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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.
Program Director: Professor Brian Driscoll
Academic Adviser: Dr. Julie Major
Macdonald-Stewart Building, Room 2-082
Telephone: 514-398-8380
Program Prerequisites
Please refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements", in this publication for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
Required Courses (27 credits)
* Other appropriate Statistics courses may be approved as substitutes by the Program Director.
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AEBI 210 Organisms 1 (3 credits)
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 2012
Instructors: Singh, Jaswinder (Fall)
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AEBI 211 Organisms 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : Introduction to the biology, physiology, structure and function of heterotrophs and their interactions with other organisms. This course will focus on animals in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Topics include bioenergetics and functional metabolism, adaptations to environments, animal-animal, animal-plant, and animal-pathogen interactions.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Lewis, David James (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 200
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AEBI 212 Evolution and Phylogeny (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : A phylogenetic-based overview of the tree of life and examination of relationships between major taxa, from bacteria and archaea to eukaryotes. Evolution will be discussed via topics including: evolution by natural selection, neo-Darwinism and alternatives, myths and misconceptions in evolution, species and speciation.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Wheeler, Terry A (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 212.
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AEHM 205 Science Literacy (3 credits)
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 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: Newman, Carole; Waters, Natalie Heather (Fall) Newman, Carole; Waters, Natalie Heather (Winter) Newman, Carole; Waters, Natalie Heather (Summer)
Students whose first language is not English are encouraged to register for CESL 299, ESL: Academic English Seminar, or equivalent, prior to starting their program.
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AEMA 310 Statistical Methods 1 (3 credits) *
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 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Bona, Kelly Ann; Lucier, Jason (Fall) Bona, Kelly Ann; Gravel, Val茅rie (Winter)
Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab
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LSCI 202 Molecular Cell Biology (3 credits)
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 2013
Instructors: Ribeiro, A Paula; Beech, Robin N (Winter)
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LSCI 204 Genetics (3 credits)
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: Winter 2013
Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Winter)
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LSCI 211 Biochemistry 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Salavati, Reza; Jardim, Armando; Georges, Elias (Fall) Jardim, Armando; Georges, Elias; Salavati, Reza (Winter)
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LSCI 230 Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : The occurrence and importance of microorganisms (especially bacteria) in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, man and animals.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Faucher, Sebastien (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MICR 230.
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of the complementary courses selected from:
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AEHM 330 Academic and Scientific Writing (3 credits)
Overview
English (Agric & Envir Sc) : The object of the course is to enable students who have previously mastered the basic elements of written English to produce well-written, well-researched, and well-documented scientific papers for an academic audience.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Newman, Carole (Fall)
3 hours
Prerequisite: entrance test.
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ANSC 234 Biochemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Duggavathi, Raj; Martin, Deborah (Winter)
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ANSC 250 Principles of Animal Science (3 credits)
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 2012
Instructors: Wade, Kevin (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures and one 2-hour lab
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ANSC 312 Animal Health and Disease (3 credits)
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 2013
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 2-hour conference
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ANSC 323 Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
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 2012
Instructors: Lafleur, Christine; Laurin, Denyse (Fall)
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ANSC 324 Developmental Biology and Reproduction (3 credits)
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 2013
Instructors: Zhao, Xin (Winter)
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ANSC 326 Fundamentals of Population Genetics (3 credits)
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 2012
Instructors: Cue, Roger I (Fall)
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ANSC 330 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A discussion of the nutrients; water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, minerals and vitamins, with particular emphasis on their functions in and essentially for the animal organism.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Mustafa, Arif; Wade, Kevin (Fall)
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ANSC 400 Eukaryotic Cells and Viruses (3 credits)
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 2013
Instructors: Zadworny, David (Winter)
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ANSC 420 Animal Biotechnology (3 credits)
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 transgenic animals, and cell and gene therapies.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Fall)
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BINF 301 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Overview
Bioinformatics : Introduces analysis of DNA, RNA and protein sequences using computer software. Emphasis on implementation of molecular evolution theory for algorithms to make predictions of sequence function and infer the evolutionary history of sequences. Assessing analysis reliability and methods to improve efficiency of computer algorithms and their implications are discussed.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Beech, Robin N (Winter)
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BINF 511 Bioinformatics for Genomics (3 credits)
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 2013
Instructors: Stromvik, Martina (Winter)
Prerequisite: Understanding of cell and molecular biology (equivalent to a cell or molecular biology course) or permission from instructor.
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BTEC 306 Experiments in Biotechnology (3 credits)
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: Fall 2012
Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Fall)
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ENVB 210 The Biophysical Environment (3 credits)
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 2012
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken SOIL 210
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ENVB 222 St. Lawrence Ecosystems (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Integrative field course about the biological diversity and ecology of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within St Lawrence lowlands and adjacent realms. Natural history and systematics of regional flora and fauna and interactions between organisms and their physical environment. Fundamentals of ecosystem and landscape ecology.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Buddle, Christopher (Fall)
Fall
This course carries an additional charge of $15 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
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LSCI 451 Research Project 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : A research project on a topic relevant to the life sciences. This course is intended for senior undergraduates.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T; Whyte, Lyle (Fall) Driscoll, Brian T; Whyte, Lyle (Winter)
Fall and Winter
Prerequisites: AEHM 205 and permission of instructor. Minimum 3.0 CGPA
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AEBI 451.
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).
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LSCI 452 Research Project 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : Continuation of the project begun in LSCI 451 on a topic relevant to the life sciences.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T; Whyte, Lyle (Fall) Driscoll, Brian T; Whyte, Lyle (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.
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MICR 331 Microbial Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles will be discussed. 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 2013
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 331
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MICR 338 Bacterial Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
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 2012
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Fall)
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MICR 341 Mechanisms of Pathogenicity (3 credits)
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 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
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MICR 450 Environmental Microbiology (3 credits)
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 2013
Instructors: Whyte, Lyle (Winter)
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NRSC 333 Pollution and Bioremediation (3 credits)
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 2012
Instructors: Whyte, Lyle; Hendershot, William H; Schwertfeger, Dina (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 333
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PARA 410 Environment and Infection (3 credits)
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 2013
Instructors: Scott, Marilyn (Winter)
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PLNT 304 Biology of Fungi (3 credits)
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: Winter 2013
Instructors: Ajjamada, Kushalappa (Winter)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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PLNT 353 Plant Structure and Function (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on the cells, tissues, organs, chemical components of plants and the physiological processes associated with their function.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
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PLNT 426 Plant Ecophysiology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Investigates of 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 2013
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
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PLNT 435 Plant Breeding (3 credits)
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: Winter 2013
Instructors: Singh, Jaswinder (Winter)
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WILD 375 Issues: Environmental Sciences (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Principles and trends in global ecology as they pertain to agricultural and natural ecosystems and the impact of environmental change on food production.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Lewis, David James (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
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WILD 424 Parasitology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Rohrbach, Petra; Faubert, Gaetan Mario (Winter)
Winter
2 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 424 (formerly ZOOL 424).
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 "Academic Programs" > "Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) - B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)" > "Specializations", in this publication.
Electives
To meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree.
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2012-2013 (last updated Dec. 20, 2012) (disclaimer)
