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.
PMU 199Y1 The Physical and Mathematical Universes: Category 5
| Section | Title | College | Time |
| L0161 | Computers and Thought | - | Timetable |
| L0291 |
Mathematics in Current Events |
- | Timetable |
| L0341 |
Modern Physics in Perspective |
- | Timetable |
| L0411 |
How To Gamble If You Must | - | Timetable |
| L0412 |
Statistics For Life |
- | Timetable |
PMU 199Y1 The Physical and Mathematical Universes: Category 5
PMU 199Y1
Section L0161
Timetable
Computers and Thought
Computers are certainly impressive devices with a very wide range of uses. But why should any reasonable person believe that computing is anything at all like human thinking? The seminar will explore this idea in detail by examining what might be involved in getting a
computer to actually perform simple forms of tasks that appear to require thinking, like understanding language, planning courses of action, solving problems, learning from observations and so on. While an upper level high school Mathematics course is recommended as preparation, this course is not intended for students specializing in Computer Science, and no previous experience in computer programming is assumed.
Instructor: H. Levesque, Computer Science
Breadth category: 5 The Physical and Mathematical Universes
PMU 199Y1
Section L0291
Timetable
Mathematics in Current Events
Mathematics has been key to many of the spectacular discoveries of our times. Mathematics is fundamental to creating and analyzing many of the models we use to understand the world around us and to invent new technologies. From managing business risk to designing medical diagnostic equipment, mathematics provides insights inaccessible by other means. This seminar is based on a review of selected articles from popular publications such as Scientific American and American Scientist. Evaluation will be based on presentations, reports and tests.
Prerequisite: It is possible to teach this seminar with just high school algebra and geometry but calculus is preferred
Instructor: N.A. Derzko, Mathematics
Breadth category: 5 The Physical and Mathematical Universes
PMU 199Y1Y
Section
L0341
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.
Instructor: A. Peet, Physics
Breadth category: 5 The Physical and Mathematical Universes
PMU 199Y1Y
Section
L0411
Timetable
How To Gamble If You Must
This course will introduce students to the key ideas of probability, statistics, and randomness that underlie the problems associated with gambling, risk, and chance. During this course many popular casino and other games of chance will be examined through careful quantitative reasoning, and through computer simulation models. Which casino games have the best odds? When should you play `timid' and when should you play `bold'? What is a two-armed bandit? What is a martingale? All of life is influenced by time and chance. We are all gamblers, whether we choose to be or not. Grades in courses are supposed to depend only on work and ability, but realistically, a random component usually remains. Likewise investing, although risky, cannot be avoided, since choosing not to invest is itself a strategy. Over the course of the year, students will gain significant hands-on computing experience using a high-level `state of the art' software package, while learning some fundamentals about statistical and computing techniques. An (optional) visit to a casino is also planned. Except as indicated, no formal prerequisites are required other than an interest in the area, and in scientific reasoning more generally.
Prerequisite: Grade 12 mathematics.
Instructor: A. Feuerverger, Statistics
Breadth category: 5 The Physical and Mathematical Universes
PMU 199Y1Y
Section L0412
Timetable
Statistics For Life
If you wonder why Google's Chief Economist wrote “I keep saying the sexy job in the next ten years will be [for] statisticians” or why New York Times has prominently displayed on its first page in August 2009 the article “For Today's Graduate, Just One Word: Statistics” then this course will offer a possible answer. It explores the impact Statistics has made and continues to make on everyday life through science, law, and the modern methods for information processing. Statistical principles will be illustrated using examples from the student’s real life including business, romance and health. The course requires enthusiastic participation in class discussions and working on take-home class projects.
Prerequisite: at least one grade 12 mathematics course.
Instructor: R. Craiu, Statistics
Breadth category: 5 The Physical and Mathematical Universes