Second-Year Learning Communities: Physics

By joining the Physics Second-Year Learning Community (SLC) you will be surrounded by a small community of second-year students who are learning to navigate their academic and co-curricular pathways to make the most of their experiences as an physics student. The SLC program is designed to help you make the most out of your degree by engaging in various social, academic and professional development opportunities.

For more information about Physics, visit the Physics website

Apply to a Physics SLC

SLC applications are currently closed for the 2023-24 academic year, and they will reopen in Summer 2024. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Physics SLC you must be a second-year student enrolled in any of the following physics programs:

  • Biological Physics Specialist: Advanced Physics Stream (Science Program)
  • Biological Physics Specialist: Biochemistry Stream (Science Program)
  • Biological Physics Specialist: Immunology Stream (Science Program)
  • Biological Physics Specialist: Physiology Stream (Science Program)
  • Physics and Philosophy Specialist (Science Program)
  • Physics Specialist (Science Program)
  • Physics Major (Science Program)

SLC Course Overview

Students in the Physics SLC will meet at a welcome session during the first week of classes and then every other week starting September 18, 2023.

Time: Every other week on Wednesdays from 2 pm to 3:30 pm

Location: TBD

Your SLC Team

Peter Krieger, Physics SLC Faculty Advisor headshot

Department: Physics

Title: Professor and Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies

Years worked for your current department and/or U of T: 22

Undergraduate major/specialist and institution: Physics, Dalhousie University

Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Why you decided to serve as a faculty advisor: I elect to do this as part of my role as the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies.

One piece of advice for a second-year student: Seek advice before making decisions to drop or CR/NCR a course.

Hobby or interest: Reading

Headshot of Hala Larizza-Ali, Physics SLC staff advisor

Department: Physics

Title: Undergraduate Coordinator

Years worked for your current department and/or U of T: Two and a half years with the Department of Physics, over 10 years collectively at U of T

Undergraduate major/specialist and institution: Biology Specialist, Environmental Sciences Major at the University of Toronto

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Why you decided to serve as a staff advisor: I am excited to serve as staff advisor, to be part of the SLC team to help support our second-year students and welcome them to their program of study and departmental community.

One piece of advice for a second-year student: Get involved in activities to make the most of your university experience. Whether that is joining a student group, going to a workshop, or attending a departmental event! It serves as a nice break from your studies and provides you with opportunities to meet people.

Hobby or interest: Hockey and spending time with my family.

Photo of Jacob Villasana wearing a yellow t-shirt, in front of a white wall

Title: Peer Mentor

Program: Physics Specialist, Mathematics Minor

Year: Third Year

College: Victoria College

Hometown: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico

An interesting fact: I became a huge Star Wars fan when I was little, seeing the futuristic technology in the movies was one of my biggest inspirations to pursue physics and my favorite of the films is Revenge of the Sith.

Studies: What I appreciate about studying math and physics is that you can arrive at these powerful ideas from some very basic principles that really anyone can grasp, I've grown to appreciate the math that backs the theories that we study in physics. 

Hobby or interest: I'm a huge tennis fan, I played competitively during high school, and I love to keep up with the professional circuit on tv. I also enjoy going to the gym and working out on a regular basis, unfortunately, in order to build a lot of muscle, that much chicken does not come cheap.

Brianna Binoy sitting down pictured in a red dress

Title: Peer Mentor

Program: Astronomy & Physics Specialist, Mathematics Minor

Year: Third Year

College: University College

Hometown: Kochi & Abu Dhabi

An interesting fact: The fastest I have solved the Rubik's Cube is 30 seconds. I am now learning to solve the Rubik's Revenge.

Studies: I enjoy discussing and debating challenging physics concepts with my peers and TAs; it helps my mind grow and express my creativity. I find it really fun solving PSET problems on McLennan chalkboards until the chalk runs out.  I am currently interested in quantum & nuclear physics.

Hobby or interest: Outside the classroom, you can usually find me at the open gym in the U of T Athletic Centre. Hitting the gym is a huge stress buster for me and gives me time to reflect on myself, and maybe think about any unsolved physics PSET problems as I work out.