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Major Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) (42 credits)

Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences     Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)

Program Requirements

The Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Major provides a strong foundation in the basic biological sciences. It will prepare graduates for careers in the agricultural, environmental, health, and biotechnological fields. Graduates with high academic achievement may go on to postgraduate studies in research, or professional programs in the biological, veterinary, medical, and health sciences fields.

For information on academic advising, see:

Program Prerequisites

Please refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements", in this eCalendar for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.

Default Specialization: Students who do not select a Specialization will automatically be assigned to the Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary) Specialization upon entering U2.

Required Courses (33 credits)

* Other appropriate Statistics courses may be approved as substitutes by the Program Director.

  • AEBI 210 Organisms 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : The biology of plants and plant-based systems in managed and natural terrestrial environments. The interactions between autotrophs and soil organisms and selected groups of animals with close ecological and evolutionary connections with plants (e.g., herbivores and pollinators) will be explored in lecture and laboratory.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Dastmalchi, Mehran (Fall)

    • 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab, per week.

  • AEBI 211 Organisms 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : Introduction to the biology of heterotrophs, focusing on animal diversity from the perspectives of phylogenetics, physiology, and ecology. Introduction to major animal taxa, comparing and contrasting these taxa, and exploration of the relationships among them.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Head, Jessica (Winter)

    • Restrictions: None

  • AEBI 212 Evolution and Phylogeny (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : Overview of the tree of life and exploration of the central role evolution plays in the field of biology. Difficulties inherent to classifying life and critically assessing evolutionary theory among scientific and popular audiences. The importance of phylogenetics and the relationships among major groups of organisms.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Jackson, Morgan (Winter)

  • AEHM 205 Science Literacy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    English (Agric & Envir Sc) : Development of English language and information literacy. Problem-based approach using science topics from specializations offered by the Faculty will be central to skill development. The course includes how to research and compose work in scientific format and will encourage a reader-oriented style.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Newman, Carole; MacKenzie, Emily (Fall) Newman, Carole; MacKenzie, Emily (Winter)

    • Students whose first language is not English are encouraged to register for WCOM 295, ESL: Academic English Seminar, or equivalent, prior to starting their program.

  • AEMA 310 Statistical Methods 1 (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Mathematics (Agric&Envir Sci) : Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Dutilleul, Pierre R L (Fall) Dhiman, Jaskaran (Winter)

    • Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab

    • Please note that credit will be given for only one introductory statistics course. Consult your academic advisor.

  • ANSC 400 Eukaryotic Cells and Viruses (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : The basic principles of molecular biology and the underlying molecular basis for various methodologies in molecular biology are covered. The molecular genetic basis for viral infections and tumorigenesis will be covered as examples of the use of molecular genetic approaches to address biological problems.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Klein, Matthias (Winter)

  • LSCI 202 Molecular Cell Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Parasitology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Life Sciences : Organization and function of intracellular organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mechanisms of membrane transport. Protein sorting and vesicular transport. Cytoskeleton. DNA and chromosome structure. DNA replication. Mechanisms of RNA and protein synthesis. Control of gene expression. Cell cycle and the control of cell division. Mechanisms of cell communication and signal transduction. Apoptosis. Neuronal signaling.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Liu, Qian (Winter)

    • Prerequisites: LSCI 211 and FDSC 230 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

  • LSCI 204 Genetics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Life Sciences : The course integrates classical, molecular and population genetics of animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. The aim is to understand the flow of genetic information within a cell, within families and in populations. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving based learning. The laboratory exercises will emphasize the interpretation of genetic experimental data.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Fall)

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken BIOL 202.

  • LSCI 211 Biochemistry 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Parasitology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Life Sciences : Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Cestari, Igor; Long, Thavy (Fall) Long, Thavy; Cestari, Igor (Winter)

    • Co-requisite: FDSC 230

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken FDSC 211

  • LSCI 230 Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Life Sciences : The occurrence and importance of microorganisms in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, humans and animals.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Faucher, Sebastien (Winter)

  • PARA 438 Immunology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Parasitology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Parasitology : An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Sonzogni-Desautels, Karine (Fall)

    • 3 lectures per week

    • Prerequisites: AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 or permission of instructor

Complementary Courses (9 credits)

9 credits of the complementary courses selected from:

  • ANSC 234 Biochemistry 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Giehl Glanzner, Werner; Marchand, Hugo (Winter)

  • ANSC 250 Principles of Animal Science (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : Introduction to the scientific principles underlying the livestock and poultry industries. Emphasis will be placed on the breeding, physiology and nutrition of animals raised for the production of food and fibre.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Wade, Kevin (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures and one 2-hour lab

  • ANSC 312 Animal Health and Disease (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Winter)

  • ANSC 323 Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Zhao, Xin (Fall)

  • ANSC 324 Developmental Biology and Reproduction (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : Focus on the hormonal, cellular and molecular aspects of reproduction and development (gametogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryonic and foetal development, parturition, lactation period, periods before and after puberty). Emphasis on underlying cellular mechanisms and their regulation by hormones and the environment.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Baldassarre, Hernán (Winter)

  • ANSC 326 Fundamentals of Population Genetics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : Population genetics mechanisms in mammals, birds and plant. Factors influencing gene, genotype, and phenotypic frequencies. Effects of different types of selection, Hardy-Weinberg, linkage and recombination, polymorphisms and heterozygosity, population size, random drift and inbreeding on gene and genotype frequencies. Relationship between quantitative genetic parameters and gene frequencies.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Cue, Roger (Fall)

    • Prerequisites: AEMA 310 and LSCI 204, or equivalents, or permission of the instructor.

  • ANSC 420 Animal Biotechnology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Animal Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Animal Science : Applications of animal biotechnology in agriculture, biomedicine and environmental preservation, including culture, manipulation and transformation of somatic cells, isolation of stem cells, reproductive biotechnologies, animal cloning by nuclear transplantation, production of genetically modified and gene-edited animals, and cell and gene therapies.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Gutierrez, Karina (Fall)

  • BINF 511 Bioinformatics for Genomics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Bioinformatics : Bioinformatics methods and reasoning in relation to genomics, proteomics and metabolomics strategies with an emphasis on functional genomics data. The course will cover introduction to UNIX, Perl programming, data processing and integration, file parsing, relational database design and implementation, angled towards solutions relevant for genomics.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Stromvik, Martina (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: Understanding of cell and molecular biology (equivalent to a cell or molecular biology course) or permission from instructor.

  • BTEC 306 Experiments in Biotechnology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Biotechnology : Practical laboratory-based research experience. Techniques in cellular and molecular biology, designing experiments and developing skills in interpretation and communication of experimental results.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Gélinas Bélanger, Jérôme (Winter)

  • ENVB 210 The Biophysical Environment (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Environmental Biology : With reference to the ecosystems in the St Lawrence lowlands, the principles and processes governing climate-landform-water-soil-vegetation systems and their interactions will be examined in lecture and laboratory. Emphasis on the natural environment as an integrated system.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Mousavi-Torbati, Khosro; Hung, Chih-Yu (Fall)

  • ENVB 222 St. Lawrence Ecosystems (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Environmental Biology : Integrative field biology course about the biodiversity and ecology of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Research projects about the natural history of the regional flora and fauna. Fundamentals of community, ecosystem and landscape ecology.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: McKinney, Melissa (Fall)

    • Fall

    • This course carries an additional charge of $20.54 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.

  • FAES 300 Internship 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Agricultural & Env.Sc.-Dean (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Faculty of Agric & Envir Sci : Full-time work-term intended to complement the student's undergraduate studies. Course work will be graded by a Faculty member with expertise relevant to the student's area of study. Finding a work placement is the responsibility of the student and facilitated by the Faculty's Internship Office.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Cherestes, Alice; Gray, Kendra (Fall)

    • Students will receive a final grade on their transcript. Students must be registered as a full-time student prior to and after enrollment in this course. A mandatory report must be submitted at the end of the Internship to the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Internship Office.

    • Restrictions: Students must be registered as a full-time student prior to and after enrollment in this course. Minimum CGPA of 2.7 required. Open to all students in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

  • LSCI 451 Research Project 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Life Sciences : A research project on a topic relevant to the life sciences. This course is intended for senior (U3) undergraduates.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Ronholm, Jennifer; Kallenbach, Cynthia; Cestari, Igor (Fall) Ronholm, Jennifer (Winter)

    • Fall and Winter

    • Prerequisite(s): PARA 438 as a prerequisite or corequisite, and permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Open to students with a minimum CGPA of 3.0.

    • Enrolment is limited by availability of research project supervisors and to students in the Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Major. Students should make arrangements with a willing supervisor, and the proposed supervisor and project are subject to approval. Recommended for students in their final year (U3).

    • Not open to students who have taken AEBI 451.

  • LSCI 452 Research Project 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Life Sciences : Continuation of the project begun in LSCI 451 on a topic relevant to the life sciences.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Ronholm, Jennifer (Fall) Ronholm, Jennifer (Winter)

    • Fall and Winter

    • Prerequisite: LSCI 451

    • Restrictions: Enrolment is limited by availability of research project supervisors and to students in the Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Major. Students should make arrangements with a supervisor; the proposed supervisor and project are subject to approval. Not open to students who have taken AEBI 452.

  • MICR 331 Microbial Ecology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles. Microbial interactions with the environment, plants, animals and other microbes emphasizing the underlying genetics and physiology. Diversity, evolution (microbial phylogenetics) and the application of molecular biology in microbial ecology.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite(s): LSCI 230 or AEBI 212 or ENVR 202 or permission of the instructor.

    • Not recommended for U1 students.

  • MICR 338 Bacterial Molecular Genetics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : Basic bacterial genetics, DNA damage and repair, mutagenesis, gene cloning, mapping and regulation, molecular biology. Laboratory sessions will provide the student with practical experience in the genetic manipulation of microbes and in molecular biology techniques.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Fall)

  • MICR 341 Mechanisms of Pathogenicity (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : A study of the means by which bacteria cause disease in animals and humans. Includes response of host to invading bacteria, bacterial attachment and penetration processes, and modes of actions of exotoxins and endotoxins.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • MICR 450 Environmental Microbiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : Focus on microbes in the environment. Topics include extreme environments, polar microbiology, biotechnology and bioremediation. Emphasis will be on population studies based upon molecular biological methods.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Sugden, Scott (Winter)

  • NRSC 333 Pollution and Bioremediation (3 credits)

    Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Natural Resource Sciences : The environmental contaminants which cause pollution; sources, amounts and transport of pollutants in water, air and soil; waste management.

    Terms: Fall 2024

    Instructors: Head, Jessica; Freyria, Nastasia (Fall)

    • .

  • PARA 410 Environment and Infection (3 credits)

    Offered by: Parasitology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Parasitology : Infectious pathogens of humans and animals and their impact on the global environment are considered. The central tenet is that infectious pathogens are environmental risk factors. The course considers their impact on the human condition and juxtaposes the impact of control and treatment measures and environmental change.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Tritten, Lucienne (Winter)

  • PARA 424 Fundamental Parasitology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Parasitology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Parasitology : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Opadokun, Tosin (Winter)

    • Prerequisite(s): AEBI 211 or LSCI 230 or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 424.

  • PLNT 304 Biology of Fungi (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Plant Science : This course describes the various groups of fungi and explores in depth their biology and physiology, their ecological niches and the role in various ecosystems and their benefits and uses in industry and biotechnology.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    • 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab

    • Restriction: U2 or above, or permission of instructor.

  • PLNT 353 Plant Structure and Function (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Plant Science : The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on how physiological processes influence function.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)

  • PLNT 426 Plant Ecophysiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Plant Science : This course investigates the complex interactions between plants and their environment, focusing on the mechanisms underlying plant physiological processes. Plasticity of plants to their ecological environment; topics include phytoremediation, plant stress responses, plant-symbiosis and plant-insect interactions.

    Terms: Winter 2025

    Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)

  • PLNT 435 Plant Breeding (3 credits)

    Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

    Overview

    Plant Science : Principles and practices of plant breeding, including reproduction of crop plants; plant hybridization; sources of genetic variation; selection methods used for self- and cross-pollinated crops and for clonally reproduced crops; breeding for diseases and pest resistance; applications of biotechnology in plant breeding.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Specialization

At least one specialization of 18-24 credits from:

Specializations designed to be taken with the Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Major:

- Animal Biology
- Animal Health and Disease
- Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
- Microbiology and Molecular Biotechnology

Note: For a complete list of specializations offered for students in the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, please refer to "Browse Academic Units & Programs" > "Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) - B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)" > "Specializations" in this eCalendar.

Electives

To meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree.

Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2024-2025 (last updated Sep. 4, 2024) (disclaimer)
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