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Chair Alan J. Castle Professors Emeriti Arthur H. Houston, Ralph D. Morris, R. Peter Rand, Donald J. Ursino Professors Alan W. Bown, Douglas H. Bruce, Yousef Haj-Ahmad, Fiona F. Hunter, A. Joffre Mercier, Andrew G. Reynolds Cross-Appointment Professors Stefan Brudzynski, David Gabriel, Dan McCarthy, Evangelia L. Tsiani Associate Professors Michael Bidochka, Robert L. Carlone, Alan J. Castle, Gary Pickering Assistant Professor Debbie Inglis, Miriam Richards, Adonis Skandalis, Gaynor Spencer Adjunct Professors Peter Bolli, Margaret Cliff, Peter Fernandez, Javier Gracia-Garza, Peter Nicholls, Ekaterini Riga, Dan Rinker, Lorne W. Stobbs Laboratory Instructors John Ciolfi, Diane Eaton, Ellen Maissan, George Melvin |
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Administrative Assistant Caroline Barrow, extension 3388 Mackenzie Chown, F234 http://aqueous.labs.brock.ca/etc/biologymasters.html The department offers a selection of studies leading to the master's degree in the life sciences. Emphasized are cellular biology (biochemistry, biophysics, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, ultrastructural studies, genetics) and environmental biology (limnology, behavioural ecology, terrestrial ecology, environmental physiology, population dynamics). |
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Applications for admission to the MSc program, on either a full-time or a part-time basis, will be accepted from students holding the BSc (honours) degree or its equivalent from a recognized college or university, with not less than 70 percent or second-class honours standing and having adequate concentration in the life or physical sciences or mathematics. Those holding the three- or four-year BS or BSc degrees and meeting the above academic standards but lacking sufficient concentration will be considered for admission to the qualifying year program. |
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Every MSc candidate must prepare and defend a thesis which demonstrates a capacity for independent work of acceptable scientific calibre. The student will be guided in all aspects of his or her graduate program by a supervisory committee. The candidate must also complete a minimum of one and one-half credits at not less than 70 percent. At least one credit must be drawn from the 5(alpha)00 level courses listed below, one-half credit of which must be BIOL 5P95. Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient preparation in the area of research specialization. Language, statistical and computer proficiency examinations are not normally required but the department may require demonstration of proficiency in these areas in particular cases. |
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The major equipment holdings of the department include a Phillips 300 electron microscope, Balzers 400T freeze-fracture apparatus, ultra- microtomes, a variety of X-ray generators, scintillation and other isotope counters, micromanipulators, a range of spectrophotometers and laser photolysis devices, an atomic absorption unit, several types of electrophysiological systems, various centrifuges and a water chemistry laboratory. A greenhouse and facilities for terrestrial and aquatic animals are available to students. The department operates a research station on University property. Associated with the Department of Biological Sciences, is the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). This Institute is housed in a new building (completed in 1999) which is attached to the Biological Sciences department. The building contains laboratories for genetic manipulation of yeasts, analysis of grape berries, musts, wines and a pilot winery. A technical services unit, staffed by a glassblower, machinists and electronic technicians, provides facilities for the development and construction of specialized apparatus. |
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In addition to graduate courses, courses numbered 4(alpha)00 to 4(alpha)89 may, on decision of the candidate's Supervisory Committee, be accepted towards fulfilment of the formal course requirements. If a fourth-year course is offered jointly with a corresponding fifth-year course, students may not use both courses towards fulfilment of formal course requirements. |
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A selection of the following courses, determined in part by student interest, will be offered each year. Further information about the courses to be offered in any year may be obtained from the Chair of the department. Selected Topics in Biophysics A course offered using the combined biophysical resources of Brock, McMaster, Guelph and Waterloo universities. Participation in four symposia. Information concerning the course and the selection of individual symposia can be obtained from the departmental course co-ordinator. MSc Thesis The preparation and public defence of a thesis which will demonstrate the candidate's capacity for independent study. Advanced Plant Biochemistry:Membrane Transport Ion-transporting ATPases, ion channels and ion-coupled transport at the plasma membrane and tonoplast. Cell transport and signalling cascades; Ca2+ and phospholipid mediated signalling. Advanced Topics in Photobiology (also offered as BIOL 5P03) A graduate seminar/lecture course covering topics in photobiology. A series of lectures designed to introduce some of the major research areas in photobiology will be followed by student seminars on selected topics (usually two or three papers on one subject). Bioinformatics (Also offered as BTEC 5P06) Genome sequencing projects. Gene discovery. Analysis of gene expression. Analysis of DNA/RNA/Protein sequence data, including mutagenic processes, molecular evolution and systematics, codon usage, reconstruction of ancient molecules and prediction of higher level structure. Physiological Plant Pathology An advanced study of the physiology of host-parasite relations. Advanced Developmental Neurobiology (also offered as PSYC 5P28) A seminar course on the principles of neural development. Topics include cell lineage and early determinative events, trophic functions, growth and plasticity, synaptogenesis and gene expression in the establishment of the nervous system. Advanced Systems Neurophysiology Selected topics in sensory and integrative mechanisms in the nervous system. Selected Topics in Biophysics A course offered using the combined biophysical resources of Brock, McMaster, Guelph and Waterloo universities. Participation in two symposia. Information concerning the course and the selection of individual symposia can be obtained from the departmental course co-ordinator. Advanced Molecular Virology A seminar course on virus-host interaction, productive cycle, effect of virus on host cell and organism, interferon, DNA and RNA tumor viruses, viral vectors, gene therapy and recombinant viral vaccines. Students completing this course will forfeit credit in BIOL 5P59. Advanced Developmental Genetics A seminar/lecture course on the role of specific structural and regulatory genes in both vertebrate and invertebrate development; topics include homeotic genes in Drosophilia and vertebrate pattern formation, primary induction and peptide growth factor and the use of transgenic mammals and gene targeting to study mammalian embryogenesis. Immunology A seminar course on humoral and cellular immunity; structure and synthesis of immunoglobulins; origin of antibody diversity; transplantation immunity and the importance of the major histocompatibility complex; autoimmunity and allergic reactions. Behavioural Genetics (also offered as PSYC 5P56) The genetics of activities performed by the organism in relation to its environment. Coverage will include single gene effects, chromosome aberrations and behaviour, continuous variation and the inheritance of quantitative traits, the genetics of behavioural traits in man, Drosophila, rodents and other taxa. Advanced Recombinant DNA Techniques The purpose of this course will be to acquaint students with recent technical developments in the methodology and application of various recombinant DNA techniques at an advanced level. Topics will include: construction of genomic and DNA libraries, DNA sequencing strategies and procedures, directed mutagenesis, S1 and Bal31 deletion mapping and Southern and Northern hybridization analysis. Fungal Genetics An examination of transmission and molecular genetics of fungi. Recent advances in gene manipulation and the contribution of studies on these organisms to general genetics principles will be covered. Bacterial Genetics (Also offered as BCHM 5P59 and BTEC 5P59) Molecular and transmission genetics of bacteria. Bacterial genetics from early description of transformation and transduction to current developments in molecular genetics. Advanced Seminar in Population and Behavioural Ecology A seminar course dealing with fundamental concepts of population and behavioural ecology. The topics selected vary from year to year partly in response to student interests. Advanced Insect Behaviour Exploration of selected topics in the field of insect behaviour. Topics include programming and integration of behaviour, orientation and dispersal, feeding behaviour, chemical, visual and acoustical communication, defensive behaviour, reproductive behaviour and the eusocial insects. Advanced Seminar in Insect Biology Current topics in the field of insect biology. Possible course themes include: behavioural ecology of insects, insect systematics, coevolution of plants and insects, speciation processes, evolution of insect mating systems, insect metamorphosis. Biophysical Techniques An advanced seminar/lecture course on experimental techniques in biochemistry. The focus is on understanding the theory, applications and limitations of a variety of techniques students will encounter during their graduate studies. Techniques will range from advanced spectroscopy (absorption, fluorescence, NMR, X-ray diffraction) to molecular biochemistry (DNA and protein sequencing, gel electrophoresis, radioisotope labelling). Selected Topics in Contemporary Biology An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in contemporary biology. Candidates for graduate degrees may present one such special topic course toward the completion of the formal course requirements for the MSc degree. Approval of the departmental Graduate Studies committee is required prior to registration. Selected Topics in Contemporary Biochemistry An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in contemporary biochemistry. Candidates for graduate degrees may present one such special topic course. Approval of the departmental graduate studies committee is required prior to registration. Advanced Physiology of Excitable Cells In-depth study of neurons, muscle and/or neurosecretory cells at the cellular and subcellular levels. Topics will deal with ion channel activity, patch-clamp recording, intracellular messenger systems, mechanisms of neurosecretion and neural plasticity. Graduate Seminar An obligatory graduate course in biological sciences. Students will present seminars on one or two topics approved by the graduate co-ordinator and supervisory committee and unrelated to their thesis topic. Attendance throughout the academic year, September-April, is required. Prerequisite: admission to the graduate program in Biological Sciences. Students completing this course will forfeit credit in BIOL 5P85. |
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2001-2002 Graduate Calendar
Last updated: July 24, 2001 @ 11:10AM