Does University of Windsor give transfer credit for IB Physics SL?
Windsor, ON
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
PHYS-1300 (Introductory Physics for Life Sciences I)
💡Expert's Take
Whether this award helps depends entirely on your program. PHYS-1300 is Windsor's algebra-based, life-sciences physics course, not the calculus-based PHYS-1400 stream. In most life-science degrees the PHYS-1300 and PHYS-1310 pair is only one option in a science-pair menu (sitting alongside PHYS-1400/1410, ESCI, or COMP pairs), for example Honours Biomedical Sciences and the Bachelor of Forensic Science outside the Forensic Chemistry concentration. It is rarely a required course, and several programs do not accept it at all. (At HL, Windsor awards the PHYS-1300 + PHYS-1310 pair.)
Where it works against you. Windsor defines an antirequisite as a course that, once successfully completed, "does not permit registration for credit in another course." PHYS-1400, the calculus-based course, names PHYS-1300 as an antirequisite, so holding the PHYS-1300 award stands in the way of PHYS-1400 credit. Programs built on PHYS-1400/1410 do not take PHYS-1300: Honours Physics, Honours Chemistry, every Honours Biochemistry plan, the Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences (Health Stream), the Forensic Chemistry concentration, the four-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology streams, and the Interdisciplinary Arts and Science Physics concentration. In the General Science BSc, PHYS-1300/1310 counts only as the smaller third-department pair, not as the six-course Physics teaching subject, which requires PHYS-1400/1410.
IB applicants "have the option at the point of admission of receiving transfer credit for approved courses" (standard IB examinations at a score of 5; revised IBDP cases at 6). If you are heading into any PHYS-1400 program, settle this at admission, because Windsor's transfer FAQ states you cannot decline transfer credit once it is awarded; the only later remedy is to repeat the course so your earned grade replaces it. If a program change leaves you holding PHYS-1300, transfer credit is re-evaluated for the new program, so raise it with academic advising rather than assuming the credit carries cleanly.
Official award line (Physics SL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted: PHYS-1300 (Introductory Physics for Life Sciences I), normally 3.0 credits
Awarded for approved courses with IB grades of 5 or more, to a maximum of 10 courses; an official final IB transcript must be sent by the IBO to the Office of the Registrar.
University of Windsor International Baccalaureate equivalencies
Completed the Higher Level instead? See our Physics HL page for that award.
Need help preparing for IB Physics SL?
Your Potential Savings
Credit Awarded
3
credit (1 course = 3 credits)
Ontario Resident
~$203-$381/credit
~$609 - $1,144
Potential Tuition Value
(Arts to Engineering)
Out-of-Province
~$241-$405/credit
~$723 - $1,214
Potential Tuition Value
International
~$1,100-$1,470/credit
~$3,300 - $4,410
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by program)
*2026-27 base tuition; per-course rates divided by 3. Values assume the award replaces tuition you would otherwise pay. Actual cash savings can be $0 under flat-rate or full-time billing unless credit reduces a billed term or time to completion.
📊 Compare Physics SL at Other Universities
See how Physics SL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU PHYS 1XX (3) | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | PHYS 124 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | PHYS_V 100 (3 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | N/A | Not yet verified | — | → | |
| Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebec | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → |
Tip: Open a university to compare same-province, out-of-province, and international tuition values. Flat-rate or full-time billing can make the immediate cash saving $0.
Taking more than Physics SL?
Add all your IB subjects and predicted scores to estimate your total transfer credit across Canadian universities, side by side.
Other IB Subjects at University of Windsor
Related subjects you might be interested in at University of Windsor
Chemistry SL
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL
Computer Science SL
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL
Biology SL
Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from University of Windsor official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.
Last updated: July 2026
Save Your Transfer Plan
Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for Physics SL at University of Windsor.