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Master of Science in Biological Sciences PhD in Biological Sciences Dean Ian D. Brindle Faculty of Mathematics & Sciences Participating Faculty Professors Michael Bidochka (Biological Sciences), Douglas H. Bruce (Biological Sciences), Vincenzo De Luca (Biological Sciences), Yousef Haj-Ahmad (Biological Sciences), Fiona F. Hunter (Biological Sciences), A. Joffre Mercier (Biological Sciences), Andrew G. Reynolds (Biological Sciences) Associate Professors Robert L. Carlone (Biological Sciences), Alan J. Castle (Biological Sciences), David Gabriel (Physical Education and Kinesiology), Isabelle Lesschaeve (Cool Climate Oenology & Viticulture Institute/Biological Sciences), Dan McCarthy (Earth Sciences), Gary Pickering (Biological Sciences), Miriam Richards (Biological Sciences) Assistant Professors Charles Després (Biological Sciences), Debbie Inglis (Biological Sciences), Sandra Peters (Physical Education & Kinesiology), Jean Richardson (Biological Sciences), Adonis Skandalis (Biological Sciences), Gaynor Spencer (Biological Sciences), Jeff Stuart (Biological Sciences) Glenn Tattersall (Biological Sciences), Evangelia L. Tsiani (Community Health Sciences) Adjunct Professors Margaret Cliff (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, BC), Helen Fisher (Department of Plant Agriculture, Vineland Campus, University of Guelph), Ken Giles (New Leaf Biotechnology Inc., St. Catharines, ON), Frederic Marsolais (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON), Wendy McFadden-Smith (McSmith Agricultural Research Services, Vineland Station, ON), Arthur Retnakaran (Natural Resources Canada, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault-Ste. Marie, ON), Dan Rinker (Department of Plant Agriculture, Vineland Campus, University of Guelph), Lorne W. Stobbs (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Vineland Station, ON), Antonet Svircev (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Vineland Station, ON), Lining Tian (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON) Laboratory Instructors John Ciolfi, Jacinta Dano, Diane Eaton, Ellen Maissan, George Melvin Graduate Officer Douglas H. Bruce Administrative Assistant Caroline Barrow 905-688-5550, extension 3388 Mackenzie Chown, F234 http://www/BrockU.ca/biology/graduate/ The department offers a selection of studies leading to the master's degree and the doctoral degree in the life sciences. Emphasized are Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Neurobiology and Physiology, and Plant Sciences and Oenology and Viticulture. |
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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 may complete a qualifying term or year to upgrade their applications. Completion of a qualifying term does not guarantee acceptance into the program. |
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A minimum of one year (12 months) of resident, full time study is required. Students registered full time will be expected to complete all degree requirements within two years. Students will normally be supported by the research operating grants of supervising faculty, or by provincial or federal scholarships, and will be expected to participate in the running of undergraduate courses in biology at Brock as teaching assistants (for a minumum of one term), for which a graduate teaching stipend will be received. All students must enroll in BIOL 5F90 (thesis course) and complete a research project that culminates in a thesis and demonstrates a capacity for independent thought and work.The student will be guided in all aspects of his or her graduate program by a supervisory committee. In addition to BIOL 5F90, candidatesmust complete a minimum of one and one-half credits of course work at not less than 70 percent. These must include BIOL 5P95 and at least one-half credit from BIOL 5P85, 5P86, 5P87 or 5P88 and one-half credit from BIOL courses numbered 5(alpha)00 or higher. Courses are chosen in consultation with the Supervisory Committee. The thesis supervisor may not offer all the courses in a candidate's program. 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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Students will be eligible for admission to the PhD program upon attaining an MSc degree in Biological Sciences (composed of but not limited to biochemistry, biology, genetics or microbiology) from a recognized university. Alternatively, students who have successfully completed one year in the Biological Sciences MSc program may apply to transfer to the PhD program. Contact the Department for guidelines on the transfer from the MSc to the PhD program. |
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A minimum of three years (36 months) of resident, full-time study is required. Students will be expected to complete all degree requirements within four years. Students will normally be supported by the research operating grants of supervising faculty, or by provincial or federal scholarships, and will be expected to participate in the running of undergraduate courses in biology at Brock as teaching assistants (for a minimum of one term), for which a graduate teaching stipend will be received. All students must enroll in BIOL 7F90 (thesis course) and complete a research project that culminates in a thesis and demonstrates a capacity for independent thought and work. The student will be guided in all aspects of his or her graduate program by a supervisory committee. In addition to BIOL 7F90, all PhD students must complete a minimum number of courses in biology or related fields. Students entering the PhD program after completion of an MSc must satisfactorily complete at least two half courses, namely BIOL 7P95 and a 5(alpha)00 course not cross-listed with a 4(alpha)00 course. Students who transfer from the MSc to the PhD program, must satisfactorily complete at least five half courses, namely BIOL 5P95 (taken in the first year of the program), BIOL 7P95, one of BIOL 5P85, 5P86, 5P87 or 5P88, and two half-credit courses numbered 5(alpha)00 or higher, only one of which may be cross-listed with a 4(alpha)00 course. When appropriate and with permission of the supervisory committee, courses offered outside the Department of Biological Sciences may be taken to fulfill course requirements. Depending on their background, candidates may be required to take extra courses from either the graduate or undergraduate calendar. Continued enrolment in the Doctor of Philosophy program requires the successful completion of a predoctoral examination. The predoctoral examination will comprise an oral exam on the student's written PhD research proposal including the scientific background appropriate to the proposal. For PhD students with an MSc degree, the predoctoral exam will take place after the second term but no later than the sixth term (third or fourth term is recommended). The Predoctoral Examining Committee shall consist of the student's supervisory committee plus two faculty members from the Department of Biological Sciences, one of whom shall be the Departmental Chair or the Chair's Representative. A majority of the committee members shall be tenured faculty, one of whom shall chair the exam. |
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The department is well equipped with state of the art laboratory equipment for molecular, microbiological, physiological and biochemical research. A greenhouse, plant growth chamber and facilities for the growth and maintenance of terrestrial and aquatic animals are available to students. The department now runs the Wildlife Research Station in Algonquin Provincial Park, a multi-use facility where graduate students from several Universities conduct ecological research. The department's specialized equipment holdings include the following: a walk-in plant tissue culture room and associated tissue culture facility; an aquatic animal research facility including laminar flow tanks; Zeiss fluorescence microscopes and state of the art computer imaging systems; a confocal microscope; a laser capture microscope, a two-photon laser scanning microscope; computer controlled electrophysiological research stations for stimulation and recording of muscle, nerve and whole animal electrical activity; microplate readers, fluorescence imagers and a real-time PCR facility; biophysical spectrometers for high sensitivity absorbance, linear dichroism, circular dichroism, photoacoustic and picosecond time-resolved fluorescence; a parallel computing PC cluster for mathematical modeling of biological systems. Associated with the Department of Biological Sciences, is the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). CCOVI is housed in Inniskillin Hall; the research facilities include a biotechnology laboratory, viticulture laboratory, a state of the art sensory evaluation laboratory, pilot winery and a 43,000 bottle wine cellar which includes the Canadian Wine Library. |
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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 Topics in Photobiology 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). Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P03. 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. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P06. Advanced topics in animal and plant signal transduction pathways (also offered as BTEC 5P09) Perception of stimuli to effects on gene expression. Emphasis on the molecular/biochemical tools used to study these pathways. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P09. Mechanisms in Plant Biochemistry (also offered as BTEC 5P10) Molecular and chemical control of plant disease processes and development. Focus on the detailed signaling mechanisms and outcomes of signal transduction to a plant phenotype. Emphasis on case studies that highlight the different phases of this process, including the identification of signals, signal perception, signal transduction and reaction to the signal transduction cascade to produce a phenotype. Advanced Sensory Evaluation of Wines This course will focus on the measurement techniques used in the sensory evaluation of wine and food. Other topics covered include the physiology of taste and olfaction, chemistry of aroma and flavour, origins of off-odors in wines, and advanced readings in current topics in sensory evaluation and sensory science. Note: Course taught in conjunction with OEVI 4P20. Advanced Developmental Neurobiology 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. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P28. Current Topics in Animal Physiology Topical subjects in animal physiology, covering recent and/or controversial research in respiratory, thermoregulatory, and cardiovascular physiology and their neural control. Topics may vary from year to year depending on student interests. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P29. Advanced Systems Neurophysiology Neuronal networks and integrative mechanisms in the nervous system. Selected topics include the visual system, rhythm generators and motor function, and learning and memory. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P34. 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 Mutagenesis in Disease and Biotechnology (also offered as BTEC 5P50) This seminar course will explore the various mechanisms of mutagenesis of the genetic material, how they contribute to disease, and how they can be adapted to produce new biomolecules. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P50. 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. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P51. Immunology (also offered as BTEC 5P53) 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. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P53 and BTEC 4P53. Advanced Recombinant DNA Techniques (also offered as BTEC 5P57) 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. 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. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P58. Bacterial Genetics (also offered as BTEC 5P59) Molecular and transmission genetics of bacteria. Bacterial genetics from early description of transformation and transduction to current developments in molecular genetics. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P57. 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 Natural Selection and Adaptation A seminar course with an emphasis on reading and discussion of current literature encompassing empirical studies of natural selection and adaptation. The course will also include an examination of both the theoretical and empirical foundations underlying current research in the field. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P61. 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. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P64. 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 (also offered as BTEC 5P67 and CHEM 5P67) 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). Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P67. Sociobiology Advanced examination of how natural selection shapes social behaviour emphasizing the evolution of co-operation and altruism. Interplay among social interactions between individuals, physical interactions and intrinsic factors defining societies. Note: Course taught in conjunction with BIOL 4P62. 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. Current Topics in Ecology and Evolution This course will cover three or four current topics in ecology and evolution and involve critical analysis and discussion of current literature. Topics will vary depending on student interests but will include concepts in behavioural ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, population ecology, sexual selection, adaptation, and phylogenetic analysis. Approval of the departmental graduate studies committee is required prior to registration. Current Topics in Plant Biology (also offered as BTEC 5P86) An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in contemporary plant biology. Approval of the departmental graduate studies committee is required prior to registration. Current Topics in Neurobiology and Physiology An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in contemporary Neurobiology and Physiology. Approval of the departmental graduate studies committee is required prior to registration. Current Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in contemporary Cell and Molecular Biology. Approval of the departmental graduate studies committee is required prior to registration. 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. PhD Research and Thesis Preparation, public defence, and examination of a thesis that demonstrates the candidate's ability for independent thought and study at the appropriate level. PhD Graduate Seminar on Current Ideas in Biology Designed to familiarize students with active areas of research in all fields of biological science. Students will attend the weekly biology seminar series, read relevant literature prior to the presentation, engage in discussion with the seminar speakers and produce two essays on topics chosen from the seminar series. Student discussions with seminar speakers will be facilitated by faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences. |
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2005-2006 Graduate Calendar
Last updated: July 15, 2005 @ 01:49PM