This course will introduce important concepts concerning the organization of life on our planet, from cells to ecosystems. The dynamic and interactive nature of all living systems will be emphasized. This course will be valuable for non-biology students interested in environmental issues, medicine, advances in biotechnology and related topics.

A lecture and laboratory course which introduces the concepts and controversies in contemporary biology and their implications. Using an integrative approach, the course examines some of the basics of biology and two of the common challenges of life, acquisition and processing of nutrients and information flow. How these challenges are faced by animals, microbes and plants and the diversity of structures and processes that have evolved in response to them will be discussed. This is the first course in a two course biology series. When you select it, you are strongly advised to take the second course, BIOL*1040, immediately thereafter. Material from BIOL*1030 will be referred to in BIOL*1040 to emphasize the integrated nature of biology. Students lacking OAC Biology should consult with their program counsellor prior to taking BIOL*1030.

A continuation of BIOL*1030. A lecture and laboratory course which continues with additional challenges of life faced by animals, microbes and plants and the diversity of structures and processes that have evolved in response to them. To indicate the value of biology to society, some topical issues in biology will be addressed. This is the second course in a two course biology series and should be taken immediately after successfully completing BIOL*1030. Materials introduced in BIOL*1030 will be built on and referred to in BIOL*1040.

This is a basic course that presents a discussion of the ecology of plants, animals, fungi and bacteria as individual organisms, interacting populations, communities and ecosystems. Lectures and discussion groups are used to demonstrate the tremendous difficulty of interpreting ecological data derived from field studies. The value of laboratory-based research in ecology will also be discussed. The course will be important for anyone who wishes to understand what we know and need to know about the way ecological systems work. Departments of Botany and Zoology.

The structure and function of eukaryotic cells with emphasis on multicellular organisms. Role of subcellular structures and organelles in cellular processes of bioenergetics, division, differentiation, motility, secretion, nutrition, and communication. (Also offered through distance education format.)

This course emphasizes field and laboratory work in ecology. Students will gain experience in experimental designs, sampling, analysis and interpretation of data collected to answer ecological questions. Local field sites will be used to run in-course experiments. Critical thinking about ecological issues relevant to society will be emphasized. Departments of Botany and Zoology.

An exploration of the structure and dynamics of animal and plant populations. The first part of the course will focus on demographic characteristics of populations and simple models of population growth and natural regulation. The second part of the course will concentrate on a variety of population processes, including predator-prey interactions, spatial dynamics, and disease-host interactions, and consider how these processes affect population dynamics. A quantitative approach emphasizing the use of mathematical models, graphical analysis, and statistics will provide the basic conceptual framework, which will be illustrated by selected case studies. Departments of Botany and Zoology.

A course on the structure and dynamics of communities, dealing with both theoretical and applied aspects of community ecology. Emphasis is on the modern quantitative view of community ecology, and on the development of problem-solving skills. Department of Zoology.

An introduction to the biological basis for the management of wild, living resources, including freshwater and marine fish and wild life. Topics will include an overview of processes related to resource population abundance and dynamics, theory and practice of sustained-yield harvesting, and conservation and restoration of endangered species and/or ecosystems. Both theoretical and applied aspects of resource management will be emphasized. Department of Zoology.

An introduction to the structure and components of aquatic ecosystems, how they are regulated by physical, chemical and biological factors, and the impact of humans on these environments and their biota. Laboratory periods will centre around computer-based exercises and simulation of aquatic systems. Department of Zoology. (Also offered through distance education format.)

An overview of the process used to restore naturally occurring ecological systems that have been degraded by human activity. Students will review restoration projects in Canada and abroad, to become more familiar with experimental design, analysis and data management, as it is currently used in restoration ecology. Emphasis will be placed on the scientific method and the role of ecological theory. Political, social, and economic aspects of restoration will also be considered.

An advanced course designed to present theoretical and practical aspects of research methods in ecology. Emphasis will be placed on experimental design, sampling, population estimation, statistical inference, and community characteristics of producers and consumers. Students will participate in research projects of their own design, and will gain experience in preparing research proposals, research papers and posters, and making oral presentations. Departments of Botany and Zoology.

An examination of common ecological circumstances faced by plants and animals and the morphological, behavioral and life history characteristics that have evolved in response. Particular emphasis will be placed on evolutionary processes and on adaptive aspects of thermoregulation, foraging strategies, spatial distribution, social and reproductive strategies. The course will emphasize both the theoretical basis and the empirical evidence for ecological adaptation. There is a 1-hour seminar each week for class discussion of selected lecture topics. Departments of Botany and Zoology.

This course builds on previous courses in population and community ecology to evaluate the long-term dynamics of threatened populations in the context of human intervention. The course will also provide a "hands-on" introduction to computer modelling, with application to contemporary issues in population ecology and resource management. Lectures will be drawn from the following topics: growth and regulation of single populations, long-term persistence of ecological communities, harvesting, bio-economics, and habit modification. (Department of Zoology.)