Think: Ahead 2 Principal’S Message 5 the World at UTSC 10 Synergies in Research & Teaching
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES COMPUTER & MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES HUMANITIES MANAGEMENT PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES PSYCHOLOGY SOCIAL SCIENCES University of Toronto Scarborough Annual Review 2008 Think: Ahead 2 PRINCIPAL’s MesSAGE 5 THE WORLD AT UTSC 10 SYNERGIES IN RESEARCH & TEACHING 14 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Think: Discovery 18 COmputER & MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES Think: Solutions 22 HUMANITIES Think: Intersections 28 MANAGEMENT Think: Experience 32 PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Think: Sustainable 36 PSYCHOLOGY Think: Frontiers 40 SOCIAL SCIENCES Think: Global 46 RESEARCH PROFILE: Local & Global Impact 1 The University of Toronto Scarborough has arrived at a new threshold. Recent growth in the campus community has transformed our university and inspired a clear strategic vision for our future. Grounded in excellence, UTSC is an academically rich, comprehensive university campus and a pillar in the tri- campus system of the University of Toronto. Our faculty are exceptional teachers and scholars who are at the forefront of research with global significance. Thinking ahead, we are embarking on plans that will further our contribution to post-secondary education and research in the 21st century. We are strategically building new capacity and reinforcing our differentiated strengths. Just as our students are thinking ahead toward their future, at the University of Toronto Scarborough, we are reshaping the thinking and programs that will best prepare them to launch their careers ahead of a changing world. university of toronto scarborough annual review 2 Principal’s Message PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 3 The University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) is at an important juncture in its growth and development. Having experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, UTSC has doubled in size to a comprehensive, mid-size university campus with a student population of over 10,000. The effect of this growth has been nothing less than transformational. Our campus is a dynamic environment that UTSC and have already begun to put in place supports excellence in scholarship, research and the necessary curriculum and infrastructure. innovation. Students connect to the world and Our focus on five priorities – new and engage in relevant, contemporary issues through emerging areas of scholarship, experiential innovative programs. Our research enterprise learning, internationalism, research and has reached a critical mass, leading in many graduate studies, and establishing a sustainable areas of excellence, including physical and university platform – will position UTSC as a environmental science, neuroscience, and plant distinct university campus that will continue to and cell biology, to name just a few. As one of attract the best and brightest students, faculty three campuses of the University of Toronto, and staff for generations to come. we are recognized internationally for the high The momentum we have created is strong. quality of our research and teaching and, now, Our scientific enterprise is strengthened by the for enhancing traditional forms of pedagogy, recently completed Science Research Building. such as those that connect students to real-world The growth in our faculty complement and the experiences through co-operative education search for additional academic and scientific and other forms of experiential learning. leaders will propel us forward in new and With our long-standing tradition of emerging areas of knowledge. Our department excellence, combined with the relative youth of Chairs, as you will learn in this Annual Review, our campus community, UTSC is poised to are introducing new programs and realigning define a new path for post-secondary education their departments to respond to the interests in the 21st century, partnering with the of undergraduate and graduate students in the broader community to provide cutting-edge new context that they face in the 21st century. programs, services and opportunities. Our fundamental goal is to create an environ- In this regard, we have been thinking ahead ment that enables each and every student to to the future. Over the past 15 months, we thrive and learn, to develop fresh perspectives have focused on planning in order to realize and ways of thinking. the enormous potential of UTSC, not only And as we think ahead, our plans for capital from an academic perspective, but also in our expansion will go a long way to address the ability to exert far-reaching influence globally disconnect between our student needs and our on matters that affect each and everyone of us, physical space and infrastructure shortage. A whether it is climate change, disease prevention, new campus master plan will incorporate the artistic expression or Third World development. views and interests of the communities and Together, we have shaped a new vision for businesses of our region, including recreation university of toronto scarborough annual review 4 Setting the course for a new kind of campus Throughout the academic year 2007-08, UTSC students, faculty and administration engaged in a broad strategic planning exercise. Through a process of workshops and discussions, a framework document emerged. Its themes and strategic priorities are guiding academic and resource planning for 2008-09. facilities and transit services that meet the UTSC is committed to excellence and innovation needs of our community and provide a vital in research and teaching by providing an environ- resource for our region. ment that nurtures and supports scholars to make In challenging economic times such as those contributions of global significance. Our belief we face today, the importance of universities to that both research and teaching are central to the society is clearer than ever. Our advances in educational mission ensures the highest-quality knowledge and innovation, the education of a experience possible for our students. skilled, creative workforce and our collaborations UTSC values: with government, business and community > research and scholarship will drive future prosperity and enhance the > a broad-based student experience quality of life for all. Strengthened by our > a supportive environment for students collective effort, we intend to nurture UTSC’s > diversity and equity role as an intellectual and cultural anchor, an > partnership and outreach economic driver in this expanding region of our province. Five strategic priorities set new directions We have been reaching out and welcoming and reinforce areas of strength: you. We are grateful for the guidance and 1. New and emerging areas of scholarship insights provided by our outstanding network 2. Enhanced graduate training of alumni, donors and supporters. The 3. Internationalism feedback that we have received thus far is 4. Experiential learning overwhelmingly positive. We will continue to 5. Sustainable university platform create opportunities to invite you in, to hear your ideas and to share with you exciting new developments in research and scholarship. Thank you for working with us to think ahead. Professor Franco J. Vaccarino Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough Vice-President, University of Toronto THE WORLD At UTSC 5 The World at UTSC When the University of Toronto Scarborough opened its doors in 1964, it was intended as a satellite campus to accommodate the overflow of undergraduates enrolled at the University of Toronto. Investments in research and teaching capacity have since transformed UTSC into a comprehensive, mid-size university campus. Currently, over 10,000 undergraduate students take more than 1,200 courses annually across a full range of disciplines spanning the arts and sciences. With graduate and research programs on the rise, the number of graduate students in doctoral and professional streams at UTSC increases each year. >> Student Enrolment, 2001-08 11,000 10,000 9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 Number of Students of Number 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 2000-01 20001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 New facilities at UTSC, 2003-08 Opening Building Architect 2003 Academic Resource Centre Brian MacKay-Lyons with Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley 2003 Foley Hall (residence) Baird Sampson Neuert with Montgomery Sisam Associates 2004 Student Centre Stantec Architecture (formerly Dunlop Architects) 2004 Management Building Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects Inc. 2005 Arts & Administration Building Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. 2008 Science Research Building Moriyama & Teshima Architects 6 Total investment: $122 million motivated students enter upper-year programs at UTSC and enrich the learning environment for all. Since its inception, the Green Path program has grown tenfold. UTSC is also recognized as an innovator in experiential learning platforms, evidenced by our new Master of Environmental Science, the first of its kind in Canada (see page 34). Considered the University of Toronto’s “co-op Now a hub in the University of Toronto campus,” UTSC is a long-established leader tri-campus system, UTSC counts many of in successful co-operative programs. Many Canada’s top researchers and teachers among are shaped through partnerships with leading its faculty. It also attracts bright, dedicated business and government employers. Joint students. In 2007-08, the average GPA for programs with Centennial College provide first-year students applying to UTSC was 82.3 other opportunities for students to receive a percent. The rise in enrolment since 2001 has component of practical experience in their been sharp – a remarkable 100-percent increase.