Ibrahim H – Investigation 1B

I
want my mind to have a taste of everything life has to offer. I want to send it
on expeditions through every field of human endeavor until it decides on a
single discipline or is eaten up by senility, whichever comes first. I haven’t
yet fully decided on my program, but I’ll talk about some of the programs that
do interest me.

Students in computer science can
choose from a range of different focuses including Artificial Intelligence,
Computer Systems, Theory of Computation, Human-Computer Interaction, and Game
Design just to name a few. I am intrigued by Artifical Intelligence – the studies aimed at understanding and
replicating the computational processes underlying intelligent behaviour.  Within Artificial Intelligence I want to
study Computational Linguistics. The course I am most looking forward to taking
is CSC485H1 (Computational Linguistics) – a 4th-year course that teaches you
about the processing of language by a computer. This is the field of study that
is used in the creation of virtual assistants like Siri or Google Assistant,
and seems a very interesting field of study which has ever increasing
applications.

### Economics

Economics is a social science that encompasses a broad
range of human behaviour and has a strong influence on the structure,
well-being and development of a society. Majoring in Economics requires the
ability to think critically and perform quantitative analyses, write clear and
concise technical reports and essays, and gather and analyze data related to
social, economic and business problems. Economics also requires extensive use
of mathematics and its applications.

Economics branches out into two major areas:
microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics is basically the study of
individuals, households, and firms and how these different entities make
decisions. Macroeconomics, on the other hand, is the study of the country's
economy as whole i.e. GDP, inflation, exchange rates etc.  I incline more towards microeconomics and the
psychological aspect of decision making. One of my current Professors is Robert
Gazzale; he has conducted extensive research and published various papers on
the behavioural aspect of economics. I would love to have him as a professor in
future years and perhaps engage in research opportunities with him, through the
ECO499 (Honours Essay in Applied Microeconomics) course.

### Mathematics

Mathematics essentially serves
as a tool for our scientific understanding of the world. Knowledge of
mathematics is important for various disciplines including economics and
computer science. Students who have majored in mathematics have demonstrated
the ability to exercise critical thinking and logical reasoning, apply
computational skills, and come up with unique solutions to complex problems.
This is perhaps why a degree in mathematics opens gateways to many different
professions such as economics, finance, computing, engineering, and the natural
sciences.

If I was to study mathematics,
I would focus more on the applications of mathematics rather than the
theoretical aspects of it. I would preferably take up mathematics courses that
also tie into my interest in economics such as APM466 (Mathematical Theory of
Finance), which introduces students to the basic mathematical techniques in
pricing theory and risk management.

### Data Science

Data Science is an
interdisciplinary field, combining computer and statistical sciences. There has
been a massive increase in the amount of data available from new technologies,
including network data, image data, and streaming data. Data scientists find
value in this data, using advanced computer technology to analyze this vast
amount of information. Data scientists need skills in information management
and organization, statistics and machine learning, and excellent communication
skills.

To obtain the relevant skills
of being a data scientist, I'll need to take advanced level statistical and
computer science courses, as well as participating in opportunities to work on
problems involving complex data sets, such as DataFest competitions hosted by
various universities**.**

### Philosophy

With most of my other interests
being in rigorous science courses with a heavy focus on computational skills,
philosophy offers a pleasant alternative. Philosophy is an abstract subject
that looks at the world from a different perspective to that of natural
sciences and social sciences; it takes no belief for granted but rather
examines the grounds for every belief. To be successful in philosophy you need
the ability to think abstractly and objectively, write clearly and effectively,
and present a case convincingly.

Within philosophy, there are
various subtopics; I am particularly fascinated by the field of epistemology –
the branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge. One of the
greatest debates in epistemology is the Rationalist vs Empiricist debate. I
look forward to taking David Barnett's classes, because of his publications on
the rationalist/empiricist debate.

### References

Career Navigator. (n.d.). Department of Computer Science.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://careernavigator.studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/department-computer-science

Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2017-2018 Calendar. (n.d.).
Computer Science. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://calendar.artsci.utoronto.ca/crs\_csc.htm

Computer Science University of Toronto. (n.d.). Artificial
Intelligence. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://web.cs.toronto.edu/program/ugrad/programs/AI.htm

Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2017-2018 Calendar. (n.d.). Economics.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/section/Economics

Career Navigator. (n.d.). Department of Economics. Retrieved
November 21, 2017, from http://careernavigator.studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/department-economics

Economics University of Toronto. (n.d.). Robert Gazzale.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://www.economics.utoronto.ca/gazzale/

Career Navigator. (n.d.). Department of Mathematics.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://careernavigator.studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/department-mathematics

Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2017-2018 Calendar. (n.d.). Mathematics.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/section/Mathematics

Statistical Sciences University of Toronto. (n.d.). Interested
in Data Science? Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://utstat.toronto.edu/?page\_id=10508

Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2017-2018 Calendar. (n.d.). Statistical
Sciences. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/section/Statistical-Sciences

The Globe and Mail. (n.d.). The fastest growing job market you’ve
never heard of. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/the-fastest-growing-job-market-youve-never-heard-of/article10505923/

Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2017-2018 Calendar. (n.d.). Philosophy.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://fas.calendar.utoronto.ca/section/Philosophy

Philosophy University of Toronto. (n.d.). David Barnett.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/david-barnett/