University of Guelph

1996-97 Undergraduate Calendar

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XII--Course Descriptions


Environmental Biology

Department of Environmental Biology

Additional course listings may be found in the course descriptions for Microbiology, Plant Biology, Toxicology and Zoology.

34-203 Forestry F(3-0)

Basic principles of forestry and forest management with emphasis on Canada's forests. Relationship of important tree species to their preferred environments. Aspects of tree growth, forest ecology and soils and silviculture. Utilization of forests and trees in the global context.

Prerequisites: 1 course credit in biology.

34-204 Biology of Plant Pests F(3-0)

An interdisciplinary course on the nature and importance of diseases, weeds, insects and abiotic stresses on plant productivity and quality. A case history approach will be used to illustrate the biology of plant pests, the principles of pest population management, and related topics.

Prerequisites: 17-115.

34-210 Problem-Solving in Environmental Biology W(2-2)

An exploration of ways of approaching problems dealing with environmental concerns. Training will include critical thinking, information retrieval and organization, and project design. Emphasis on oral and written presentations, both individual and group. Students will be introduced to the various disciplines within the department.

Prerequisites: registration in the Environmental Biology major.

34-221 Introductory Apiculture F,W(3-0)

Designed to acquaint the student with the broad field of beekeeping. Will include honey bee biology and behaviour, management for honey production, products of the hive, pests and enemies and the value of bees as pollinators of agricultural crops. Frequent audio visual presentations.

34-300 Nature Interpretation F(2-3)

An exploration of communication and experiential learning theories and their application to natural history interpretation and environmental education program design. Students will develop and present interpretive materials and a program within the context of the existing nature interpretation program at The Arboretum.

Prerequisites: 15-201, 17-115, 92-102.

34-303 Pesticides and the Environment F,W(3-2)

The role and use of pesticides by various facets of society and the effect of these pesticides on biological activities in the environment. A research proposal is required.

Prerequisites: (17-115 or 92-102), (19-104 or 19-179 or 19-230).

34-304 Natural Chemicals in the Environment F,W(3-0)

The role of naturally occurring chemical substances in the inter-relationships of organisms, population dynamics and the structure of ecosystems, and the role of such chemicals in the biological regulation and control of pests.

Prerequisites: 1 course credit in biology.

34-309 Insects in Relation to Wildlife W(3-3)

A survey of the more common insects of importance to wildlife and outdoor recreation.

Prerequisites: 92-102.
Exclusions: 34-311.

34-311 Natural History of Insects F(2-3)

An introduction to the natural history and field identifications of the more common families of insects occurring in Ontario.

Prerequisites: 92-102.
Exclusions: 34-309.

34-321 Plant Pathology F(2-3)

The nature of disease in plants and a study of the basic principles of control. A collection of 30 plant disease specimens is required.

Prerequisites: 17-115.

34-400 Plant Disease Management F(2-3)

A study of diseases with emphasis on control measures. Students learn to use technical journals and to prepare and present a term paper on a disease-related subject.

Prerequisites: 34-321

34-404 Behaviour of Insects W(3-0)

Investigation of the behaviour of insects within an ecological and evolutionary framework. Topics range from basic behavioral principles to the complex behaviour exhibited by the social insects.

Prerequisites: 1 of 15-311, 34-309, 34-311, 34-415, 92-438, 92-440.

34-407 Biological Control: Plant Diseases W(3-0)

Management of plant pathogens and weeds by biological systems that have a minimal impact on the environment. Topics include naturally-occurring biological control such as suppressive soils and induced plant disease resistance; and inundative biological control such as plant disease biocontrol agents, mycoherbicides, transgenic disease resistance, and their mechanisms of action.

Prerequisites: 1 of 17-320, 34-321, 65-322.

34-409 Biological Control: Insects F(3-0)

Studies of natural controls that are used to regulate populations of insects and weeds. The course will examine the role of parasitoids, predators and pathogens in managing pest populations.

Prerequisites: 34-309 or 34-311.

34-410 Applied Entomology W(3-3)

A study of the life histories and pest management practices employed against insect pests of various plant and animal hosts. Principles of economic entomology are illustrated using specific insect pests as examples.

Prerequisites: 34-309 or 34-311or a 300-level course in Crop Production.

34-415 Insect Ecology F(3-0)

An introduction to insect populations and to environmental factors which influence their distribution and abundance.

Prerequisites: 4 course credits in biology.

34-422 Biology of Aquatic Insects F(2-3)

A study of the adult and immature forms of aquatic insects. Students are required to present a collection of at least 200 insects.

Prerequisites: 34-309 or 34-311.

34-424 Biological Activity of Pesticides W(3-0)

A study of the fate and mode of action of pesticides, e.g., insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

Prerequisites: 1 course credit in biochemistry.

34-427 Insect Biosystematics F(2-3)

A study of the lesser known groups of native insects and an introduction to taxonomic procedure and the principles of insect systematics. A collection of at least 500 insects is required.

34-442 Problems in Environmental Biology S,F,W(0-6)

Students will select a research problem in an area of special interest. Direction will be given by a faculty member concerned with entomology-apiculture, applied microbiology, weed science and environmental physiology, plant pathology, etc., as represented within the department. For 7-8th semester students considering graduate studies.

Prerequisites: three 300-level course credits in the agricultural and biological sciences and the permission of the course supervisor.

34-455 Ecotoxicological Risk Characterization W(3-0)

A biologically based, advanced course that will give students working knowledge of current processes and techniques for ecotoxicological risk characterization. The course material will cover the topics of problem definition, dose response characterization, exposure characterization, risk assessment, and risk management decision making. Also listed as 94-455.

Prerequisites: 34-303, 94-200.
Exclusions: 94-455.

34-478 Forest Ecology F(2-2)

Principles of forest ecology with emphasis on the ecological principles needed for sound forest management. Biotic and abiotic components of forest ecosystems will be discussed in the context of energy flow, nutrient cycling, forest succession and appropriate silvicultural systems.

Prerequisites: 34-203, 1 course credit in biology.

34-480 Topics in Applied Biology F(2-2)

An integrated overview of those areas of applied biology that are of special interest to environmentalists. The material will be directed toward students majoring in Environmental Biology and Environmental Protection. Lectures and discussions will be presented by faculty and other professionals from research, business, education and technical fields. Students will conduct seminars on selected topics.

Prerequisites: three 300 level course credits in the agricultural or biological sciences.


1996-97 Undergraduate Calendar
XII--Course Descriptions

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Last revised: August 28, 1996. Contact: ccrenna@registrar.uoguelph.ca.