A few First-Year Seminars give preference during the first round of enrolment to students with membership in the college offering the course - if this is the case, the college name will be listed beside the course title. During the second round of enrolment, first-year students at any college may enroll if space is available.

LTE 199H1F: Living Thing and Their Environment (4): Fall Offerings

Section Number Title College Time
L0231 Environmental Changes: Drivers and Interactions  Timetable
L0421 Biotechnology and Society Timetable

LTE 199H1S: Living Thing and Their Environment (4): Spring Offerings

Section Number Title College Time
L0421 Human and Biological Viruses    Timetable
L0431 Environmental Collapse of Ancient Civilizations: Lessons for Contemporary Society   Timetable

LTE 199H1F: Living Thing and Their Environment (4): Fall Offerings

LTE 199H1F
Section L0231 TBA
Timetable

Environmental Change: Drivers and Interactions

Our present fixation on global warming gives many the impression that all environmental change is anthropogenic and of recent origin. Both of these premises are wrong. The geologic record tells us that radical environmental changes have been common throughout Earth history and unconnected to human activity. An understanding of the extent and causes of natural environmental shifts provides perspective and offers insights into contemporary problems.
In the first half of the course we will examine the geologic record and the messages that its archives hold. In the second half we will focus on the evolution of humans and their changing interactions with environment. Here we trace early human impacts – the potential effects of hunter-gatherer societies, the emergence and diffusion of agriculture and its consequences, the evolution of epidemic diseases and the rise and fall of early civilizations.

Instructor: T. Davis, Geography
Breadth category: 4 Living Things and Their Environment

LTE 199H1F
Section L0421
Timetable

Biotechnology and Society

From the manipulation of genes of plants for improved food production through to human tissue engineering and stem cell research, biotechnology is increasingly playing a major role in our world. Society, however, is often challenged by the rapid advances in our knowledge in these areas, and how to best apply these technologies in a manner that is socially responsible and economically viable. In this seminar course, students will research and describe various applications of biotechnology using information obtained from reputable sources, and lead discussions on the benefits and concerns that arise from this research.

Instructor: J. Coleman, Cell and Systems Biology
Breadth category: 4 Living Things and Their Environment

LTE 199H1S: Living Thing and Their Environment (4): Spring Offerings

LTE 199H1S
Section L0421
Timetable

Human and Biological Viruses  

This course allows the students to broaden their knowledge about the most important human viruses and prions.  In essence, what viruses are, what they do, what are the diseases caused by viruses and how they are transmitted etc. and what can be done about them (vaccines, antiviral treatments etc.).  Viruses cause many diseases ranging from a benign rash to severe hemorrhages and death. Each student will write two essays (about specific topics in Virology) and present them as seminars for the rest of the class. Major “hot” problems in Virology from pandemics to controversial vaccines will also be discussed.

Instructor: M. Abou Haidar, Cell and Systems Biology
Breadth category: 4 Living Things and Their Environment


LTE 199H1S
Section L0431
Timetable

Environmental Collapse of Ancient Civilizations: Lessons for Contemporary Society

Throughout history, civilizations have collapsed shortly after reaching their peak in population, wealth, and power. What caused the collapse of these ancient civilizations? What lessons do such collapses provide for contemporary society? In this seminar, we will examine whether ancient civilizations collapsed because they degraded or disrupted their natural environment, and whether similar environmental threats could lead to the collapse of contemporary societies. For example, we will study the ancient statue-building civilization on Easter Island, and examine whether deforestation led to the collapse of civilization on this remote island. Similarly, we will examine whether environmental pressures contributed to the genocide in Rwanda. Finally, towards the end of the course, we will consider the global environmental impacts of contemporary human society, particularly global warming and the depletion of oil reserves, and ask ourselves whether we are headed down the same path as the civilizations that collapsed in the past.

Instructor: J. Caspersen, Faculty of Forestry
Breadth category: 4 Living Things and Their Environment