Canada is characterized by its long and harsh winters. Any Canadian plant or animal has evolved one of three basic survival strategies: (1) migration (avoidance), (2) hibernation, and (3) resistance. These evolutionary adaptations are investigated by the example of common organisms from mainly southern Ontario.

An examination of the theory and methodology of community analysis, with an emphasis on the factors regulating the development of communities and ecosystems. The application of ecological theory to environmental problems is emphasized. We will examine the impacts of various factors, such as primary productivity, species interactions, disturbance, variable environments, on community and metacommunity structure, and on ecosystem function. We will also examine the impacts of climate change on the world's ecosystems.

This lecture and tutorial course explores the strategic and operational aspects of zoos and aquariums in conservation. Emphasis is on contemporary issues, including the balance between animal welfare and species conservation; nutrition, health and behavioural enrichment for captive animals; in situ conservation by zoos and aquariums; captive breeding and species reintroductions; and public outreach/education.

A lecture and tutorial course offering an introduction to the scientific foundation and practice of conservation biology. It reviews ecological and genetic concepts constituting the basis for conservation including patterns and causes of global biodiversity, the intrinsic and extrinsic value of biodiversity, the main causes of the worldwide decline of biodiversity and the approaches to save it, as well as the impacts of global climate change.

An introduction to the scientific study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms. Standard methods of assessing toxicant effects on individuals, populations, and communities are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the chemistry of major toxicant classes, and on how toxicants are processed by the human body.

Research, teaching, and practice in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) often rest on the unquestioned assertion of the impartial analyses of facts. This course will take a data-informed approach to understanding how human biases can, and have, affected science and its applications in a range of fields, with a particular focus on biology. Case studies may include reviews of how science has been used to justify or sustain racism, colonialism, enslavement, and the exploitation of marginalized groups. Links will be drawn to contemporary societal challenges, practices, and technologies. Topics will include how biases can shape science in terms of the questions under study, scientific inferences, and the types of knowledge and assumptions that inform applications, shape teaching, and influence popular understanding. Data on bias and societal costs of bias will be reviewed, as well as evidence-informed practices, structures, and individual actions which could ensure that STEMM disrupts, rather than enables, social inequities.

In this course, students will produce engaging, documentary-style multimedia narratives that relay scientific evidence on a topic of interest to a lay audience. In order to create their documentaries, students will distill research findings reported in the primary literature and integrate knowledge from multiple fields of biology.

Note: Students in all Specialists/Specialist Co-op and Major programs in Biological Sciences are required to complete BIOC90H3 prior to graduation.

In this introduction to academic research, a group of 3-5 students work with a faculty supervisor and TA to develop a research proposal or implement a research project. Prior to registering, students must find a faculty supervisor, form a group, then submit a permission form to the department. The permission form may be downloaded from the Biological Sciences website.

Note: Completion of this course can be used to fulfill a course requirement for the Certificate in Biological Sciences Research Excellence. Details can be found in the Biological Sciences Overview section of the Calendar.

Lecture/seminar-based course addressing advanced topics in the neural basis of motor control in vertebrates. The emphasis will be placed on cellular-level understanding of how motor circuits operate.

This course will survey different fields in neural circuit research ranging from sensory systems to motor control. Emphasis will be placed on new methodologies used to deconstruct circuit function, including advanced functional imaging, optogenetics, anatomical reconstruction and the latest behavioural approaches.

A seminar covering topics in the theory of neural information processing, focused on perception, action, learning and memory. Through reading, discussion and working with computer models students will learn fundamental concepts underlying current mathematical theories of brain function including information theory, population codes, deep learning architectures, auto-associative memories, reinforcement learning and Bayesian optimality.
Same as NROD08H3

A lecture/seminar course on the cellular mechanisms of protein quality control. Animal and plant models will be used to highlight the mechanisms of action of selected protein folding and degradation machineries critical to cell functions. Primary literature in protein homeostasis and possible consequence of malfunction in eukaryotic cells will also be discussed.

The use of plants in medicine has been documented for over 2,000 years. Their use is immersed in major ancient civilizations from around the World. This lecture/seminar/lab course will take the knowledge from indigenous medicine as a starting point and expand it with more recent advances in plant biochemistry, genetics and biotechnology.

Complex mechanisms of gene regulation (e.g., epigenetics, epitranscriptomics, regulatory RNAs) govern life-trajectories in health and disease. This advanced lecture, problem-based learning and seminar course equips students with critical thinking tools to dissect advanced concepts in genetics, including biological embedding, transgenerational inheritance, genetic determinism, gene therapy, and ethics in 21st century transgenics.

An overview of the most significant advances in cellular microbiology. The curriculum will include cellular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, as well as recognition and elimination of pathogens by cells. Students will be required to participate in class discussions, and give oral presentations of scientific papers.

Cell Biology methods are pivotal to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of infection and immunity. This lecture/laboratory course will build on understanding the role of microbes in health and disease by analyzing how different microbe models interact with eukaryotic host cells. Techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and immunoassays will unravel the fascinating world of host cell-microbe interactions. Students will also explore the use of model systems using primary research to support their understanding of these interactions.

A lecture/seminar/discussion class on the emerging field of environmental epigenetics.  Course will cover basic epigenetic mechanisms, methods in epigenetic research, epigenetic control of gene function, and the role of epigenetics in normal development and human disease.

This is a lecture/seminar course that will discuss advanced topics in human virology. The course focus will be on human viruses, pathogenicity in human hosts, and current literature on emerging pathogens.

Applications of molecular technology continue to revolutionize our understanding of all areas of life sciences from biotechnology to human disease. This intensive laboratory, lecture / tutorial course provides students with essential information and practical experience in recombinant DNA technology, molecular biology and bio-informatics.

This course is organized around a central theme, namely the expression of heat shock (stress) genes encoding proteins is important in cellular repair/protective mechanisms. Topics include heat shock transcription factors, heat shock proteins as 'protein repair agents' that correct protein misfolding, and diseases triggered by protein misfolding such as neurodegenerative disorders.

A lecture/seminar/discussion class on contemporary topics in Cell Biology.  Students will explore the primary literature becoming familiar with experimental design and methodologies used to decipher cell biology phenomena.  Student seminars will follow a series of lectures and journal club discussions.

In this lecture seminar course, we will explore how human stem cells generate the diverse cell types of the human body, and how they can be harnessed to understand and treat diseases that arise during embryonic development or during aging. We will also discuss current ethical issues that guide research practices and policies, including the destruction of human embryos for research, gene editing, and the premature clinical translation of stem cell interventions.

A course considering the principles of genome organization and the utilization of genomic approaches to studying a wide range of problems in biology. Topics to be presented will include innovations in instrumentation and automation, a survey of genome projects, genomic variation, functional genomics, transcription profiling (microarrays), database mining and extensions to human and animal health and biotechnology.

A lecture and tutorial based course designed to provide an overview of the fungal kingdom and the properties of major fungal pathogens that contribute to disease in animals (including humans) and plants. This course will address the mechanisms and clinical implications of fungal infections and host defence mechanisms. Topics include virulence factors and the treatment and diagnosis of infection.

A lecture/discussion class on the structure and function of the major endocrine organs of vertebrates. The course provides knowledge of endocrine systems encompassing hormone biosynthesis, secretion, metabolism, feedback, physiological actions, and pathophysiology. Recent advances in hormone research as well as contemporary issues in endocrinology will be examined.

This lecture/seminar format course will critically examine selected topics in human disease pathogenesis. Infectious and inherited diseases including those caused by human retroviruses, genetic defects and bioterrorism agents will be explored. Discussions of primary literature will encompass pathogen characteristics, genetic mutations, disease progression and therapeutic strategies.

Plant scientists working to address pressing global challenges will give presentations. In advance students will identify terminologies and methodologies needed to engage with the speaker and think critically about the research. Student teams will identify and develop background knowledge and go beyond speaker’s presentations with new questions and/or applications.

This course will examine how lung disease and other respiratory insults affect pulmonary physiology and lung function. Topics will include methods used to diagnose respiratory disease, pulmonary function in patients with various lung diseases as well as treatment options for both lung disease and lung failure.

This course will examine how various physiological systems and anatomical features are specialised to meet the environmental challenges encountered by terrestrial and aquatic animals. Topics include respiratory systems and breathing, hearts and cardiovascular systems, cardiorespiratory control, animal energetics, metabolic rate, thermoregulation, defenses against extreme temperatures, hibernation and osmotic/ionic/volume regulation.

This is a combined lecture and seminar course that will discuss topics such as climate change and plastics/microplastics effects on the physiology of animals, and physiological tools and techniques used in conservation efforts. The course will focus on how physiological approaches have led to beneficial changes in human behaviour, management or policy.