Biology

Instruction and laboratory work dealing with the applications of Biology at the level of biological molecules, the cell and organisms.

Ecology and evolution of selected plants, animals, and additional organisms. Topics include ecosystems and ecological interactions, and adaptations in the context of the organisms' environment. Note: Students intending to major in Biology must take BIOL 1017 and BIOL 1205. Credit can be obtained for only one of BIOL 1012 or 1105.

An introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of marine environments. Marine management issues and laws will be discussed.

Considers the chemistry of life, maintenance of cells and organisms, energy utilization, genetic information, reproductive continuity and mechanisms of evolution.

Introduction to issues in environmental biology, including ecosystem health, sustainable development, environmental law, multi-stakeholder decision-making, etc. The course will use a case study method to examine local and global effects of human activity on the earth’s ecology and human society, focussing on environmental concerns of coastal regions.

Basic concepts in human anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on the normal condition.

A continuation of BIOL 1411, basic concepts in human anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on the normal condition.

Basic concepts in human anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on the normal condition. This course includes a selection of appropriate laboratory exercises. For Nursing students only.

Continuation of BIOL 1441 , basic concepts in human anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on the normal condition. This course includes a selection of appropriate laboratory exercises. For Nursing students only

A general introduction to the theory, methods and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will learn the basics of GIS and how to acquire, display, edit, and analyze spatial data with specialized software. GIS is an interdisciplinary field, so students from all faculties may find this course useful.

History of genetics, Mendelian genetics, chromosome theory of inheritance, sex determination and linkage, extensions of Mendelian analysis, genetic linkage, crossing-over, genetic mapping, extranuclear genetics, quantitative and population genetics.

Protein structure and function, techniques for protein analysis, examples of important proteins, mechanisms and regulations of enzymatic activity, metabolism (basic concepts and design, followed by the study of a few pathways). 

Introduces botanical principles and processes. Includes basic anatomy and morphology on a range of scales: cellular structure and processes, tissues, organs, and their functions.

Introduces botanical principles and processes. Includes basic anatomy and morphology on a range of scales: cellular structure and processes, tissues, organs and their functions. Students are required to attend weekly laboratory/tutorial sessions, but will not write laboratory exam or assignments. This course is not equivalent to BIOL 2125 for credit toward a BSc, but serves as an acceptable prerequisite for BIOL 3275 , 3353 , 3355 or 3541 in place of BIOL 2125 . Credit will not be granted for both BIOL 2125 and BIOL 2135. 

Studies cell membranes, motility and sensory systems; gene regulation and molecular embryology; DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, viruses and molecular genetics.

Introduction to the fundamental concepts of infectious disease microbiology. Discusses bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, helminths and arthropods. NOTE: This course cannot be taken by BSc majors in General Biology, Environmental Biology, or Marine Biology. Credit can only be obtained for one of BIOL 2485, BIOL 3251, BIOL 2385.

Covers the occurrence, distribution and importance of the major groups of bacteria; bacterial metabolism, growth, structure and function;introduces the role of microbes in the environment, microbial interactions, biological cycles and exploitation of microbes by industry. Labs stress techniques for observation, cultivation and characterization of bacteria and experimental concepts of the discipline. 

Introduces concepts of ecology common to terrestrial, fresh water and marine ecosystems. Provides a basis for further ecological or environmental studies. Introduces man’s influence on ecosystems. 

Classification, functional morphology, development and evolution of the major animal groups. Prerequisites: BIOL 1205 (or BIOL 1551 with a grade of B or higher) and BIOL 1105 and BIOL 1017 . 

A review of the normal physiological mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis. This is followed by a consideration of how various perturbations (such as environmental or life style factors) and disease can disrupt the normal balance and lead to pathology. For Nursing students only, or by permission of the instructor.

A continuation of BIOL 2831 . 

A physiological approach to organismic function in animals, focussing on homeostasis and nervous, muscular, and cardiovascular systems.

Emphasizes the molecular underpinnings of the healthy and diseased states by extending and integrating essential molecular concepts introduced in Introductory Biochemistry - BIOL 2065 . 

Gives academically strong Biology Major students an opportunity to write a library research report. The student should discuss the topic with the staff member best qualified to give approval to the subject matter and to give guidance during the year.

An introduction to the interrelationships between organism and environment in marine ecosystems. Limited enrollment: preference will be given to Marine Biology Majors, then other students based on C.G.P.A.

An introduction to the study of the seashore and coastal waters with emphasis on the nature and ecology of the littoral flora and fauna and on practical methods of study. Held immediately after spring examinations. Enrollment is limited; preference will be given to Marine Biology Majors.

Course will provide students with a chemical basis for understanding the natural environment and current environmental issues. Topics will include: the composition of the natural environment, the chemistry supporting environmental processes, and the main reactions of natural & anthropogenic chemicals in the atmosphere, water, and soils. Note: This course may be listed as either BIOL 3245 or CHEM 3245 . Credit can not be obtained for both BIOL 3245 and CHEM 3245. 

Introduction to the fundamental concepts of infectious disease microbiology. Discusses bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, helminths and arthropods. For Nursing students only (or with permission of Instructor).

Considers the range of ways in which plants are used by humans for food, medicine, shelter, etc. Discusses the impact of plants on humans and vice versa, including the possible origins and impacts of agriculture, importance of plants in various cultures, and selection of desirable plant features by humans. Students will research an area of particular interest and present a seminar on it.

Introduces students to the taxonomy, physiology and industrial uses of the fungi.

A practical taxonomy course dealing with a range of vascular plants: ferns, fern allies, gymnosperms and flowering plants; consideration of taxonomic concepts, literature and methods used to identify various groups. Laboratory emphasis will be on features of important plant families and identification of students’ plant collections.

Explores diversity in form, structure and function in major plant groups, and how these organisms live and reproduce in their particular environments. Probable homologies and evolutionary relationships are discussed.

This course will explore topics of special interest at an advanced level. Topics will be specified by the Department. Title of topic will appear on the student transcripts. Open only to students in third year and above. 

This course will explore topics of special interest at an advanced level. Topics will be specified by the Department. Title of topic will appear on the student transcripts. Open only to students in third year and above. 

In-depth introduction to biological research, particularly ecological sampling and experiments. Topics covered include development of hypotheses, design of experiments and sampling, evaluation of the scientific literature, presentation, interpretation, and statistical analysis of biological data, and writing scientific papers. Students will carry out field and laboratory projects, including an independent research project.

This course will examine the chemistry, function, biosynthesis and metabolism of primary metabolites. Classes of compounds covered will include carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids, peptides, proteins and nucleic acids. Note: This course may be listed as either BIOL 3435 or CHEM 3435 . Credit cannot be obtained for both BIOL 3435 and CHEM 3435 . 

A course on the factors affecting the distribution and abundance of plants, how patterns and structure at the levels of populations and communities can be described quantitatively, and how these arise from the interaction of abiotic (climate, fire, soil) and biotic (competition, herbivory) factors.

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Emphasizes the management of environmental and ecological resources in such a way as to maintain ecosystem resources for the protection of species. Focus will be on methods of determining population habitat requirements, community interactions, impacts of habitat change, cumulative effects of environmental pressures, etc. in coastal systems. Issues such as biodiversity, habitat protection, endangered species protection, politics of conservation, etc. will also be discussed.

This course will explore topics of special interest to aquaculturists at an advanced level. The title of the topic will be specified by the Department. The title of the topic will appear on the student's transcript. Open only to students in third year and above.

Explores the structure and functions of major marine invertebrate phyla, emphasizing comparative and organismic approaches, respectively. Topics covered include food capture and digestion, defense mechanisms, respiration, circulation, excretion, skeletal support, reproduction and life cycles, as well as locomotion.

A physiological approach to organismic function in animals, focussing on endocrine and temperature effects on homeostasis; osmoregulation; and the respiratory and urinary systems.

The course will look at the evolution, taxonomy, ecology and physiology of elasmobranch fishes, with an emphasis on sharks. The course will consist of lectures, laboratory sessions, and field trips, beginning with three days at UNBSJ followed by six days at the BBS, Bahamas.

This course will provide a general overview of the different concepts that surround environmental law. Recent events have focused our attention on the fragility of the environment, and there is evidence of its deterioration in the forms of harmful pollution, resource depletion, thinning of the earth’s ozone layer, global warming, ground water contamination and the decline or even extinction of species. We will look at the legislation, the common law, and the different remedies they provide in cases of environmental crisis.

A course designed to examine the biology, behavioural and social ecology of tropical dolphins. Students will develop field research skills and techniques including boat-based surveys, photo-identification, focal animal behavioural sampling, acoustical recordings, and improve scientific writing skills. 

A comparative account, principally of the physiology and functional anatomy of the higher vertebrates.

A study of the anatomy, physiology, and classification of Recent fishes. In classification and geographical distribution, emphasis is placed on the marine northwest Atlantic fishes and freshwater fishes of New Brunswick. Limited enrollment: preference will be given to Marine Biology Majors, then other students based on C.G.P.A.

This course takes an ecological approach to fisheries management. Topics include: age and growth, life history analysis, bioenergetics, functional ecology, social behaviour, population estimates, recruitment dynamics and management. Limited enrollment: preference will be given to Marine Biology Majors, then other students based on C.G.P.A.

This course introduces students to the diversity and systematics of marine organisms in the Bay of Fundy, including major taxonomic divisions of mammals, fish, algae, and invertebrates. The course emphasizes variation in assemblages of organisms inhabiting different types of habitats, such as estuaries, marine benthos and pelagos, as well as rocky and soft-sediment intertidal shores. Students will be exposed to this diversity by learning about a number of methods commonly used to sample and quantify the abundance of marine organisms, such as transects and quadrats, mark-recapture experiments, beach seine, minnow traps, dip nets, bottom trawls, gillnets as well as shipboard techniques. Note: This course is offered exclusively in the Marine Semester. 

This course introduces students to a myriad of adaptations of marine organisms living in the Bay of Fundy. Topics covered will vary from year to year. Students will learn about major ecological factors affecting the distribution and abundance of marine organisms, and they will study select biochemical, physiological, morphological, behavioral and life-history adaptations displayed by these organisms in response to these selective agents. Students will also investigate variation of these adaptive traits in relation to temporal and spatial variability in the characteristics of marine habitats. This knowledge will largely be acquired through short-term lab and field observations and exercises, which will be supported by lectures, directed readings and group discussions. Many exercises will rely on the scientific approach to test competing hypotheses pertaining to the functional significance of selected features displayed by marine organisms. . Note: This course is offered exclusively in the Marine Semester.

This course reviews the history and evolution of marine aquaculture practices. Topics covered will vary from year to year, but may include: plant and animal species being cultivated in the world; different types of aquaculture systems and their sustainability; site and practice selection and management; aquaculture and environment impacts: what is acceptable; assimilative capacity and resilience of ecosystems; social, economic and regulatory aspects of aquaculture; aquaculture in broader integrated coastal zone management perspective; integrated multitrophic aquaculture and offshore aquaculture; differentiation and diversification of products, world markets and consumer trends. To connect the theory in the classroom to the experience in the field, visits of hatcheries, aquaculture sites, as well as processing and manufacturing facilities will be conducted. Different components of the course will be delivered by experts from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture, aquaculture professional associations, the aquaculture industry, feed companies and consultants. Note: This course is offered exclusively in the Marine Semester, and has no pre-requisites.

This course teaches students the fundamentals of the scientific method, and gives them the opportunity to conduct a small research project in marine sciences under the supervision and guidance from practicing scientists. Topics covered include: hypotheses and predictions; experimental and comparative approaches; variation, replication, pseudo-replication and sampling; calibration, accuracy and precision; experimental designs and their relation to statistics; scientific writing. Students will first work through a small question with instructors to put into practice concepts discussed in class, and they will then work on their own project throughout the better part of the semester to further hone their research skills. Students will choose the topic of their project and establish its design in consultation with instructors and via group discussions with classmates. Projects will be designed to take advantage of local marine organisms and habitats. Students will collect, analyze, interpret and write-up their results following the format of a scientific paper, and they will present them to the class at the end of the semester. Note: This course is offered exclusively in the Marine Semester. Course pre-requisites are at least one university level introductory courses in each of statistics, ecology and zoology, all with a grade of “C” or better.

This is a seminar course to acquaint students with some topical issues and recent developments in marine sciences, and provide them with an opportunity to critically evaluate and discuss scientific work. The course will consist of research seminars given by university and government scientists, as well as assigned readings and group discussions that will be associated with each presentation. Topics and guest speakers will vary from year to year, but all seminars will be based on marine organisms, habitats, and/or topical issues, both theoretical and practical. Note: This course is offered exclusively in the Marine Semester. Course pre-requisites are at least one university level introductory courses in each of statistics, ecology and zoology, all with a grade of “C” or better.

A synopsis of descriptive physical and biological oceanography of the world's oceans with special emphasis on Canadian coastal waters. Laboratories emphasize techniques for measurement of oceanographic parameters and include some field studies. Limited enrollment; preference will be given to Marine Biology Majors, then other students based on C.G.P.A. 

Traces the development of a body of theory explaining biological unity and diversity, from pre-Darwinian ideas to current issues in evolutionary biology. The course integrates theoretical, descriptive, and empirical studies to elucidate the patterns and processes of evolution (what evolution is, and how it occurs), and to explore the experimental and analytical methods biologists use to study evolution.

A Biology Honours student must undertake a thesis project with permission of the Department. Students who intend to apply for this elective are advised to consult with their intended faculty supervisor at the beginning of their third year.

Landscape Ecology is the study of ecology in heterogeneous environments. It is an interdisciplinary science that draws on elements of traditional ecology, biogeography, landscape architecture, ecosystem ecology, modeling, geostatistics, and remote sensing. It is characterized by the explicit consideration of space and time; where organisms live, how their environments vary, and how the relative locations of different components of the environment affect biological processes. This course covers these topics through lectures, labs, discussions, and a major group project.

A lecture/seminar course to acquaint students with some of the outstanding recent developments in various fields. Restricted to students majoring in Biology or Marine Biology. 

Molecular Biology plays an important role in ecology and environmental science. This course will introduce concepts and applications in molecular evolution, population genetics, quantitative genetics and adaptation. Topics will include gene expression analysis and genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Students will become familiar with the various molecular methodologies that can be used to study ecology and environmental science. This course will appeal to those students interested in the natural sciences, as well as the medical sciences.

Introduces students with basic concepts of interactions between plant hosts and fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens. Considers the roles of phytotoxins, resistant mechanisms, and cellular metabolism during pathogenesis.

General characteristics of algae: their diversity, systematics and environment. Ecophysiology and biochemistry of algae: study of the major factors (physical, chemical, biological and human parameters). Aquaculture and uses of marine algae in highly diversified industries.

The endocrine system controls all aspects of physiology including growth, reproduction, metabolism, and the immune system. This course reviews the major hormone systems in mammals along the brain-pituitary-tissue axis and highlights general principles in endocrine signalling. Major topics of discussion for each hormone system include molecular biology, physiology and behaviour. Other topics to be covered are diseases of the hormone system, newly discovered hormones, and endocrine disrupting chemicals that interfere with the hormone system. This course would be of interest to pre-medical and environmental students.

An examination of tropical coastal ecosystems. The course will focus on the ecology of coral reefs, tropical fish ecology and physiology, tropical seaweed biology and mangrove ecology. The course consists of lectures, fieldwork and laboratory work.

This course will examine the biosynthesis, biological activity and ecological significance of secondary metabolites. The following topics will include: t he links between primary and secondary metabolic pathways; an overview of the mechanisms, chemistry and coenzymes involved in the biosynthesis of natural products; the acetate pathway; the Shikimate pathway; the mevalonate and methyl erythritol phosphate pathways; the alkaloids and chemical ecology. Note: This course may be listed as either BIOL 4435 or CHEM 4435 . Credit cannot be obtained for both BIOL 4435 and CHEM 4435 .

Explores the relationship between animal behaviour, ecology and evolution. Theoretical concepts covered include the economics of animal decision making, predator-prey relationships, competition, fighting and assessment, sexual conflict and sexual selection, parental care and mating systems, alternative breeding strategies, altruism and co-operation, Whenever possible marine organisms, and particularly invertebrates will be used to illustrate theoretical concepts. .

The development and application of fundamental models in ecology. Topics include: population dynamics, competition, predator-prey relationships and community models (both mechanistic and systems approaches).

The history, practice and future of aquaculture, with particular emphasis on development of finfish aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. Topics include: biology of growth, culture of live feed, hatchery techniques, health, nutrition, engineering and economics. Limited enrollment; preference will be given to Marine Biology Majors, then other students based on C.G.P.A.

The biology of seals, whales, and sea-cows. Life histories, behaviour, reproduction, and population estimation techniques will receive special emphasis. The biological, economic, and moral aspects of man’s direct and indirect influence on, and utilization of marine mammals will be discussed.

Introduces basic techniques for invertebrate identification, monitoring and biodiversity assessment in rich and diverse invertebrate fauna of the Quoddy Region. Practical work includes shipboard sampling, field trips to coastal sites and laboratory exercises that present a broad overview of invertebrates of intertidal, plankton and subtidal benthic communities. The course is held at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St. Andrews, and is twelve days in length. A charge of tuition, full board and lodging is required. 

A course on selected aspects of the comparative physiology of marine fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals.

A theoretical and applied approach to the science of exotoxicology, including application of the tools and procedures used to understand toxicant fate and effects in ecosystems. Both field (ed. Community level environmental “effects” monitoring) and laboratory (eg. LC50 tests) methods for understanding contaminant fates and effects will be examined.

Students are introduced to methods of statistical analysis relevant to biological questions. Topics of study will include: experimental design, how to deal with noisy data (transformations); parametric and non-parametric tests; how to deal with missing data; regression (linear & non linear); statistical packages; and introduction to multivariate statistics (PCA and DFA).

Continuation of BIOL 1302 . The course will use case studies to explore environmental issues, focussing on the role of biologists in environmental studies and decision-making. Emphasis will be on the types of interactions required of biologists, economists, community members, activists, industrialists, lawyers, regulators, etc. in areas of environmental law, policy, and economics for integrated environmental and coastal zone management.

A techniques course, in which students will have practical experience in sampling and analytical techniques, including: water, air and soil sampling; plant and animal sampling in field and lab; and chemical analyses of tissues and water, air and soil. Appropriate study design and statistical analyses of collected data will be emphasized.

Physiological bases of behaviour, the animal in relation to its environment, the animal in its social context, and the evolution of behavioural displays and activities. Emphasizes the adaptive significance of behavioural activities (ethology) rather than experimental psychology.

An examination of how vertebrate and invertebrate animals communicate via visual, acoustic, chemical and tactile means. Signal detection theory, redundancy, masking and information content will be discussed.