The Quantitative Biology Major program (8.0 FCEs) is designed for students with a deep interest in biology who wish to gain a strong grounding in quantitative methods and their application to biological questions. More than ever, advancements in biology, from the molecular through the organismal to the ecosystem level, require quantitative thinking and skills along with a strong understanding of biological processes. Interdisciplinary research that draws from the natural sciences, mathematics, statistics and computer science, is an important aspect of modern biology. This major provides foundations in biology and quantitative approaches used to test and advance biological knowledge, and is appropriate for students who wish to pursue a career or graduate studies in a broad range of life sciences, ranging from biomedical to conservation to epidemiology.

The program is delivered through a mixture of classroom-learning and applied laboratory teaching, with an emphasis on understanding how quantitative methods inform our understanding of biology, and how they can be applied to test and develop new hypotheses. Students also have access to independent research opportunities that enhance professional skills, science communication, and the development and application of knowledge in quantitative biology

The Cinema Studies program is devoted to the stylistic, historical, and theoretical analysis of film. Students learn about film as a unique mode of communication in the 20th and 21st centuries, while also investigating what it is that film can be said to share with allied art forms. Surveys of major world cinemas and oeuvres, and courses on particular genres and forms, introduce students to a range of cinematic traditions and practices. Throughout the program, students consider the impact moving images have on personal and cultural identities and on society in general, and engage with questions about the relation between aesthetics and politics. The Cinema Studies program develops students’ visual analysis, critical thinking, and writing skills, which are relevant to many different possible careers. The program consists of 7.5 credits, including CIN101H5, CIN102H5, ISP100H5, and 6.0 additional credits from CIN and/or cross-listed courses. Of these 6.0 credits, 2.0 credits must be at the 200- level, 2.0 credits must be at the 300-level or above, and 0.5 must be at the 400-level. At least 5.0 credits must be CIN courses. Students must take a minimum of 1.0 credits in courses dedicated to “Auteurs,” a minimum of 1.0 credits in courses dedicated to “Cinemas in Context,” and a minimum of 1.0 credits in courses dedicated to “Genres.”

The Major in Creative Writing at UTSC offers students the opportunity to deepen their development as literary artists and to gain a comprehensive historical and critical understanding of literary and creative practice. Benefiting from workshop-based classes and feedback from award-winning faculty and visiting writers as well as from peer review, students will produce original work in a range of genres, encompassing poetry, fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, and comics. Students will graduate with the confidence and tools with which to continue developing as writers. They will also emerge from this program with the practical knowledge and experience to professionalize their creative skills into fields as diverse as publishing, editing, communications, public relations, marketing, and advertising.

The Specialist in Data Science (B.Sc.) responds to the demand for graduates with the capacity to curate and analyse data, as well as, to think critically about the uses and abuses of big data.  It was developed through the collaboration between of the Departments of Computer Science and Statistical Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Science.  Students will acquire advanced expertise in statistical reasoning, methods, and inference and receive training in computer science and machine learning. Students will also engage in the application of computer science and statistics to produce analyses of complex, large-scale datasets, and learn to communicate the results of these analyses. Admission will be indirect and limited.  Students will complete 13.0-13.5 FCEs, including courses offered by the Departments of Computer Science and Statistical Sciences, and three new integrative courses in Data Science, which will include a capstone project.  Graduates of this program will be in a position to obtain employment in industry and government, where there is extraordinary demand for data scientists. They may also pursue graduate studies in computer science, statistics, or related fields.

The program is designed as a contemporary rendering of the study of environmental problems. A key feature of the proposed program is the classification of the courses offered into Foundation & Skills and Capstone & Applications. The former group aims to build the foundation of the prospective students on different topics related to socioeconomics and environmental science, while the latter group consists of courses that integrate insights from different disciplines and nurture an interdisciplinary way of thinking. These courses also include many opportunities for experiential learning through problem-solving case studies, team-based projects and individual research. Special emphasis is placed on the capacity of the program to successfully build the requisite interdisciplinary, problem-solving skill sets needed when tackling environmental management issues. The program effectively balances between the need for a strong foundation on the basic principles characterizing a typical program in Environmental Studies and the importance of building bridges among the various disciplines involved.

This new program is to be offered by the Department of Management at the University of Toronto Scarborough. The program has been designed to continue to offer a highly quantitative yet all-encompassing business degree, but one that will focus on business in a highly international context and allow students to learn and apply management skills and theory through significant study and work abroad components. To remain competitive and relevant, the program will evolve as the marketplace shifts, ensuring that its graduates enter the workforce prepared for the unique challenges inherent to an increasingly global economy.