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Zoology

Faculty
MSc Program
PhD Program
Interdepartmental Programs
Courses

Disclaimer



Chair
Glen J. Van Der Kraak (359 Axelrod, Ext. 53598/56213)
(E-mail: gvanderk@uoguelph.ca)

Graduate co-ordinator
Teresa Crease (161 Axelrod, Ext. 52723/58381)
(E-mail: tcrease@uoguelph.ca)

Graduate secretary
Mary Anne Davis (255 Axelrod, Ext. 56094)
mdavis@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

James S. Ballantyne
BSc, MSc Guelph, PhD British Columbia - Associate Professor

Beatrix E. Beisner
BSc, MSc Calgary, PhD British Columbia - Assistant Professor

Nicholas J. Bernier
BSc McGill, Diploma in Aquaculture Malaspina College, MSc British Columbia, PhD Ottawa - Assistant Professor

Jim P. Bogart
BSA Toronto, MA, PhD Texas - Professor

Elizabeth G. Boulding
BSc British Columbia, MSc Alberta, PhD Washington - Assistant Professor

Ronald J. Brooks
BSc, MSc Toronto, PhD Illinois - Professor

George A. Bubenik
MUDr Charles - Associate Professor

Teresa J.D. Crease
BSc, MSc Windsor, PhD Washington - Associate Professor

Roy G. Danzmann
BSc, MSc Guelph, PhD Montana - Associate Professor

Moira M. Ferguson
BSc, MSc Guelph, PhD Montana - Professor

John M. Fryxell
BSc, PhD British Columbia - Associate Professor

Jinzhong Fu
BSc Nankai, MSc Chinese Academy of Sciences, PhD Toronto - Assistant Professor

Paul D.N. Hebert
BSc Queen's, PhD Cambridge, FRSC - Professor

Denis H. Lynn
BSc Guelph, PhD Toronto - Professor

Gordon D. McDonald
BSc Western Ontario, MSc, PhD Calgary - Professor

Gerald L. Mackie
BSc, MSc, PhD Ottawa - Professor

Robert L. McLaughlin
BSc Windsor, MSc Queen's, PhD McGill - Assistant Professor

David L.G. Noakes
BSc, MSc Western Ontario, PhD California - Professor

Thomas D. Nudds
BSc, MSc Windsor, PhD Western Ontario - Professor

Beren W. Robinson
BSc, MSc Dalhousie, PhD Binghamton - Assistant Professor

John C. Roff
BA, MA Cambridge, PhD Newcastle - Professor

Michael E. Ruse
BA, PhD Bristol, MA McMaster, Dr. Philos, H.C. (Bergen), FRSC - Professor

Steven R. Scadding
BSc, MSc, PhD Toronto - Associate Professor

E. Donald Stevens
BSc, MSc, PhD British Columbia - Professor

Vernon G. Thomas
BA Oxford, MSc, PhD Guelph - Associate Professor

Glen J. Van Der Kraak
BSc, MSc Manitoba, PhD British Columbia - Professor and Chair

Patrick T.K. Woo
BSc, MSc British Columbia, PhD Guelph - Professor

Patricia A. Wright
BSc McMaster, PhD British Columbia - Associate Professor

Peter Yodzis
BSc Duke, PhD New Mexico State - Professor


     The Department of Zoology comprises graduate students and faculty with diverse research interests. These interests are concentrated in three major areas of emphasis: ecology and behaviour, evolutionary biology, and physiology.


MSc Program

     The Department of Zoology offers MSc degrees in each of the three major areas of emphasis, focusing on (but not restricted to) experimental approaches in field and laboratory settings and a strong linkage between theoretical and applied investigations. The department encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary research and, where appropriate, utilize faculty expertise from across campus on their advisory committees.
Admission Requirements
     To be considered, applicants must meet the requirements of a four-year honours science degree with a minimum 'B' (73%) average during the final two years (4 semesters) of undergraduate study. Applicants must obtain the support of a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis adviser. For more information regarding this requirement, applicants should consult the department's brochures: "How to Apply to Graduate School" and "Research in Zoology", which are available from the office of the graduate secretary of Zoology.
     Under exceptional circumstances, an applicant with a 'B-' (70-72%) average during the last 2 years (four semesters) of study may be considered for admission. Such applicants must have outstanding letters of recommendation that provide strong evidence of potential research capability and a strong endorsement from a potential thesis adviser.
     Admission may be granted in September, January or May. Completed applications should arrive in the department at least one full semester (four months) before the expected date of admission. Applications from international students, especially those applying for financial support, should arrive at least eight months prior to the expected date of admission.

Degree Requirements
     Students must complete and defend an acceptable thesis. In addition, they must successfully complete courses totalling not fewer than 1.5 credits.
     An acceptable MSc thesis comprises a scientifically defensible account of the student's research on a particular, well-defined research problem or hypothesis. (Such research should begin with the practical expectation that it could be completed and the thesis defended in not more than six semesters.) Paramount to the notion of acceptability of the thesis is its quality with respect to the underlying rationale (problem identification), the approach used to address the problem, and the evaluation of the results. Final acceptance of the MSc thesis need not imply that the work is sufficiently meritorious to warrant publication in scholarly media, though the majority of MSc research in the department is published.
     The department endorses the idea that graduate students in zoology should benefit from exposure to recent developments both within and between the major areas of emphasis. To that end, students may enrol in any of the regularly offered courses entitled "Advances in ...", which are team-taught by several faculty members . A selection of subjects is given in each of the course descriptions below. Details of course content, format and evaluation will be available in the office of the chair of the department one semester prior to the semester in which the course is offered.
     In addition, the department offers two "Topics in..." courses to provide students with the opportunity to study with individual faculty on specific topics in the faculty member's area of expertise. These courses may be taken by groups as either reading/seminar courses, or on an individual research-project basis. Students should approach individual faculty members to request supervision on individual research project courses; faculty members may be petitioned by students to offer, or may advertise, "Topics in..." courses at least one semester prior to the semester in which the course is to be offered.


PhD Program

     The Department of Zoology offers PhD degrees for studies in each of the three major areas of emphasis: ecology and behaviour, evolutionary biology, and physiology.

Admission Requirements
     The admission and degree requirements of the PhD program are essentially those of the university. Most applicants will have a recognized master's degree in a related field obtained with minimum academic standing of 'A-' (80%) in their postgraduate studies, and the endorsement of a potential thesis adviser. For more information about this last requirement, applicants should refer to the department's brochures: "How to Apply to Graduate School" and "Research in Zoology:, available from the graduate secretary of Zoology. Under exceptional circumstances admission directly to a PhD program with an appropriate honours degree alone, or transfer from MSc to PhD program without completing the MSc thesis requirements, is also possible. Applications should be received at least one full semester (four months) prior to the expected date of admission. Applications from international students, especially those applying for financial support, should arrive at least eight months prior to the expected date of admission.

Degree Requirements
     The Department of Zoology expects that the major part of the student's time will be devoted to research in fulfilment of the thesis requirement. For that reason, the department does not require that PhD students take any courses. Even so, advisory committees may, from time to time, require that a student take some prescribed or additional courses. Regardless, PhD students are expected to contribute and participate actively in the full academic life of the department, including regular attendance at departmental and inter-departmental seminars, and to provide leadership and counselling to undergraduate and MSc students.
     PhD students will become candidates for the PhD degree upon successful completion of an oral or written qualifying examination, which must be conducted not later than the fifth semester of the PhD program. The exam evaluates students' knowledge in the general area of the intended research. Candidates will spend not fewer than five semesters (seven without an MSc) in the program, and are expected to complete their studies within 11 semesters.
     Submission and defence of an acceptable thesis complete the requirements for a PhD. An acceptable thesis comprises a report of the candidate's research on a particular and well-defined research problem or hypothesis. It should represent a significant contribution to knowledge in that field. Emphasis is placed on the quality of the work as judged by the expression of mature scholarship, critical judgment, and satisfactory literary style in the thesis. Thesis approval implies that it is judged sufficiently meritorious to warrant publication in reputable, refereed journals in its field.

Interdepartmental Programs

MSc (Aquaculture) Interdepartmental Program
     The Department of Zoology participates in the MSc program in aquaculture. Those faculty members whose research and teaching expertise includes aspects of aquaculture may serve as advisers for MSc (Aquaculture) students. Please consult the Aquaculture listing for a detailed description of the MSc (Aquaculture) interdepartmental program.

Biophysics MSc/PhD Program
     The Department of Zoology participates in the MSc/PhD program in biophysics. Those faculty members whose research and teaching expertise includes aspects of biophysics may serve as advisers for MSc and PhD students in biophysics. Please consult the Biophysics listing for a detailed description of the graduate programs offered by the Biophysics Interdepartmental Group (BIG).

Toxicology MSc/PhD Collaborative Program
     The Department of Zoology participates in the MSc/PhD program in toxicology. Those faculty members whose research and teaching expertise includes aspects of toxicology may serve as advisers for MSc and PhD students. Please consult the Toxicology listing for a detailed description of the MSc/PhD collaborative program.


Courses

Course/(Credit Value) Term Course Description
Evolutionary Biology
ZOO*6020
Advances in Evolutionary Biology (0.5)
   This modular course reviews books and/or other publications in the field of evolutionary biology, providing knowledge of progress in this area of biology. Topics may include epigenetics, phylogenetics, developmental basis of evolutionary change, and molecular evolution. The course includes lectures and seminars in which the students participate. Offered annually.
Physiology
ZOO*6010
Advances in Physiology (0.5)
   A modular course format in which several faculty members lecture and/or lead discussion groups in tutorials on advances in their areas, or related areas, of physiology. Topics may include metabolic adaptation to extreme environments, behavioural and molecular endocrinology, and exercise and muscle physiology. The course includes lectures and seminars in which the students participate. Offered annually.
Ecology and Behaviour
ZOO*6000
Advances in Ecology and Behaviour (0.5)
   This is a modular course in which several faculty lecture and/or lead discussion groups in tutorials about advances in their broad areas, or related areas, of ecology and behaviour. Topics may include animal communication, optimal foraging, life-history evolution, mating systems, population dynamics, niche theory and food-web dynamics. The course includes lectures and seminars in which the students participate. Offered annually.
General
ZOO*6070
Topics in Advanced Zoology I (0.5)
  These courses provide graduate students, either individually or in groups, with the opportunity to pursue topics in specialized fields of zoology under the guidance of graduate faculty. Course topics will normally be advertised by faculty one semester prior to their offering. Courses may be offered in any of lecture, reading/seminar, or individual project formats. A minimum enrolment may be required for some course offerings.
ZOO*6080
Topics in Advanced Zoology II (0.5)
  
ZOO*6550
Aquaculture (0.5)
   Examination of the history, practice and future of aquaculture with special reference to the application of biological principles and knowledge to the production of aquatic organisms for food and other uses.
ZOO*6630
Seminar in Scientific Communication (0.5)
   The development and refinement of the skills of communication (oral and written).
ZOO*6640
Research Seminars in Zoology (0.25)
   Participation in a regular departmental seminar series including a presentation.
ZOO*6040
Special Topics in Animal Ecology (0.5)
   Students will explore aspects of animal ecology not otherwise covered in existing graduate courses. A program of study will be developed with a faculty advisor according to the student's requirements. Research papers, laboratory work and/or written and oral presentations.
ZOO*6060
Special Topics in Evolution (0.5)
   Students will explore aspects of evolution not otherwise covered in existing graduate courses. A program of study will be developed with a faculty advisor according to the student's requirements. Research papers, laboratory work and/or written and oral presentations.
ZOO*6090
Special Topics in Physiological Zoology
   Students will explore aspects of physiological zoology not otherwise covered in existing graduate courses. A program of study will be developed with a faculty advisor according to the student's requirements. Research papers, laboratory work and/or written and oral presentations.

         



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