Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology CMMB
Instruction offered by members of the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science.
Department Head - J.I. Goldberg
† Note: Limited amounts of non-scheduled class time involvement will be required for this course.
Senior Courses
†Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343 H(3-3)
The Life of Bacteria
An introductory study of the systematics, ecology, physiology, molecular biology and role in pathogenesis of the major groups of prokaryotes.
Prerequisites: Biology 231 and one of Chemistry 341 or 351.
Corequisites: Prerequisites or Corequisites: One of Biochemistry 341 or 393 and Chemistry 353 or 355 (if 351 is completed as a prerequisite).
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 403 H(3-1T)
Developmental Biology of Animals
Study of the mechanism of cellular differentiation with emphasis on intra- and intercellular processes.
Prerequisites: Biochemistry 393, Biology 311 and 331.
Note: Enrolment in this course may be limited. See explanation in Program section of Calendar.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411 H(3-0)
Biochemical Genetics
The biochemical basis of gene action with primary emphasis on the prokaryotes. Topics will include: biochemical and genetic aspects of cellular metabolism, intragenic complementation, genetics of bacterial cell division, regulation and replication of the bacterial genome, genetic exchange in bacteria and bacteriophages, fine structure analysis, genetic damage and its repair, operons and polarity, regulation of transcription and translation of prokaryotic genomes.
Prerequisites: Biology 311 and 331.
Corequisites: Prerequisite or Corequisite: Biochemistry 401 or 443.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 413 H(3-1T)
Human Genetics
The principles of genetics as applied to human and medical genetics. Mendelian and multifactorial inheritance of normal and abnormal traits, pedigree analysis, segregation, linkage and gene mapping. Cytogenetics and developmental genetics. Population genetics including inbreeding and evolution in humans. Genetic predisposition to disease.
Prerequisites: Biology 311.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 421 H(3-3)
Virology
Comprehensive overview of virus structure and replication; molecular events involved in virus infection and replication including genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology of bacterial, plant and animal viruses. Areas of persistent viruses, viral immunology, cancer and AIDS will be covered.
Prerequisites: Biochemistry 393, Biology 311, 331, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
Corequisites: Prerequisite or Corequisite: Biochemistry 401 or 443.
Note: Enrolment in this course may be limited. See explanation in the Program section of this Calendar.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 431 H(3-0)
Bacterial Pathogens
An introduction to microbes that cause infections (in humans, other animals and plants.) Topics include: the relationship between pathogen and host, ability of pathogens to colonize, reproduce and cause disease, the role of antibiotics and vaccines in treatment and prevention of infection, antibiotic resistance in bacteria, environmental control of virulence factor production.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 443 H(3-3)
Microbial Physiology
The focus is structure and function of prokaryotic cells. Topics include cell envelope structure, cell division, transport and secretion, signal transduction, differentiation and development, bacterial growth and energetics, and the diversity of metabolic pathways in Bacteria and Archaea. The laboratory introduces analytical techniques commonly used in bacterial physiology, and some useful biochemical assays.
Prerequisites: Biochemistry 393 and Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
Note: Enrolment in this course may be limited. See explanation in the Program section of this Calendar.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 451 H(2-5)
Molecular Analysis of Biological Systems
A laboratory course emphasizing techniques in molecular biology that can be applied to the analysis of problems in cellular, molecular and microbial biology.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411.
Note: Credit for both Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 451 and either Biochemistry 401 or 541 will not be allowed.
Note: Only open to Majors in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology or to Majors in the Biological Sciences Honours program.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 505 H(3S-0)
Advanced Developmental Biology
In-depth analyses of the current literature in developmental biology. Emphasis will be on the coordinated regulation of gene expression during development.
Prerequisites: Biochemistry 401 or 443, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 403.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 507 H(3-3)
Special Problems in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology
Lectures, seminars, term papers and training in theoretical and/or laboratory methods. After consultation with a Department faculty member who will supervise the chosen problem, a permission form obtained from the Department Office must be signed by the course supervisor before a student can register.
Prerequisites: Third or higher-year standing and consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 511 H(3-0)
Molecular Biology and Genetics
The concepts of molecular biology as they apply to genetics. Application of current methodology to the understanding of the genetics of prokaryotes, lower and higher eukaryotes (for example: fungi, yeasts, trypanosomes, plants and animals). Genomic organization and function of subcellular organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts will also be considered in detail. The mechanism(s) of regulation of gene expression will be discussed in relation to nuclear as well as organelle genomes.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 519 H(3-0)
Advanced Cell Biology
In-depth analyses of the current literature in cell biology. Topics will include nuclear structure and function, control of cell cycle, and other areas of contemporary cell biological research.
Prerequisites: Biology 311, 331 and one of Biochemistry 401 or 443.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 523 H(3-0)
DNA, Genomes and RNA Function
An examination and comparison of the roles of DNA and RNA in the cell. Includes chromatin structure, transcriptional regulation, mechanisms of post‑transcriptional regulation at the RNA level, and the diverse roles played by RNA, ranging from information molecules to structural scaffolds to ribozymes.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 527 H(3-3)
(formerly Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 427)
Immunology
Comprehensive overview of the immune responses: antibody-antigen interaction, antibody structure, genetics and synthesis, cellular immunology, MHC, phagocytosis, tolerance, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, tissue rejection, tumour immunology and vaccine production. Responses to viral, bacterial, fungal and parasite infections. Methods for the study of immunology.
Prerequisites: Biochemistry 401 or 443, Biology 311, 331, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343.
Note: Enrolment in this course may be limited. See explanation in the Program section of this Calendar.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 528 F(0-6)
Independent Studies in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology
Original and independent thought, practical research and the completion of written and oral reports. After consultation with a Department faculty member who will supervise the chosen problem, a permission form obtained from the Department Office must be signed by the course supervisor before a student can register.
Prerequisites: Fourth-year standing and consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 530 F(0-8)
Honours Research Project in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology
Research project under the direction of one or more faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences. Formal written and oral reports must be presented on completion of this course. Open only to Honours Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology students or Honours Biological Sciences students. After consultation with a Department faculty member who will supervise the chosen problem, a permission form obtained from the Department Office must be completed before a student can register.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 451, fourth-year standing and consent of the Department.
Corequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 507.95 in the Winter Session.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 531 H(3-0)
Topics in Cellular Interactions
An exploration of selected topics concerning cell-cell interactions and the interactions of cells with their environment during development, differentiation and disease. Multidisciplinary approaches will be presented, using discussions of seminal research and critical analysis of current literature. Potential topics include cell junctions, cell signaling, cytoskeletal organization, stroma, extracellular matrix remodeling and stem cells.
Prerequisites: Biology 331, and one of Biochemistry 443 or 431 or 401
Note: Not open to students with credit in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 507.90[CM]MB507.90].
Note: Prior completion of Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 403 is highly recommended and Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 451 or 527 are advantageous.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 533 H(3-1T)
Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics
An exploration of selected areas of eukaryotic genetic analysis centred largely on those metazoan animal systems used in experimental genetic analysis. The first quarter will introduce the student to the use of computers and the Internet in modern genetic analyses. The rest of the course will focus on animals such as Caenorhabditis, Drosophila, and Mus. The topics considered will include developmental genetics, signal transduction, regulation of gene expression, sex determination, neurogenesis, the genetic analysis of meiosis, etc.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 543 H(3-0)
Environmental Microbiology
Focuses on understanding the interactions of micro-organisms with their environment. Roles of micro-organisms in nutrient cycling, biological control, and biodegradation will be discussed. The use of molecular approaches to identify and characterize microbial communities, and to understand the precise nature of microbial interactions with abiotic and biotic environments will be emphasised. Special topics will include plant-microbe and animal-microbe symbiosis, extreme environments and biotechnological applications of environmental microbiology.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343 or consent of the Department.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 549 H(3-0)
Microbial Genetics
The structure and function of microbial genes and genomes will be analyzed with state-of-the-art bioinformatics programs. Advances in understanding of mechanisms of genetic exchange in bacteria and bacteriophages, including conjugation, transduction, transformation and lysogeny will be presented together with selected topics in microbial genetics.
Prerequisites: Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 561 H(3-0)
(Medical Science 561)
Cancer Biology
Advances in methodology and in theoretical concepts have permitted continuing breakthroughs in our understanding of the organismal, cellular and molecular biology of cancer cells, and in the development of novel strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. These advances will be presented in a comprehensive overview of cancer including issues of demographics and incidence, causation and detection, origins and progression and therapeutic approaches. Emphasis will be placed on the cell and molecular biology of cancer and on the interaction of the cancer cell with the host organism.
Prerequisites: Biology 331, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411 and one of Biochemistry 401 or 443.
Graduate Courses
Enrolment in any graduate course requires consent of the Department.
Only where appropriate to a student's program may graduate credit be received for courses numbered 500-599.
600-level courses are available with permission to undergraduate students in the final year of their programs.
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 637 H(3-3)
Advanced Topics in Molecular Microbiology.
Techniques and discussion of recent literature in molecular microbiology. Topics covered will vary from year to year, but could include bioinformatics, genomics, mutagenesis, advanced microscopy techniques, proteomics, vectors and cloning techniques, gene expression, and over-expression of proteins, as they relate to the study of prokaryotic systems. Course content will be tailored to the interests of the graduate students enrolled in the class in a given year.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT