Last updated: April 2, 2013 @ 03:52PM

Biological Sciences

Chair
Douglas Bruce

Associate Chair
Michael Bidochka

Professors Emeriti
Alan Bown, Arthur H. Houston, Ralph D. Morris, Peter Nicholls, R. Peter Rand, Donald J. Ursino

Professors
Michael J. Bidochka, Douglas H. Bruce, Stefan Brudzynski, Robert L. Carlone, Alan J. Castle, Vincenzo De Luca, Yousef Haj-Ahmad, Fiona F. Hunter, A. Joffre Mercier, Gary Pickering, Andrew G. Reynolds, Miriam H. Richards, Liette Vasseur

Associate Professors
Charles Després, Debra L. Inglis, Ping Liang, Daniel McCarthy, Sandra Peters, Adonis Skandalis, Gaynor Spencer, Jeff Stuart, Glenn Tattersall, Litsa Tsiani

Assistant Professors
Paul LeBlanc

Adjunct Professors
Ralph Brown, Wangxue Chen, Jeannine Delwiche, Wendy McFadden-Smith, Antonet Svircev, Qing Yu

Laboratory Instructors
John Ciolfi, Jacinta Dano, Diane Eaton, Stephanie Martin, Chris Meyer

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Caroline Barrow

905-688-5550, extension 3388
Mackenzie Chown MC F234
brocku.ca/biology

The biological sciences, or the life sciences, encompass a broad spectrum of subjects from molecular biology to ecology as well as such disciplines as biochemistry, biophysics, genetics and physiology. The program is designed to provide the student with a broad base in modern biological thought, to fulfill the basic requirements for admission to professional and advanced degree studies and to prepare graduates for careers in the biological sciences and related fields. Although the undergraduate program provides students with flexibility in selecting the areas of biology most compatible with their interests and skills, it also ensures that students develop an overview of the major concepts and problems of modern biology as expressed at all levels of biological organization.

The objectives of the undergraduate program are realized through a group of core courses in years 1 and 2, each with an associated laboratory. Laboratory classes stress the investigative approach to experimental studies. Students move progressively from structured laboratory studies to increasingly independent investigations and in the honours year undertake individual research projects. Working from the core program, students may follow a variety of curriculum patterns to satisfy their interests.

Students must consult faculty advisers when planning years 3 and 4 of the BSc (Honours) and BSc with Major programs or year 3 of the BSc (Pass) program.

The honours year provides students with the opportunity for either broadening their understanding of the biological sciences or for increased specialization. Ideally, the honours program provides an opportunity for the synthesis of material presented in earlier years. Students must apply to the Department of Biological Sciences in order to be admitted to year 4 (honours).

Program Notes
  1. MATH 1P05 may be substituted for MATH 1P97.
  2. Students preparing for professional studies in health sciences should note that many such programs require completion of a laboratory physics course i.e., one credit from PHYS 1P91, 1P92 and 1P93.
  3. One credit from PHYS 1P21, 1P22, 1P23, 1P91 is strongly recommended for students who do not have 4U Physics.
  4. The third ancillary science credit must be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99 and offered by a department in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science other than Biological Sciences, excluding ASTR 1P01, 1P02, CHEM 1P00, ERSC 1F90, 1P92, SCIE 1P50, 1P51, BTEC courses and MATH courses numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99. An organic chemistry course numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99 is recommended.
  5. BIOL 2P95 does not carry major credit for the BSc (Honours) degree. Students who submit this for credit toward the BSc Pass degree must replace it with accepted BIOL credits if they subsequently enter the Honours program.
  6. For combined BIOL/CHEM majors, CHEM 3P40 is strongly recommended for most projects in CHEM 4F90, 4F91 and should be taken in year 3 by students intending to proceed to a year 4 thesis in CHEM.
  7. For combined BIOL/CHEM majors, honours students who elect BIOL 4F90, 4F91 and who have taken only the minimum five credits in CHEM in years 1 through 3 may experience difficulty in obtaining the necessary two additional CHEM credits in year 4.
  8. For combined BIOL/PSYC majors one of BIOL 4F90 and 4F91, BIOL 4F92, PSYC 4F91 is required.
  9. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
    In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
    In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.

Honours Program

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   one credit from APCO 1P00, 1P01, 1P93, ERSC 1F01, PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended), one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended; see program notes 2 and 3)
·   CHEM 1F92
·   MATH 1P97 and 1P98 (see program note 1)
·   one Humanities context credit or one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   BIOL 2F01, 2P05 and 2Q04
·   one credit from BIOL 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98
·   third ancillary science credit (see program note 4)
·   the Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3
·   Three BIOL or BCHM credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above (see program notes 5 and 6)
·   two elective credits

Year 4
·   Three BIOL credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one BIOL credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit

BSc with Major Program

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   one credit from APCO 1P00, 1P01, 1P93, ERSC 1F01, PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended), one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended; see program notes 2 and 3)
·   MATH 1P97 and 1P98 (see program note 1)
·   one Humanities context credit or one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   BIOL 2F01, 2P05 and 2Q04
·   one credit from BIOL 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98
·   third ancillary science credit (see program note 4)
·   the Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3
·   Three BIOL or BCHM credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above (see program notes 5 and 6)
·   two elective credits

Year 4
·   One BIOL credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one and one-half BIOL credits numbered 3(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99
·   one and one-half BIOL credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Concurrent BSc/BEd

The Department of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Education co-operate in offering two Concurrent BSc (Honours)/BEd programs. The Biological Sciences BSc (Honours)/BEd programs combines the BSc Honours program or BSc Integrated Studies Honours program with the teacher education program for students interested in teaching at the Intermediate/Senior level (grades 7-12) and at the Junior/Intermediate level (grades 4-10.) Refer to the Education - Concurrent BSc (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) or Education - Concurrent BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/ BEd (Junior/Intermediate) program listings for further information.

Combined Major Program

Biological Sciences and Chemistry

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   MATH 1P05 and 1P06, or MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·   PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended) (see program notes 2 and 3)
·   one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended) (see program notes 2 and 3)
·   one Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   BIOL 2F01
·   one credit from BIOL 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
·   CHEM 2P12 or 2P63
·   CHEM 2P20, 2P21 and 2P42
·   the Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3
·   One BIOL credit numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 (BIOL 3P50 recommended)
·   BCHM 3P01 and 3P02
·   CHEM 2P12 or 2P63 (not taken in year 2)
·   CHEM 2P32
·   one and one-half credits from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P30, 3P31, 3P40, 3P41, 3P51, 3P53, 3P60 (see program notes 4 and 6)
·   one-half elective credit

Year 4
·   BIOL 4F90 and 4F91 or BIOL 4F92 and one BIOL credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above, or CHEM 4F90 and 4F91 (see program note 7)
·   one credit from the Department of Biological Sciences in the areas of biochemistry, biophysics or molecular biology or one half credit from one of those areas plus BCHM 3P02 or BIOL 3P50
·   one CHEM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit (see program note 9)

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Biological Sciences and Geography

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   GEOG 1F91
·   MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Social Sciences context credit (GEOG 1F90 is strongly recommended)

Year 2
·   BIOL 2P05 and 2Q04
·   GEOG 2P11
·   one credit from BIOL 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98
·   one and one-half credits from GEOG 2P04, 2P05, 2P07, 2P09, 2P13
·   one elective credit

Year 3
·   Two BIOL credits
·   GEOG 3P56
·   one GEOG credit numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group B
·   one-half GEOG credit numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group B or C (see Geography department)
·   one elective credit

Year 4
·   BIOL 4F90 and 4F91 or BIOL 4F92 and one BIOL credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two GEOG credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group B or C (see Geography department)
·   one elective credit

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Biological Sciences and Mathematics

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   MATH 1P01, 1P02, 1P40 and 1P98
·   one Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   Two credits from BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
·   MATH 1P12, 2P03, 2P81 and 2P82
·   the Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99
·   MATH 3P81 and 3P82
·   one MATH credit
·   one elective credit

Year 4
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above (see program note 9)
·   MATH 2F40, 4P81 and 4P82
·   one elective credit (see program note 9)

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Biological Sciences and Psychology

Entrance to the BIOL/PSYC combined Honours program requires application to the Psychology Department.

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one elective credit (MATH 1F92 or 1P97 and 1P98 recommended)

Year 2
·   Two credits from BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
·   PSYC 2F23
·   one PSYC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
·   one elective credit

Year 3
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99
·   PSYC 3P39
·   one and one-half PSYC credits numbered 3(alpha)00 or above that must include PSYC 3F40 or 3P30
·   one elective credit

Year 4
·   Two BIOL credits (see program note 8)
·   PSYC 4P92
·   one and one-half PSYC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 8)
·   one elective credit

Pass

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one elective credit (MATH 1F92 or MATH 1P97 and 1P98 recommended)

Year 2
·   Two credits from BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
·   PSYC 2F23
·   one PSYC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
·   one elective credit

Year 3
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99
·   two PSYC credits numbered 3(alpha)00 or above
·   one elective credit

Biological Sciences and Earth Sciences

Consult the Earth Sciences entry for a listing of program requirements.

Biological Sciences and Physics

Consult the Physics entry for a listing of program requirements.

Minor in Biological Sciences

Students in other disciplines can obtain a minor in Biological Sciences within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
·   two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above

Graduate (MSc, PhD) Program

The Department of Biological Sciences offers opportunities for graduate study leading to a MSc or PhD degree. Graduate programs emphasize independent research by students in a wide variety of biological fields and disciplines reflecting the research interests of individual faculty. For further information, including faculty interests, see the current Graduate Calendar or the Department of Biological Sciences' website.

Description of Courses

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross-listed course
* Indicates a primary offering of a cross-listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
BIOL 1F25
Biology: A Human Perspective
For non-science majors: contemporary issues of human concern; genetics and biology of cancer and obesity; learning, memory and addiction.
Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, alternating weeks, 2 hours per week during the Fall Term.
Note: secondary school biology is not a prerequisite for this course. In spring session course is offered on-line.

BIOL 1F90
Concepts in Biology
Topics essential to contemporary biology, including molecular biology, biological energy conversion, how plants and animals adapt, genetics and the evolutionary process.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab/workshop, alternating weeks, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BCHM, BMED, BPHY, BTEC, ERSC (single or combined), NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. BPHY After that date open to BIOL (single or combined), BCHM, BKIN, BMED, BHPY, BPhEd, BPhEd (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BPhEd (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BSc (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BSc (Kin), BTEC, CHLH, CHSC, ERSC (single or combined), HEAR, HLSC, NEUR, NURS, OEVI, PHTH, SPLS majors until date specified in Registration guide.
Note: 4U/M biology recommended. MATH 1P01 may be substituted for MATH 1P97. BIOL 1F90 is a prerequisite for most courses in the department. Materials fee required.

BIOL 2F01
Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Cellular processes and their relationship to cellular structure emphasizing the structure and function of proteins, membranes, cell organelles and the expression of genetic information.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week during the Winter Term.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90 and CHEM 1F92.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 2P05
Evolution
The origins and history of life. Evolutionary mechanisms, especially natural selection. Phenotypic and genotypic variation among individuals and related population- and species-level patterns. Population genetics, phenotypic plasticity, life history strategies, molecular evolution, developmental genetics (evo-devo).
Lectures, 3 hours per week; tutorial, 1 hour per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90; MATH 1P97 or 1P98.

BIOL 2P92
Principles of Zoology
Introduction to animal diversity and the basic body plans of phyla within the animal kingdom. Relationships of structures to such functions as movement, feeding, respiration and development. Evolutionary series illustrated where appropriate.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 2P93
Introduction to Botany
Principles of plant taxonomy, morphology, reproduction and development. Strategies employed by plants in the resolution of habitat limitations and range expansion.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90.
Note: offered online.

BIOL 2P94
Plant Biology: Growth and Development
Biochemistry and cell biology of plant cell structure, organogenesis and plant life cycle. Focusing on angiosperm adaptations to the biotic and abiotic environment.
Lectures, lab/seminar, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90 and CHEM 1F92 or permission of the instructor.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 2P95
Bioethics
(also offered as PHIL 2P95)
Value conflicts and moral dilemmas in biology and medicine. Emphasis on specific case studies in reproductive interventions, medical experimentation, concepts of "health" and "disease", modification of behaviour, lifestyle choices, allocation of scarce or expensive medical resources, and death and dying.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): one BIOL or PHIL credit or permission of the instructor.
Note: may count as an elective, but not as a major credit in an Honours BIOL (single or combined) program.

BIOL 2P96
Biology of Fungi
Structure, development, metabolism, reproduction and evolution of fungi, emphasizing the importance of fungi, in particular yeasts, to industrial processes.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week for six weeks.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 2P97
Human Physiology
Normal human function with specific reference to circulatory, respiratory and excretory activities and their regulation as well as their more common genetic, environmental and lifestyle pathologies.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in PEKN 1P90.

BIOL 2P98
Principles of Microbiology
Diversity, evolution, physiology and genetics of micro-organisms with emphasis on applied, medical and environmental microbiology.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours alternate weeks.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 2Q04
Principles of Ecology
Ecological processes at the population, community and ecosystem levels of biological organization; mathematical models of population growth, predation and competition; factors influencing community structure, landscapes, biodiversity and ecosystems.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90, MATH 1P97 and 1P98.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P28
Developmental Biology
Principles of vertebrate and invertebrate development. Topics include life cycles and the evolution of developmental patterns; the genetic core of development; differential gene expression; cell-cell communication; fertilization; early development and axial specification in selected vertebrates and invertebrates.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week for 6 weeks.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BTEB, BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P30
Cell Physiology
Molecular physiology of non-excitable membranes, mechanisms of cellular response and adaptation, control and regulation of cell metabolism; molecular basis of cellular dysfunction in human aging and disease.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BMED, NEUR majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01.

BIOL 3P34
Neurobiology
(also offered as NEUR 3P34)
Structure and function of nerve cells: Electrical properties of neurons, synaptic function and transmitters, neural plasticity and cellular basis of behaviour.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), NEUR majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01.

BIOL 3P35
Comparative Animal Physiology
Examination of how animals work, survive and regulate physiological processes emphasizing animal energetics. Homeostatic mechanisms of respiration, circulation, osmoregulation, thermoregulation, locomotion and metabolism in vertebrates with comparison to selected invertebrates.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01 and 2P92.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P43
Applied Microbiology
(also offered as BTEC 3P43)
Ecology of micro-organisms and special adaptations that permit their use in biotechnology and applied microbiology.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P98 or permission of the instructor.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P50
Molecular Genetics
(also offered as BTEC 3P50)
Topics include the genetic code and information flow from nucleic acids to proteins, RNA and protein synthesis; prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes; gene organization; transcription, RNA processing; codon usage; enhancer and transposons.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week for 6 weeks.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01 or permission of the instructor.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P51
Genetics: Transmission, Development, Population
(also offered as CHSC 3P51)
Concepts of classical genetics including genetic mapping, extra-nuclear inheritance, polyploidy, genetics and development, evolutionary genetics.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week for 6 weeks.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01 or permission of the instructor.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P60
Animal Behaviour
Social context of behaviour and natural selection: the evolution and significance of visual, auditory and olfactory communication; spacing behaviour and the evolution of diversity in spacing systems; mating systems and sexual selection; development of species-typical behaviour; the development and significance of periodic behaviour patterns including endogenous rhythms orientation and navigation.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSC Integrated Studies (Honours)BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P05 and 2Q04.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P64
Introductory Insect Biology
Field and laboratory exercises and lectures covering morphology, physiology, evolution, ecology, social behaviour and harmful and beneficial aspects of the insects.
Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week; plus fieldwork.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90 or permission of instructor.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P71
Ontario Universities Field Biology Course
Inter-university selections from the offerings of the Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits and permission of the course co-ordinator.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P05 and 2Q04.
Note: takes place at different field sites from May through August for 1 or 2 weeks durations. Registrants must submit an application with the course co-ordinator by the end of January. See course co-ordinator for application. Students are expected to pay their own expenses.

BIOL 3P72
Ontario Universities Field Ecology Course
Further field studies for students who have completed BIOL 3P71.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits and permission of the course co-ordinator.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P05 and 2Q04.
Note: takes place at different field sites from May through August for 1 or 2 weeks durations. Registrants must submit an application with the course co-ordinator by the end of January. See course co-ordinator for application. Students are expected to pay their own expenses.

BIOL 3P85
Ecology of a Changing Planet
(also offered as ERSC 3P85 and GEOG 3P85)
Impact of environmental change and human activity on ecosystems. Topics include climate change and global warming, habitat fragmentation, extinction, invasive species, conservation biology and the management of ecological integrity.
Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): one of BIOL 2P05, 2Q04, ERSC 2P09.

BIOL 3P90
Investigative Neurobiology
(also offered as NEUR 3P90)
Methods used in neurobiology and neurophysiology. Electro-physiological techniques, including intracellular and extracellular recording from nerve cells and muscle, and on theory and techniques for electro-physiological data acquisition. Other topics include intracellular staining, immunocytochemistry and assay procedures.
Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01 or PSYC 2P36 and 2P37 (2F36).
Note: BIOL 3P34 is strongly recommended for students who have not taken PSYC 2P36 and 2P37 (2F36). Materials fee required.

BIOL 3P91
Plant Physiology: Metabolic and Biophysical Processes
Metabolism of carbon and nitrogen compounds; photosynthetic and respiratory processes; mineral nutrition; water relations; gas exchange and transport processes.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01 and 2P94 or permission of the instructor.
Note: materials fee required.

BIOL 3P92
Advanced Developmental Biology
Post-embryonic development, metamorphosis, regeneration and aging, plant development, medical implications of developmental biology, environmental regulation of development, and developmental mechanisms of evolutionary change.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P28.

BIOL 3P96
Biometrics
Introduction to the principles of experimental design and data analysis. Emphasis on practice in analyzing and interpreting biological data from a variety of different fields (e.g. molecular biology, physiology, neurobiology, ecology).
Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1P98; one of BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2Q04.
Note: recommended for students planning to take BIOL 4F90 and 4F91. Materials fee required.

BIOL 3P97
Molecular Ecology
Review of population genetics and the use of molecular markers; the application of molecular genetic data to issues and problems in evolutionary biology, population genetics, and animal behaviour, including phylogenetics, kinship and population subdivision.
Lectures, 2 hours per week; computer labs, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR and OEVI majors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P05 and one-half MATH credit.
Note: it is strongly recommended that students take BIOL 2P05 or 3P51 before registering in this course.

BIOL 3P98
Wine Microbiology
(also offered as OEVI 3P98)
Identification and enumeration of indigenous micro-organisms in grape must. Alcoholic fermentation; metabolism of nitrogen compounds and organic acids; production of sulphur compounds; killer yeasts; malolactic fermentation; wine spoilage micro-organisms; genetic improvement of wine yeasts.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BCHM, BTEC, OEVI majors and OEVI certificate students or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01, 2P98, BCHM 3P01 and OEVI 3P25.
Note: students must be a minimum of 18 years of age. It is strongly recommended that students take BIOL 3P50 prior to or concurrent with BIOL 3P98. Materials fee required.

BIOL 3P99
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Identification, behavioural ecology, evolution, and disease relationships of arthropods affecting the health of humans and domestic animals. Examination of empirical studies in the current literature.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90, 2F01 and 2P05.
Note: students with credit in only BIOL 1F90 may be able to register. Contact instructor.

BIOL 4F90
Honours Thesis
Each student will undertake a limited research project involving field or laboratory study under faculty supervision.
Restriction: open to BCHM and BIOL (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours), a minimum 75 percent major average and permission of the Chair.
Note: to be taken in conjunction with BIOL 4F91. Students electing to pursue studies on non-laboratory ecological projects will be permitted to initiate their programs during the summer preceding registration in year 4, but may not include data or observations obtained as a consequence of participation in field courses such as BIOL 3P71 or 3P72. Submission and oral defence of the thesis is required.

BIOL 4F91
Literature Research and Seminar
Each student will undertake a detailed study of the scientific literature relevant to the topic of the honours thesis.
Restriction: open to BCHM and BIOL (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours), a minimum 75 percent major average and permission of the Chair.
Note: to be taken in conjunction with BIOL 4F90. Review will be included in the thesis and will be presented as a seminar.

BIOL 4F92
Library Research Essays
Each student will be required to carry out two detailed studies of the scientific literature under faculty supervision.
Restriction: open to BCHM, BIOL (single or combined) and BTEC majors with approval to year 4 (honours), a minimum 75 percent major average and permission of the Co-ordinator.
Note: results of the studies will be presented in major essays and formal seminars. One research topic is to be completed each term.

BIOL 4P03
Current Topics in Photobiology
(also offered as BCHM 4P03)
The interaction of light with biological molecules. Effects of ultraviolet radiation, photosynthesis, vision and photoregulation of genes and proteins.
Lectures, seminar, lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): one-half BCHM credit numbered 3(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P06
Bioinformatics
(also offered as BCHM 4P06 and BTEC 4P06)
Sequence analysis, phylogeny, databases and tools, functional genomics, genome projects, basic bioinformatics programming.
Lectures, seminar, computer lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P50, 3P51 or permission of the instructor.
Note: BIOL 2P05, BCHM 3P02 and MATH 1P98 are recommended.

BIOL 4P08
Topics in Plant and Microbial Biotechnology
(also offered as BCHM 4P08 and BTEC 4P08)
Characterization of biochemical processes and structures. Genetic modification of such processes and structures through molecular manipulation to meet scientific and/or societal needs. Examples include yeast and microbial enzymes or enzyme systems as well as crop proteins and enzymes.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): one of BCHM 3P01, 3P02, BIOL 3P50, CHEM 3P93 (3P63) or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P10
Microbial Pathogenesis
A molecular approach to microbial diseases in a variety of hosts focusing on human diseases. Topics include animal models for diseases, molecular diagnostics, identifying virulence factors and population genetics of pathogenic microbes.
Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P98.

BIOL 4P11
Theory of Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
(also offered as BCHM 4P11 and BTEC 4P11)
Theory behind basic and some advanced techniques in nucleic acid and protein manipulations and analysis.
Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overalls credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2F01.

BIOL 4P13
Bioenergetics
Exploration of the molecular basis of cellular energy transduction. Topics may include biogenesis of mitochondria, assembly and function of respiratory complexes, mitochondrial signaling and apoptosis, and methodological approaches to studying cellular energetics.
Seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P30 or BCHM 3P01.

BIOL 4P28
Developmental Neurobiology
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.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P28 or 3P34.

BIOL 4P29
Topics in Animal Physiology
Recent and/or controversial research in animal biochemistry and/or physiology. Topics may vary from year to year.
Seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P30 or 3P35.

BIOL 4P30
Grape Pest Management
(also offered as OEVI 4P30)
Biology and dynamics of grapevine pest activity - insects, diseases, weeds, nematodes, vertebrates. Integrated pest management approach looking at all aspects of control chemical, biological, cultural. Application techniques, pest identification and monitoring.
Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BCHM, BTEC, OEVI majors and OEVI certificate students or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): OEVI 2P99.
Note: field trip fee required.

BIOL 4P34
Neural Networks and Behaviour
Integrative mechanisms in the nervous system and the neural basis of behaviour in vertebrates and invertebrates. Topics may include the visual system, rhythm generators and motor function, learning and memory.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P34 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P41
Human Molecular Genetics
(also offered as BCHM 4P41, BTEC 4P41 and CHSC 4P41)
Principles of human genetics, human genome organization, comparative genomics, forensic and cancer genetics, genome sequencing, personal genomics.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P50 or 3P51.

BIOL 4P42
RNA World
(also offered as BTEC 4P42)
Examination of various aspects of RNA (ribonucleic acid) function and evolution. Examination of evidence that RNA preceded DNA as the hereditary material and played a crucial role in the early evolution of life on Earth.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), Bsc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P50 or BCHM 3P02.

BIOL 4P43
Biology of Aging
Exploration of current theories of animal aging. Investigation of molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging and determinants of longevity. Examination of age-associated human disorders
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P30.

BIOL 4P51
Molecular Virology
(also offered as BTEC 4P51)
Bacterial and animal viruses. Topics include biochemical properties, virus-host interaction, productive cycle, effect of virus on host cell and organism, viral vectors and gene therapy, recombinant viral vaccines and origin of virus.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P50 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P53
Immunology
Humoral and cellular immunity; structure and synthesis of immunoglobulins; origin of antibody diversity; transplantation immunity and the importance of the major histocompatibility complex; auto-immunity and allergic reactions.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P50 or BCHM 3P01.

BIOL 4P56
Genes and Behaviour
Genetic, developmental and environmental influences on the behaviour of invertebrates and vertebrates. Single versus locus effects and the inheritance of quantitative behavioural traits. Analyses of gene expression and genetic pathways influencing behaviour in model animals.
Seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): one credit from BIOL 2P05, 3P51, 3P60, 3P97.

BIOL 4P57
Bacterial Genetics
(also offered as BTEC 4P57)
Molecular and transmission genetics of bacteria. Bacterial genetics from early descriptions of transformation and transduction to current developments in molecular genetics.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P98 and 3P50 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P58
Fungal Genetics
(also offered as BTEC 4P58)
Transmission and molecular genetics of fungi. Recent advances in gene manipulation and the contribution of studies on these organisms to general genetic principles.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEB, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): one of BIOL 2P96, 3P50, 3P51 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P61
Natural Selection and Adaptation
Topics may include fitness, selection in natural populations, life history evolution, adaptive traits, forces opposing natural selection, population structure and natural selection. Emphasis on empirical studies in current literature.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior, BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P05 or 3P60.
Note: BIOL 2P05 is strongly recommended.

BIOL 4P64
Insect Behaviour
Selected topics in the field of insect behaviour including: programming and integration of behaviour orientation and dispersal, feeding and plant-herbivore co-evolution, chemical, visual and acoustical communication, defensive behaviour, reproductive behaviour and the eusocial insects.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): one of BIOL 2P05, 3P60, 3P64 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P84
Physiology of Excitable Cells
Neurons, muscle and/or neurosecretory cells at the cellular and subcellular levels. Topics include ion channel activity, patch clamp recording, intracellular messenger systems, mechanisms of neurosecretion and neural plasticity.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/ BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc Integrated Studies (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BCHM, BMED, BTEC, NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 14.0 overall credits or approval to year 4 (honours).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P34 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4P85
Ecosystems and Changing Disturbance Regimes
(also offered as ERSC 4P85 and GEOG 4P85)
Terrestrial ecosystem response to large-scale environmental change. Topics may include disturbance regimes, adaptation, alteration of biogeochemical cycles, invasive species and range shifts, carbon cycle feedbacks, predicting future climate and vegetation impacts, change detection, scaling-up and nonlinearity.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3P85 or permission of the instructor.