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PHY332H5 • Molecular Biophysics

A physicist's perspective on the building blocks of the living world. Topics may vary but will include: levels of structural complexity in biomolecules, molecular thermodynamics, molecular forces, the stability of biological structures, and the interaction of radiation with molecules. A rigorous treatment of commonly used biophysical techniques, such as calorimetry, optical spectroscopy, light/X-ray/neutron scattering, and single-molecule methods, will be accompanied by research applications.

Prerequisites: JCP221H5 and MAT244H5 and PHY241H5
Corequisites: JCP321H5
Exclusions: PHY331H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY333H5 • Physics of the Cell

A biophysical description of the structural properties and biological processes of the cell. The course will focus on: membrane biophysics, osmosis and transport through membranes, cell division, differentiation and growth, cell motility and muscular movement, cellular communication, cellular signal transduction and control, nerve impulses, action potential, synaptic signal transmission, free energy transduction in biological systems and bioenergetics of the cell, photosynthesis and respiration, photobiophysics, photoreception, and bioluminescence.

Prerequisites: JCP221H5
Exclusions: PHY431H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY343H5 • Classical Mechanics

A mathematical treatment of Newtonian mechanics. Topics include: variational principles, Lagrangian mechanics, Noether’s theorem, symmetry and conservation laws, applications (orbits, oscillators, scattering), introduction to Hamiltonian mechanics.

Prerequisites: PHY146H5 and MAT244H5
Exclusions: PHY354H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY347H5 • Optics

The course will focus on wave optics and introduce students to modern optics and the quantum nature of light. Topics may vary but will include: electromagnetic waves and the propagation of light, basic coherence concepts and the interference of light, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, Fresnel equations, polarization of light, birefringence, blackbody radiation and principles of laser operation.

Prerequisites: PHY241H5 and PHY245H5 and MAT232H5 and MAT244H5

Exclusions: PHY385H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T/15P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY351H5 • Climate Physics

This course presents the physics of Earth’s climate. Emphasis will be placed on the basic principles and processes involved in physical and dynamic climatology and the physical interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface. Topics may include components of the climate system and global energy balance, atmospheric radiative transfer, surface energy balance, the hydrological cycle, general circulation of the atmosphere, ocean circulation and climate, climate modeling, and climate change. In the lab practicals, students will gain hands-on experience in analyzing climate data and simple climate modeling.

Prerequisites: (PHY136H5 and PHY137H5) or (PHY146H5 and PHY147H5) and 1.0 credit from any 200-level courses from PHY, ERS, AST, GGR, or ENV
Exclusions: PHY392H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY399Y5 • Research Opportunity Program

This course provides third-year undergraduate students (after completion of at least 8 to 10 credits) who have developed some knowledge of Physics and its research methods, an opportunity to work in the research project of a professor in return for course credit. Students enrolled have the opportunity to become involved in original research, enhance their research skills and share in the excitement of acquiring new knowledge and in the discovery process of science. Participating faculty members post their project descriptions for the following summer and fall/winter sessions in early February and students are invited to apply in early March. See Experiential and International Opportunities for more details.


Course Experience: University-Based Experience
Distribution Requirement: Science
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY421H5 • Quantum Mechanics II

The course offers an in-depth examination of the fundamental principles of quantum theory and a guide to its applications. Topics may vary but will include: time-independent Schrodinger equation, quantum dynamics in Heisenberg and Schrodinger pictures, time-independent perturbation theory, WKB approximation, variational method, spin, addition of angular momentum, time-dependent perturbation theory, scattering.

Prerequisites: JCP321H5 and PHY325H5
Exclusions: JCP421H5 or PHYC56H3 or PHY456H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY426H5 • Computational Modeling in Physics

In this advanced course in computational modeling and physical simulation, students will apply numerical techniques to study a range of physical phenomena. Topics may include: chaotic and nonlinear systems, mean-field and Monte Carlo methods, variational and spectral methods, stochastic processes, molecular dynamics simulations, protein folding, self-organized criticality, neural networks, clustering and percolation, and so on.

Prerequisites: JCP265H5 and PHY325H5
Exclusions: PHY407H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/24P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY433H5 • Medical Physics

An introduction to key physical principles applied to medical diagnostics, imaging and radiation therapy. Topics include: electrophysiology, electrocardiogram and encephalogram; biomagnetism, magnetocardiogram and magnetoencephalogram; atomic and nuclear physics, ionizing radiation, radioactivity, nuclear medicine; theory of image formation and analysis, X- and gamma-ray imaging, positron emission tomography; lasers, optical light-matter interactions, optical imaging and therapy; physics of ultrasound, Doppler scanning and imaging with ultrasound; principles of nuclear magnetic resonance, contrast in magnetic resonance imaging.

Prerequisites: PHY332H5 or PHY333H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY451H5 • Classical Electrodynamics

An overview of electromagnetism leading to the study of radiation. A review of electrostatics, magnetostatics, and Maxwell's equations is followed by a discussion of propagating, non-propagating and guided waves; interactions with dielectric boundaries; multipole radiation fields, and simple models of optical dispersion.

Prerequisites: PHY241H5 and PHY325H5
Exclusions: PHY350H1 or PHYC50H3

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/24T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PHY473H5 • Supervised Readings

A program of individual study chosen by the student with the advice of, and carried out under the direction of, a Physics professor. This course requires the student to submit a completed application to the CPS Undergraduate Assistant. Registration in the course is required. The application form can be downloaded from http://uoft.me/cpsforms.

Prerequisites: Permission of the course co-ordinator.

Distribution Requirement: Science
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL111H5 • Canada in Comparative Perspective

Examines major facets of Canadian government and politics within a broad comparative context asking what is different or unique about Canada and what resembles political systems elsewhere in the world, primarily western industrialized countries. Comparative analysis is used to foster a deeper understanding of Canada and its politics.

Exclusions: POL224Y1 or POL224H1

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: Online, In Class

POL112H5 • Democracy in Theory and Practice

Examines current ideas about what constitutes 'democracy' and how real-world political systems measure up to democratic ideals. Through examination of formal government institutions and informal political practices, assessments will be made of the strengths and weaknesses in modern democracies. Case studies may be drawn from Canada or from other countries which claim to be democratic.

Exclusions: POLA51H3

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: Online, In Class

POL113H5 • Ideas and Ideologies

In this course students are introduced to basic concepts in politics such as authority, sovereignty, legitimacy, citizenship, jurisdiction, civil rights and civil liberties. These concepts are then used to examine the fundamental differences between major political ideologies, such as democracy, liberalism, socialism, fascism, conservatism, anarchism and communism.


Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL114H5 • Politics in a Global World

Examines the politics of globalization in its various forms (economics, cultures, environmental and military) as well as the consequences of, management of and resistance to, globalization. Address topics such as whether globalization challenges the capacity of national societies and their governments to deal with global issues such as the environment, redistribution of wealth, security and human rights, both within countries and across borders.

Exclusions: POLA83H3

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL115H5 • Evidence and Argument in the Study of Politics

To understand politics in our information-abundant world, we need ways to make sense of the political information that surrounds us. In this course, we ask what makes for good evidence and what makes for convincing argument. We do so by raising a series of weekly topics on which there is a mass of available information - topics like climate change, political correctness, populism, and democracy promotion, among others - and discussing fundamentally different perspectives on each topic. In the end, students will develop a fuller sense of what constitutes a well-argued and evidence-supported analysis of the political.

Prerequisites: n/a

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL116H5 • Politics & Social Justice

​In this course students are introduced to the concept of social justice as a political issue. The course is designed to develop modes of analysis that focus on human rights, economic and social (in)equity, fairness and inclusion. Key concepts may include power, identity, conflict, community, consent, advocacy, inequality, solitary, structural racism, and intersectionality. Specific issues to be considered may include gender equality, racism, justice between generations, spatial inclusion, wealth distribution, and equity in the international realm. The substantive themes and perspective may vary from year to year.

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL200Y5 • Justice and Power in Political Life

Studies the themes of power and justice in the history of political thought, from the ancient world until the 1700s. Readings may include work from Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Locke.

Prerequisites: 1.0 POL credit or 4.0 credits
Exclusions: POL200Y1 or POLB72H3 or POLC70H3 or POLC71H3

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 48L/23T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL203H5 • Politics and Government of the United States

A comparative study of the development of American government and the main elements of the American political tradition; the structure and functioning of executives, legislatures, courts, bureaucracies, parties and pressure groups in federal and state government; characteristic processes of American politics such as voting, bargaining and regulation; and resultant patterns of public policy.

Prerequisites: 1.0 POL credit or 4.0 credits
Exclusions: POL203Y5 or POL203Y1 or POL347H1 or POLC92H3 or POLC93H3

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL209H5 • Introduction to International Relations

This course provides a general overview of the study of international relations. It builds a theoretical, conceptual, and empirical foundation for understanding the actors, processes, and structures that shape and constrain global politics.

Prerequisites: 1.0 POL credit or 4.0 credits
Exclusions:

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: Online, In Class

POL210H5 • Contemporary Challenges in International Relations

This course explores contemporary challenges in the study of international relations. Building off of theoretical foundations, it provides an analytic exploration of key puzzles and topical issues that currently confront international relations scholarship.

Prerequisites: POL209H5
Exclusions: POL208Y5 or POL208Y1 or POLB80H3 or POLB81H3

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL215H5 • Canadian Government

This course will focus on Canadian Institutions, the Constitution, Federalism, the Courts, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, etc. This course will contribute to the students' understanding of their immediate political surroundings. This course will enhance the students' ability to engage and participate in the democratic system by teaching them about the foundations of the Canadian system of government.

Prerequisites: 1.0 POL credit or 4.0 credits
Exclusions:

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: Online, In Class

POL216H5 • Canadian Politics

This course will focus on political parties, elections, gender, cleavages, etc. This course will enhance the knowledge of the Canadian system of politics to give students better skills and objectives.

Prerequisites: POL215H5
Exclusions: POL214Y5 or POL214Y1 or POL224Y1 or POLB50Y3

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL218H5 • Introduction to Comparative Politics: Institutions

Comparative politics compares the ways people and institutions interact, in different countries and regions of the world (including both developing and developed), to produce what we call "politics." This course focuses on political institutions. Topics include: the formation, development and eventual decay of political institutions such as the nation-state, political regimes, parties, party systems and local governments; the power of the state; the emergence and dynamics of democratic and authoritarian institutions; the emergence and dynamics of capitalist institutions.
Prerequisites: 1.0 POL credit or 4.0 credits
Exclusions: POL218Y5 or POL219H1

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL219H5 • Introduction to Comparative Politics: Processes and Identities

Comparative politics compares the ways people and institutions interact, in different countries and regions of the world (including both developing and developed), to produce what we call "politics." This course focuses on political processes and identities. Topics include: the ideas and interests shaping political behaviour; the causes of and dynamics of political mobilization, social mobilization, and revolution; the relationship between identity categories such as ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class and political processes.

Prerequisites: 1.0 POL credit or 4.0 credits
Exclusions: POL218Y5 or POL218H1

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL243H5 • Research Methods for Political Science I

This course offers an introduction into scientific inquiry and research in the field of politics. It explores a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methods with the aim of providing basic literacy and comprehension of methods important in encountering -and eventually, conducting – research in political science.
Prerequisites: 1.0 POL credit or 4.0 credits
Exclusions: POL242Y5 or POL222H1

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL244H5 • Research Methods for Political Science II

In this course, students learn to conduct political analysis using methods common in the social sciences. This includes data such as surveys, international or social media datasets, and methods such as crosstabs and regression. Rather than stressing mathematical concepts, the emphasis of the course is on application, interpretation, and data visualization.

Prerequisites: POL243H5
Exclusions: POL242Y5 or POL232H1

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/11T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL300H5 • Topics in Comparative Politics

Topics will vary from term to term. Consult the UTM Timetable.

Prerequisites: 2.0 credits in POL
Recommended Preparation: POL218Y5 or POL218H5 or POL219H5

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL301H5 • Topics in Political Theory

Content of course will vary from year to year. Consult the UTM Timetable.

Prerequisites: POL200Y5 or POL200Y1

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

POL302H5 • Topics in Comparative Politics

Topics will vary from term to term. Consult the UTM Timetable.

Prerequisites: 2.0 credits in POL
Recommended Preparation: POL218Y5 or POL218H5 or POL219H5

Distribution Requirement: Social Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L
Mode of Delivery: In Class