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.
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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