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A general interest course providing an overview of topics in the science of nonlinear systems with applications to natural systems such as the dripping tap, weather prediction, hydrodynamics, cardiology, enzymology, stability of the solar system, population biology, chemical reactions, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. Topics include the following: Discrete nonlinear systems, continuous nonlinear systems, and chaos. Natural fractals. Fractal dimensions. Mathematical fractals. Cellular automata. Complexity.
Prerequisites: MATA26Y or MATA28Y; elementary knowledge
of a programming language such as C, FORTRAN, Basic or Turing.
The principles of modern technology are rooted in the physical sciences. The electrical properties of semi-conducting materials are the foundation of the burgeoning fields of microelectronics and digital computing. The modulation, transmission, and detection of electromagnetic waves are at the heart of the contemporary revolution in communications technology. The principles of thermodynamics set inviolable constraints on the generation and inter-conversion of energy in its various forms. The goals of this course are to present the physical principles underlying digital, communications, and energy technology, and to examine critically the applications of these technologies in modern society.
Prerequisites: PHYB21H, MATB41H, MATB42H
Co-requisites: PHYB22H, PHYB23H
Current issues involving physical science in modern society. Topics include: complex nature of the scientific method; inter-connection between theory, concepts and experimental data; characteristics of premature, pathological and pseudo-science; how scientific research is organized and funded in Canada; role of communication and publishing; public misunderstanding of scientific method; reasons for current anti-science mood; end of the Golden Era of science; insufficiency of reductionism; trends in modern science.
Exclusion: PHY341H
Prerequisite: Completion of at least one-half of the full-course equivalent requirements of the required courses in any one of the Physical Sciences Scarborough Programmes.
Corequisite: Continued participation in one of the Physical Sciences Scarborough Programmes.
NOTE:
Where PSCD01H is a programme requirement, it may be replaced by
PHY341H with the approval of the programme supervisor.
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