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University of Toronto at Mississauga
CLA 201H5S
Latin and Greek in Scientific Terminology
Instructor: Professor C.I. Rubincam
T.A.: Mr. Craig Maynes
North Building 232
E-mail: craig.maynes@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (905) 828-3745
E-mail: rubincam@utm.utoronto.ca
Office hours: Monday, 2-3; Tuesday, 2-4; or by appointment
Undergraduate Assistant: Ms. D. Robertson Secretary: Ms. R. Ciantar
North Building 227
North Building 227
Telephone: 905-828-5201
Telephone: 905-828-3727
E-mail: droberts@utm.utoronto.ca
E-mail: rciantar@utm.utoronto.ca
The study of technical and scientific terms derived from Latin and Greek: word elements, formation, analysis.
The course is designed to give students in any field of specialization a better grasp of the derivation and basic
meaning of English words formed from Latin and Greek elements.
Course objectives:
This course should
• sensitize you to the precise meanings of words
• enhance your general English vocabulary
• give you a grasp of basic English grammar
• give you more confidence in understanding and using words in your reading and writing
• open your mind to the interest and usefulness of linguistic knowledge
Textbooks:
D.M. Ayers, Bioscientific Terminology: Words from Latin and Greek Stems
C.L. Thomas (ed.), Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Diciionary
The class will meet every week for three one-hour periods (Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00 noon to
1:00 p.m.).
Evaluation:
The final grade will be based on the three best marks received on five tests (each worth 10%), one short
essay/assignment (10%), general class participation (10%), and the final examination (50%).
• Since only three of a possible five test marks will be counted in calculating the final grade, no make-up tests
will be given.
• Quizzes are not formally graded, but participation in quizzes will count towards the portion of the grade
assigned to general class participation, as will participation in the final poster presentation of essays/
assignments.
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CLA 201F
Latin and Greek in Scientific Terminology
Lecture and Reading Schedule
Jan. 5
Introduction to the course
Why study etymology?
Why Latin and Greek?
Language families
History of the English language
History of English scientific and technical terminology
Jan. 7
Introduction to basic principles of word division
Greek bases and prefixes
READ: Ayers, Lesson 1.
Jan. 9
The Greek alphabet
Quiz #1
READ: Ayers, Lesson 2.
Jan. 12
The parts of speech
READ: Ayers, Lesson 3.
Jan. 14
Greek adjective-forming suffixes
READ: Ayers, Lesson 4.
Jan. 16
Greek compound suffixes I
Test #1
READ: Ayers, Lesson 5.
Jan. 18
LAST DATE TO ADD S COURSES
Jan. 19
Greek compound suffixes II
READ: Ayers, Lesson 6.
Jan. 21
Greek noun-forming suffixes I
READ: Ayers, Lesson 7.
Jan. 23
Greek noun-forming suffixes II
Quiz #2
READ: Ayers, Lesson 8.
Jan. 26
Greek noun-forming suffixes III
READ: Ayers, Lesson 9.
Jan. 28
Greek noun-forming suffixes IV
READ: Ayers, Lesson 10.
Jan. 30
Greek diminutive suffixes
Test #2
READ: Ayers, Lesson 11.
Feb. 2
Greek verb-forming suffixes
READ: Ayers, Lesson 12.
Feb. 4
Greek plurals
Terms derived from mythology
Quiz #3
READ: Ayers, Lessons 13-14.
Feb. 6
History of science and its language
Figurative usage
READ: Ayers, Lessons 15-16.
Feb. 9
Specialization and generalization of meaning
READ: Ayers, Lesson 17.
Feb. 11
Changes of meaning in technical usage
Quiz #4
READ: Ayers, Lesson 18.
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Feb. 13
Diseases named from symptoms
READ: Ayers, Lesson 19.
Feb. 16-20
READING WEEK - No classes
Feb. 23
Changes in the forms of Greek and Latin words
READ: Ayers, Lesson 20.
Feb. 25
Review of Greek contribution to bioscientific terminology
Test #3
Feb. 27
Introduction to Latin bases and prefixes
READ: Ayers, Lesson 21.
Mar. 1
Latin prefixes I
READ: Ayers, Lesson 22.
Mar. 3
Latin prefixes II
Quiz #5
READ: Ayers, Lesson 23.
ESSAY/ASSIGNMENT PROPOSALS DUE.
Mar. 5
Latin suffixes I and II
READ: Ayers, Lessons 24-25.
Mar. 7
LAST DATE TO CANCEL SPRING 2004 COURSES FROM ACADEMIC RECORD.
Mar. 8
Latin suffixes III
READ: Ayers, Lesson 26.
Mar. 10 Latin suffixes IV
Test #4
READ: Ayers, Lesson 27.
Mar. 12 Latin suffixes V
READ: Ayers, Lesson 28.
Mar. 15 Latin suffixes VI and VII
READ: Ayers, Lessons 29-30.
Mar. 17 Latin suffixes VIII
Quiz #6
READ: Ayers, Lesson 31.
Mar. 19 Latin suffixes IX and X
READ: Ayers, Lessons 32-33.
Mar. 22 Latin verb suffixes
READ: Ayers, Lesson 34.
Mar. 24 Latin 1st and 2nd declension nouns
ESSAY/ASSIGNMENT DUE
READ: Ayers, Lesson 35.
Mar. 26 Latin 3rd declension nouns
READ: Ayers, Lesson 36.
Mar. 29 Latin 4th and 5th declension nouns
READ: Ayers, Lesson 37.
Mar. 31 Latin 1st and 2nd declension adjectives
Test #5
READ: Ayers, Lesson 38.
Apr. 2
Latin 3rd declension adjectives
READ: Ayers, Lesson 39.
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Apr. 5
Latin phrases
READ: Ayers, Lesson 40.
Apr. 7
Poster presentation of essays/assignments
Apr. 9
GOOD FRIDAY - University closed