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Program Requirements
Interdisciplinary research that draws from the natural and physical sciences is an important aspect of modern biology. The Quantitative Biology option is designed for students with a deep interest in biology who wish to gain a strong grounding in physical sciences and their application to biological questions. The Quantitative Biology option has two streams: an ecology and evolutionary biology stream and a physical biology stream. Both streams provide a balance of theory and experimental components.
Students may complete this program with a minimum of 68 credits or a maximum of 72 credits depending on whether MATH 222 is completed.
Advising notes for U0 students
It is highly recommended that freshman BIOL, CHEM, MATH, and PHYS courses be selected with the program Adviser to ensure they meet the core requirements of the Quantitative Biology option.
This program is recommended for U1 students achieving a CGPA of 3.20 or better; and entering CEGEP students with a Math/Science R-score of 28.0 or better.
Required Courses (39 credits)
Biology
-
BIOL 200 Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Couteau, Florence Michel; Bureau, Thomas E; Roy, Richard D W; Fagotto, Francesco; Zetka, Monique (Fall)
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BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Brouhard, Gary; Brown, Gregory G (Winter)
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BIOL 202 Basic Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences.
Terms: Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Schoen, Daniel J; Chevrette, Mario; Hipfner, David (Winter) Dankort, David; Hipfner, David (Summer)
Winter, Summer
3 hours lecture, 1 hour optional tutorial
Prerequisite: BIOL 200.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking CELL 204.
-
BIOL 205 Biology of Organisms (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Unified view of form and function in animals and plants. Focus on how the laws of chemistry and physics illuminate biological processes relating to the acquisition of energy and materials and their use in movement, growth, development, reproduction and responses to environmental stress.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Dhindsa, Rajinder S (Winter)
-
BIOL 215 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the fundamental processes of ecology and evolution that bear on the nature and diversity of organisms and the processes that govern their assembly into ecological communities and their roles in ecosystem function.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Price, Neil; Potvin, Catherine; Abouheif, Ehab (Fall)
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BIOL 395 Quantitative Biology Seminar 1 (1 credit)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Vogel, Jacalyn; Guichard, Frederic (Fall)
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BIOL 466 Independent Research Project 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Independent research project.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Fall, Winter or Summer
Prerequisite: BIOL 206 or BIOL 301 or other suitable laboratory course.
Restrictions: Open only to Biology students. Not open to students who have taken BIOL 477.
Projects must be arranged individually with a staff member of the Biology Department and a form from Nancy Nelson, Room W3/25, Stewart Building, must be completed prior to registration.
-
BIOL 495 Quantitative Biology Seminar 2 (1 credit)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Vogel, Jacalyn; Guichard, Frederic (Fall)
Fall
1 hour seminar
Prerequisite: BIOL 395
Restriction: Registration is restricted to U3 students in the Quantitative Biology program, joint COMP-BIOL, BIOL-MATH, PHGY-MATH and PHGY-PHYS programs.
Chemistry
* Students who have taken the equivalent of CHEM 212 can make up the credits with a complementary CHEM course in consultation with a stream adviser.
-
CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Tsantrizos, Youla S; Harpp, David Noble (Fall) Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Daoust, Michel; Huot, Mitchell; Lumb, Jean-Philip (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Summer)
Fall, Winter, Summer
Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.
Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.
Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 211 or equivalent
Each lab section is limited enrolment
Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page ().
Computer Science
* Students who have taken COMP 202 or have sufficient programming experience can make up the credits with a complementary COMP course in consultation with a stream adviser. COMP 364 is strongly recommended.
-
COMP 202 Foundations of Programming (3 credits) *
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to programming in a modern high-level language, modular software design and debugging. Programming concepts are illustrated using a variety of application areas.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Rekleitis, Ioannis; Pomerantz, Daniel; Liu, Xue (Fall) Kienzle, Jorg Andreas; Pomerantz, Daniel (Winter) Pomerantz, Daniel (Summer)
3 hours
Prerequisite: a CEGEP level mathematics course
Restrictions: COMP 202 and COMP 208 cannot both be taken for credit. COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 208 is intended for students interested in scientific computation. COMP 202 cannot be taken for credit with or after COMP 250
-
COMP 250 Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : An introduction to the design of computer algorithms, including basic data structures, analysis of algorithms, and establishing correctness of programs. Overview of topics in computer science.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Langer, Michael (Fall) Blanchette, Mathieu (Winter)
Math
-
MATH 223 Linear Algebra (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: El Hajj, Layan; Jonsson, Wilbur (Fall) Jonsson, Wilbur; Wu, Hehui (Winter)
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MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Xu, Jian-Jun (Fall) Eremin, Alexey (Winter) Makhmali, Omid (Summer)
Physics
-
PHYS 230 Dynamics of Simple Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Translational motion under Newton's laws; forces, momentum, work/energy theorem. Special relativity; Lorentz transforms, relativistic mechanics, mass/energy equivalence. Topics in rotational dynamics. Noninertial frames.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Guo, Hong (Fall)
Complementary Courses (33 credits)
29-33 credits of complementary courses selected as follows:
0-3 credits from MATH:
* For students who have NOT taken MATH 150 and MATH 151
-
MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits) *
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Jonsson, Wilbur; Rogers, Mathew (Fall) Jonsson, Wilbur; Canzani Garcia, Yaiza (Winter) Cormier, Eric (Summer)
9 credits from the following lists:
For Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Stream
-
MATH 204 Principles of Statistics 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The concept of degrees of freedom and the analysis of variability. Planning of experiments. Experimental designs. Polynomial and multiple regressions. Statistical computer packages (no previous computing experience is needed). General statistical procedures requiring few assumptions about the probability model.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Stephens, David (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisite: MATH 203 or equivalent. No calculus prerequisites
Restriction: This course is intended for students in all disciplines. For extensive course restrictions covering statistics courses see Section 3.6.1 of the Arts and of the Science sections of the calendar regarding course overlaps.
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
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MATH 242 Analysis 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : A rigorous presentation of sequences and of real numbers and basic properties of continuous and differentiable functions on the real line.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Eswarathasan, Suresh; Klemes, Ivo (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: MATH 141
-
MATH 324 Statistics (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, contingency tables, nonparametric inference, regression, Bayesian inference.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Anderson, William J (Fall) Wolfson, David B (Winter)
Fall and Winter
Prerequisite: MATH 323 or equivalent
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 357
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
-
MATH 340 Discrete Structures 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of mathematical writing, proof techniques, graph theory and counting. Mathematical logic. Graph connectivity, planar graphs and colouring. Probability and graphs. Introductory group theory, isomorphisms and automorphisms of graphs. Enumeration and listing.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Shepherd, Frederick (Winter)
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MATH 423 Regression and Analysis of Variance (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Least-squares estimators and their properties. Analysis of variance. Linear models with general covariance. Multivariate normal and chi-squared distributions; quadratic forms. General linear hypothesis: F-test and t-test. Prediction and confidence intervals. Transformations and residual plot. Balanced designs.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Khalili Mahmoudabadi, Abbas (Fall)
-
MATH 524 Nonparametric Statistics (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Distribution free procedures for 2-sample problem: Wilcoxon rank sum, Siegel-Tukey, Smirnov tests. Shift model: power and estimation. Single sample procedures: Sign, Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Nonparametric ANOVA: Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman tests. Association: Spearman's rank correlation, Kendall's tau. Goodness of fit: Pearson's chi-square, likelihood ratio, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Statistical software packages used.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Neslehova, Johanna (Fall)
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MATH 525 Sampling Theory and Applications (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Simple random sampling, domains, ratio and regression estimators, superpopulation models, stratified sampling, optimal stratification, cluster sampling, sampling with unequal probabilities, multistage sampling, complex surveys, nonresponse.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Steele, Russell (Fall)
For Physical Biology Stream
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CHEM 222 Introductory Organic Chemistry 2 (4 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Harpp, David Noble; Perepichka, Dmytro (Fall) Daoust, Michel; Huot, Mitchell; Pavelka, Laura; Auclair, Karine (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Summer)
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CHEM 243 Introductory Physical Chemistry 2 (2 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Heterogeneous equilibrium: phase rule and phase diagrams. Ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility. Electrochemistry, Debye-H眉ckel Theory. Kinetics 2: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Cosa, Gonzalo (Winter)
- CHEM 253 Introductory Physical Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1 credit)
-
CHEM 345 Molecular Properties and Structure 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : An introduction to quantum chemistry covering the historical development, wave theory, methods of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum chemistry.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Reven, Linda G (Fall)
- CHEM 355 Molecular Properties and Structure 2 (3 credits)
-
CHEM 514 Biophysical Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Physical chemistry concepts needed to understand the function of biological systems at the molecular level, including the structure, stability, transport, and interactions of biological macromolecules.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Wiseman, Paul; Mittermaier, Anthony; Blum, Amy (Winter)
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PHYS 342 Majors Electromagnetic Waves (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Maxwell's equations. The wave equation. The electromagnetic wave, reflection, refraction, polarization. Guided waves. Transmission lines and wave guides. Vector potential. Radiation. The elemental dipole; the half-wave dipole; vertical dipole; folded dipoles; Yagi antennas. Accelerating charged particles.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Hilke, Michael (Winter)
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PHYS 434 Optics (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Geometrical optics, wave optics, lasers, Fourier transform spectroscopy, holography, optical data processing, stellar interferometry.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Pereg-Barnea, Tamar (Winter)
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PHYS 534 Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Topics include scanning probe microscopy, chemical self-assembly, computer modelling, and microfabrication/micromachining.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Grutter, Peter H (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: U3 or graduate students in Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering, or permission of the instructor.
For both Streams
*Students may select either CHEM 365 or PHYS 333
** Students may select either COMP 350 or MATH 317
-
CHEM 365 Statistical Thermodynamics (2 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : Molecular basis of thermodynamics with applications to ideal gases and simple solids. Topics to be covered will include: calculation of thermodynamic functions, chemical equilibrium constants, Einstein and Debye models of solids, absolute reaction rate theory, Debye-H眉ckel theory of strong electrolytes.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Wiseman, Paul (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisite: CHEM 345
-
COMP 206 Introduction to Software Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Comprehensive overview of programming in C, use of system calls and libraries, debugging and testing of code; use of developmental tools like make, version control systems.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Vybihal, Joseph P; Dudek, Gregory L (Fall) He, Wenbo; Dudek, Gregory L (Winter)
-
COMP 251 Algorithms and Data Structures (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to algorithm design and analysis. Graph algorithms, greedy algorithms, data structures, dynamic programming, maximum flows.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Panangaden, Prakash (Fall) Verbrugge, Clark (Winter)
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COMP 350 Numerical Computing (3 credits) **
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Computer representation of numbers, IEEE Standard for Floating Point Representation, computer arithmetic and rounding errors. Numerical stability. Matrix computations and software systems. Polynomial interpolation. Least-squares approximation. Iterative methods for solving a nonlinear equation. Discretization methods for integration and differential equations.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
-
COMP 364 Computer Tools for Life Sciences (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Concepts and tools for programmatic storage, retrieval, searching, numerical analysis, and visualization of large biological data sets.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Waldispuhl, J茅r么me (Winter)
-
MATH 314 Advanced Calculus (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Derivative as a matrix. Chain rule. Implicit functions. Constrained maxima and minima. Jacobians. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss. Fourier series with applications.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Xu, Jian-Jun (Fall) Jonsson, Wilbur (Winter) Roth, Charles (Summer)
-
MATH 317 Numerical Analysis (3 credits) **
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Error analysis. Numerical solutions of equations by iteration. Interpolation. Numerical differentiation and integration. Introduction to numerical solutions of differential equations.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Bartello, Peter (Fall)
-
MATH 319 Introduction to Partial Differential Equations (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order equations, geometric theory; second order equations, classification; Laplace, wave and heat equations, Sturm-Liouville theory, Fourier series, boundary and initial value problems.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Feys, Jan (Winter)
-
MATH 323 Probability (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Asgharian-Dastenaei, Masoud (Fall) Wolfson, David B (Winter) Kelome, Djivede (Summer)
-
MATH 326 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Linear systems of differential equations, linear stability theory. Nonlinear systems: existence and uniqueness, numerical methods, one and two dimensional flows, phase space, limit cycles, Poincare-Bendixson theorem, bifurcations, Hopf bifurcation, the Lorenz equations and chaos.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Nave, Jean-Christophe (Fall)
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MATH 327 Matrix Numerical Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : An overview of numerical methods for linear algebra applications and their analysis. Problem classes include linear systems, least squares problems and eigenvalue problems.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Humphries, Antony Raymond (Winter)
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MATH 348 Topics in Geometry (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Selected topics - the particular selection may vary from year to year. Topics include: isometries in the plane, symmetry groups of frieze and ornamental patterns, equidecomposibility, non-Euclidean geometry and problems in discrete geometry.
Terms: Summer 2013
Instructors: Smith, Benjamin (Summer)
Prerequisite: MATH 133 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
-
MATH 437 Mathematical Methods in Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The formulation and treatment of realistic mathematical models describing biological phenomena through qualitative and quantitative mathematical techniques (e.g. local and global stability theory, bifurcation analysis and phase plane analysis) and numerical simulation. Concrete and detailed examples will be drawn from molecular and cellular biology and mammalian physiology.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Mackey, Michael C (Fall)
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MATH 447 Introduction to Stochastic Processes (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Conditional probability and conditional expectation, generating functions. Branching processes and random walk. Markov chains, transition matrices, classification of states, ergodic theorem, examples. Birth and death processes, queueing theory.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Anderson, William J (Winter)
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PHYS 333 Thermal and Statistical Physics (3 credits) *
Overview
Physics : Introductory equilibrium statistical mechanics. Quantum states, probabilities, ensemble averages. Entropy, temperature, Boltzmann factor, chemical potential. Photons and phonons. Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions; applications.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Francois, Paul (Winter)
20 or 21 credits from ONE of the following two streams:
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Stream
0-21 credits
9 credits of:
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BIOL 206 Methods in Biology of Organisms (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Introduction to modern methods used in organismal biology, including ecological sampling, experimental methods and statistics, taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of biodiversity, experimental behavioural ecology, microbiological methods, and library search procedures.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Gonzalez, Andrew; Chapman, Lauren; Lechowicz, Martin J (Fall)
Fall
1.5 hours lecture, 3.5 hours laboratory and local field trip in week 2
Prerequisite: BIOL 111 or equivalent
-
BIOL 304 Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : This course will show how the theory of evolution by natural selection provides the basis for understanding the whole of biology. The first half of the course describes the process of selection, while the second deals with evolution in the long term.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Bell, Graham (Fall)
-
BIOL 308 Ecological Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Principles of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics: population growth and regulation, species interactions, dynamics of competitive interactions and of predator/prey systems; evolutionary dynamics.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Fussmann, Gregor; Guichard, Frederic (Fall)
3 credits of Field course from the following, (or any other field course with permission):
-
BIOL 240 Monteregian Flora (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Field studies of ferns, fern allies, conifers and flowering plants; the use of keys for plant identification.
Terms: Summer 2013
Instructors: Lechowicz, Martin J; Lapointe, Melanie (Summer)
Prerequisite: BIOL 111 or permission
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PLNT 358
Note: Taught at the Gault Nature Reserve. Contact instructor for specific dates, logistics: (martin.lechowicz [at] mcgill.ca).
This course is offered in the summer.
This course, given at the University鈥檚 Gault Nature Reserve in Mont St. Hilaire, has an additional fee of $400 which includes a hand lens, a textbook, handouts, lodging and supper each day.
-
BIOL 331 Ecology/Behaviour Field Course (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Methods of sampling natural populations. Testing hypotheses in nature.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Lechowicz, Martin J; Reader, Simon; Hendry, Andrew (Fall)
Fall
Note: Preregistration in March and April. See Course web page: . Meets 12-days just before the fall term, with a project report early in the fall term.
The field portion of this course is given at the University's Gault Nature Reserve in Mont St. Hilaire over a two-week period in August. In the fall, students prepare a report based on projects carried out during this field portion. This course has an additional fee of $532 which includes room and board and handouts. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity
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BIOL 334 Applied Tropical Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Relevant to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and conservation of natural resources. Field component taught at the University's Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, for two weeks in early May. The course is organized in a series of small-group field projects of 2-3 days each. Interested students should contact the Undergraduate Office and fill out an application form.
Terms: Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Bureau, Thomas E; Guichard, Frederic (Winter) Guichard, Frederic; Bureau, Thomas E; Price, Neil (Summer)
Summer
Prerequisites: BIOL 206; and BIOL 215 or both ENVR 200 and ENVR 202; and permission of the instructor.
This course, given in Barbados, has an additional fee of $1450 to cover the costs of room and board at Bellairs Research Institute, the course pack and all other expenses during the course. It does not cover tuition, airfare, flight insurance, airport taxes, meals in transit, or the cost of supplementary health insurance. The fee is refundable during the period where a student can drop the course with full refund. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.
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BIOL 432 Limnology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of lakes and other inland waters, with emphasis on their functioning as systems.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Fussmann, Gregor (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lecture; 2 weekends at field station equivalent to 3 hours laboratory per week
Prerequisites: BIOL 206 and BIOL 215 or permission of instructor.
This course, involving two field weekends, has an additional fee of $225, which includes room and board and transportation. The fee is refundable during the period where a student can drop the course with full refund. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.
9 credits chosen from the following, of which 6 credits must be at the 400 level or above:
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BIOL 310 Biodiversity and Ecosystems (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Ecological bases of the natural causes and consequences of current global environmental changes, including how biodiversity and ecosystem processes are defined and measured, how they vary in space and time, how they are affected by physical and biological factors, and how they affect each other and human societies.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Davies, Thomas (Winter)
-
BIOL 324 Ecological Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : This course presents evolutionary genetics within an ecological context. The course covers theoretical topics together with relevant data from natural populations of plants and animals.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Fall
2 hours lecture, 1 hour seminar
Prerequisite: BIOL 202
-
BIOL 373 Biometry (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Leung, Brian (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: MATH 112 or equivalent
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
-
BIOL 434 Theoretical Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Study of theoretical ecology and of mathematical tools available to explore the dynamical behaviour of model populations, communities and ecosystems. Models addressing major ecological theories including population stability, community dynamics and ecosystem functioning, epidemic and disturbance dynamics, spatial models, game theory.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Guichard, Frederic (Winter)
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BIOL 435 Natural Selection (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Explains how the selection of undirected variation accounts for some of the leading features of the natural world. Its main focus is evolutionary change and adaptation, but it will also include material from ecological, economic, biochemical and computer systems. It emphasizes experimental studies of evolution.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Fall
3 hours of lecture
Prerequisite: BIOL 304 or permission of instructor.
-
BIOL 590 Linking Community and Ecosystem Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Theoretical foundations for a new ecological synthesis that merges the perspectives of population, community, evolutionary and ecosystem ecology. Focus on theory in interaction with experimental and empirical work, and covers current topics at the interface between community and ecosystem ecology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Winter
1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours seminar
Prerequisite: BIOL 434 or permission of instructor.
-
BIOL 594 Advanced Evolutionary Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Evolutionary ecology is the study of evolutionary change in natural populations. General predictive approaches in evolutionary ecology, including population genetics, quantitative genetics, optimality, and game theory will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the mathematical underpinnings of each approach, particularly as they relate to classic and contemporary problems.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Physical Biology Stream
0-21 credits
8-9 credits:
* Students may select either PHYS 232 or PHYS 242
Note: PHYS 242 is required for PHYS 342 and PHYS 434
-
BIOL 301 Cell and Molecular Laboratory (4 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to laboratory techniques with a focus on methods used to investigate fundamental questions in modern cell and molecular biology. Techniques including gene cloning, DNA and protein isolation and manipulation are covered, along with functional analysis of genes and proteins, basic bioinformatics, and computer-based experimental design and data analysis.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Moon, Nam Sung; Dent, Joseph Alan; Zheng, Huanquan (Fall) Moon, Nam Sung; Harrison, Paul; Zheng, Huanquan (Winter)
Fall or Winter
1 hour lecture and one 6-hour laboratory
Prerequisites: PHYS 102 or PHYS 142, BIOL 200, BIOL 201 or ANAT/BIOC 212, and BIOL 202. BIOL 206 recommended.
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOC 300. Requires departmental approval.
For approval email anne-marie.sdicu [at] mcgill.ca. Specify your ID number as well as the term and lab day.
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CHEM 223 Introductory Physical Chemistry 1 (2 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Kinetics 1: Gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions. Thermodynamics: Zeroth law of thermodynamics. First law of thermodynamics, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies. Second law of thermodynamics; the entropy and free energy functions. Third law of thermodynamics, absolute entropies, free energies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Ronis, David M (Fall)
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PHYS 232 Heat and Waves (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : The laws of thermodynamics and their consequences. Thermodynamics of P-V-T systems and simple heat engines. Free, driven, and damped harmonic oscillators. Coupled systems and normal modes. Fourier methods. Wave motion and dispersion. The wave equation.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Ryan, Dominic (Winter)
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PHYS 242 Electricity and Magnetism (2 credits) *
Overview
Physics : Properties of electromagnetic fields, dipole and quadropole fields and their interactions, chemical binding of molecules, electromagnetic properties of materials, Maxwell's equations and properties of electromagnetic waves, propagation of waves in media.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Lovejoy, Shaun MacDonald (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lectures
Prerequisites: CEGEP Physics, MATH 222
6 credits chosen from the following:
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BIOL 300 Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Sch枚ck, Frieder; Lasko, Paul; Hekimi, Siegfried (Fall)
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BIOL 303 Developmental Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Western, Tamara; Rao, Yong; Dufort, Daniel (Winter)
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BIOL 306 Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Pollack, Gerald; Dent, Joseph Alan; Watt, Alanna (Fall)
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BIOL 309 Mathematical Models in Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Glass, Leon (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: one year of calculus. An additional course in calculus is recommended
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BIOL 313 Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Cell biology of eukaryotes focusing on the assembly and function of cellular structures, the regulation of transcription; the dynamics of the cytoskeleton and its motors; mechanics of cell division; cell cycle and checkpoints; nuclear dynamics; chromosome structure and behaviour and experimental techniques.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Zetka, Monique; Fagotto, Francesco (Winter)
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PHYS 319 Introduction to Biophysics (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Introduction to biophysics: the investigation of the physical laws which apply to biological molecules and cells. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies; these principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and RNA.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Leslie, Sabrina (Winter)
And 6 credits chosen from the following:
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BIOL 518 Advanced Topics in Cell Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Concepts and mechanisms in advanced cell biology, based on genetic, cell biological, biophysical, and computational studies. Emphasis is placed on processes that are evolutionarily conserved, with examples from model organisms and cell-free (in vitro) approaches.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Brouhard, Gary; Vogel, Jacalyn (Winter)
Winter
3 hours seminar
Prerequisite: BIOL 313 or permission
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BIOL 520 Gene Activity in Development (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An analysis of the role and regulation of gene expression in several models of eukaryotic development. The emphasis will be on critical evaluation of recent literature concerned with molecular or genetic approaches to the problems of cellular differentiation and determination. Recent research reports will be discussed in conferences and analyzed in written critiques.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Roy, Richard D W (Winter)
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BIOL 524 Topics in Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Molecular genetics and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, including signal transduction, cell differentiation and function, genetic diseases in eukaryotes.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Clarke, Hugh; Dankort, David (Fall)
- BIOL 530 Advances in Neuroethology (3 credits)
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BIOL 551 Principles of Cellular Control (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells..
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Vogel, Jacalyn (Winter)
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BIOL 588 Advances in Molecular/Cellular Neurobiology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Discussion of fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the general features of cellular neurobiology. An advanced course based on lectures and on a critical review of primary research papers.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Hastings, Kenneth E M; Carbonetto, Salvatore T (Fall)
Faculty of Science—2012-2013 (last updated Dec. 20, 2012) (disclaimer)