BIOL 4010Y, 4020D – Research Thesis         Syllabus
BIOL 4020D is a double credit in Biology. BIOL 4010Y is a single credit because the same thesis is submitted to the other department/program in a joint-major or is submitted in conjunction with BIOL 4400Y. In this research course students will investigate a specific field of interest under the guidance of a faculty member. The Animal Care Course (link) is a prerequisite, if applicable. Open to students who have earned at least 15 university credits, achieved a cumulative average of at least 75% in Biology courses, and obtained the agreement of a faculty member to supervise the project. (In some cases, it may be possible to take BIOL 4020D with a cumulative average of 70% in Biology courses if recommended by a faculty member willing to supervise it.) To be accepted into a joint-thesis course the student must meet the requirements of both programs. Download Application Form

BIOL – ERSC 4030H – Research Design and Data Analysis
Syllabus
Practical instruction in design of research projects, with emphasis on appropriate statistical analyses through the use of statistical software; some instruction in appropriate presentation of results. Prerequisite: MATH 1050Y (150) or BIOL – GEOG – ERSC 2080H (208H) and a minimum of 10 university credits,or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL 303H and GEOG 3030H (303H). Excludes BIOL – ERSC 403H.

BIOL 4080H – Developmental Biology   Syllabus
An exploration of the cellular and molecular bases of embryonic development. Emphasis will be placed on how the intricate and diverse processes of embryogenesis are dependent on common mechanisms, including cell division, cell death, adhesion, migration, gene expression, and intra- and inter-cellular signalling. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 2070H (207H)or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL 408H.

BIOL 4110H – Infectious Disease Biology    Syllabus
An examination of current concepts of the nature, development and spread of pathogenic agents. Topics include emerging disease, drug resistant bacteria, vaccines, pathogen evolution and virulence. Prerequisite:10 university credits or permission of instructor. Excludes 411H.

BIOL 4140H – Ornithology      Syllabus
An introduction to the study of birds. Course covers broad areas in ornithology including field identification, systematics, ecology, behaviour, anatomy, physiology, management and conservation. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including at least 2 credits in Biology at the 2000-level, or permission of instructor. Field trip at cost to student. Excludes BIOL 414H.

BIOL 4150H – Biology of Marine Mammals Syllabus
This course will investigate the biology, ecology and evolutionary history of marine mammals (whales, dolphins, sirenians, and seals). Emphasis will also be placed on the use of scientific inquiry and critical thinking to evaluate marine mammal research methodology and conservation. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BBIOL – ERSC 2260H (226H), 216H or 217H or permission of instructor.
Excludes BIOL 415H.

BIOL 4160H – Immunology   Syllabus
An introduction to the immune system, including a discussion of the organs, cells and molecules that constitute, as well as regulate, the immune system. Health-related aspects of the immune system, such as immunodeficiency, tumour immunology and allergies will also be explored. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 2070H (207H,or permission of instructor). Excludes BIOL 416H..

BIOL 4180H – Mammalogy  Syllabus
An exploration of the evolution, anatomy, ecology, behaviour, and management of terrestrial mammals. Labs will be devoted to adaptive radiations and species identification, with emphasis on Canadian forms. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 2110H (211H) and BIOL – ERSC 2260H (226H), 216H or 217H. Excludes BIOL 418H.

BIOL 4200H – Plant Ecology   Syllabus
A study of the relationships of plants to one another and to their environment. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL – ERSC 2260H (226H), 216H or 217H or permission of instructor. Strongly recommended: BIOL 3170H (317H) and 3180H (318H). Field work. Excludes BIOL 321H and 420H.

BIOL 4260H – Virology Syllabus
This course discusses current virology topics with a particular emphasis on the impact of viruses on society. The biology and biochemistry of animal viruses will be examined with analysis of selected topics including emerging viral diseases, viral gene therapy, viruses and immune system, viruses and cancer, and bioterrorism. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 2070H (207H) or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL 426H.
|

BIOL 4280H – Physiological Ecology of Plants
An examination of how plants physiologically acclimate, adapt or suffer in response to their environment. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 1020H (102H), 219H or 3180H (318H) or permission of the instructor. Background knowledge of plant anatomy, ecology and physiology will be assumed. Recommended: BIOL 206H or 3080H (308H), 2070H (207H). Excludes BIOL 328H and 428H.

BIOL 4320H – Pharmacology Syllabus
An introduction to human pharmacology. This course is divided into two sections: pharmaco-kinetics and pharmacodynamics. Drugs to be studied include mainstream medications such as antibiotics, ethanol, and drugs used in the treatment of pain, high blood pressure, asthma, ulcers and depression, as well as a brief discussion of alternative medications. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including either CHEM 1000H and 1010H or 100, BIOL 3830H (383H) or 3840H (384H)or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL 432H.

BIOL 4370H – Advanced Microbiology
This course will examine the impact of microorganisms on scientific research, the environment, and human health and disease. Particularly emphasis will be placed on new or emerging areas of microbiology such as analysis of sequenced microbial genomes, phylogeny and evolution of eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and microbial ecology. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 3250H (325H)or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL 436H and 437H.

BIOL 4380H – Advanced Molecular Biology Syllabus
An introduction to mechanisms controlling gene expression and applications of recombinant DNA technology to this field of study will be discussed. Topics will include the transcription initiation and post-transcriptional regulation, structure of transcription factors, and specific examples of genetic switches in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Discussion and analysis of journal articles on gene expression research will take place during the seminar portion of the course. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 206H or 3080H (308H)or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL 335H and 438H.

BIOL – ERSC 4390H – Conservation Biology       Syllabus
A focus on the causes and consequences of reductions to biodiversity and the design of strategies to counterbalance these reductions. The course attempts to provide a balanced overview of the discipline outlining both biological and human oriented dimensions. Prerequisite: 10 university credits or permission of instructor.
Strongly recommended: BIOL – ERSC 2260H (226H), 216H or 217H. Excludes BIOL – ERSC 439H.

BIOL 4400Y – Internship in Conservation Biology    Syllabus

Conservation Biology at Trent University Website

An apprenticeship at a collaborating agency working in biological conservation. Students will assist in a project pertaining to research and conservation of living things for the equivalent of approximately six hours per week. Evaluation is based on a written appraisal from the agency, as well as a written report and an oral presentation. Open to Honours students in Biology after the completion of at least 13.5 university credits with a cumulative average of 75%. BIOL 4400Y may be taken jointly with BIOL 4010Y where the project warrants, but the student may not receive credit for a single-credit thesis in another department or program.Students must apply in the academic year before enrolment in the course. Application forms can be obtained from the Biology office. Prerequisite: BIOL 3620H (362H); BIOL – ERSC 2260H (226H) or 216H or 217H or permission of instructor.; Co-requisite: BIOL – ERSC 4390H (439H). Excludes BIOL 440. Download Application Form   Brochure

BIOL 4450Y – Internship in Health Sciences    Syllabus
Students must successfully complete BIOL 4450Y which consists of a placement in a medically related setting for the equivalent of six hours a week for 24 weeks. Students are required to write a report on their placement. BIOL 4450Y is open to students who have earned at least 13.5 university credits and achieved a cumulative average of at least 75%. Prerequisite: BIOL 2050H (205H), 3080H (308H), 2070H (207H) and either CHEM 1000H and 1010H or 10or permission of instructor.. Co-requisites: BIOL 3830H (383H) and 3840H (384H). Enrolment is limited and competitive. Students are eligible to apply in the year before anticipated enrolment in the course. Application forms can be obtained from the Biology office; they must be submitted to the course coordinator before April 1. Students may not apply retroactively. Excludes BIOL 445. Download Application Form

BIOL 4460H – Internship in Medical Sciences  Syllabus

Students must successfully complete a placement in a hospital setting shadowing a physician for the equivalent of three hours/week for 12 weeks. Students will also be assigned practical readings and background theory every week from their preceptor. BIOL 4460H is open to students who have earned at least 13.5 university credits and achieved a cumulative average of at least 80%. Prerequisite: BIOL 3830H, 3840H. Co-requisites: BIOL 4160H & 4320H. Enrolment is very limited and competitive. Application forms can be downloaded or a hardcopy can be picked up at the Biology office. Completed application along with a transcript must be submitted by December 14th to Craig Brunetti (Life & Health Sciences Building D214). Excludes BIOL4450Y. Application Form

For more information please contact: Dr. Craig Brunetti (craigbrunetti@trentu.ca).

BIOL 4500H – Population Dynamics
Analysis of animal and plant population demography, including theoretical population ecology, population size and survival estimation, patterns and mechanisms in population growth and regulation, multispecies population dynamics, harvesting, and population projection models. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 3380H (338H) or permission of instructor.. Excludes BIOL 450H.

BIOL – FRSC 4600H – Applied Molecular Genetics Syllabus
This seminar-based course introduces students to the application of DNA profiling to forensics, medical genetics and natural resource management (molecular ecology/ conservation genetics). Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL – FRSC 3620H (362H) or permission of the instructor. Excludes BIOL 460H.

BIOL 4610H – Evolutionary Ecology  Syllabus
All organisms are adapted to survive and reproduce in the environments of their parents and often have remarkable morphological, physiological, or behavioural features that allow them to do so. The major goal of this course is to explore how these features arise and how they are maintained in natural populations. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 2600 (260H) or 361H and BIOL-ERSC 2260H (226H) or 216H or 217H or permission of instructor.. Excludes BIOL 461H.

BIOL 4620H – Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering and Public Policy  Syllabus
This course covers a range of current and controversial biotechnology and genetic engineering topics in relation to public policy. Some of the in-class sessions involve debates in which students take different perspectives or role-play. Topics covered: human genetic engineering, somatic and germline gene therapy and genetically modified foods. Prerequisite: a minimum of 13.5 university credits or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL 462H.

BIOL – PSYC 4840H – Neuroendocrinology Syllabus
Explores the interactions between the central and endocrine systems, focusing on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The course will examine the control of hormone release, including neurotransmitter modulation and steroid feedback during both homeostatic and stressor-induced states. Also, the interaction among stressors, behaviour, endocrine system and disease will be considered. Prerequisite: 10 university credits including BIOL 3840H (384H) or BIOL – PSYC 3750H (375H) or permission of instructor. Excludes BIOL – PSYC 484H.

BIOL 4900Y, 4901H, 4902H, 4903H – Reading Course
Provides an opportunity for more intensive or broader study of a selected topic under the guidance of a faculty member. Open to students who have earned at least 5 Biology credits and have achieved a cumulative average of at least 75% in Biology courses completed. Application forms are available from the Biology Office. These courses may not be taken in the same academic session as BIOL 3900Y, 3901H, 3902H and 3903H.