Biology 4000 Level Courses
4001 LIMNOLOGY
An introduction to modern quantitative concepts of fresh water ecology. Emphasis will be placed on field and laboratory studies of local freshwater habitats.
Prereq: Biology 2101, 2301, 2401; Chemistry 2131; or permission of the Department.
4101 BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY
A course to explore the relationships between animal behaviour and ecology, emphasizing the behavioural strategies which animals have evolved to enhance their survival and to increase their reproductive success. Topics such as foraging, living in groups, resource defense, sexual selection, parental care, mating systems, altruism and communication will be discussed within a neo-Darwinian framework using optimality models and game theory.
Prereq: Biology 3011, 3401; or permission of the Department.
4201 TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
Selected topics in respiratory, cardiovascular and acid-base physiology will be examined in depth in a lecture and seminar course.
Prereq: Biology 3201, 3211; or permission of the Department.
4251 SELECTED TOPICS IN BIOLOGY
The course deals with different selected areas in Biology. The course content, format and prerequisites will vary depending on the particular area of biology to be covered.
4301 PHYSIOLOGICAL PLANT ECOLOGY
The emphasis in this course will be on the ways plants respond to their environment. Topics include a discussion of transpiration and heat transfer, photosynthesis in nature, vernalization, photoperiodism and response to stress such as drought, temperature, salinity and pollutants.
Prereq: Biology 2101 and 3941; or permission of the Department.
4341 MARINE BOTANY
A lecture, laboratory, and field course summarizing recent advances in our understanding of macroscopic plant growth in the sea. This progress has been based upon studies involving morphology, development, physiology, and ecology. The following topics will be emphasized: the sea as an environment for plants to grow, production of marine plants, morphogenesis and geographic distribution of marine plants and use of marine plants.
Prereq: Biology 2301, 3301; or permission of the Department.
4411 ICHTHYOLOGY
A lecture, seminar and laboratory course on the evolution, taxonomy and ecology of fish. The course will also serve as an introduction to current concepts of ecological energetics as exemplified by fish populations. Extensive use will be made of the original scientific literature. Where possible, emphasis will be placed on the freshwater and marine fishes of eastern Canada.
Prereq: Biology 2101, 2401; Mathematics 1111; Chemistry 2131; or permission of the Department.
4501 TOPICS IN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY
The course will explore in some detail selected areas of microbial ecology. Topics to be considered will include plant pathology, geomicrobiology and decomposition processes in freshwater and marine environments. The central theme will be adaptation to continued close association with other life forms. Each student will give at least one seminar and carry out and report on an independent research project (laboratory, field, literature review or computer modeling.)
Prereq: Biology 3101, 3111; or permission of the Department.
4511 TOPICS IN INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
A course allowing detailed study into several aspects of invertebrate zoology. Each student will be expected to research a specific group of invertebrates thoroughly, and to communicate this information to the other members of the class. In addition, the student will undertake a laboratory study of a topic of interest in invertebrate zoology.
Prereq: Biology 2401; or permission of the Department.
4601 BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
A lecture course on the "physiology" and chemistry of the biosphere and its component systems. Lecture topics will include: the Gaia hypothesis (the Biosphere as a homeostatic system); chemical properties, processes and cycles of important elements; soil chemistry; forest, freshwater and marine ecosystems; chemical aspects and consequences of agriculture; atmospheric chemistry and air pollution in relation to climate and terrestrial, freshwater and marine eco-systems.
Prereq: Biology 2101; Chemistry 2131; Biochemistry 2001; or permission of the Department.
4701 TROPICAL MARINE BIOLOGY
This lecture and field course will introduce students to the fauna, flora and complex interactions in tropical habitats and allow independent research in such habitats. Habitats explored will be coral reefs, reef lagoons, mangrove swamps and rocky shores. Ecological and behavioural interactions of organisms in those areas will be stressed. The field component of this course will take place at a field station in the Caribbean for twelve days that include March break.
The course will include six, 3 hour lectures and two weeks at the Field Station. Students will pay all costs of transportation, room, board and lab fees for this expedition.
Prereq: Biology 2101, 2401, 3301; and permission of the Department.
4801 PLANT BIOPHYSICS
A lecture, seminar, and laboratory course designed to deal with biophysical phenomena as they relate to both plant and animal cells. The techniques of statistics, elementary thermodynamics, general physics, bio-electrical measurements and tracers will be used to study selected cells and tissue. In particular the course will deal with membrane phenomena, transport, control mechanism and growth in a quantitative way. Action potential theory in nerve and muscle cells will be discussed and compared with plants.
Prereq: Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at the 1000 level, and a course in Either animal or plant physiology; or permission of the Department. Biology, Mathematics and Chemistry at the 2000 level highly recommended.
4903 CURRENT ADVANCES IN BIOLOGY
A seminar course for Honours students in Biology which will critically evaluate a wide range of topics from the current literature in all branches of biological science. Students will be expected to deliver seminars on topics outside their thesis area and present preliminary thesis results.
Coreq: Registration in Biology 4990; or permission of the Department.
4950 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY
A course to permit an advanced student to pursue a special field of study, or to take advantage of a different approach under the direction of an appropriate staff member. Each student's programme will be planned individually using lectures, reading, tutorials, laboratory work, etc.
Prereq: Permission of the Department. Each student must obtain, prior to registration, consent of a staff member who is willing to be a supervisor.
4990 THESIS
The thesis requires a report on one or more laboratory, library or field investigations carried out by arrangement with and under the direction of an appropriate member of the staff. This course is open only to candidates for Honours in Biology in their senior year. A minimum grade of B is required in this course for successful completion of an honours degree.
Prereq: Consent of supervising staff member prior to registration and permission of the Department.
Next: Biology Graduate Studies
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