SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0111
Course Timetable

Great Astronomical Issues

There are some fundamental questions which humankind has asked itself over the centuries. Many of these involve astronomical origins, events and objects. Astronomers now have the tools with which to attempt answers to some of the most fundamental questions, such as "Where did it all begin, where are we in space and time, are we alone, and who and what are we?" This seminar will explore some areas of current research in astronomy and space science. The selection of topics will be made initially by the instructor, but will be modified by the seminar participants at the first class meeting. Topics covered in previous years have included: The Extinction of the Dinosaurs, Stellar Evolution, Origin and Evolution of the Universe and Manned and Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System. Participants will be expected to join actively in lively discussions and to prepare to lead some of the seminars during the year.

TBA, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0112
Course Timetable

Astronomy at the Frontier

This seminar will examine some current research in astronomy and space science and attempt to put it into the broader context of our search for an understanding of the universe and our place in it. Students will have an opportunity early in the course to select topics of particular interest to them and this will govern the choice of readings as well. Possible topics include: the discovery of planets around other stars; the Galileo probe of the atmosphere of Jupiter; recent results from the Hubble telescope; the age of the universe; the social and political implications of the development of the space station; new advances in telescopes; the invisible universe; astronomy and the public. There is no overall text, but readings will be assigned. Students will be expected to do independent research for essays, presentations, etc. Participants should be comfortable with basic mathematics and quantitative reasoning. Access to the World Wide Web and the Internet would be a useful resource.

TBA, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0121
Course Timetable

Plants As We See Them

The intent of this seminar is to overcome the animal perceptual bias that leads us to see plants simply as part of the landscape, the background upon which the seemingly more interesting animals play out their lives. In the process, students will learn about how plants are put together and how they interact with the physical environment, animals, and each other, and will discover that the lives of plants are eminently suited to their spectacular success on Earth.

Professor J.E. Eckenwalder, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

SCI 199Y1Y
Section: L0122
Course Timetable

Marine Mammals in Their Environment

The marine environment has long been used by humans as a source of food and as a reservoir to dispose of pollution wastes, on the assumption that the world’s oceans and waterways were so large and vast that they were capable of removing, absorbing, or accumulating vast amounts of pollution. It is still believed by some that a certain amount of pollution every year can be safely disposed of in the marine environment without damaging the habitat or endangering the marine mammals living within it. In this seminar students will discuss issues with potential impact on the marine environment and the animals within it. Topics related to marine mammals that will be discussed include: pollution and habitat destruction and their possible role in strandings, other health related issues, conservation biology, population ecology, and how current state-of-the-art research tools might impact on our understanding of these issues. Man’s impact on the marine environment and marine mammals within it will be highlighted, such as sonar, fishing/hunting, and ecotourism. Trends and scenarios and possible outcomes/solutions will be discussed, as will the environmental laws created to protect extinct, threatened, endangered, and “at risk” species and the environmental laws created to protect them.

Professor C. Wittnich, Departments of Physiology, Surgery, and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

SCI 199Y1Y
Section: L0123
Course Timetable

Ecology of Trees and Forests

As the global human population increases beyond six and a half billion, trees and forests are disappearing at an accelerating rate. This course will cover the ecological, economic, aesthetic and recreational services provided by trees and forests. We will then explore how forest ecosystems function and change with time and how they respond to disturbance. The fall session will focus on tree species identification and individual species biology. Part or all of each class will be held outdoors examining trees. Seminars will explore how tree species reproduce, disperse, grow and form forest plant communities. The indoor winter session will focus on forest ecology at the community, ecosystem, and landscape levels.

Professor T.J. Carleton, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0131
Course Timetable

The Quantum World and Its Classical Limit

Quantum Mechanics provides a reliable description of behavior of atoms, molecules and photons, but is characterized by a variety of conceptual problems resulting from its non-intuitive predictions. Using lectures, computerized visualizations, written essays, etc. we will discuss aspects of quantum mechanics and its classical limit, focusing first on its manifestations in nature and then on fundamental issues such as uncertainty, interference, entanglement, and decoherence. Students will be expected to interact with the Writing Centres at their college to gain strength in essay writing. Required texts are The New Quantum Universe by Hey and Walters, and The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics by Streyer. A strong background and interest in Physics and Mathematics are needed.

Professor P. Brumer, Department of Chemistry

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0161
Course Timetable

Great Ideas in Computing

The list of topics we shall introduce will depend to some degree on the background and interests of the class. The topics discussed in previous years included the following: Turing's concept of computability and the Church-Turing thesis, the von Neumann machine model, FORTRAN and the development of `high level' languages, operating systems, searching and sorting algorithms, recursion, randomization, search engines, the internet, Shannon's theory of information, text and image compression, error correcting codes, relational databases, the theory of NP-completeness, complexity based cryptography, GUIs and the mouse, word processors, ray-tracing, machine learning. We will also consider some recent work in the areas of algorithmic game theory, auctions and social networks. This seminar is appropriate for both science and non-science students. However, a Grade 12 mathematics courses is recommended.

Professor A. Borodin, Department of Computer Science

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0241
Course Timetable

Life and Death in the Solar System

Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to support life. Through directed readings, seminars, videos and lab visits, participants in this course will work with instructors whose own research tackles important questions concerning the origin of life on earth; the limits to life on this planet; implications for life under extreme conditions elsewhere in the solar system; and the life cycles of the planets themselves. What was the earliest life on earth like and how do we know? How deep does life exist in the earth’s oceans, and beneath the continents? Could life ever have arisen on Mars? How did the planets begin their own life cycles, and how have they evolved since? Why is Earth so different from Mars and Venus, and what can the other planets tell us about Earth’s ultimate fate?

Professors B. Sherwood Lollar and R. Ghent, Department of Geology

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0242
Course Timetable

Thinking About Planet Earth

The Earth is an amazing blue planet because it has had large amounts of liquid water at its surface for at least the past 3,800 million years. Our planetary system is now known to be just one of many others related to some of the 200,000 million stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. Discs of dust and volatiles around other stars, from which planetary systems have formed, have been imaged and analysed. Through provided readings of recent scientific articles, student research projects, seminars, and student-chaired discussion groups, participants in this course will explore selected topics such as observations of circumstellar disks, extra-solar planets, the Solar System, prospects for the discovery of life on other planets, the Universal Phylogenetic Tree (Tree of Life), human origins and where humans may be headed in the future.

Professors E. Spooner and G. Srinivasan, Department of Geology

SCI 199Y1
Section L0291
Course Timetable

Give Math a Chance

This is a "math appreciation" course, meant for students who have been avoiding mathematics. Anyone who is taking or plans to take calculus is not invited. We will introduce you to a variety of interesting mathematical topics accessible to “the intelligent layperson”, using the text, The Heart of Mathematics by E. Burger and M. Starbird. Topics could include infinity, the 4th dimension, Mobius strips, golden rectangles, secret codes, puzzles, etc. Students will be expected to write a non-technical paper and/or make a presentation on some mathematical topic, and to keep a journal of their progress--and difficulties--in understanding the topics of the course.

Professor F. Tall, Department of Mathematics

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0292
Course Timetable

Strategy, Voting, Power and Proof

How is the process to amend the Canadian constitution similar to the UN Security Council? Would you ever choose to have a dictator? How are the Cuban missile crisis and the opera "Tosca" related? In this seminar, we will study how math is useful to five topics in political science: escalation, conflict, voting, political power, and social choice. We'll also see how math can be misused, by or against people who mythologize it. A goal of the course is to practice clear thinking about these vital elements of life and society, grounded on logic, common sense, and weekly problem sets. The course may be of particular interest to students in political science, economics, business, and psychology, but all students are welcome. Textbook: Mathematics and Politics: Strategy, Voting, Power and Proof by Alan D. Taylor, Springer Verlag

TBA, Department of Mathematics

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0341
Course Timetable

Modern Physics in Perspective

Have you wondered about the origin and workings of the natural world around us? Have you found science interesting but felt shut out because it was too full of math and jargon? Have you felt a pull to become more science-literate? If so, this course is for you. It's intended for anyone interested in understanding more about the universe, including our planet, seen through the lens of modern physics. Ideas on the menu will include: space and time, relativity, black holes, quantum physics, particle physics, unification, big bang cosmology, extra dimensions, "branes", and string theory. The intriguing story of these integrated phenomena unfolds over a wide distance and a long time. By the end of the course, students should have a firm grasp of the main ideas of modern physics and a well-honed scientific baloney detection kit with lifelong utility. No prior experience with physical science will be required, but familiarity with Grade 10 mathematics will be assumed. Students from diverse academic backgrounds are all warmly welcome.

Professor A. Peet, Department of Physics
Jointly sponsored by Trinity College and Department of Physics

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0361
Course Timetable

Section L0362
Course Timetable

The Nature of Psychological Enquiry

Humans have always been curious about what causes our behaviour. Not surprisingly, there are diverse views about behavioural causality as well as how we should determine the validity of those views. This seminar deals with how to critically evaluate information about behaviour and its causes. What exactly is a "science of behaviour" and how does it differ from the layperson's notion of psychology? We will explore broad systems of thought such as psychoanalysis and behaviourism; the experimental analysis of behaviour; various topics illustrative of theory and empirical research in psychology, such as attachment theory and learned helplessness theory; and consider the application of theory and research in the area of parenting and child abuse. You will conduct some hands on research projects and offer class presentations. Twelve critical analysis papers based on course readings and internet searches are posted throughout the year on a public course web site. You will offer public critiques and comments on your colleagues’ posted essays on site. Weekly journals describing your academic transition to university are posted and subjected to a narrative analysis in a final paper. There are two additional in-class essays. Basic computer communications skills are required and you are strongly encouraged to view the course web site prior to registering. It may be found at: http://psych.utoronto.ca/~courses/sci199/.

Professor G.C. Walters, Department of Psychology

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0363
Course Timetable

Time

Almost everyone is fascinated for one reason or another in the subject of time. Whether this be time management, timing or the nature of time itself. This fascination is expressed very often in science fiction literature, where time travel or time dilation or distortion have been used to present amazing stories. In this course, we are interested in two things. This is a university level course where "time" is the subject being taught. We will look at a variety of ways in which time is treated from the physical to the spiritual and everything in between, as a major goal of the course is to learn something about time. The seminar will also examine the physics of time, thermodynamic time, psychological time and timing, and spiritual time, all of which are related, and give us different perspectives on what time really is. Secondly, this is a writing course, and the class will be expected to practice writing at a university level using time as the general subject. The philosophy on which the course is based is that to write well, it is essential to read extensively. The general approach will be reading, discussion (critique) and writing (and more critique). Each week the class will be expected to read at least two stories, and to write a brief (less than one page) synopsis of what they have read. In addition, there will be in class assignments and take home assignments; exercises that will provide outlines of stories that the class will be asked to write. Using the science fiction genre most of the time means that you will be reading and writing science fiction, accompanied by lecture and discussion of the issues surrounding time. Required textbook, About Time: Einstein´s Unfinished Revolution.

Professor M. Ralph, Department of Psychology

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0364
Course Timetable

Joys of Perception

This seminar explores our current understanding of the perceptual, cognitive and emotional underpinnings of visual art and music. We start by exploring our appreciation of music. We then look at psychologists’ understanding of visual art, and people’s uses of museums and other settings for art. Readings are from the psychological literature as well as from aesthetic theory in these fields. Class discussions address specific questions raised by the reading. Members of the seminar will attend some art and musical events in Toronto, and explore some of the exciting architecture in the city. Group projects will gather data on a topic selected by the group. Grades will be based on class participation, two major research papers, and other written work.

Professor D. Creelman, Department of Psychology

SCI199Y1Y
Section L0411
Course Timetable

Probabilities Everywhere

This course will examine both the meaning and the mathematics of probabilities, and how they arise in everyday life, in news and current events, in movies, and elsewhere. Specific topics may include: margins of error in polls, the interpretation of medical studies, long run averages in casinos, games involving dice and cards, the nature of coincidences, crime statistics, the use of utility functions to make decisions, the use of probabilities to block spam e-mail messages, the role of randomness in evolution, pseudorandomness, Monte Carlo algorithms, and how mathematics is best taught and best learned. To succeed in this course, it is necessary to actively participate in class discussions, and enthusiastically consider a variety of logical, mathematical, and societal issues from a variety of perspectives. Prerequisite: at least one grade 12 mathematics course.

Professor J. Rosenthal, Department of Statistics

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0412
Course Timetable

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics

The title of the course is a quotation attributed to Disraeli, a British statesman of the nineteenth century. Does it still apply today? This course will consider how statistics and statistical thinking get used (and abused) in a variety of activities, including polling, lotteries and marketing, and with special emphasis on issues in public health and medicine. Some questions that will be addressed are: Why do newspapers report a “margin of error” for poll results, and what does it mean? Is chocolate/coffee/wine really good for your health? How do new cancer drugs get tested, and why do promising new treatments often fail to deliver over the longer term? How do studies on mice get extrapolated to humans, and do the results make any sense? How are the short and long term health effects of air pollution assessed?

Professor N. Reid, Department of Statistics

SCI 199Y1Y
Section L0421
Course Timetable

Biology in Film and Video: Fact or Fancy

In The Fly, a scientist is transformed into part fly because of a mistake in an experiment. In Star Trek, humans turn into alien life forms by being inoculated with their genetic material. In Jurassic Park, real dinosaurs are created from DNA taken from fossilized mosquito guts. In Waterworld, people have "evolved" gills to enable them to breathe underwater. Are these things possible? How accurate a picture of modern biological knowledge do these stories represent? How can we find out? In this seminar course, we will investigate and discuss a range of biological ideas as presented in film, video, books and other media, and try to dissect fact from fiction, science from nonsense. With guidance, the student will be expected to contribute his/her own examples, research the topics involved, and present critiques to the class.

Professor B. Smith, Department of Cell & Systems Biology