XII. Course Descriptions

Environmental Biology

School of Environmental Sciences

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

ENVB*2030 Current Issues in Forest Science F (3-0) [0.50]
This course focuses on the analysis of current issues in forest science from a variety of perspectives. Aspects of natural and managed forest dynamics, ecology and diversity are discussed. Relationships between important tree species and their preferred environments are covered, with emphasis on Canada's forests. The course also explores the role of forests in the global context.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040
ENVB*2040 Plant Health and the Environment W (3-0) [0.50]
This is an interdisciplinary course on the nature and importance of diseases, 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.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040
ENVB*2100 Problem-Solving in Environmental Biology W (2-2) [0.50]
This course provides an introduction to current issues and problems in environmental biology. Methodologies of addressing environmental issues and concerns will be critically examined. Project design, information retrieval and organization, and the interpretation of statistical data will be covered. Oral and written presentations, both individual and group will be emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040, (CHEM*1050 or CHEM*1310), MATH*1080
ENVB*2210 Introductory Apiculture F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the broad field of beekeeping. It 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. (Also offered through Distance Education format.)
ENVB*3000 Nature Interpretation F,W (2-3) [0.50]
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. (Also offered through Distance Education format.)
Prerequisite(s): 1 of BIOL*2060, BOT*2050, BIOL*3110
ENVB*3010 Climate Change Biology F (3-0) [0.50]
This course examines the impacts of climate change on living organisms, biological communities and ecosystems. The course focuses on what is known, and what is not known, about the ways in which the suite of changing climate variables influence biological systems.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040, (1 of BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110, BOT*2050), (CHEM*1050 or CHEM*1310)
ENVB*3030 Pesticides and the Environment F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course examines 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. (Also offered through Distance Education format.)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040, (CHEM*1040 or CHEM*2300)
ENVB*3040 Natural Chemicals in the Environment F,W (3-0) [0.50]
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. (Also offered through Distance Education format.)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040
ENVB*3090 Insect Diversity and Biology W (3-3) [0.50]
This course is an overview of insect diversity and biology emphasizing groups of importance in conservation biology, outdoor recreation and economic entomology. Labs focus on insect identification and the development of a small insect collection.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040
ENVB*3160 Management of Turfgrass Diseases F (2-2) [0.50]
In this course ecology of turfgrass diseases and cultural methods of management will be emphasized, in addition to field recognition and microscopic diagnosis of diseases. Advances in biological and chemical control measures and their impact on turfgrass ecosystems and surrounding environments will also be discussed.
Prerequisite(s): HORT*2450
Restriction(s): DTM*3200
ENVB*3210 Plant Pathology F (2-3) [0.50]
This course examines the nature of disease in plants, including their causal agents, etiology, biology, epidemiology, and management. Emphasis is placed on the historical and social importance of plant diseases, and on current issues in plant health. Each student is required to make a collection of 20 plant disease specimens. Students must contact the course instructor before starting their collection.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040
ENVB*3230 Agroforestry Systems F (2-2) [0.50]
The planned and systematic integration of trees into the agricultural landscape can potentially result in sustainable environmental, ecological, economic and social benefits. The key aspects of deriving these benefits, associated science and management considerations, application potentials at the landscape level and adoption challenges will be discussed. Common temperate and tropical agroforestry systems (e.g. intercropping of trees and crops) will be discussed. Emphasis will be given to successful research and development case studies.
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*2030
ENVB*3250 Forest Health and Disease F (2-2) [0.50]
The impact of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms on forest health, and the biology and management of tree diseases in natural and urban ecosystems is covered in this course. Emphasis will be placed on ecological processes, host-pathogen interactions, mutualistic associations, wood decay, and human impacts on tree health.
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*2030 or BOT*2100
ENVB*3270 Forest Biodiversity W (4-0) [0.50]
This course examines biodiversity in forest ecosystems at a variety of scales from genes to landscapes. Relationships between biodiversity and forest ecosystem structure, function, and stability are explored. Approaches to conserving biodiversity in managed forests are discussed and evaluated. Analysis of the relevant scientific literature and practical experience with methods of quantifying biodiversity are emphasized in the weekly seminar.
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*2030, (1 of BOT*2050, BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110)
ENVB*3280 Waterborne Disease Ecology F (3-2) [0.50]
Emerging and re-emerging waterborne diseases (bacterial, protozoan, and viral) as a function of environmental change (including chemical and biological pollution and climate change) are covered in this course. Waterborne diseases, in freshwater and marine ecosystems, will be examined from historical and contemporary issues as they relate to public and environmental health from regional, national, and international perspectives. Topics presented within the course will include current waterborne diseases of humans and aquatic fauna, detection of waterborne pathogens, microbial evolution, microbial physiology, water regulations and protection of drinking water.
Prerequisite(s): BIOC*2580, MBG*2000
ENVB*3330 Ecosystem Processes and Applications W (3-0) [0.50]
An ecosystem approach that treats living organisms and physical elements of the environment as components of a single, integrated system is introduced in this course. The important processes that characterize ecosystems, tracing water, carbon and nutrients from their abiotic sources to their cycles through plants, animals and decomposers will be examined. Human activity is a dominant influence on these cycles and this influence is surveyed in several highly impacted ecosystems.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*1040, (1 of BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110, BOT*2050), (CHEM*1050 or CHEM*1310)
ENVB*4020 Water Quality and Environmental Management F (3-3) [0.50]
This course will introduce the student to issues pertaining to water quality, how to assess impacts in aquatic systems, and strategies for the management of water resources. Examples and case studies will draw from agricultural, industrial and municipal sources. Topics include: historical perspectives, current issues in water pollution, methods to assess water quality, restoration and rehabilitation of impacted aquatic habitats, and risk assessment and management of water resources.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL*2060 or (ENVM*1100, ENVM*1150)
ENVB*4040 Behaviour of Insects W (4-0) [0.50]
This course investigates 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.
Prerequisite(s): 1 of BIOL*3110, ENVB*3090
ENVB*4070 Biological and Cultural Control of Plant Diseases W (3-0) [0.50]
Current concepts and approaches to managing plant pathogens and diseases in crops and natural plant communities by measures that have minimal impact on the environment. Topics include naturally-occurring biological control such as suppressive soils and induced host resistance, use of microbial agents and their modes of action, transgenic disease resistance, use of organic soil amendments and mulches to promote microbial diversity and suppress pathogens, and effects of sanitation, crop sequences, tillage, flooding, soil solarization and other cultural practices on microbial communities, including pathogens and on disease epidemics.
Prerequisite(s): 1 of BIOL*3050, ENVB*3210, MICR*3220
ENVB*4100 Integrated Management of Invasive Insect Pests W (3-3) [0.50]
This course explores the concept of integrated pest management as it applies to the mitigation of invasive insect pests associated with agricultural and forest ecosystems.
Prerequisite(s): 1 of CROP*3300, CROP*3310, ENVB*2030, ENVB*3090, HORT*3230, HORT*3280, HORT*3350, HORT*3510
ENVB*4130 Chemical Ecology: Principles & Practice W (3-0) [0.50]
Chemicals mediate interactions between individuals of a species and between organisms and their host plants. These interactions can be manipulated and exploited to mange pest populations through the use of pheromones, allelochemicals and host plant resistance. The nature of these interactions (from behavioural to evolutionary), biological and chemical methods used in their investigation, and the application of chemical ecology to insect pest and plant disease management will be covered. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*3040
ENVB*4220 Biology of Aquatic Insects F (2-3) [0.50]
This course is a study of the adult and immature forms of aquatic insects. Students are required to present a collection of at least 200 insect specimens identified to genus. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*3090
ENVB*4240 Biological Activity of Pesticides W (3-0) [0.50]
A study of the fate and mode of action of pesticides, e.g., insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
Prerequisite(s): 0.50 credits in biochemistry
ENVB*4260 Field Entomology F,W (1-6) [0.50]
This course is taught in late April or May. Students may enroll in either the preceding Winter semester or following Fall semester. The course provides an introduction to insect sampling, observation, identification, and experimentation in field settings. Student activities are divided equally between observing, collecting and identifying specimens from more than 20 families and an experimental component involving one or more studies to test hypotheses about the ecology or behaviour of insects. There are occasional lectures and discussions to highlight particularly interesting observations of insects. Student evaluation is based on the student's insect collection and associated logbook, a written paper describing their experiment, contributions to class discussions and activities, and peer evaluation. The field site is generally in the USA or South America. Course fees cover costs of room, board, supplies, and transportation to the field site(s). This course must be recorded as part of the student's Fall or Winter course selection and tuition and compulsory fees will be calculated accordingly. Detailed information is available from the Office of the Director - School of Environmental Sciences.
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*3090 or ENVB*4040
ENVB*4270 Insect Biosystematics W (2-3) [0.50]
A study of the lesser known groups of native insects and an introduction to taxonomic procedure and the principles of insect systematics. Students are required to assemble their own insect collections prior to registering in this course. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on identification of student insect collections.
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*3090
ENVB*4290 Applied Insect Physiology F (3-2) [0.50]
This course examines major physiological systems of insects at the molecular, cellular and whole animal levels of organization. Emphasis is placed on identification of potential physiological targets for insecticides, and molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance. Applications of analytical chemistry, electrophysiology, mathematical modeling and molecular biology to the study of insect physiology are discussed. The course includes tutorial exercises examining the external and internal morphology of representative insect species. (Offered in even-numbered years.)
Prerequisite(s): STAT*2040, (1 of ENVB*3030, ENVB*3040, ENVB*3090, TOX*2000, ZOO*3200)
ENVB*4420 Problems in Environmental Biology S,F,W (0-6) [0.50]
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 7th and 8th semester students considering graduate studies.
Prerequisite(s): 1.50 credits at the 3000 level in the agricultural and biological sciences .
Restriction(s): Instructor consent required.
ENVB*4550 Toxicological Risk Characterization W (3-0) [0.50]
This is a biologically based, advanced course that will give students working knowledge of current processes and techniques for toxicological risk characterization. The course material will cover the topics of problem definition, effect characterization, exposure characterization, risk assessment, and risk management decision making. (Also listed as TOX*4550.)
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*3030, TOX*2000
Equate(s): TOX*4550
ENVB*4780 Forest Ecology F (3-3) [0.50]
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.
Prerequisite(s): ENVB*2030, (1 of BOT*2050, BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110)
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1

Canada
519-824-4120