Course Descriptions
AGRI 5230 Directed Studies in Environmental Sciences
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course aims to provide to graduate students an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in an environmental sciences research area of interest. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provided by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor (individual work with instructor).
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5250 Soil Microbiology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is designed to provide an intensive study of the microbiology of soils and will emphasize nutrient cycling and biodegradation. Topics covered include the relationships between the abiotic and biotic components of soils; the microbial biochemistry of the carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, and selected micronutrient cycles; heavy metal cycling; and the microbial degradation of industrial wastes and pesticides. The laboratory classes will concentrate on techniques to monitor the microbial biomass in soil and the microbial components of nutrient cycles. These include new advances in bacterial taxonomy and identification, and the use of gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography in quantitating nutrient cycling. In addition to a major term paper, a comprehensive laboratory report on the entire term’s lab work, and a single take-home examination, graduate students will be required to: modify the term give a seminar to the class on their term paper topic paper into a critical review of some aspect of soil microbiology, chosen in consultation with the instructor (the review must be current and in depth; it must be written in manuscript format and will be graded accordingly) perform additional laboratory exercises not assigned to undergraduate students, use more replicates, perform a full statistical analysis of data, and provide a report in manuscript format
CROSS-LISTING: MICA 4000.03
AGRI 5260 Special Topics in Plant Pathology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course will be custom-designed to meet the specific needs of graduate students specializing in the area of plant pathology who need further specific knowledge and/or skills.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructors.
PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5270 Economic Entomology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Insect pest management in agriculture with emphasis on a selection of non-chemical approaches to insect control, e.g., natural, mechanical, physical, cultural, biological, biochemical, and/or legal control. According to the student’s interest, a section on chemical control can be included. This course is consistently in accord with the theory and principles of integrated pest management (IPM); consequently, the term assignments will incorporate the study of sampling techniques and monitoring methods of insect pests and related beneficial arthropods. Attendance at certain relevant seminars may be required, and directed readings may be assigned.
NOTES: Winter semester– A case history of a major agricultural insect pest will be prepared to satisfy the course requirement. The material will be submitted in term paper format and also delivered in an oral presentation. The case history will include the life
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
AGRI 5280 Directed Studies in Pest Management
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course aims to provide to graduate students an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in a pest management research area of interest. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provided by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, and with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor (individual work with instructor).
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5310X/Y Special Topics in Applied Ethology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Course content will vary. Topics covered will be chosen so as to meet the requirements of individual graduate students. Aspects could include the assessment of farm animal welfare, foraging behaviour, environmental enrichment, social dynamics of livestock, and early rearing environment and the effect on later behaviour.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor.
AGRI 5320 Special Topics in Animal Nutrition
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The course is designed to provide an opportunity to study specific aspects of animal nutrition. Aspects could include study of a particular nutrient, a process in nutrition, a nutritional state, or nutrient metabolism of a specific species, with focus on the research method. Students are advised to consult with their supervisors to determine the specific scope of the topic to be studied.
NOTES: Fall, Winter or Summer semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor.
AGRI 5340 Special Topics in Animal Physiology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is for students with a major interest in animal physiology. The course will consist of discussions, term papers, and presentations. Students will be expected to nominate topics for consideration and to prepare major reviews and class presentations of selected topics.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor.
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5350 Animal Research Methods
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is designed for students who have an interest in the methodology and ethics of animal research. The course will include consideration of some of the common or promising laboratory, experimental and field methods associated with animal research, ethics of animal research, and the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results. Students will be expected to participate in exercises, to contribute to discussions, and to present reviews on various aspects.
NOTES: Fall semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructors.
AGRI 5360 Protein Nutrition
CREDIT HOURS: 3
A study of the sources, availability, and metabolism of protein and amino acids for the domestic animal. Subjects addressed include sources of protein, factors affecting digestibility of protein, digestion and absorption of protein and nitrogen, urea recycling, individual amino acid metabolism, excretion of nitrogenous wastes in birds and mammals, and protein and amino acid requirements of animals.
NOTES: Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2012/2013.
AGRI 5365 Vitamins in Animal Nutrition
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Vitamins and vitamin-like compounds are discussed in relation to the normal function of the animal. Vitamin metabolic interrelationships, assessments of adequacy, treatments of deficiency, and sources both natural and synthetic are addressed for all vitamins. Current literature relating to each vitamin as bioactive molecules is discussed.
NOTES: Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2015/2016.
AGRI 5370 Special Topics in Animal Breeding and Genetics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Provides students with an opportunity to pursue more detailed studies in animal breeding and genetics. Topics will be decided on by the student in consultation with faculty members for the purpose of meeting the student’s specific needs as defined by the thesis research. Delivery will be a combination of directed reading and tutorial discussions.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructors.
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5380 Quantitative Genetics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
An introduction to quantitative genetics theory and to statistical techniques used in domestic animal improvement. Computing and statistical techniques will be demonstrated and presented, and relevant literature will be surveyed. Reference will be made throughout to performance recording programs used in Canada and around the world.
NOTES: Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructors.
AGRI 5390 Molecular Genetic Analysis of Populations
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is designed to give graduate students some understanding of the theoretical aspects of population and molecular genetics. Various DNA fingerprinting techniques (e.g., minisatellites, microsatellites, RAPD-PCR, FRLP-PCR and SSCP-PCR, and their applications in population genetic studies) will be discussed. Students will acquire hands-on experience with some of these techniques. Analysis of molecular data to estimate interpopulation populations (heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium) and interpopulation parameters (test of heterogeneity of allele frequency distributions, genetic distances, phylogenetic analysis, bootstrapping, F-statistics) will be covered.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor.
AGRI 5400 Directed Studies in Soil Science
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course aims to provide to graduate students an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in a soil science research area of interest. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provide by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, and with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor (individual work with instructor).
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5450 Environmental Soil Chemistry
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The course is designed to provide an opportunity to study specific aspects of environmental soil chemistry. Topics may include the chemical composition of soils with special attention to soil biochemistry, and soil organic matter with an emphasis on organic matter/clay interactions, soil organic N, P, and S, and soil enzymology. Graduate students will be expected to participate in lecture/discussion sessions and complete required reading assignments. In addition, graduate students will be required to complete research papers and present their findings at in-class seminars.
NOTES: Winter semester– Minimum enrollment: 10 students
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2015/2016.
CROSS-LISTING:
SOIL 4000
AGRI 5460 Special Topics in Soil and Water Management
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course will discuss the state-of-the-art soil and water management practices in either humid or arid regions, depending on the specific needs of the graduate students. Topics may include fundamentals of soil and water properties; drainage and water table control; management of farm irrigation and draining systems; salinity control; irrigation water requirements; drainage requirements for humid and arid regions; soil conservation; and computer modelling of irrigation and drainage systems. Guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences with the students.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor.
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5480 Directed Studies in Analytical Instrumentation
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course aims to provide graduate students with an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in specific areas of analytical instrumentation as it relates to their research area. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provided by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, and with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor (individual work with instructor).
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
AGRI 5505 Applied Genomics & Bioinformatics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Genetics and analysis of quantitative traits in farm animals and crop plants. Detecting, locating and measuring the effects of quantitative trait loci (QTL). Recent developments in QTL mapping and genomic selection. The course is designed to provide students with the depth of knowledge and specialized skills required to apply bioinformatics tools to practical problems in the life sciences. The laboratory sessions include hand on experience in using commonly used software for analyzing data from breeding and genomics experiments. While not required, a course in Animal or Plant Breeding and at least two courses in Statistics are helpful preparation for this course.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
TUTORIAL HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: Consent of Instructor
EXCLUSIONS:
GENE 4005.03
AGRI 5510 Special Topics in Plant Breeding
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is designed to meet the specific needs of graduate students specializing in the area of Plant Breeding who need further specific knowledge and/or skills.
NOTES: Fall or Winter semester
FORMAT COMMENTS: to be arranged with the instructor.
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator