(3.5 credits)

Computer vision is the science and technology of machines that can see. As a science, the goal of computer vision is to understand the computational processes required for a machine to come to an understanding of the content of a set of images. The data here may be a single snapshot, a video sequence, or a set of images from different viewpoints or provided by medical scanners.

The computer vision focus introduces students to the study of vision from a computational point of view. That is, we attempt to clearly define computational problems for various steps of the overall process, and then show how these problems can be tackled with appropriate algorithms.

Students who wish to pursue computer vision should have an understanding of linear algebra and calculus of several variables. Moreover, they should be solid programmers and have a good understanding of data structures and algorithm design. These basic tools are required in order to first pose computational vision problems, and then develop and test algorithms for the solution to those problems.

The Focus in Data Analytics (major) ensures that students gain proficiency in applied empirical economics. It provides students with hands-on exposure to the tools empirical economists use to build and analyze datasets - programming languages such as Python, and software programs to manage, statistically analyze, and visualize data such as Excel, GIS, Stata and R. The focus will also direct students to empirical economics courses that apply these tools in a wide variety of contexts.

Students in the Economics Specialist program who undertake a Focus in Data Analytics will gain advanced ability in applied empirical economics. The Focus (for specialists) provides students with hands-on exposure to the tools empirical economists use to build and analyze datasets - programming languages such as Python, and software programs to manage, statistically analyze, and visualize data such as Excel, GIS, Stata and R. The Specialist Focus will also direct students to required and elective empirical economics courses that apply these tools in a wide variety of contexts.

This is a focus in data science in business that can be taken as part of any of the 3 specialists (Management, Accounting, and Finance & Economics) in the Rotman Commerce program. It requires taking 1.0 credit of required courses in programming and data analytics tools and then allows students to choose 1.5 credits of elective courses applying these tools to various areas in management and economics.

(3.0 credits)

The Focus in Game Design (Major) has the same set of requirements as the Focus in Game Design (Specialist).

Video game design combines several disciplines within computer science, including software engineering, graphics, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction. It also incorporates elements of economics, psychology, music, and creative writing, requiring video game researchers to have a diverse, multidisciplinary set of skills.

Students who wish to pursue video game design should have an understanding of linear algebra (for computer graphics modelling), computer hardware and operating systems (for console architecture), data structures, and algorithm design. Students will gain a general knowledge of the more advanced topics listed in the courses below.

(3.0 credits)

Video game design combines several disciplines within computer science, including software engineering, graphics, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction. It also incorporates elements of economics, psychology, music, and creative writing, requiring video game researchers to have a diverse, multidisciplinary set of skills.

Students who wish to pursue video game design should have an understanding of linear algebra (for computer graphics modelling), computer hardware and operating systems (for console architecture), data structures, and algorithm design. Students will gain a general knowledge of the more advanced topics listed in the courses below.

Consult Professor A. Dicks, Department of Chemistry.

The Focus in Green Chemistry provides students with the opportunity to emphasize green chemistry as part of any chemistry specialist or major program they are enrolled in. An understanding of green chemistry principles is integral to meeting several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals), particularly those centered around affordable energy, climate action, clean water and sanitation, responsible consumption and production, and good well-being. As such, green chemistry broadly concerns the design and redesign of products and processes to reduce their impact on human health and the environment. This focus will be attractive to students who wish to combine courses that cover principles of toxicology, reaction metrics, safer chemicals/solvents, pollution prevention/recycling, catalysis, and energy efficiency.

(3.5 credits)

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the scientific study of the use of computers by people and the design discipline that informs the creation of systems and software that are useful, usable, and enjoyable for the people who use them. HCI students have exciting opportunities for research and graduate school; HCI professionals often have jobs with titles such as user interface architect, user interface specialist, interaction designer, or usability engineer.

(3.5 credits)

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the scientific study of the use of computers by people and the design discipline that informs the creation of systems and software that are useful, usable, and enjoyable for the people who use them. HCI students have exciting opportunities for research and graduate school; HCI professionals often have jobs with titles such as user interface architect, user interface specialist, interaction designer, or usability engineer.

The International Business focus can be taken as part of any of the 3 specialists (Management, Accounting, and Finance & Economics) in the Rotman Commerce Program. It requires1.5 credits from the list of required courses (central subjects that comprise the core discipline of international business) and then allows students to choose 1.0 credit of complementary electives of their own interest (courses that are within the discipline, but perhaps more peripheral), while also recognizing foreign languages and international exchange as useful for developing skills and experience in international business. The focus provides an essential blend of International Economics and Business strategy, offering students a comprehensive understanding of global markets and cross-border operations.

The Focus in Law and History gives students the critical skill-set to interrogate the ‘force of law’, not only in the sense of law as enforced, but also as a vehicle of cultural, social, and economic knowledge. Importantly, it will ask students to interrogate assumptions of what counts as law across time and space. At the core of this Focus to the Major are fundamental questions of both law and society: Who has law? What does (or should) it look like? Who decides? What sorts of critical histories can be written from and about legal archives that span time, space, and language tradition?

The Focus in Law and History gives students the critical skill-set to interrogate the ‘force of law’, not only in the sense of law as enforced, but also as a vehicle of cultural, social, and economic knowledge. Importantly, it will ask students to interrogate assumptions of what counts as law across time and space. At the core of this Focus to the Major are fundamental questions of both law and society: Who has law? What does (or should) it look like? Who decides? What sorts of critical histories can be written from and about legal archives that span time, space, and language tradition?

The Law and Politics Focus gives students a pathway to study how law and political power shape one another, and how courts, constitutions, legal actors, and institutional norms mediate relationships between citizens and states. In this focus, students examine the promises and limits of law, legal institutions, and legal advocacy in sustaining the rule of law, protecting civil liberties, and constraining state power, while also grappling with how legal tools can be weaponized to entrench power and inequality. Courses span time and place, enabling study of law and politics from diverse theoretical and empirical perspectives across Canadian, U.S., and transnational contexts, including international organizations,

The Law and Politics Focus gives students a pathway to study how law and political power shape one another, and how courts, constitutions, legal actors, and institutional norms mediate relationships between citizens and states. In this focus, students examine the promises and limits of law, legal institutions, and legal advocacy in sustaining the rule of law, protecting civil liberties, and constraining state power, while also grappling with how legal tools can be weaponized to entrench power and inequality. Courses span time and place, enabling study of law and politics from diverse theoretical and empirical perspectives across Canadian, U.S., and transnational contexts, including international organizations,

This focus in Managing in Diverse Economies can be taken as part of any of the 3 specialists (Management, Accounting, and Finance & Economics) in the Rotman Commerce program. It requires taking 1.5 credits from the list of required courses (both foundational and capstone) and then allows students to choose 1.0 credit of complementary electives to support the region(s) of study of the capstone. The Managing in Diverse Economies focus offers undergraduate business students in Rotman Commerce an opportunity to learn about business paradigms beyond the western business ecosystem.

This focus enables students in the Anthropology Major (General) ASMAJ1775 to identify courses pertaining to Medical Anthropology across the discipline’s social science and science fields and receive formal acknowledgement for completing a suite of health-related anthropology courses.

This focus enables students in the Anthropology Major (Society, Culture and Language) ASMAJ2112 to identify courses pertaining to Medical Anthropology from a sociocultural perspective and receive formal acknowledgement for completing a suite of health-related anthropology courses.

This focus enables students in the Anthropology Specialist (Society, Culture, and Language) ASSPE2112, to identify courses pertaining to Medical Anthropology (Health) and receive formal acknowledgement for completing a suite of health-related anthropology courses.

The Planning Focus provides students with the opportunity to learn about how planning is a key component of the dynamic relations that exist between places, policy, power, and people. It focuses in on the conscious choices and decision made by various groups to shape the spatial organization of human activities. The Planning Focus will appeal to students who wish to develop an integrative understanding of the cultural, economic, political and social forces that shape the development and redevelopment of metropolitan and rural regions. Students are encouraged to explore the breadth of our courses that engage planning questions in relation to transportation, social segregation, health and housing, economic policy, environment change, and globalization.

The Planning Focus is not an accredited planning program. Students interested in a career in planning should consider the Masters of Science in Planning in our graduate program. The Planning Focus is good background preparation for applying to this and other accredited master’s programs in planning.

The Planning Focus provides students with the opportunity to learn about how planning is a key component of the dynamic relations that exist between places, policy, power, and people. It focuses in on the conscious choices and decision made by various groups to shape the spatial organization of human activities. The Planning Focus will appeal to students who wish to develop an integrative understanding of the cultural, economic, political and social forces that shape the development and redevelopment of metropolitan and rural regions. Students are encouraged to explore the breadth of our courses that engage planning questions in relation to transportation, social segregation, health and housing, economic policy, environment change, and globalization.

The Planning Focus is not an accredited planning program. Students interested in a career in planning should consider the Masters of Science in Planning in our graduate program. The Planning Focus is good background preparation for applying to this and other accredited master’s programs in planning.

Consult Professor D. Stone, Department of Chemistry.

The Focus in Practical Chemical Analysis provides students with the opportunity to emphasize chemical detection, identification, and measurement in a laboratory setting as part of any chemistry specialist or major program they are enrolled in. Having experience with and an understanding of methods for chemical analysis is of considerable value for both potential employers and students pursuing postgraduate research. Chemical analysis has wide application in fields as diverse as alternative energy and storage solutions; clinical medicine and research; drinking water quality and regulatory compliance; environmental monitoring and remediation; food quality and safety; pharmaceutical development, testing, and quality assurance; and product manufacturing and quality control.

The Quantitative Finance Focus combines the rigor of theoretical and methodological statistics with an in-depth exploration of the tools and techniques used in modern quantitative finance. Students in this focus will develop a deeper understanding of financial markets, derivative pricing, risk management, and the quantitative methods essential for addressing complex financial challenges.

The focus emphasizes the application of statistical models and methods to real-world financial data, equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in the growing field of finance. Topics include stochastic processes, time series analysis, portfolio optimization, and mathematical finance, among others.

Graduates of the Quantitative Finance Focus will be well-prepared for careers in fintech, investment banking, hedge funds, and risk management, as well as for graduate study in quantitative finance or related fields. The curriculum is designed to provide both a solid theoretical foundation and practical expertise, ensuring students are ready to tackle challenges using advanced quantitative methods.

To enrol in the Quantitative Finance Focus, students must be admitted to the Data Science Specialist program (ASSPE1687) as detailed in the Enrolment Requirements.

The Quantitative Finance Focus combines the rigor of theoretical and methodological statistics with an in-depth exploration of the tools and techniques used in modern quantitative finance. Students in this focus will develop a deeper understanding of financial markets, derivative pricing, risk management, and the quantitative methods essential for addressing complex financial challenges.

The focus emphasizes the application of statistical models and methods to real-world financial data, equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in the growing field of finance. Topics include stochastic processes, time series analysis, portfolio optimization, and mathematical finance, among others.

Graduates of the Quantitative Finance Focus will be well-prepared for careers in fintech, investment banking, hedge funds, and risk management, as well as for graduate study in quantitative finance or related fields. The curriculum is designed to provide both a solid theoretical foundation and practical expertise, ensuring students are ready to tackle challenges using advanced quantitative methods.

To enrol in the Quantitative Finance Focus, students must be admitted to the Specialist in Statistical Science: Theory and Methods program (ASSPE2290) as detailed in the Enrolment Requirements.