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Program Requirements
This honours program will train students in the fundamentals of biology - with a focus on molecular biology - and will give them computational and mathematical skills needed to manage, analyze, and model large biological datasets. Integrative features of the program include interdisciplinary introductory and seminar courses in bio-physical sciences, and a joint independent studies project. Compared to its non-Honours counterpart, the Honours program requires additional research credits and a larger number of advanced courses. Students must have and maintain a minimum CPGA of 3.5. Students may complete this program with a maximum of 77 credits or a minimum of 66 credits. This depends upon the student's choice of required courses and whether or not the student is exempt from taking COMP 202.
Program prerequisites: To ensure they meet the core requirements of the program it is highly recommended that the following courses be selected by U0 (Freshman) students: BIOL 111-112, CHEM 110-120, MATH 133, MATH 140-141 or MATH 150-151, PHYS 101-102 or PHYS 131-142. Note that MATH 150-151 provides equivalence for required course MATH 222, it is also advisable to take COMP 202 during U0 if possible. It is highly recommended that Freshman BIOL, CHEM, MATH and PHYS courses be selected with an adviser to ensure they meet the core requirements of the COMP-BIO program.
Required Courses
39-49 credits:
Bio-Physical Sciences Core
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BIOL 219 Introduction to Physical Biology of the Cell (4 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : This course is an introduction to molecular and cell biology, using a physical biology perspective. New technologies and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are embedded in the presentation of each topic.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Weber, Stephanie; Bub, Gil; Vogel, Jacalyn; Hendricks, Adam (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): 1 year of college calculus, chemistry, and physics or equivalents, BIOL 112 or equivalent
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking ANAT 212, BIOC 212, BIOL 200, and BIOL 201.
Restricted to students in Computer Science-Biology, Biology-Mathematics, Physiology-Physics, Physiology-Mathematics, Biology-Quantitative Biology, Chemistry-Biophysical Chemistry, and Physics-Biological Physics options.
This course is meant to prepare students for related 300-level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.
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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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Zheng, Huanquan; Harrison, Paul; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Fall) Zheng, Huanquan; Harrison, Paul; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (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 two lab day preferences.
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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 2018
Instructors: Hayer, Arnold; Gehring, Kalle Burgess; Guichard, Frederic; Western, Tamara; Brouhard, Gary; Kleinman, Claudia; Oeffinger, Marlene; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo; Weber, Stephanie (Fall)
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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 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Pavelka, Laura; Vlaho, Danielle; Daoust, Michel; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Fall) Lumb, Jean-Philip; Vlaho, Danielle; Daoust, Michel; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell (Winter) Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Vlaho, Danielle; Daoust, Michel; 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 ().
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COMP 202 Foundations of Programming (3 credits) **
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, primitive types, methods, conditionals, loops. Introduction to algorithms, data structures (arrays, strings), modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging, exception handling. Selected topics.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Alberini, Giulia; Vybihal, Joseph P (Fall) Alberini, Giulia; Yu, Tzu-Yang; Zammar, Chad (Winter) Yu, Tzu-Yang (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
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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 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Macdonald, Jeremy; Faifman, Dmitry (Fall) Sektnan, Lars (Winter) Pequignot, Yann Batiste (Summer)
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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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Kelome, Djivede (Fall) Macdonald, Jeremy (Winter)
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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 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Stephens, David (Fall) Wolfson, David B (Winter) Kelome, Djivede (Summer)
Computer Science and Mathematics
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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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Meger, David (Fall) Vybihal, Joseph P; Zammar, Chad (Winter)
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COMP 250 Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Mathematical tools (binary numbers, induction, recurrence relations, asymptotic complexity, establishing correctness of programs), Data structures (arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary trees, binary search trees, heaps, hash tables), Recursive and non-recursive algorithms (searching and sorting, tree and graph traversal). Abstract data types, inheritance. Selected topics.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Langer, Michael; Alberini, Giulia (Fall) Robillard, Martin; Alberini, Giulia (Winter)
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COMP 252 Honours Algorithms and Data Structures (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : The design and analysis of data structures and algorithms. The description of various computational problems and the algorithms that can be used to solve them, along with their associated data structures. Proving the correctness of algorithms and determining their computational complexity.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Vetta, Adrian Roshan (Winter)
3 hours
Restrictions: (1) Open only to students in Honours programs. (2) Students cannot receive credit for both COMP 251 and COMP 252.
COMP 252 uses basic combinatorial counting methods that are covered in MATH 240 but not in MATH 235. Students who are unfamiliar with these methods should speak with the instructor for guidance.
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MATH 240 Discrete Structures 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Mathematical foundations of logical thinking and reasoning. Mathematical language and proof techniques. Quantifiers. Induction. Elementary number theory. Modular arithmetic. Recurrence relations and asymptotics. Combinatorial enumeration. Functions and relations. Partially ordered sets and lattices. Introduction to graphs, digraphs and rooted trees.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Macdonald, Jeremy; Nica, Bogdan (Fall) Macdonald, Jeremy; Pequignot, Yann Batiste (Winter)
Biology
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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 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Moon, Nam Sung; Nilson, Laura; Western, Tamara (Winter) Dankort, David; Hipfner, David (Summer)
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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 2018
Instructors: Price, Neil; Fussmann, Gregor; Abouheif, Ehab (Fall)
Joint Courses
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COMP 402D1 Honours Project in Computer Science and Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : A two-semester research project applying computational approaches to a biological problem. The project is (co)-supervised by a professor in Computer Science and/or Biology or related fields.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Blanchette, Mathieu (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits of COMP courses and 9 credits of BIOL courses.
Restriction(s): Only for students in the Joint Honours in Computer Science and Biology.
Students must register for both COMP 402D1 and COMP 402D2
No credit will be given for this course unless both COMP 402D1 and COMP 402D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
COMP 402D1 and COMP 402D2 are equivalent to COMP 402
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COMP 402D2 Honours Project in Computer Science and Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : A two-semester research project applying computational approaches to a biological problem. The project is (co)-supervised by a professor in Computer Science and/or Biology or related fields.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Blanchette, Mathieu (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits of COMP courses and 9 credits of BIOL courses. COMP 402D1
Restriction(s): Only for students in the Joint Honours in Computer Science and Biology.
Prerequisite: COMP 402D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both COMP 402D1 and COMP 402D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
COMP 402D1 and COMP 402D2 are equivalent to COMP 402
* Students with CEGEP-level credit for the equivalents of MATH 222 and/or CHEM 212 (see for accepted equivalents) may not take these courses at 平特五不中 and should replace them with elective courses to satisfy the total credit requirement for their degree.
** Students who have sufficient knowledge in a programming language are not required to take COMP 202. *** Students take either COMP 462 or COMP 561.
Complementary Courses
27-28 credits
3-4 credits from the following:
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COMP 462 Computational Biology Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Application of computer science techniques to problems arising in biology and medicine, techniques for modeling evolution, aligning molecular sequences, predicting structure of a molecule and other problems from computational biology.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Blanchette, Mathieu (Fall)
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COMP 561 Computational Biology Methods and Research (4 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Application of computer science techniques to problems arising in biology and medicine, techniques for modeling evolution, aligning molecular sequences, predicting structure of a molecule and other problems from computational biology. An in-depth exploration of key research areas.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Blanchette, Mathieu (Fall)
4 hours
Prerequisites: COMP 251, and MATH 323 or MATH 203 or BIOL 309
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken COMP 562. Not open to students who are taking or have taken COMP 462.
Note: Additional work will consist of assignments and of a substantial final project that will require to put in practice the concepts covered in the course.
3-6 credits from the following:
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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 2018, Winter 2019, Summer 2019
Instructors: Nave, Jean-Christophe (Fall) Humphries, Antony Raymond (Winter) Roth, Charles (Summer)
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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 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Khalili Mahmoudabadi, Abbas (Fall) Asgharian-Dastenaei, Masoud (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.
The remaining 18-21 credits to be chosen from the following, with at least 9 credits at the 400 level or above:
Computer Science Block
9-12 credits from the following, with 3-6 credits at the 400 level or above:
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COMP 273 Introduction to Computer Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Number representations, combinational and sequential digital circuits, MIPS instructions and architecture datapath and control, caches, virtual memory, interrupts and exceptions, pipelining.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Kry, Paul (Fall) Siddiqi, Kaleem (Winter)
3 hours
Corequisite: COMP 206.
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COMP 302 Programming Languages and Paradigms (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Programming language design issues and programming paradigms. Binding and scoping, parameter passing, lambda abstraction, data abstraction, type checking. Functional and logic programming.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Pientka, Brigitte (Fall) Panangaden, Prakash (Winter)
3 hours
Prerequisite: COMP 250
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COMP 303 Software Design (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Principles, mechanisms, techniques, and tools for object-oriented software design and its implementation, including encapsulation, design patterns, and unit testing.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Nassif, Mathieu; Vybihal, Joseph P (Fall) Guo, Jin (Winter)
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COMP 307 Principles of Web Development (2 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : The course discusses the major principles, algorithms, languages and technologies that underlie web development. Students receive practical hands-on experience through a project.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Ahsan, Faizy; Vybihal, Joseph P (Fall)
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COMP 310 Operating Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Control and scheduling of large information processing systems. Operating system software - resource allocation, dispatching, processors, access methods, job control languages, main storage management. Batch processing, multiprogramming, multiprocessing, time sharing.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Maheswaran, Muthucumaru (Fall) Vybihal, Joseph P (Winter)
3 hours
Prerequisite: COMP 273
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COMP 322 Introduction to C++ (1 credit)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Basics and advanced features of the C++ language. Syntax, memory management, class structure, method and operator overloading, multiple inheritance, access control, stream I/O, templates, exception handling.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Zammar, Chad (Winter)
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COMP 330 Theory of Computation (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Finite automata, regular languages, context-free languages, push-down automata, models of computation, computability theory, undecidability, reduction techniques.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Panangaden, Prakash (Fall)
3 hours
Prerequisite: COMP 251.
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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: Fall 2018
Instructors: Chang, Xiao-Wen (Fall)
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COMP 361D1 Software Engineering Project (3 credits) ***
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Software development process in practice: requirement elicitation and analysis, software design, implementation, integration, test planning, and maintenance. Application of the core concepts and techniques through the realization of a large software system.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Kienzle, Jorg Andreas (Fall)
Corequisite: COMP 303
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken the 3 credit version of COMP 361.
Students must register for both COMP 361D1 and COMP 361D2
No credit will be given for this course unless both COMP 361D1 and COMP 361D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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COMP 361D2 Software Engineering Project (3 credits) ***
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : See COMP 361D1 for course description.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Kienzle, Jorg Andreas (Winter)
Prerequisite: COMP 361D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both COMP 361D1 and COMP 361D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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COMP 362 Honours Algorithm Design (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Basic algorithmic techniques, their applications and limitations. Problem complexity, how to deal with problems for which no efficient solutions are known.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Reed, Bruce Alan (Winter)
*** Students must take both COMP 361D1 and COMP 361D2.
Biology Block
9-12 credits from the following, with 3-6 credits at the 400 level or above:
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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 2018
Instructors: Sch枚ck, Frieder; Moon, Nam Sung (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 2019
Instructors: Hendricks, Shelton; Rao, Yong; Dufort, Daniel (Winter)
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BIOL 304 Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A comprehensive introduction to evolutionary biology. It covers both short-term and long-term evolutionary processes. Topics include the history of life, the origin of species, adaptation, natural selection and sexual selection.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Bell, Graham (Fall)
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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 2018
Instructors: Watt, Alanna; Dent, Joseph Alan; Oyama, Tomoko (Fall)
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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 2018
Instructors: Guichard, Frederic (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 2018
Instructors: Bub, Gil (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: one year of calculus. An additional course in calculus is recommended
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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 2019
Instructors: Sunday, Jennifer (Winter)
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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 2019
Instructors: Weber, Stephanie; Zetka, Monique (Winter)
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BIOL 314 Molecular Biology of Oncogenes (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The genes that cause cancer are altered versions of genes present in normal cells. The origins of these oncogenes, their genetic structure, regulation, and the biochemical properties of the oncogene-encoded proteins will be analyzed in an attempt to understand the origins of human and animal cancers.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Majewska, Loydie; Christensen, Karen Elizabeth; Del Rincon, Sonia Victoria; Duchaine, Thomas; Dankort, David (Fall)
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BIOL 316 Biomembranes and Organelles (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The course focuses on biomembranes and subcellular organelles and their implications for disease. The topics include: protein and lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and transport; intracellular compartmentalization, protein sorting and modification, intracellular membrane trafficking; energy transfer, organization and dynamics of chloroplasts and mitochondria; extracellular matrix and cell walls.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Zheng, Huanquan; Watt, Alanna (Fall)
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BIOL 319 Introduction to Biophysics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. 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 2019
Instructors: Wiseman, Paul (Winter)
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BIOL 320 Evolution of Brain and Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Functional and comparative approach to neuroanatomy, examining how species changes in brain organization contribute to evolutionary changes in behaviour.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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BIOL 370 Human Genetics Applied (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A contemporary view of genetic research as applied to human health and well-being.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Palmour, Roberta M; Mitchell, John James; Richards, John Brent; Trakadis, Ioannis; Ernst, Carl; Ao, Asangla; Fitzpatrick, Jennifer; Ryan, Aimee; Engert, James; Yamanaka, Yojiro (Fall)
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BIOL 389 Laboratory in Neurobiology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Methods of neurobiological research, including extracellular and intracellular recordings, electrical stimulation, and the study of neuro-behavioural problems.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Hendricks, Shelton; Dent, Joseph Alan; Oyama, Tomoko; Watt, Alanna (Winter)
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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 2018
Instructors: Hayer, Arnold; Gehring, Kalle Burgess; Guichard, Frederic; Western, Tamara; Brouhard, Gary; Kleinman, Claudia; Oeffinger, Marlene; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo; Weber, Stephanie (Fall)
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BIOL 416 Genetics of Mammalian Development (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : This course aims to examine problems, theories, and experimental evidence on several concepts of mammalian developmental processes at molecular to organogenesis levels. Most topics are in the mouse model system, where various techniques for genetic manipulation are available.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Dufort, Daniel; Gupta, Indra; Taketo-Hosotani, Teruko; Yamanaka, Yojiro; Crist, Colin (Winter)
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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: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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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 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Fall
3 hours of lecture
Prerequisite: BIOL 304 or permission of instructor.
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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: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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.
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BIOL 509 Methods in Molecular Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An overview of the molecular genetic tools used to investigate ecological and evolutionary processes in natural populations. The use of molecular tools in studies of population structure, parentage, kinship, species boundaries, phylogenetics. Special topics include conservation genetics, population genetics, and ecological genomics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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BIOL 514 Neurobiology Learning and Memory (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Properties of nerve cells that are responsible for learning and memory. Recent advances in the understanding of neurophysiological, biochemical and structural processes relevant to neural plasticity. Emphasis on a few selected model systems involving both vertebrate and invertebrate animals.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Gaskin, Stephane (Fall)
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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 2019
Instructors: Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo; Lasko, Paul; Harrison, Paul (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 2019
Instructors: Gerhold, Abigail (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 2018
Instructors: Clarke, Hugh; Dankort, David (Fall)
- BIOL 530 Advances in Neuroethology (3 credits)
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BIOL 532 Developmental Neurobiology Seminar (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Discussions of all aspects of nervous system development including pattern formation, cell lineage, pathfinding and targeting by growing axons, and neural regeneration. The basis for these discussions will be recent research papers and other assigned readings.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Van Meyel, Donald; Kania, Artur; Fournier, Alyson Elise; Cloutier, Jean-Francois; Ruthazer, Edward (Winter)
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BIOL 546 Genetics of Model Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Topics in the genetics and molecular genetics of unicellular, plant, invertebrate and vertebrate models systems.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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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: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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BIOL 568 Topics on the Human Genome (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Cellular and molecular approaches to characterization of the human genome.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Slim, Rima; Montpetit, Alexandre; Gottlieb, Bruce; Engert, James; Joly, Yann; Shateri Najafabadi, Hamed; Yamanaka, Yojiro; Langlais, David; Nadaf, Javad; Riviere, Jean-Baptiste (Winter)
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BIOL 569 Developmental Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The influence of developmental mechanisms on evolution. This course draws on recent examples from plants and invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Topics include homology, modularity, dissociation, co-option, evolutionary novelty, evolution of cis-regulation and gene regulatory networks, developmental constraint and evolvability, heterochrony, phenotypic plasticity, and canalization.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Abouheif, Ehab; Larsson, Hans Carl (Winter)
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BIOL 575 Human Biochemical Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Topics on the study of human systems that have led to advances in basic biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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BIOL 580 Genetic Approaches to Neural Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : This course will focus on recent research employing genetic-based methods to examine the functional and structural properties of the nervous system. The focus will be on approaches for studying neural circuits and behavior in a range of model organisms. Topics will include recent technological advances, such as optogenetics for modifying and controlling neuronal activity, and animal models of neurological diseases. Students will critically analyze the application of these methods to current research through in-class discussion of primary literature, student presentations, and written assignments.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Hendricks, Shelton; Watt, Alanna (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 306 or permission of the instructors.
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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 2018
Instructors: Hastings, Kenneth E M; Carbonetto, Salvatore T (Fall)
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NEUR 310 Cellular Neurobiology (3 credits)
Overview
Neurology and Neurosurgery : A survey of the functional organization of nerve cells, signalling in the nervous system, and principles of neural development. Topics include cell polarity, neurotransmitters, neurotrophins, receptors and second messengers, cell lineage, guidance of axon outgrowth, and nerve regeneration. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of neurons at the molecular level.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Cloutier, Jean-Francois; Ragsdale, David S; Kennedy, Timothy E; Fournier, Alyson Elise; Sossin, Wayne Steven; Ruthazer, Edward; Huot, Philippe (Winter)
Faculty of Science—2018-2019 (last updated Aug. 22, 2018) (disclaimer)
