Chair Douglas Bruce Associate Chair Michael Bidochka Assistant Chair Jeff Stuart 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, Fiona F. Hunter, Cheryl McCormick, A. Joffre Mercier, Gary Pickering, Andrew G. Reynolds, Miriam H. Richards, Glenn Tattersall, Liette Vasseur Associate Professors Charles Després, Debra L. Inglis, Paul LeBlanc, Ping Liang, Daniel McCarthy, Sandra Peters, Michael Pisaric, Adonis Skandalis, Gaynor Spencer, Jeff Stuart Adjunct Professors Ralph Brown, Wangxue Chen, Jeannine Delwiche, Wendy McFadden-Smith, Antonet Svircev, Qing Yu Laboratory Instructors John Ciolfi, Christene Carpenter-Cleland, Jacinta Dano, Mark Lukewich, Stephanie Martin, Dorina Szuroczki Online Course Co-ordinator Diane Eaton Director of Co-operative Programs Cindy Dunne |
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Administrative Assistant Caroline Barrow 905-688-5550, extension 3388 Mackenzie Chown MC F234 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). Prerequisite requirements are strictly enforced in Biological Sciences courses. Students lacking prerequisites will be automatically deregistered from courses. Students are encouraged to plan their courses two years ahead in order to ensure that appropriate prerequisites are obtained. Students should be aware that numerous year 3 and 4 courses are offered in alternating years. Consult brocku.ca/mathematics-science/departments-and-centres/biology for details on yearly course offerings. |
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Year 1
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Year 1
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Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree. |
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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. |
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Honours Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Pass Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree. |
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Honours Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Pass Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree. |
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Honours Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Pass Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree. |
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Entrance to the BIOL/PSYC combined Honours program requires application to the Psychology Department. Honours Year 1
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Year 4
Pass Year 1
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Consult the Earth Sciences entry for a listing of program requirements. |
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Consult the Physics entry for a listing of program requirements. |
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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:
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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. |
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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 |
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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. Biology: A Human Perspective Contemporary issues of human concern; genetics and biology of cancer and obesity; learning, memory and addiction. Lectures, 2 hours per week; on-line labs during the Fall Term. Note: secondary school biology is not a prerequisite for this course. For non-science majors. Major credit will not be granted to Biochemistry or Biological Sciences majors and may not be used to satisfy a teachable subject credit for BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) majors. Human Impact on the Environment Contemporary issues of human impact on the environment. Topics may include climate change, nitrogen and carbon cycles, food security, and ecosystem restoration. Note: offered online. Secondary school biology is not a prerequisite for this course. For non-science majors. Major credit will not be granted to Biochemistry or Biological Sciences majors and may not be used to satisfy a teachable subject credit for BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) majors. Concepts in Biology Topics essential to contemporary biology: molecular biology, biological energy conversion, how plants and animals adapt, and 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, BSc (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), BSc (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate), BTEC, ERSC (single or combined), NEUR, OEVI majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. 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, MSCI, NEUR, NURS, OEVI, PHTH, SPLS majors until date specified in Registration guide. Note: 4U/M biology recommended. MATH 1P01 or 1P05 may be substituted for MATH 1P97. BIOL 1F90 is a prerequisite for most courses in the department. Materials fee required. Introduction to Molecular Biology Chemical foundations of life, nucleic acids and protein structure and function, techniques for studying macromolecules in cells and tissues, genome structure and evolution, basic molecular genetic mechanisms, eukaryotic gene structure and expression, and bioinformatics. Lectures, 3 hours per week; minimum four 3 hour labs. Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90 and CHEM 1F92 or permission of instructor. Note: materials fee required. Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in BIOL 2F01. Cell Biology Structure, function and interactions of cells of eukaryotes. Membrane structure and transmembrane transport, vesicular traffic and secretion, the cytoskeleton, signal transduction, factors affecting cell shape, movement and adhesion, the cell cycle, and stem cells. Emphasis on these processes in embryonic cells as well as in specialized cell types of the immune and nervous systems. Lectures, 3 hours per week; minimum four 3 hour labs. Restriction: students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall credits. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1F90 and CHEM 1F92. Note: materials fee required. Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in BIOL 2F01. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Principles of Microbiology Diversity, evolution, physiology and genetics of micro-organisms emphasizing 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. 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. MATH 1P05 or equivalent for MATH 1P97 and equivalent of MATH 1P98 may be taken with permission of the instructor. 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 BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01). Note: materials fee required. 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), BCHM, BMED, NEUR, BTEC majors and BIOL minors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01). 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 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01). 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 2P02, 2P03 (2F01) and 2P92. Note: materials fee required. 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, 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. 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, 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 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01) or permission of the instructor. Note: materials fee required. Genetics: Transmission, Development, Population (also offered as HLSC 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 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01) or permission of the instructor. Note: materials fee required. Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in CHSC 3P51. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, GEOG (ERSC) 2P09. 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 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01), or PSYC 2P36 and 2P37. Note: BIOL 3P34 is strongly recommended for students who have not taken PSYC 2P36 and 2P37. Materials fee required. 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 2P02, 2P03 (2F01) and 2P94 or permission of the instructor. Note: materials fee required. 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. Biometrics Introduction to the principles of experimental design and data analysis. Emphasis on practice in research planning, sampling, data collection, analyzing and interpreting biological data from a variety of different fields (molecular biology, physiology, neurobiology, ecology). 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): MATH 1P98; one credit from BIOL 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01), 2P05, 2Q04. Note: recommended for students planning to take BIOL 4F90 and 4F91. Materials fee required. 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 2Q04. 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 2P02, 2P03 (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. 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, 2P02, 2P03 (2F01) and 2P05. Note: students with credit in only BIOL 1F90 may be able to register. Contact instructor. 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. 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. 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. 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. Concepts of Biodiversity in a Biosphere Reserve Issues of ecosystem survey and long-term monitoring of changes due to human activities and environmental factors (natural and anthropogenic). Examination of natural versus urban ecosystems based on integrative studies from the biological, geological, geographical, management, social and economic perspectives. Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week; 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 14.0 overall credits. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2Q04. Note: BIOL 3P96 or MATH 1P98 recommended. Field trip fees; students are expected to pay their own expenses. 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. 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, 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 3P50, BCHM 3P01, 3P02, CHEM 3P93 or permission of the instructor. 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, 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. 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, 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 2P02 and 2P03 (2F01). 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. Stream Structure and Function (also offered as ERSC 4P26 and GEOG 4P26) Exploration of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of stream systems. Lectures, field work, 3 hours per week. Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), ERSC (single or combined), GEOG (single or combined) and GEOG (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) majors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have approval to year 4 (honours). Prerequisite(s): one of BIOL 2P05, 2Q04, GEOG (ERSC) 2P09 or permission of the instructor. 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. 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. 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. 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. Human Molecular Genetics (also offered as BCHM 4P41, BTEC 4P41 and HLSC 4P41) Principles of human genetics, human genome organization, pedigree, disease gene mapping, 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. Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in CHSC 4P41. 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. 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. 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, 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. 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. 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): BIOL 3P51 or 3P97; BIOL 3P60. 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, 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. 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, 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. 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. Introduction to Dendrochronology (also offered as ERSC 4P80 and GEOG 4P80) Fundamental principles of tree-ring analysis and applications to address contemporary issues in the fields of climate and environmental change, geomorphology, archaeology and ecology. Lectures, local field trip, 3 hours per week. Restriction: open to BIOL (single or combined), BIOL (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior), ERSC (single or combined), GEOG (single or combined) and GEOG (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) majors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have approval to year 4 (honours). Prerequisite(s): one of BIOL 2P05, 2Q04, GEOG (ERSC) 2P09 or permission of the instructor. Note: Biological Sciences majors must take BIOL 2Q04. BIOL 2P93 or 2P94 is strongly recommended. 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. 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. |
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2014-2015 Undergraduate Calendar
Last updated: June 26, 2014 @ 11:15AM