Introduces the basic concepts of ecology and shows how they relate to environmental issues such as population growth, resource management, biodiversity, agriculture, air and water pollution, energy, and climate change, and to solutions leading to a sustainable environment. Students who are currently taking or have previously taken BIOL 302* or BIOL 303* may not take BIOL 111* for credit.
Also offered as a distance course. Consult Continuing and Distance Studies.

Introductory ecology dealing with population growth and regulation, species interactions and reproductive and life history strategies. Laboratory work includes field studies as well as individual and group projects.

NOTE    Field trip: estimated cost $75.

An introduction to the major ecological concepts at the community and ecosystem scales. Patterns and mechanisms underlying: community structure; biogeographic patterns; element cycles in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Environmental problems are assessed in terms of ecological principles. Laboratory work includes field studies as well as individual and group projects.

NOTE    Field trip: estimated transportation cost $10.

Two weeks of field work plus written assignments in one or two areas of study to be done when specialized modules are available in May, July, August or February. Studies may include ecology of birds, fish, insects, small mammals, plants, tundra and taiga, lakes and caves. The schedule of offerings for each year is available in January.

NOTE    Field trip: estimated cost of each module available in January.

A program of field studies as described for BIOL 308* but differing in content.

NOTE    Field trip: estimated cost of each module available in January. 

Ethnobotany is the study of culture arising from the relationship between indigenous peoples and local flora. The discipline of ethnobotany will be introduced and case studies used to examine the ways in which challenges such as climate change, deforestation, cultural assimilation and pressure to discover new medicines are changing global communities.

Offered only as a distance course. Consult Continuing and Distance Studies.

Vertebrate biodiversity including characteristics and adaptations of the major classes of the living vertebrates; major environmental and geological changes associated with vertebrate evolution.

NOTE    Field trip: estimated cost $35.

A survey of selected topics including: general principles of enzymology; bioenergetics; metabolism and its control; the importance of proteomic and enzyme research in functional genomics and biotechnology; mechanisms whereby animals and plants acclimate at the biochemical level to environmental stress.

NOTE    Preference will be given to students registered in a Biology degree program or who require this course for their program.

Physics, chemistry and biology of freshwater lakes. Emphasis on: morphometry; light and temperature; water chemistry in relation to nutrients; physiological requirements; composition and interaction of algal and invertebrate populations; eutrophication; pollution; environmental change.

NOTE    Field trip: estimated cost $25.

Due to enrolment limitations, students who have been admitted to an honours program in Biology will be given preferred access to 400- and 500-level courses.

Two weeks of intensive workshops and laboratory work to be carried out as a two-week module in May. Practical work may include DNA and RNA isolations, gene cloning, plasmid and viral vector studies, DNA sequencing and PCR. Enrolment is limited.
NOTE    Lab Expenses: estimated cost $250.

The use of living organisms to address environmental problems. Topics include mechanisms of contaminant extraction, absorption, concentration, and degradation using bacteria and plants to detoxify organic compounds, sequester heavy metals or clean up excess nutrients.

NOTE    Field trip: estimated cost $40.

The application of biological research to the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources, as well as the interaction of biology with philosophy, politics and economics in influencing conservation policy.

NOTE    A course fee to cover guest speakers and field trips of not more than $40.

A series of advanced 0.5 credits with emphasis on reading and/or experimental enquiry carried out independently by each student. Regular meetings in small groups with staff provide direction in developing approaches to particular topics. Evaluation is based primarily on oral presentations and written reports. 500-level offerings will be announced in advance for students in their third year. It should be noted that not all seminar courses will be offered in a given year. Offerings may vary from year to year depending on availability of staff and student interest. Normally, due to enrolment restrictions, students taking BIOL 537 will be permitted to take only one of these seminar courses and all other fourth-year students will be permitted to take a maximum of two.

PREREQUISITE    Preferred access will be given to students admitted to fourth year of a BSCH program in Biology; see further prerequisites for individual courses listed below.

NOTE    Not all BIOL 500-level courses will be offered in a given year.