Course Descriptions BIOL 5033   Molecular Genetic Techniques in Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Students gain experience in techniques of molecular ecology that include but may extend beyond DNA isolation, electrophoresis, PCR, RFLP and microsatellite analysis. Techniques are learned in the context of an actual research project. Evaluation is based on class participation, the student’s laboratory note-book, and a report on research carried out.

BIOL 5042   Marine Conservation Genetics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
We survey techniques of molecular genetic analysis and consider how they can be used to identify species, populations, sexes, individuals and family relationships, and study population attributes such as historical dispersal, contemporary connectivity, mating behaviour and effective population size. Evaluation is based on assignments, an essay and two exams.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Discussion

FORMAT COMMENTS: Lectures/student presentations, group discussions, 3 hours
PREREQUISITES: BIOL 2060.03, BIOL 2030.03 or BIOA 3001.03, GENE 2000.03

BIOL 5044   Genetics in Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The interface between heritable variation among living things (genetics) and their interactions with their environment (ecology) is the fundamental crucible of adaptive evolutionary change. This course will present an advanced examination of genetic variation in ecologically important traits. Both single gene and continuously varying (quantitative) traits will be examined.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Seminar

PREREQUISITES: BIOL 3041.03 and STAT 2080.03
CROSS-LISTING: BIOL 4044.03

BIOL 5050   Advanced Topics in Developmental Biology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course examines the molecular-genetic basis of development using model organisms, e.g., Drosophila and Arabidopsis, and the use of current techniques to identify key genes controlling development and explores how genes, progeins and cells interact in development of animals and plants.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Seminar
  • Discussion

PREREQUISITES: BIOL 3050.03 or equivalent

BIOL 5060   Environmental Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The ecological effects of pollution, disturbance, and other stressors, both anthropogenic and natural. Major subject areas are air pollutants, toxic metals, acidification, eutrophication, oil spills, pesticides, forestry, warfare, urban ecology, risks to biodiversity, and resource degradation. The overarching context of the course is ecological sustainability of the human economy.
PREREQUISITES: None
CROSS-LISTING: BIOL 3060.03

BIOL 5061   Experimental Design in Biology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course introduces students with previous training in univariate statistics to the practice and pitfalls of experimental design and data analysis in biology. Lectures and take-home exams are used to demonstrate the fundamentals of design and analysis, with emphasis on potential problems and how they are overcome.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
CROSS-LISTING: BIOL 4061.03

BIOL 5062   Analysis of Biological Data
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The course introduces students to techniques available for the analysis of biological data, including regression, general linear models and multivariate methods. Emphasis is on the practical use of these techniques rather than derivations. Students analyze real and realistic data sets, and are assessed on write-ups of these analyses.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL4062.03

BIOL 5067   Ecology and Evolution of Fishes
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course will examine selected topics on the ecology and evolution of marine and freshwater fishes. Topics shall include systematics, morphology, evolutionary ecology, behaviour, life history strategies, population biology, and fisheries management.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 3080; MARI 3080

BIOL 5070   Advanced Topics in Animal Physiology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Advanced physiology delves more deeply into physiological topics of particular interest to the participants. Students present seminars based on two research papers of their own choice. The other students participate in a critique of the paper and discussion of the data, quality, and impact of the paper
NOTE: Course Details listed here also apply to BIOL 5080.03.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Lab

FORMAT COMMENTS: open lab
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES: Classes in organic chemistry, general biochemistry, physiology and plant biology normally necessary. Permission of instructor required
CROSS-LISTING: BIOL 4070.03

BIOL 5080   Advanced Topics in Animal Physiology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
See BIOL 5070.03

BIOL 5103   Infectious Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course will examine a variety of pathogens (viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan) with emphasis on disease prevalence, diagnosis, control and pathogen identification. Immune systems of invertebrates and vertebrates will be discussed in relation to disease.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
CROSS-LISTING: BIOL 4012.03

BIOL 5105   Medical Biotechnology I
CREDIT HOURS: 3
See course description for BIOC 4501.03/5501.03 and PHAR 4351.03 in the Biochemistry or Pharmacology sections of this calendar.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Discussion

FORMAT COMMENTS: Lecture/discussions and presentations
PREREQUISITES: Consent of instructor
CROSS-LISTING: BIOC 4501.03

BIOL 5214   Physiology and Biochemistry of Marine Algae
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Algae are examined in terms of their major processes and products with attention directed toward the influence of environmental factors, such as light, nutrition and temperature. The taxonomic classes are compared by means of pigment composition, nitrogenous compounds, reserve products and cell wall structure.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2

BIOL 5220   Plant Cell Biology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course covers the structure, function, and dynamic properties of plant cellular components including constituent organalles, cytoskelton, and the cell wall. Areas of significant current research such as programmed cell death, cell signaling and cellular trafficking are considered in depth. The course consists of lectures, student seminars and report writing.
FORMAT:
  • Lecture
  • Seminar

FORMAT COMMENTS: Lectures/seminars and report writing
PREREQUISITES: BIOL 2020.03 (or BIOA 2001.03) and BIOL 2004.03 or permission of the instructor
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 4220.03

BIOL 5302   Clinical and Molecular Immunology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
MICI 5302
CROSS-LISTING: MICI 5302

BIOL 5501   The Evolution of Life Histories
CREDIT HOURS: 3
A life history describes how reproductive effort changes with age to create strategies that influence survival and reproduction. Life-history research is fundamental to population ecology, evolutionary biology, sustainable harvesting, and conservation biology. Life-history theory provides an explanatory/predictive framework for understanding why organisms differ in how they propagate genes to future generations.
FORMAT: Lecture
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 4500

BIOL 5510   Cultural Evolution
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Culture is socially learned and group specific information or behaviour. This course explores the nature of culture across the animal kingdom, how it evolves, as well as it's relationship to ecology, genetic evolution and conservation.
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 4510.03

BIOL 5602   Introduction to Aquaculture
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course offers a lecture-based introductory overview of aquaculture; the culturing and rearing of aquatic plants and animals. Lectures will deal with the following topics: (1) general overview of aquaculture; (2) physical and chemical properties of the aquatic environment; (3) site selection; (4) aquatic engineering; (5) aquaculture modeling; (6) finfish culture; (7) bivalve culture; (8) crustacean culture; (9) seaweed culture; (10) health and pathology; (11) growth and nutrition; (12) genetics and reproduction; (13) legal, economic, social and environmental considerations; (14) sustainability issues. These topics will be covered with both a Maritimes and a global perspective. This course is designed to familiarize students with the multi-disciplinary nature of aquaculture as a field. The introduction will describe the state of aquaculture production in the world. The main body of the course is divided in three sections covering the aquatic milieu, species specific culture techniques, and general biological principles. The amount of interplay between various physical, biological and species-specific aspects will be shown in each topic. We will overview legal, economic and social considerations and we will look at some of the controversies surrounding aquaculture environmental sustainability. This is an introductory class, and most topics will not be covered in fine detail. However, I expect student to get a clear appreciation of the underlying principles of aquaculture and how these come into play in chosen examples of aquaculture practices.
FORMAT: Lecture
EXCLUSIONS: MARI 3602

BIOL 5610   Scientific Writing and Advanced Laboratory in Biochemical Techniques
CREDIT HOURS: 6
This course will consist of a series of laboratory modules (3 modules each of 4 weeks’ duration, 1 day per week or 72 hours in total with limited flexibility to accommodate the need to attend other courses) and tutorials with computer-based assignments designed to teach scientific writing techniques (9 hours in total). The course is organized collaboratively by the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biology, and Microbiology & Immunology. Several lab modules will be offered in 3 sections covering techniques used in the study of molecular biology, protein structure-function, and specific metabolic processes. Students in concentrated Honours Biochemistry must complete 1 module from each section. Students in combined Honours with Biochemistry may select their three modules from any section or sections, subject to availability of space. Students must obtain a course outline from the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department office prior to registration and return the module selection form at least 24 hours prior to the organizational meeting, the date of which will be indicated in the Registration Timetable.
NOTES: Credit can only be given for this course if completed in consecutive terms, partial credit cannot be given for a single term. Students are expected to register in this course each term, receiving a grade of IP until all course requirements are completed.
FORMAT:
  • Lab
  • Tutorial

FORMAT COMMENTS: Twelve 6-hour labs and three 3-hour tutorials/computer assignments.
CROSS-LISTING: BIOC 5610.06. , MICI 5610.06
EXCLUSIONS: BIOC 4610.06, BIOL 4013.06, MICI 4610.06

BIOL 5651   Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Mammals
CREDIT HOURS: 3
We explore evolution in the context of the marine environment. The marine mammals form a particularly clear and interesting group for this objective, as mammals evolved on land and then the marine mammals adapted to a highly distinct marine environment. Students will learn generally of these adaptations to the marine environment, and explore particular areas of biology as their assignments.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
EXCLUSIONS: MARI 4090.03