Interdisciplinary Programs

Biomedical Toxicology Major and Co-op (B.Sc.)

In the biomedical focus, students will concentrate on toxicology as applied to mammalian systems, including humans. The program will include courses in mammalian physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. Students will be concerned with issues such as the risk of cancer from exposure to environmental agents, including both natural and synthetic chemicals. The study of the metabolism of carcinogenic and other toxic substances, and the effects of these substances on DNA will also be discussed. Students will also learn about epidemiology (the distribution of toxic effects on large populations of organisms), how toxic substances act at the molecular level ( biochemical toxicology), as well as their effects on the whole animal ( toxicological pathology).

Sample Careers

  • Environmental Consultant

  • Food Technologist

  • Healthcare Consultant

  • Health Policy Research Analyst

  • Laboratory Technician

Chemical Physics Major and Co-op (B.Sc.)

Combine chemistry and physics, with an emphasis on laboratory work in the Chemical Physics major. As a Chemical Physics student, you will link many areas of physics and chemistry to study molecular systems. For example, investigating molecular structure through the use of X-ray diffraction and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The Chemical Physics major will provide you with a broader background than a major in either physics or chemistry, offering courses such as Thermodynamics and Kinetics, and Atomic and Molecular Physics. A number of advanced techniques are employed in this work, including film preparation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high resolution photoionization, and nuclear magnetic resonance. You'll have access to some of the world's most respected scientists and researchers in a high-tech setting, and to a wide variety of possible careers in industry, government or academia, blending pure and applied research.

Sample Careers

  • Physician

  • Medical safety officer

  • Forensic scientist

  • Clinical biochemist

Nanoscience Major and Co-op (B.Sc.)

Establish yourself in an emerging and rapidly expanding area: the science of the very small. In this major, you will focus on the understanding and synthesis of nanoscale materials, in an industry that has been recognized as a revolutionary field of science and technology, comparable to the introduction of electricity, biotechnology, and digital information revolutions. As a Nanoscience student, you will learn to control the atom-by-atom assembly of matter, form quantum dots and nanowires, and analyze structures and devices whose dimensions lie in the nanometer range. It is a highly multidisciplinary field, drawing upon biology, chemistry and physics. You will develop a thorough understanding of this innovative field, develop communication skills through written and oral presentations, and benefit by having a close relationship with your instructors in a small class environment. This field of high technology and science will revolutionize our world over the next half century. As a Nanoscience graduate, you will be playing a major role in an area that is advancing from the research lab and now reaching into the industrial and consumer realms.

Sample Careers

  • Nanolithography process designer

  • Nanoparticle toxicologist

  • Cancer nanotechnologist

  • Nanocatalyst developer

  • Research engineer

Physical Science Major (B.Sc.)

Study the exotic aspects of the universe, such as black holes and subatomic particles, or be involved in the development of exciting modern devices such as particle accelerators and gamma-ray spectrometers. Acquire quantitative skills and logical thinking which are highly valued in many different careers. The Physics major gives you a fundamental education in modern theoretical and experimental physics, which can be further enhanced by taking more specialized courses in biological, chemical, and medical physics as well as nanoscience. The major builds upon nationally recognized expertise in teaching and research with many of our faculty members having received both national and international awards. The physics major provides you with excellent preparation for high-tech careers in industry, government and academia.

Sample Careers

  • Fibre optics and photonics researcher

  • Meteorologist/Climatologist

  • Forensic scientist

  • Nuclear energy specialist

Collaborative Specialization in Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc./M.A.Sc.)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a paradigm for creating systems with capabilities that were traditionally reserved for humans. It enables unique insights that can be used to improve decision making in broad areas of application—from farming to finance.

The Collaborative Specialization in AI provides students with a diverse and comprehensive knowledge base in fundamental AI while they pursue a thesis-based Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, or Bioinformatics. It complements traditional research-based Master’s programming with foundational courses and learning experiences in AI.

You can customize your training experience by selecting a thesis topic to pursue, as well as from a broad range of courses that cover the fundamentals of AI, its application in diverse sectors, and the policy, regulatory and ethical issues related to AI. The content is delivered through a combination of online modules, lectures, team projects and experiential learning opportunities. At the end of this program, you will have a good overview of leading-edge AI techniques and an in-depth understanding of how to apply them to real-world problems.

Sample Careers

  • Machine Learning Research Scientist

  • Data Scientist

  • Software Engineer

  • Consultant