A seminar exploration of current topics in biodiversity and conservation, including genetic, organismal, and community levels.  Examples include DNA barcoding, adaptive radiations, phylogenetic trees, and biodiversity hotspots.   Skills development in critical thinking and interpretation of the primary literature is emphasized, with coursework involving group presentations, discussions, and written analyses.

An exploration into current topics in the study of the evolutionary and ecological influences on animal behaviour. Topics may include sexual selection and conflict, social behaviour, communication, and behavioural mechanisms. Emphasis will be on current research and the quantitative and qualitative reasoning underlying our ability to understand and predict animal behaviour.

Canada has a complex conservation landscape. Through lectures and interactive discussions with leading Canadian conservation practitioners, this course will examine how conservation theory is put into practice in Canada from our international obligations to federal, provincial, and municipal legislation and policies.

A hands-on course emphasizing the logic, creative thinking, and careful methodology required to conduct rigorous research on animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. Students will devise and run behavioural experiments, primarily using invertebrate models.

Modelling is a critical tool for describing the complex dynamics of ecosystems and for addressing urgent management questions in ecology, epidemiology and conservation. In this practical introduction, students learn how to formulate ecological and epidemiological models, link them to data, and implement/analyze them using computer simulations.  The course includes approaches for modelling individuals, populations, and communities, with applications in population viability assessments, natural resource management and food security, invasive species and pest control, disease eradication, and climate change mitigation.  While not a requirement, some experience with computer programming will be beneficial for this course.

The study of how space and scale influence ecological patterns and species coexistence. The course will cover three main topics: 1) spatial dynamics, such as spatial spread and dispersal models; 2) species coexistence with metapopulation/metacommunity, neutral and lottery models; and 3) spatial analysis of ecological communities. Basic concepts will be applied to ecological problems such as: species invasions, reserve design and understanding threats to island biodiversity.
Priority will be given to students enrolled in the specialist program in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution.

A species is the basic unit of evolution and symbiotic interactions are integral to the rise of global biodiversity. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this course will study symbiotic systems such as plant-animal, microbe-plant, and microbe-animal interactions. This course thus provides the student with a deeper understanding of how Earth's biodiversity is maintained through natural selection.

This lecture/seminar course will discuss advanced topics in behavioural ecology, ecosystem and landscape ecology, and evolutionary ecology, with an emphasis on the impacts of past and present species interactions. Topics will vary based on current scientific literature and student interests. This course will strengthen the research, writing, and presentation skills of students while deepening their understanding of ecology.

An intensive examination of selected pathologies affecting the nervous system such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. These pathologies will be examined from an integrative perspective encompassing the pathogeneses, resulting symptoms, and current therapeutic approaches. This course requires critical examination of research articles.

This course will combine lecture and student paper projects and presentations to explore the evolutionary and ecological processes that generate patterns of biological diversity as well as how species interactions and ecosystem function are affected by diversity. Of key interest will be how invasions, climate change, and habitat destruction affects diversity and function.

Field courses offered by the Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology (OUPFB) in a variety of habitats and countries, usually during the summer. OUPFB modules (courses) are posted online in January, and students must apply by the indicated deadline.

This course is designed to permit an intensive examination of the primary literature of a select topic. Frequent consultation with the supervisor is necessary and extensive library research is required. The project will culminate in a written report.
Students must obtain a permission form and Supervised Study form from the Biological Sciences website that is to be completed and signed by the intended supervisor, and returned to SW421E. Five sessions of group instruction will form part of the coursework.

A course designed to permit laboratory or field research or intensive examination of a selected topic in biology. Supervision of the work is arranged by mutual agreement between student and instructor.
Students must obtain a permission form from https:///www.utsc.utoronto.ca/biosci/undergraduate-research-opportunities that is to be completed and signed by the intended supervisor, and returned to SW421E. At that time, the student will be provided with an outline of the schedule and general requirements for the course. 10 sessions of group instruction will form part of the coursework.

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.

Identical to BIOD98Y3 but intended as a second research experience. In order to be eligible for BIOD99Y3, with the same instructor, the student and the instructor will have to provide a plan of study that goes beyond the work of BIOD98Y3.

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.

This course will introduce the study of chemical properties and transformations of matter. The course starts with the quantum mechanical model of the atom and the principles of how the periodic table is organized. Key reaction types are explored including acid/base, redox, and precipitation as well as a quantitative description of gases. Bonding and structure in chemical compounds is examined followed by a close look at solutions, solids and intermolecular forces. The course concludes with nuclear chemistry. This course includes a three-hour laboratory every other week.

This course quantitatively examines reactions and equilibria in chemical systems with an emphasis on their thermodynamic properties and chemical kinetics. The course begins with a close examination of solutions followed by dynamic chemical equilibrium. This leads directly to acid/base and solubility equilibria and thermochemistry, including calorimetry. The course concludes with thermodynamics, kinetics and electrochemistry with a strong emphasis on the how these are connected to Gibbs Free Energy. This course includes a three hour laboratory every other week.

This course will build on the topics from CHMA10H3, including a close examination of solutions, dynamic chemical equilibrium, acid/base and solubility equilibria and thermochemistry, including calorimetry and thermodynamics, kinetics and electrochemistry as they relate to Gibbs Free Energy. In this course, students will explore these ideas in more detail both from a theoretical and practical point of view, in comparison to CHMA11H3. The lecture portion will focus on how chemical concepts are applied in cutting edge research. The weekly laboratory period will provide students with access to the most current equipment used in both industrial and research settings as well as workshops that will explore how to analyze and extract data from published, peer-reviewed journal articles.

An introduction to the principles and methods of classical analysis and the provision of practical experience in analytical laboratory techniques. The course deals primarily with quantitative chemical analysis. Classical methods of volumetric analysis, sampling techniques, statistical handling of data are studied, as well as a brief introduction to spectro-chemical methods. This course includes a four hour laboratory every week.

The concept of chemical potential; phase equilibria; solutions; chemical equilibria (including electrochemical applications); elementary reactions; multi-step and coupled reactions (with biochemical applications); elementary collision theory and transition state theory. This course includes a weekly tutorial.

This course uses quantum mechanics to describe atomic and molecular structure and bonding. The theory of these systems is treated first and their spectroscopy afterwards. The following topics are covered: motivation for quantum mechanics, Schrödinger’s equations, quantum postulates and formalisms, solutions of the time-independent Schrödinger equation for model systems (particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotor, hydrogen-like atoms), angular momentum operator, electron spin, many electron atoms, theories of chemical bonding (valence bond theory and molecular orbital theory), quantum mechanics of the internal motion of molecules, spectroscopy of atomic and molecular systems.

This course explores the concepts of chemical potential, phase equilibria, solutions, chemical equilibria (including electrochemical applications), elementary reactions, multi-step and coupled reactions (with biochemical applications), elementary collision theory and transition state theory.

Fundamental periodic trends and descriptive chemistry of the main group elements are covered. The topics include structures, bonding and reactivity; solid state structures and energetics; and selected chemistry of Group 1, 2, and 13-18. The course has an accompanying practical (laboratory) component taking place every second week.

This course begins with a review of chemical bonding in organic structures, followed by an in depth look at conformational analysis and stereochemistry. It explores the reactivity of organic molecules, starting with acid-base reactions, simple additions to carbonyl compounds, reactions of alkenes and alkynes, and substitution reactions. The course includes weekly tutorials and a four hour laboratory every other week.

This course builds on the topics seen in Organic Chemistry I. Major reactions include electrophilic and nucleophilic aromatic substitutions, and the chemistry of carbonyl compounds. Spectroscopic methods for structure determination are explored (NMR, MS, IR), along with the chemistry of biologically important molecules such as heterocycles and carbohydrates. This course includes a four-hour laboratory every other week, as well as weekly one-hour tutorials.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of organic chemistry. Major topics include organic acids/bases, stereochemistry, substitution/elimination mechanisms, reactions of alkenes/alkynes, radicals, aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, oxidation/reduction, radicals, spectroscopy, heterocycles and carbohydrates. Includes a 4 hour lab and 6 hours of lecture each week.

An investigation of aspects of chemical substances and processes as they occur in the environment, including both naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals.
This course will include an introduction to atmospheric chemistry, aqueous chemistry, some agricultural and industrial chemistry, and chemical analysis of contaminants and pollutants.

This course is designed as an introduction to the molecular structure of living systems. Topics will include the physical and chemical properties of proteins, enzymes, fatty acids, lipids, carbohydrates, metabolism and biosynthesis. Emphasis will be placed on the relationships between the chemical structure and biological function.

An introduction to the workings and application of modern analytical instrumentation. A range of modern instrumentation including NMR spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Microscopy. Light Spectroscopy (visible, Ultra Violet, Infrared, Fluorescence, Phosphorescence), X-ray, Chromatography and electrochemical separations will be addressed. Principles of measurement; detection of photons, electrons and ions; instrument and experiment design and application; noise reduction techniques and signal-to-noise optimization will be covered.

A laboratory course to complement CHMC11H3, Principles of Analytical Instrumentation.
This course provides a practical introduction and experience in the use of modern analytical instrumentation with a focus on the sampling, sample preparation (extraction, clean-up, concentration, derivatization), instrumental trace analysis and data interpretation of various pharmaceutical, biological and environmental samples.
This course includes a four hour laboratory every week.

Basic statistical mechanics and applications to thermochemistry and kinetics; intermolecular interactions; concepts in reaction dynamics.