James Pinfold, PhD, FRSC

Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics
Directory

Fall Term 2026 (1970)

PHYS 292A - Experimental Physics for Engineers

0 units (fi 6)(TWO TERM, 0-0-3)

Experiments in mechanics, electromagnetism and atomic physics. Corequisites: PHYS 244 or 281 or 230, and MATH 209 or 214 or equivalent. Note: Restricted to Engineering students.

LAB C01 (51338)

2026-09-01 - 2026-12-08
T 14:00 - 14:50

2026-09-01 - 2026-12-08
T 15:00 - 16:50

Winter Term 2027 (1980)

PHYS 271 - Introduction to Modern Physics

3 units (fi 6)(SECOND, 3-0-0)

This course covers the emergence of modern physics through revisions to the Newtonian worldview and the development of quantum mechanics. The course starts with the discovery of the wave nature of light through diffraction and interferometry leading to the observation of lines in atomic spectra. The course then discusses the early experiments that lead to the discovery of the structure of matter and early quantum phenomena including: Rutherford scattering, quantization of charge and energy, Blackbody radiation, Compton scattering, Bohr atom and de Broglie wavelength. This is followed by an introduction to the Schrödinger equation and solutions to 1D problems including: infinite and finite square potential wells, the quantum harmonic oscillator and quantum tunneling, before discussing quantized angular momentum. The course then concludes with a tour of the exciting applications of modern physics in different fields with some possible examples including: semiconductors, superconductors, nuclear decays and reactions, the Standard Model, the Higgs boson, quantum information, supernovae and Black Holes, Dark Matter, the Big Bang and Gravitational Waves. Prerequisite: one of PHYS 124, PHYS 144, or EN PH 131. Corequisites: MA PH 251 or MATH 201 or MATH 334 or MATH 336 and MATH 102 or 125 or 127.

LECTURE B01 (77399)

2027-01-04 - 2027-04-09
MWF 11:00 - 11:50



PHYS 292B - Experimental Physics for Engineers

3 units (fi 6)(TWO TERM, 0-0-3)

Experiments in mechanics, electromagnetism and atomic physics. Corequisites: PHYS 244 or 281 or 230, and MATH 209 or 214 or equivalent. Note: Restricted to Engineering students.

LAB C01 (77400)

2027-01-04 - 2027-04-09
T 14:00 - 14:50

2027-01-04 - 2027-04-09
T 15:00 - 16:50