University of Toronto at Scarborough 2003/2004 Calendar
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Physical Sciences Scarborough

(B.Sc.)

The following Specialist Programs are offered by the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences:
Biological Chemistry
Chemistry
Environmental Science
  Environmental Systems Stream
  Environmental Biology Stream
  Environmental Chemistry Stream
  Environmental Science and Technology
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Physics and Its Applications
Physics Teaching Concentration
Astronomy and Physics Concentration
Physics Concentration

The following Major Programs are offered by the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences:
Astrophysics and Physics
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Physical Sciences

The Department also offers a Minor Program in Environmental Science.

Students are strongly advised to take the courses in the sequence recommended by their program(s) of choice. Irreconcilable timetable differences may arise if courses are delayed to later years. Students should pay careful attention to all pre- and co-requisite courses to ensure that they are eligible to take their courses at the proper time. Some C- and D-level courses are offered in alternate years. Students are advised to consult with their Program Supervisor(s) to find out when particular courses will be available.

EARLY TEACHER PROJECT

Coordinator: C.C. Dyer (416-287-7206)

The Early Teacher Project (ETP) in Physical Sciences is dedicated to producing future high school and elementary school teachers of Science and Mathematics. The Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at UTSC and OISE/UT co-operate in supporting this program.

Participation in the ETP requires that the student be registered in one Specialist or two Major Programs offered in these Departments, and to take part fully in all the mandated activities of the ETP, as described below. The ETP Supervisor will approve the program for each student and will ensure that, as far as possible, the combination of courses leads the student to the Honours Specialist Ontario Teacher Certification in one or more subjects.

The EPT is structured in three consecutive phases, Phase I, completed in the first two years of the B.Sc. degree; Phase II, completed in the final two years of the B.Sc. degree; followed by Phase III, the B.Ed. program done at OISE/UT.

Admission to Phase I can be by Direct Admission from high school. When applying, use the special code for this UTSC program on the Application for Admissions to an Ontario University. Once the University of Toronto is notified of the application, candidates are sent information on how to download the supplementary application from our website.

Direct admission is limited and will be based on the overall high school average presented for admission to the University and grades in science subjects, including, specifically, Chemistry, Physics and Calculus, and other criteria, such as extracurricular activities and work experience, letters of reference, and a statement of interest from the student, indicating the area(s) of Physical Science in which he/she might specialize and describing his/her ambitions to become a science teacher.

Students may also apply for admission at the end of their first year provided that they have achieved a GPA of at least 2.50 in at least 4.0 FCEs (full credit equivalents) and have completed all the courses required in the 1 st year of their chosen Program(s). They must successfully register, with the approval of the ETP Supervisor, in a Specialist Program or two Major Programs offered in the two Departments. They must also provide a statement of interest, information on other activities, such as extracurricular activities and work experience, and, where required, provide letters of reference and attend personal interviews.

In the first year, an introductory seminar will introduce the whole program for the four years. There will be advice on the choice of Programs, with clear explanation of additional requirements imposed by the Early Teacher Project. In the second year there will be two seminars that provide a general introduction to teaching and to special programs like "Scientists in Schools" in which the ETP students can be involved.

At the end of the second year, students will attend the ETP Workshop in a school. Admission to Phase II will require that the EPT student has completed 10.0 FCEs and have a GPA of 2.5 on these courses. It will also require that the student has completed all regular ETP activities, and all required courses for the first two years of their chosen specialist or pair of major programs. The student will be interviewed by the ETP Co-ordinator and a representative of OISE/UT to ensure that the student is making appropriate progress and is suitable for a career in teaching.

To complete Phase II, the ETP student must participate in the mandated ETP activities, including two practicum placements in schools, usually in May of third and fourth year, each comprising at least 22 days in the classroom. With approval of the Co-ordinator, alternate practicum placements will be considered, with a prime example being the "Scientists in Schools" program.

The student must complete one of [PSCD01H or PHY341H] and one of [PSCD02H or CSCD03H or PHY342H]. This requirement is part of the agreement between UTSC and OISE/UT, and cannot be waived. Even where these courses are not specific requirements of the chosen academic program(s), ETP students must complete these two courses. It is the responsibility of the ETP student to ensure that these two requirements are met, regardless of their specialist program course requirements. In many cases, they will have to be among the chosen elective courses.

ETP students must attend four special ETP seminars in each of their third and fourth years, for a total of eight such seminars. The first practicum placement will normally take place in May of the third year of study, with the second placement taking place in fourth year.

Admission to Phase III, the final phase in obtaining the B.Ed. degree, and the Ontario Teacher Certification, requires the student to be admitted to OISE/UT. Admission to OISE/UT requires a GPA of at least 2.5 on the best 15.0 FCE of the 20.0 FCE of the B.Sc. degree, in addition to the submission of a practicum portfolio. At the completion of their B.Sc. degree, admission at OISE/UT is guaranteed provided that the ETP student has obtained a GPA of at least. 2.5 on the best 15.0 FCE courses of the B.Sc. degree.

CO-OPERATIVE PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Supervisor of Studies: W.A. Gough (416-287-7245)
Co-op Co-ordinator: R. Louden (416-287-7254)

The Co-operative Program in Physical Sciences allows students to combine their chosen academic program with an integrated and complementary work experience. Students are required to complete any one of the Specialist Programs offered by the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences or the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, except those in Computer Science, or an approved combination of two Major Programs within their 20-credit degree program. They will also complete three work terms of four months each, as well as a specially designed series of enhancement seminars. The overall purpose of the Co-op Program is to provide for students an educational milieu that will allow them to develop as highly qualified scientists, with excellent experience in both the academic and workplace environments.

Computer Science students will apply to and be registered in the separate Specialist and Co-op Programs in Computer Science. The Computer Science Specialist Program may not be included in the Physical Sciences Co-op.

Admission to the Program

For 2003/2004, a limited number of students may apply for admission to 2nd Year of the Program. They must:

Further information on how to apply is on the Physical Sciences web site and may be obtained from the Co-op Co-ordinator. For further information on fees, work placements and standing in the Program, please see the Calendar section Co-op Program: General Information, page 71.

Eligible Programs of Study:

Students may take any of the Specialist Programs offered in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences or the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, except those in Computer Science. Currently, these Programs are:

Alternatively, with the approval of the Co-op Supervisor of Studies, students may select one of the Major Programs offered in the Division of Physical Sciences, except for Computer Science, as their primary major, and take this in combination with a second Major Program thus fulfilling the requirements for the 20 credit degree. Currently, the eligible Major Programs are:

The second major may be from those offered in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, or from another Department. All double-major combinations must be discussed with and approved by the Supervisor of Studies. The second major may be in Computer Science. Students must meet all the requirements for admission to and continuation in this or any other limited enrolment Major Program.

For academic program descriptions and requirements, please refer to the sections of the Calendar related to each discipline.

All program registrations must be approved and confirmed each year by the Supervisor of the Co-op Program and the Supervisor of the particular program(s).

Students are individually responsible for ensuring that they have correctly completed all program and degree requirements for graduation.

Work Terms

To be eligible for their first work term, students must have completed at least 7.0 FCEs and have completed the Introduction to Physical Sciences Co-op Tutorial. Students will work in areas as closely related as possible to their academic Programs. If a student is taking a double-major Program, and if the second major is in Computer Science or in another Division, the work placement areas will be primarily associated with the primary Physical Sciences major. Students are not permitted to complete more than one summer work term.

PROGRAMS AND COURSES

Discipline Representative: C.C. Dyer (416-287-7206)

The Programs offered by Physical Sciences emphasize co-ordination among traditional subject areas. The aim is to provide students with an integrated view of science. The Early Teacher Project and the Co-operative Programs offered in the Division build on this inter-disciplinary theme.

SPECIALIST PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

Supervisor: M.J.G. Lee (416-287-7246)

This Program provides a framework of courses in the Physical Sciences based upon a firm Mathematical foundation, relating Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics and Statistics. It prepares students for careers in teaching, industry, and government as well as for further studies at the graduate level.

First Year:

ASTA01H Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics I: The Sun and Planets
ASTA02H Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics II: Beyond the Sun and Planets
CHMA10H Introductory Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding
CHMA11H Introductory Chemistry II: Reactions and Mechanisms
MATA23H Linear Algebra I
[MATA30H Calculus (Grade 12)
or
MATA31H] Calculus (OAC)
[MATA36H Calculus II for Physical Sciences
or
MATA37H] Calculus II for Mathematical Sciences
PHYA10H Introduction to Classical Physics
PHYA21H Introduction to Modern Physics

Second Year:

MATB24H Linear Algebra II
MATB41H Techniques of the Calculus of Several Variations I
PHYB21H Electricity and Magnetism
PSCB01H Instrumentation of Science
PSCB57H Introduction to Scientific Computing

Second or Third Year:

ASTB21H Solar System and Stellar Astrophysics
CHMB20H Chemical Thermodynamics and Elementary Kinetics
CHMB21H Chemical Structure and Spectroscopy
CSCB58H Computer Organization
MATB42H Techniques of the Calculus of Several Variables II
MATB44H Ordinary Differential Equations
PHYB24H Introduction to Quantum Physics
STAB22H Statistics

Third and Fourth Year:

ASTC22H Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics
CSCC50H Numerical Algebra and Optimization
CSCC51H Numerical Approximation, Integration and Ordinary Differential Equations
MATB61H Linear Programming and Optimization
MATC34H Complex Variables
MATC46H Differential Equations
MATC61H Introduction to Mathematical Finance
PHYB23H Physics Laboratory
PHYC20H Vibrations and Waves
PSCC01H Physical Principles of Modern Technology
PSCD02H Current Questions in Mathematics and Science
STAB52H Introduction to Probability

NOTE: PSCD01H is a required course for ETP students

MAJOR PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Supervisor: M.J.G. Lee (416-287-7246)

The Major Program in Physical Sciences is intended for students desiring a general background in the physical sciences (with emphasis in the area of astronomy, physics and physical chemistry) but who do not intend to pursue graduate studies.

Parallel major Programs for students more interested in the mathematical sciences or in chemistry are offered in Mathematical Sciences, in Chemistry, and in Biochemistry.

The Program requires 8 full-credit equivalents as follows:

First Year:

ASTA01H Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics I: The Sun and Planets
ASTA02H Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics II: Beyond the Sun and Planets
CHMA10H Introductory Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding
CHMA11H Introductory Chemistry II: Reactions and Mechanisms
[MATA30H Calculus (Grade 12)
or
MATA31H] Calculus (OAC)
[MATA36H Calculus II for Physical Sciences
or
MATA37H] Calculus II for Mathematical Sciences
PHYA10H Introduction to Classical Physics
PHYA21H Introduction to Modern Physics

Some of these can be deferred to second year, but then prerequisites for second- and third-year courses must be carefully checked.

Second and Third Years:

[CSCA48H Introduction to Computer Science (may be taken in First Year)
or
PSCB57H] Introduction to Scientific Computing (recommended)
And any 3.5 full-credit equivalents from the following:
ASTB21H Solar Systems and Stellar Astrophysics
ASTC22H Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics
CHMB20H Chemical Thermodynamics and Elementary Kinetics
CHMB21H Chemical Structure and Spectroscopy
MATA23H Linear Algebra I
MATB24H Linear Algebra II
MATB41H Techniques of the Calculus of Several Variables I
MATB42H Techniques of the Calculus of Several Variables II
PHYB20H Classical Waves
PHYB21H Electricity and Magnetism
PHYB23H Physics Laboratory
PSCB01H Instrumentation of Science
PSCC01H Physical Principles of Modern Technology
STAB22H Statistics

NOTE: Corequisites and prerequisites must be carefully checked; for example, MATB41H is a co-requisite for PHYB21H.

Interdisciplinary courses are offered in the Physical Sciences Division under the PSC designation. They are designed to be taken by students with a broad interest in Physical Science. Most of the Specialist Programs and many of the Major Programs offered by the disciplines of Physical Sciences require one or more PSC courses.

The Division offers an interdisciplinary Specialist Program in the Physical and Mathematical Sciences. This Program provides an excellent opportunity to combine studies from a number of disciplines.

PSCB01H3 The Instrumentation of Science

A study of the computer control of various digital instruments used in the sciences.

This course will provide a background in the principles of basic electricity and digital circuits sufficient to understand the working and limitations of modern electronic instruments. It will provide hands on experience, including simple programming, using the sensors of modern science, the associated instruments, and the transfer of data to a controlling computer. Activities will be selected from as large a range of subject areas as possible in: Physics, Chemistry, Environmental and Life Sciences.
Prerequisites: PHYA10H or PHYA20H

PSCB20H3 Chaos and Fractals

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 discrete nonlinear systems, continuous nonlinear systems, and chaos. Natural fractals. Fractal dimensions. Mathematical fractals. Cellular automata. Complexity.
Prerequisites: {MATA36H or MATA37H] & elementary knowledge of a programming language such as C, FORTRAN, Basic or Turing.

PSCB57H3 Introduction to Scientific Computing

An introduction to the use of computers in the physical and biological sciences. Choice and design of algorithms and their implementation in a high-level computer language for the solution of problems arising in the physical and biological sciences. Topics will include elementary numerical analysis, such as numerical integration, mathematical modeling of physical systems, data fitting and interpolation. (Intended primarily for physical and biological science students who do not plan to pursue any of the Programs in computer science or cognitive science.)
Exclusion: (CSCA57H)
Corequisite: [MATA36H or MATA37H]or [MATA35H with permission of the instructor] & one A-level science course

PSCC01H3 Physical Principles of Modern Technology

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

PSCC10H3 Physical Sciences Project

An independent study course to cover an experimental project or series of projects (including computational projects) in the Physical Sciences. Each project would be supervised by a member of the professorial faculty who, in consultation with the laboratory supervisor, would assess the laboratory performance of the student as well as the written report. This course is intended to provide opportunities for experimental work, beyond those available in the formally scheduled laboratory courses, for students registered in a Physical Sciences Scarborough Specialist Program, who have completed the requirements of the first three years of the Program with a GPA of at least 2.5.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Supervisor, who shall consult with proposed supervising faculty.

PSCD01H3 The Physical Sciences in Contemporary Society

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; organization and funding of scientific research in Canada; role of communication and publishing; public misunderstanding of scientific method. These will be discussed using issues arising in chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics.
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 Programs.
Corequisite: Continued participation in one of the Physical Sciences Scarborough Programs.

NOTE: Where PSCD01H is a Program requirement, it may be replaced by PHY341H with the approval of the Program supervisor.

PSCD02H3 Current Questions in Mathematics and Science

Topics of current prominence arising in chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics will be discussed, usually by faculty or outside guests who are close to the areas of prominence. Topics will vary from year to year as the subject areas evolve.
Exclusion: PHY342H
Corequisite: Continued participation in one of the Physical Sciences Scarborough Programs.

NOTE: Where PSCD02H is a Program requirement, it may be replaced by PHY342H with the approval of the Program supervisor.

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University of Toronto at Scarborough 2003/2004 Calendar
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