Biology

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.

Considers the chemistry of life, maintenance of cells and organisms, energy utilization, genetic information, reproductive continuity and mechanisms of evolution. This course is designed for science students or other students planning to major in Biology. Credit can be obtained for only one of BIOL 1205 or BIOL 1001.

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, focusing on environmental concerns of coastal regions.

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.

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 exams or assignments. This course is not equivalent to BIOL 2125 for credit toward a BSc, but serves as an acceptable prerequisite for BIOL 3275, BIOL 3353, BIOL 3355 or BIOL 3541 in place of BIOL 2125. Credit will not be granted for both BIOL 2125 and BIOL 2135. 

Studies cellular structure , DNA synthesis and repair, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, gene regulation, cancer, immune response, and molecular techniques.

Introduction to the fundamental concepts of infectious disease microbiology. Discusses bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, helminths and arthropods. Credit can only be obtained for one of BIOL 2485, BIOL 3251, BIOL 2385.

This course will cover the major groups of microbes, with a focus on microbes involved in human health and disease. Bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, helminths and arthropods will be discussed with emphasis on microbial metabolism, growth, structure and function; roles in medicine and industry; microbial interactions; microbial control measures; microbial diseases; and immunological responses to infection. Laboratories will stress aseptic techniques for cultivation, staining, 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.

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

This course will introduce students to the history, concepts, principles, planning and management of wildlife tourism enterprises and how research is conducted to determine if these activities have a negative impact on the behaviour and/or physiology of the wildlife involved.

Gives academically strong Biology Majors an opportunity to write a research report or perform a research project on a subject of interest. The student must discuss the topic with an instructor best qualified to give approval in the subject area and who is able to give guidance during the year.

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.

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 is an in-depth introduction into original research and experiential learning. Students will design and implement a research project involving isolation of microbes, molecular identification of cultures, fermentation and extraction of biologically active compounds. Compounds will be assessed through bioassay-directed fractionation and biological activity determined through quantitative procedures. This course will include: experimental design, acquisition of new laboratory skills, statistical analysis and scientific writing.

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.

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 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 introductory course aims to provide students with a basic understanding of pathophysiology. Topics include the mechanisms of inflammation and cellular injury, and the pathophysiology of the digestive, circulatory, respiratory and endocrine systems. NOTE: Students cannot receive credit for BIOL 3853 and BIOL 2852, or BIOL 3853 and BIOL 2831.

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 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 prerequisites.

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.

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.

This course introduces students to a sub-discipline of oceanography that emphasizes the relationships between marine biological and ocean environmental systems. The course will introduce the ecology of planktonic organisms responsible for global ocean carbon cycling, and explain the major dynamical relationships among plankton ecology, population biology and the ocean environment (e.g., critical depth theory, biological pump theory). Applied mathematics is emphasized in these discussions and in the class and lab assignments. In the computer laboratories, students will learn the fundamentals of ocean ecosystem modeling in the R computer language. 

Gives academically strong Biology Majors, under the supervision of a full time faculty member, an opportunity to undertake a thesis project with permission of the Department. Students who intend to apply for this elective are advised to consult with their intended supervisory faculty member at the beginning of their third year.

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. This course will introduce concepts and applications in molecular evolution, population genetics, quantitative genetics and ecological genomics. Topics will include gene expression, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Students will become familiar with various molecular methodologies, data analysis, and result interpretation that can be used to study ecology, adaptation, and contemporary evolution. This course will appeal to those students interested in the natural sciences, as well as the medical sciences. 

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: the 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.

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