| Course Winter Timetable:  BOT, ZOO |

BIO150Y1
Organisms in their Environment 52L, 36P

Evolutionary, ecological, and behavioural responses of organisms to their environment at the level of individuals, populations,
communities, and ecosystems. A prerequisite for advanced work in biological sciences. Attendance at weekly tutorials is voluntary,
yet highly recommended.
Prerequisite: OAC Biology or equivalent. Students without high school Biology are advised to consult the Zoology Undergraduate
Office.

JMB170Y1
Biology, Models, and Mathematics 78L

Applications of mathematics to biological problems in physiology, biomechanics, genetics, evolution, growth, population dynamics,
cell biology, ecology and behaviour. Mathematical topics include: power functions and regression; exponential and logistic functions;
binomial theorem and probability; calculus, including derivatives, max/min, integration, areas, integration by parts, substitution;
differential equations, including linear constant coefficient, systems; and chaos. This course is intended for students in the life
sciences.
Co-requisite: BIO150Y1

JBS229H1
Statistics for Biologists 39L, 13T

Continuation of STA220H1, jointly taught by Statistics and Biology faculty, emphasizing methods and case studies relevant to
biologists including experimental design and ANOVA, regression models, categorical and non-parametric methods.
Exclusion: ECO220Y1/227Y1/GGR270H1/PSY201H1/SOC201Y1/STA221H1/222Y1/242Y1/250H1/255H1/257H1
Prerequisite: STA220H1

JBS229H does not count as a distribution requirement course.
ENV234Y1

Environmental Biology
(See “Division of the Environment”)

BIO250Y1
Cell and Molecular Biology 52L, 36P

An introduction to the structure and function of cells at the molecular level: key cellular macromolecules; transfer of genetic
information; cell structure and function; cellular movement and division; modern investigative techniques. Consult web page for the
most current information: http://www.cquest.utoronto.ca/botany/bio250y/
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1, CHM138H1, 139H1/151Y1
Recommended preparation: BCH210H1 (taken concurrently or previously)

BIO260H1
Concepts in Genetics 39L, 13T

This is a problem based course which discusses classical, molecular, developmental, and population genetics and genomics with
emphasis on model organisms for genetic analysis.
Exclusion: HMB265H1
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1
Co-requisite: BIO250Y1

BIO301H1
Marine Biology

TBA
Offered in the summer at Huntsman Marine Laboratory, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, of about 14 days duration. Informal lectures
and seminars with intensive field and laboratory work on different marine habitats and the animals and plants associated with them.
Student projects included.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1 and permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: Any 2nd year Ecology or Environmental Biology course

BIO302H1
Arctic Ecosystems

TBA
Offered in the summer at Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Churchill, Man. or Kluane Lake, Yukon, of approximately two weeks
duration and comprising lectures, botanical and zoological field studies and other aspects of arctic ecosystems.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1 and permission of instructor

BIO303H1
Tropical Ecology and Evolution

TBA
A field course to introduce students to the diversity of biological communities in the tropics focussing on ecological and evolutionary
interactions. Plant and animal communities of tropical sites in the New World tropics are compared and contrasted with temperate
communities. Students undertake small-scale research projects in the field.
Prerequisite: BIO150Yand any other life science course with a lab

BIO305H1
Experimental Ecology in Southern Ontario

TBA
A field course offered at a Southern Ontario field station for approximately 2 weeks in the summer. Students learn the natural history
of the region and conduct a mini thesis project in the field. Projects will focus on terrestrial plant ecology, plant-insect interactions and
other topics selected by the students.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1, a third year Ecology course, and permission of instructor

BIO306H1
Inter-University Field Courses

TBA
Inter-university selections from the offerings of the Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology. Courses, of 1 or 2 weeks duration
at field sites from May through August, are announced each January. Consult Professor J.D. Rising, Zoology Department.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1 and permission of instructor

BIO308H1
Biodiversity and Ecology in Indochina

TBA
Offered in early summer in Vietnam for approximately two weeks. Students will conduct independent research projects and will be
introduced to the biodiversity and ecology of Indochina. Projects will be tailored to each student’s interests and background.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1 and permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: ZOO360H1/384H1/386H1/388H1

BIO319H1
Population Ecology 26L, 39P

Population growth and regulation, life histories, conservation biology and extinction, interspecific interactions, and food webs.
Laboratory includes literature review and analysis, library work, computer simulations, and discussions in addition to experiments.
Exclusion: BIO320Y1
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1, JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/136Y1/137Y1/157Y1, a course in statistics

BIO321H1
Community Ecology 26L, 39P

A comprehensive survey of community and ecosystem ecology emphasizing current developments and controversies. Field trips and
computer exercises provide training in sampling, simulation, and data analysis.
Exclusion: BIO320Y1
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1 and a course in statistics
Recommended preparation: ENV234Y1

BIO323H1
Evolution 26L, 13T

The principles of organic evolution. Evolutionary theory; the development of the theory of natural selection; population variation and
polymorphism; levels of selection; introductory population genetics; the origin of species and higher taxa.
Exclusion: ZOO324Y1
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1

BIO324H1
Evolutionary Ecology 26L, 13T

General approaches to key areas of research including foraging, mating systems and sexual selection, and life histories. Other topics
may include character displacement, social behaviour, and co-evolution.
Exclusion: ZOO324Y1
Prerequisite: BIO323H1

BIO328H1
Physiological Ecology 26L, 39P

An advanced treatment of the physiological mechanisms controlling plant and animal distribution and ecological success. Topics of
focus include photosynthesis and resource balance in natural environments, water and nutrient relations, and adaptations to abiotic
stress.
Prerequisite: BOT251Y1/ZOO252Y1 or equivalent

JLM349H1
Eukaryotic Molecular Biology 22L, 16T

Genome organization and evolution, gene expression and regulation, differentiation and development. Consult web pages for details:
http://www.cquest.utoronto.ca/botany/bio349s/
Exclusion: MGB311Y1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1
Recommended preparation: BCH310H1/320Y1/BIO260H1/HMB265H1

BIO351Y1
Introductory Virology 52L, 104T

An introduction to basic and medical virology. Attendance in tutorials is optional.
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1

BIO370H1
Modelling Techniques in the Life Sciences 26L, 26P

Introduction to techniques of mathematical modelling widely used in theoretical biology and theoretical branches of the social
sciences. Topics include applied linear algebra, dynamic systems models, optimization techniques, simulation methods, and aspects
of probability. Applications come from ecology, evolution, cell biology, physiology, conservation biology, and psychology.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1, JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/136Y1/137Y1/157Y1

BIO428H1
Global Change Ecology 39L

An examination of organism, population and ecosystem responses to long-term environmental change occurring at the global scale,
with emphasis on human caused perturbation to the carbon, nitrogen and hydrolic cycles and their ecological effects.
Prerequisite: One full course from BIO/BOT/ZOO at the 300+ level
Recommended preparation:

ENV234Y
BIO440H1

Ecology and Evolution of Plant-Animal Interactions 26L
This course delves into major concepts in ecology and evolution from the perspective of plant-animal interactions. We explore the
richness of interactions between plants and animals, including antagonistic interactions (e.g. herbivory, carnivorous plants) and
mutualistic interactions (e.g. seed dispersal and ant-plant associations). Interactions involving two to many species and across trophic
levels are considered.
Prerequisite: BIO301H1/302H1/303H1/306H1/308H1/319H1/321H1/323H1/324H1/328H1

BIO459H1
Population Genetics 26L, 13T

Study of the genetics of evolutionary processes, with emphasis on the relationship between theory and experiment. Topics include
natural selection, evolution of quantitative traits, genetic drift and neutral theory, population structure, genetics of adaptation,
maintenance of genetic variation, and conservation genetics.
Prerequisite: BIO260H1/HMB 265H1/ZOO323H1
Recommended preparation: JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/136Y1/137Y1, STA220H1 or equivalent

BIO460H1
Molecular Evolution 26L, 13T

Processes of evolution at the molecular level, and the analysis of molecular data. Gene structure, neutrality, nucleotide sequence
evolution, sequence evolution, sequence alignment, phylogeny construction, gene families, transposition.
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, 260H1/HMB 265H1

BIO461H1
Chromosome Structure, Function and Behaviour

(formerly BIO359H1) 26L, 26T
Chromatin structure, essential chromosomal elements, genetic control of segregation and recombination, gene amplification,
polyteny, genome organization and evolution, position effect variegation, dosage compensation, genomic imprinting.
Exclusion: BIO359H1

Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, 260H1/HMB265H1
Co-requisite: MGB311Y1/JLM349H1

BIO465H1
Conservation Biology (formerly BIO395H) 26L, 13T

The principles and practices of conservation biology from both a global and Canadian perspective, including: biodiversity;
endangerment; habitat loss and fragmentation; exploitation; exotic species; conservation genetics; metapopulations; demography;
captive breeding; species concepts; reserve design; human issues; and the role of IUCN and COSEWIC. In some years an overnight
field trip, usually on the second weekend of classes, and extra activities are required of each student and an activity fee may be
collected.
Prerequisite: One of BIO319H1/321H1/323H1/324H1/ZOO322H1 plus one other course in behaviour, ecology, evolution, or genetics

BIO469H1
Limnology 52L, 104P

Basic ecological principles and applied issues of physical, chemical and biological (microbes, algae, plants, invertebrates, fish)
interactions in lakes and streams. Field work, labs and a mandatory weekend field trip are used to learn standard sampling techniques
and to integrate principles learned in class. An activity fee may be collected.
Exclusion: BIO368H1/468H1, 469Y1
Prerequisite: CHM137Y1/151Y1, ENV234Y1/BIO319H1/321H1

BIO470H1
Theoretical Ecology and Evolution 26L

Theoretical aspects of ecology and evolution including population genetics, population dynamics, life history evolution, kin selection,
foraging theory, and the evolution of interactions between species. Use is made of several different types of modelling approaches
including dynamic models, optimization models and game theory.
Prerequisite: BIO370H1; one of BIO319H1/323H1/324H1

BIO471H1
Quantitative Ecology 26L, 39P

This course examines aspects of quantitative ecology including approaches to ecological sampling, multivariate analysis of ecological
communities and environmental conditions, null models and spatial ecology. (Offered in alternate years)
Prerequisite: BIO319H1/321H1, statistics course

BIO472H1
Bioinformatics 26L

Computational analyses of DNA and protein data. Understanding biological databases, sequence alignment, sequence annotation,
gene prediction, computational analysis of function, motif analysis, phylogenetic analysis, prediction of structure. Applied, theoretical
and statistical (Bayesian anlaysis, Markov models, likelihood) issues will be addressed.
Exclusion: BCH 441Y1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BIO260H1

BIO482Y1
Topics in Developmental Biology 52T

A class directed seminar analyzing the major problems in developmental biology from cellular, genetic, and molecular perspectives.
Prerequisite: BOT340H1 and/or ZOO 328H1

BIO494Y1
Seminar in Evolutionary Biology 78T

The study of behaviour, ecology, evolution and genetics. Current research programs, special publications, and laboratory exposure are
the basis for discussing issues. Discussions are lead by students. Each instructor is responsible for a separate module.
Prerequisite: BIO323H1, 324H1; one of BIO319H1, 321H1, 459H1, ZOO322H1

BIO495Y1
Seminar in Ecology 52T

Student directed roundtable on current topics in ecology. The topics vary from year to year. The seminar activities include both oral
and written analyses of current research articles, and may include group projects. Critical discussion of research methods is an
important component of the course.
Prerequisite: BIO319H1, 321H1/ENV234Y1, and another course in ecology or evolutionary biology

BIO496Y1
Seminar in Behaviour and Behaviour Ecology 52T

Animal behaviour including: history of ethology, mechanistic basis for behaviour, behavioural ecology, experimental psychology.
Topics vary. Emphasis on student seminars and student led discussions of assigned topics.
Prerequisite: PSY250H1/291H1//362H1/369H1/ZOO322H1/433H1; BIO323H1/324H1/459H1/JZP326H1/ZOO362H1 or a BIO or ZOO field course

• BIOGEOGRAPHY — See geography
• BIOLOGY, HUMAN — See Life Sciences
• BIOETHICS — See PHL: Philosophy
• BIOPHYSICS — See PHY: Physics