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 lecture tutorials
is voluntary, yet highly recommended.
Prerequisite: Biology 12/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, 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/ECO227Y1/PSY201H1/SOC201Y1/STA221H1/
222Y1/242Y1/STA250H1/STA255H1/STA257H1
Prerequisite: STA220H1
JBS229H1
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, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1
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
Two-week summer field course offered in Churchill, Manitoba. Instruction combines lectures with field trips to local tundra and
boreal forest sites. Students are responsible for completing an independent project based on local field work. Dates,
instructors, and material covered vary from year to year. (Offered in alternate years)
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1 and permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: At least one course in ecology
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. Lectures will be given on Friday
afternoons prior to departure to the field.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1and 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, any other Life Science course with a laboratory, and permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: a second or third-year ecology, evolution or environmental science course
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: Varies by module. See Department of Zoology for details.
BIO307H1
Alpine Ecosystems TBA
A field course at a Rocky Mountain field station for two weeks in the summer.
Students learn the natural history of alpine and
subalpine biomes and investigate major abiotic and biotic interactions.
Required projects either catalogue the natural diversity
or examine ecological interactions between organisms and their environment.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1, BOT251Y1 or ZOO252Y1,
and permission of instructor
BIO308H1
Biodiversity and Ecology in Southeast Asia TBA
Offered in early or late summer for approximately two weeks. Students will conduct
independent research projects and will be
introduced to the biodiversity and ecology of the tropics. Projects will be tailored to each student's interests and background.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1 and permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: ZOO360H1/ZOO384H1/ZOO386H1/ZOO388H1
BIO319H1
Population Ecology 26L, 39P
Population growth, regulation and declines; intra- and interspecific interactions; and food webs. Basic ecological principles and
applied issues discussed. Laboratory includes experiments, literature review and analysis, and computer simulations. Local
field trip. See www.zoo.utoronto.ca/bio319/index319.htm.
Exclusion: BIO320Y1
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1, JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1/ MAT157Y1
Recommended preparation: 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
Theoretical and empirical approaches to key areas of research including foraging, mating systems, natural and sexual
selection, and life histories. Other topics may include character displacement, and co-evolution.
Exclusion: ZOO324Y1
Prerequisite: BIO323H1
BIO328H1
Physiological Ecology 26L, 26T
An advanced treatment of the physiological mechanisms controlling plant and animal distribution and ecological success.
Topics of focus include photosynthesis and resource balance, water and nutrient relations, temperature effects, and
adaptations to abiotic stress.
Prerequisite: BOT251Y1/ZOO252Y1 or equivalent
BIO349H1
Eukaryotic Molecular Biology (formerly JLM349H1) 22L, 18T
Genome organization and evolution, gene expression and regulation, differentiation
and development. Consult web pages for
details: http://www.cquest.utoronto.ca/botany/bio349s/
Exclusion: MGY311Y1, PSL350H1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BIO260H1/HMB265H1
Recommended preparation: BCH210H1/320Y1
BIO351Y1
Introductory Virology 52L, 104T
An introduction to basic and medical virology. Attendance in tutorials is optional.
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1
BIO365H1
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology 26L, 26T
Introduction to the study and conservation of biodiversity at all levels - genes,
species, communities and ecosystems. Includes
threats to biodiversity and approaches to maintaining biodiversity. Tutorials include exercises, problem sets, and small group
discussions of lecture topics.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1
Co-requisite: BIO319H1/BIO321H1/BIO323H1/BIO324H1/ZOO322H1
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 climate and the carbon, nitrogen and hydrolic cycles and their
ecological effects.
Prerequisite: 1.0 courses from BIO/BOT/ZOO at the 300+ level
Recommended preparation: ENV234Y1
BIO440H1
Ecology and Evolution of Plant-Animal Interactions 26L, 13T
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/BIO302H1/BIO303H1/BIO305H1/BIO306H1/BIO308H1/ BIO319H1/BIO321H1/BIO323H1/BIO324H1/BIO328H1 or equivalent
BIO458H1
Epigenetics 39S
A seminar course exploring non-Mendelian phenomena in plants, fungi and animals that reveal aspects of genome
organization and regulation that may provide insight into genome function and evolution.
Prerequisite: BIO260H1/HMB265H1, BIO349H1/MGY311Y1
Recommended preparation: HMB321H1
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/HMB265H1/ZOO 323H1
Recommended preparation: JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/ MAT137Y1, 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, BIO260H1/HMB265H1
BIO461H1
Chromosome Biology (formerly BIO359H1) 26L,
26T
Exploration of the relationships between chromosome structure, function and behaviour. This is an upper level genetics course
with considerable cell/molecular biology content. Topics include chromatin structure, essential chromosomal elements, control
of mitotic and meiotic segregation, chromosome evolution, genomic imprinting. Tutorials emphasize student discussion of
recent primary research papers.
Exclusion: BIO359H1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BIO260H1/HMB265H1, BIO349H1/HMB321H1/MGY311Y1
BIO465H1
Topics in Conservation Biology 39L
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.
Prerequisite: One of BIO319H1/BIO321H1/BIO323H1/BIO324H1/BIO365H1/ ZOO322H1 plus
one other course in behaviour, ecology,
evolution, or genetics
BIO 468H1
Lectures in Limnology 26L
Basic ecological principles and applied issues of physical, chemical and
biological (microbes, algae, plants, invertebrates, fish)
interaction in lakes and streams. Same lectures as BIO469H1,
but no practical work. Major paper is expected to be
equivalent to the field work required in BIO469H1.
See http://www.zoo.utoronto.ca/bio469/. (Offered in alternate years.)
Exclusion: BIO 368H1/BIO469H1/469Y1
Prerequisite: (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1, BIO319H1/BIO321H1/ ENV234Y1
BIO469H1
Limnology 26L, TBA
Basic ecological principles and applied issues of physical, chemical and biological (microbes, algae, plants, invertebrates, fish)
interactions in lakes and streams. Mandatory one-week field trip at the end of the summer preceding the Fall session to learn
standard sampling techniques and data analysis and start integrating principles we will learn in class. No other labs during Fall
session. An activity fee may be collected. See http://www.zoo.utoronto.ca/bio469/. (Offered in alternate years.)
Exclusion: BIO368H1/468H1, 469Y1
Prerequisite: (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1, ENV234Y1/ BIO319H1/BIO321H1
BIO470H1
Theoretical Ecology and Evolution 26L,
26P
Introduction to mathematical modeling techniques used in ecological and evolutionary
theory. Applications include
understanding the dynamics of populations and ecological communities and the evolution of ecologically important
characteristics within species. Includes applied linear algebra, dynamic systems models, optimization techniques, and game
theory. Requires good knowledge of first year calculus, familiarity with multi-variable calculus, but not extensive mathematical
background. Computer lab once a week.
Exclusion: BIO370H1
Prerequisite: One of JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1; ; one of BIO319H1/BIO323H1/BIO324H1
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/BIO321H1, statistics course
BIO472H1
Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics 26L, 13T
Computational analyses of DNA and RNA expression data. Understanding biological
databases, sequence alignment,
sequence annotation, gene prediction, computational analysis of function, motif analysis, phylogenetic analysis, and microarray
analysis. Applied, theoretical and statistical issues will be addressed.
Exclusion: BCH441H1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1
Recommended preparation: BIO260H1/HMB265H1
BIO473H1
Chemical Genomics 26L
This course surveys the field of Chemical Genomics, focusing on the analysis of biological problems using chemical
approaches. Topics covered include chemical genetics, combinatorial chemistry and combinatorial strategies in molecular
biology (such as phage display and other selection schemes). Examines both the underlying biological and chemical concepts;
however, the focus is primarily biological.
Prerequisite: BIO150Y1, CHM247H1
Recommended Preparation: BIO250Y1, BCH210H1
BIO482Y1
Topics in Developmental Biology (formerly ZOO 482Y1) 52S
A class directed seminar analyzing the major problems in developmental biology
from cellular, genetic, and molecular
perspectives.
Exclusion: ZOO 482Y1
Prerequisite: BOT340H1 and/or ZOO328H1
BIO494Y1
Seminar in Evolutionary Biology 78S
Topics include evolutionary ecology and genetics, biodiversity, and behavioural ecology. Primary literature and research
seminars form the basis for class discussion and short seminars. Discussions are led by students. Each instructor is
responsible for a separate module.
Prerequisite: BIO323H1, BIO324H1; one of BIO319H1, BIO321H1, ZOO322H1
BIO495Y1
Seminar in Ecology 52S
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, BIO321H1/ENV234Y1, and another course in ecology or evolutionary biology
BIO496Y1
Seminar in Behaviour and 52S
Behavioural Ecology
Topics may include: history of ethology, behavioural ecology including predator-prey interactions, mate choice and foraging,
experimental psychology. Emphasis on student seminars and student led discussions of assigned topics.
Prerequisite: PSY362H1/PSY369H1/ZOO322H1/ZOO433H1; BIO323H1/BIO324H1/JZP326H1/ZOO362H1 or a BIO or ZOO field course
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