Biology (BIOL)

Notes

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

131 - Introduction to Biology: The nature of life, the structure and function of protoplasm and cells. Cellular processes and cooperation. The structure and functioning of flowering plants and mammals. A survey of the types of animal illustrating evolutionary sequence. The role of microorganisms in nature. 2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

132 - Principles of Biology: A first year course for students who have achieved a good standing in post-1965 Grade 13 Biology or equivalent and have passed Grade 13 Chemistry. Selected topics in elementary biology.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

3 lectures.

231 - Genetics and Evolution: The principles, methods and application of genetics. The implications of genetics in the modern evolutionary theory.

3 lectures.

(Primarily for students in the General programme and those from other departments. Not available for students whose major subject is Biology except as a Science elective or aS an extra subject.)

233 - Vertebrate Zoology: The evolution of the vertebrate body as exemplified by both living and fossil members of the group. Laboratory dissections form an integral part of the course.

Prerequisite: Biology 131 or 132

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

234 - Comparative Plant Morphology: The anatomy, morphology and taxonomy of the plant kingdom with life histories of typical examples. Emphasis on morphogenetic and evolutionary aspects.

Prerequisite: Biology 131 or 132

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

235 - General Microbiology: Introduction to fundamental! theories, principles and methods of general microbiology. Structure, systematics, growth and functions of microorganisms. 2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

333 - Invertebrate Zoology: A survey of the major invertebrate phyla with emphasis on the anatomy, taxonomy, and ecology of selected representatives.

Prerequisite: Biology 131 or 132

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

334 - Evolution and Systematics; An exploration of current concepts in evolution and systematics, with particular reference to the plant kingdom. Pre-requisite Biology 234.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

335 - Microbiology I: Detailed study of microorganisms. The cultural, morphological, structural and biochemical characteristics of bacteria. Pre-requisite: Biology 235.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

337. - General Physiology: A survey of fundamental life processes in animals and plants including energy production, biosynthesis, growth, development, absorption and transfer, and environmental effects.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 236.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory..

431 - Ecology: An analysis of the freshwater, marine and terrestrial environments and the communities of organisms they support. The distribution and numbers of plants and animals. Animal movements and migrations. Prerequisites: Biology 233, 234 and 333.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

432 - Microbial Ecology: Roles of microorganisms in natural and special environments, with emphasis on the methods for studying the nature and functions of microbial populations.

Prerequisites: Biology 235. Chemistry 337.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

433 - Entomology: An introduction to the classification, functional anatomy and physiology of insects.

Prerequisite: Biology 333.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

434 - Genetics: A survey of genetics with particular emphasis on biochemical genetics and the physical basis of inheritance.

Prerequisite: Biology 337 or 335.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

435 - Microbial Physiology: The study of microorganisms with special reference to the structure, physiology and metabolism of bacteria. Structurefunction inter-relationships: biosynthetic processes, cellular regulatory mechanisms, quantitative experimental methodology.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: Biology 235, Chemistry 337.

436 - Neurophysiology: Selected topics and techniques in neurophysiology. physiology.

Prerequisite: Biology 337.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

437 - Vascular Plants: A survey of the higher plants with emphasis on morphological change and evolutionary advance.

Prerequisite: Biology 234.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

438 - Non-vascular plants: A survey of the lower plants with emphasis on variation and evolutionary advance in the algae and fungi.

Prerequisite: Biology 234.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

Department of Biology

440 - Cell Biology: Detailed survey of structure and function of cells. Cell morphogenesis. Cytological methods. Brief survey of cell division. Nuclear division.

Pre-requisites: Biology 337, Chemistry 337.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

441 - Plant Physiology: A detailed study of water relations, mineral nutrition, metabolism and growth and development in plants.

Prerequisites: Biology 337, Chemistry 337.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

442 - Animal Physiology: A study of digestion, metabolism, excretion, hormone action, circulation, muscle contraction, nerve conduction and the physiology of major organ systems in animals.

Prerequisites: Biology 337, Chemistry 337.

2 lectures, 3 hours Jaboratory.

443 - Microbiology II: Properties of pathogenic microorganisims and special groups related to food and fermentation microbiology.

Pre-requisite Biology 235.

2 lectures, 3 hours laboratory.

449 - Senior Honours Project: Each student will work under the direction of a member of the department on an experimental study. The results of this will be presented in thesis form and this will be critically examined by members of this and, where pertinent, other departments. Before selecting this course students must obtain approval for doing so from both the professor under whose direction they wish to work and the chairman of Biology.

Graduate and Research Programmes

There are at present several major areas of study in the department in which graduate students may specialize. These include biochemical microbiology, freshwater algology, palaeobotany of the Pleistocene, ecology of freshwater invertebrates, invertebrate physiology, fisheries and water pollution. It is hoped that others will have been added by the time this calendar is published.

Fields in which research is in progress in the department are as follows: The transport mechanisms across the cellular membranes of bacteria and of the mode of action of chemical inhibitors of microorganisms.

Fungi in the root region of crop plants with special reference to root development and nutrient uptake.

The ecology of the algae in lakes and streams, the dynamics of their growth and the mechanisms of their distribution and flotation.

The ecology of peat bogs together with their palynology and the plant composition of the peat.

The invertebrate fauna of running water and the fate of organic matter in streams.

Reproduction in invertebrates with special reference to the physiological inter-relationships of nutrition, food reserves, hormones and maturation of the gonads.

Biology of salmonid fishes and fluviatile forage fishes.

Developmental genetics of Protozoa and Nematodes. Taxonomy and ecology of microfungi.

Comparative studies of numerical phenetics (computer toxonomy) and phylogenetically based taxonomy in selected groups of plants and animals. Developmental studies in Fungi Imperfecti.

Comparative neurophysiology. Carbon metabolism in facultative bacteria and their control mechanisms.

Properties of microorganisms related to the food and fermentation industries.

Colonization of small aquatic habitats.

Ontogeny of bottom fauna and plankton of lakes.

Helminths of freshwater fishes.

Fauna and flora of Pleistocene ponds of the Toronto area.

Mineral nutrition of higher plants and mechanisms of seed dormancy.

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