics.

Three lectures, one tutorial, one lab (three hours) three times per term; first term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in any Engineering Program, and one of ISCI 2A18 A/B, MATH 2X03, 2ZZ3; and one of MATH 2C03, 2Z03; and one of PHYSICS 2B03 or ENGPHYS 2A04

Antirequisite(s): ENGPHYS 3E03, PHYSICS 3N03
Cross-list(s): PHYSICS 3N04

A survey course on energy systems with emphasis on the analytic tools needed to evaluate them in terms of performance, resources and environmental sustainability, costs, and other relevant factors over their life cycles.

Three lectures; first term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II or above of an Engineering program
Antirequisites: MECHENG 4O04 and CHEMENG 4A03

Application of quantum mechanics to the electronic, optical and mechanical behaviour of materials.

Three lectures; first term

Prerequisite(s): ENGPHYS 2QM3 or PHYSICS 2C03 and registration in an Engineering program

A special program of studies to be arranged by mutual consent of a professor and the student, to carry out experiments and/or theoretical investigations. A written report and oral defence are required.

Both terms

Prerequisite(s): Registration in the penultimate year of an Engineering Physics program and a GPA of at least 8. Subject to Department approval, students are permitted to be supervised by faculty members in other Engineering departments. Subject to Department approval, students from other Departments are permitted to take this course if their supervisor is a faculty member of the Department of Engineering Physics.

Introductory statistics for engineering, error analysis of experimental data, data visualization and curve fitting, hypothesis testing and making decisions, ANOVA, sensors for engineering measurements, noise and interference, instrument response and uncertainty, reliability, and selected topics in state-of-the-art technologies.

Three lectures, one lab (three hours each) every other week, one tutorial; second term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above of any Engineering Physics program

This course covers the theory, design and operation of photonic devices, with an emphasis on their application in integrated and fiber optical systems for communications.

Three lectures; second term

Prerequisite(s): ENGPHYS 3E03, 3E04 or PHYSICS 3N03
**Not being offered in 2022-23

Electronic properties of semiconductors: non-equilibrium carrier conditions; steady state and non-steady state; p-n junctions; Schottky diodes; bipolar junction transistors. Detailed coverage of a range of diodes including photodiodes, solar cells, light emitting diodes, zener diodes, and avalanche diodes.

Three lectures, one lab (three hours each); second term

Prerequisite(s): MATLS 3Q03, or credit or registration in ENGPHYS 3F03

A systems approach to measurement in which synthesis of topics such as Fourier transforms, signal processing and enhancement, data reduction, modelling and simulation is undertaken.

Two lectures, one lab (three hours each), one tutorial; first term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above of any Engineering or Science program
Antirequisite(s): IBEHS 3A03

Design and synthesis projects supervised by a faculty member in the Department of Engineering Physics.

Lectures, tutorials, labs, one capstone project; both terms

Prerequisite(s): Registration in the final level of an Engineering Physics program

A special program of studies to be arranged by mutual consent of a professor and the student, to carry out experiments and/or theoretical investigations. A written report and oral defence are required.

Both terms

Prerequisite(s): Registration in final level of an Engineering Physics program and a GPA of at least 8.
Subject to Department approval, students are permitted to be supervised by faculty members in other Engineering departments. Subject to Department approval, students from other Departments are permitted to take this course if their supervisor is a faculty member of the Department of Engineering Physics.

This course covers the basic principles of light interaction with biological systems and specific biomedical applications of photonics such as optical light microscopy, endoscopic imaging, spectroscopy in clinical diagnosis, flow cytometry, micro-optical sensors, etc.

Three lectures; second term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above in a Faculty of Engineering, or Science, or Health Science Program, or the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (IBEHS) Program.

devices (LEDs, high electron mobility transistors), quantum dots, quantum wires, graphene, emerging nanoscale materials and devices.
Nanoscale semiconductor materials and devices including quantum confinement, quantum dots, dipole radiation, quantum radiation physics, molecular and bulk excitons, advanced molecular electronics, tight-binding modelling, emerging nanoscale MOSFETs, 2-dimensional metal dichalcogenides and graphene.


Three lectures; second term

Prerequisite(s):Credit or registration in at least one of the following: ENGPHYS 3F03, 3PN4, MATLS 2Q03, 3Q03

Basic properties of electromagnetic radiation. Optical modulation and detection. Nonlinear optics. Multiple-beam interference and coherence. Optical resonators. Laser systems.

Three lectures; second term

Prerequisite(s): ENGPHYS 3E03, PHYSICS 3N03, ELECENG 4EM4, or ELECENG 3FK4

Students will complete the design, fabrication and testing of a working biosensor device using semiconductor fabrication methods, including simulation and working in a clean room environment.

One Lab (three hours each); second term

Prerequisite(s): Credit or registration in ENGPHYS 4Z03, and credit or registration ENGPHYS 3F03 or 3PN4, and registration in level IV or above of an Engineering Physics program, or special permission from the Department Chair
Antirequisite(s): ENGPHYS 4U04

Students will learn advanced semiconductor device fabrication by constructing and testing a working photovoltaic solar cell. Students will simulate the device fabrication steps and resulting operation using industry-relevant software, and complete the fabrication and testing in a clean room environment.

One Lab (three hours); first terms

Prerequisite(s): Credit or registration in ENGPHYS 4Z03, and credit or registration ENGPHYS 3F03 or 3PN4, and registration in level IV or above of an Engineering Physics program, or special permission from the Department Chair
Antirequisite(s): ENGPHYS 4U04

Selected advanced experiments in two areas of applied physics, chosen from among: photonics; semiconductor fabrication (solar cells); biomedical engineering; nuclear engineering.

One Lab (three hours each); second term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in the final level of an Engineering Physics program
Antirequisite(s): ENGPHYS 4U04

Students must take ENG PHYS 4U02 twice, in order to fulfill degree requirements. Students must select two unique topics; the same topic cannot be repeated. Students may take two unique topics per term, or one unique topic per term, to total four units.

Labs must be scheduled around operations in the nuclear reactor. As such, students will attend two or three Monday morning labs throughout the semester, in addition to other non-reactor labs. These labs will be scheduled by our laboratory technicians when term starts. Accommodations with classes will be considered if a conflict occurs.

Selected advanced experiments in two areas of applied physics, chosen from among: photonics; semiconductor fabrication (solar cells); biomedical engineering; nuclear engineering.

One Lab (three hours each); second term

Prerequisite(s): Registration in the final level of an Engineering Physics program
Antirequisite(s): ENGPHYS 4U04

Students must take ENG PHYS 4U02 twice, in order to fulfill degree requirements. Students must select two unique topics; the same topic cannot be repeated. Students may take two unique topics per term, or one unique topic per term, to total four units.

A review of photovoltaic devices including solar cell operation, characterization, manufacturing, economics and current and next generation technologies.

Three lectures; first term

Prerequisite(s): One of ELECENG 2EI5, MATLS 3Q03 or ENGPHYS 3BA3

Detailed description of fabrication technologies used in the semiconductor industry; computer modelling of device fabrication; analysis of device performance.

Two classroom-based lectures, one computer cluster-based lecture; first term

Prerequisite(s): Credit or registration in ENGPHYS 3F03 or credit in 3PN4 or MATLS 3Q03; and registration in the Faculty of Engineering

Current developments and specialized aspects of engineering physics. This course may be taken for repetitive credit.

This course introduces group III-V semiconductor materials, heterostructures and devices including HBTs, HEMTs, laser diodes, photodiodes, and multi-junction solar cells.

Thin film growth and deposition including thermal evaporation, e-beam evaporation, sputtering, chemical vapour deposition and molecular beam epitaxy; thermodynamics and kinetics of film growth.

Characterization techniques of organic and inorganic thin films, including x-ray and electron diffraction, electron microscopy, chemical analysis, ion beam analysis, and optical and electrical characterization methods.

This course gives an introduction to the basic principles of nonlinear optics, which is useful in understanding the nonlinear optical effects involved in many modern photonic components and devices. It mainly includes a project and an oral examination.

Advanced Photovoltaics provides students with a comprehensive overview of the fundamental processes relevant to photovoltaic operation. Specific devices are studied by both numerical simulation and analytic calculation. A connection is made between the material parameters necessary for simulating a device and their independent measurement by a range of characterization techniques. Silicon, III-V, II-VI, organic and nano-based approaches to PV device design are all explored. Students are also introduced to the challenges of integrating different approaches into a solar based electrical generation system.