University of Calgary : Biology BIOL

Biology BIOL

BIOL 501 503 505 515 520 551 553 591 601 603 607 609 619 651 653 703

Instruction offered by members of the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science.

Department Head - R.M.R. Barclay

For other courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences see Biochemistry; Botany; Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology; Ecology; Marine Sciences; Zoology.

†Limited amounts of non-scheduled class time involvement will be required for these courses.

Biology 501

Principles and Mechanism of Pharmacology

Basic principles of pharmacology, with specific emphasis on receptor signaling mechanisms.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department and Biochemistry 443, and one of Zoology 461, 463, or Medical Science 404.
Also known as: (Medical Science 501)

Biology 503

Pharmacology of Organ Systems

Pharmacology of the nervous, cardiovascular, renal and immune systems, as well as anti-cancer therapies. Principles of toxicology.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 501 (Medical Science 501) or consent of the Department.
Also known as: (Medical Science 503)

Biology 505

Medicinal Plant Biochemistry

Deals with biochemical, molecular, and cellular aspects of plant metabolism, natural product diversity in the plant kingdom, and modern molecular and biochemical methods to understand plant metabolism. The focus is on the metabolic pathways that are either unique to plants, or that exhibit unique features in, plants. Several key plant pathways that produce plant-derived medicines will be discussed.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 331 and Biochemistry 393.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Biology 505 and Botany 503 will not be allowed.
Notes: Enrolment in this course may be limited. See Program Details in the Faculty of Science section of this Calendar.

Biology 515

Cellular Mechanisms of Disease

The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying basic human disease processes and how these can be influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. The ways in which this knowledge can be used in the laboratory diagnosis of disease.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 443 and one of Biology 331 or Medical Science 351.
Also known as: (Medical Science 515)

Biology 520

Field Course in Tropical Biology

An examination of biodiversity in a selected region of the tropics, including aspects of ecology of animals and plants, animal behaviour and an introduction to field techniques for observing and censusing selected taxa. Field studies will take place at forest and savannah sites with consideration of community-based conservation efforts.
Course Hours: F(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Biology 551

Systems Biology

An overview of theoretical concepts and high-throughput technologies in systems biology. Functional genomics, genetic circuits, gene-regulatory networks, and systems dynamics as applied to the control of development.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 331 and Biochemistry 393 and one of Math 249 or 251 or 281.
Notes: Prior completion of Computer Science 217 or 231; and Math 211 or 213 is strongly recommended.

Biology 553

Molecular Biophysics

A comprehensive survey of modern biophysics covering the flow and processing of matter, energy and information in living systems. Equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics in biology. Molecular motors and facilitated proton transport. An integrative approach connecting atomistic theories to cellular processes.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 341 or 393; and Biochemistry 471 or Chemistry 371.
Notes: Prior completion of Biochemistry 555 is strongly recommended.

Biology 591

Insect Biodiversity

A field course in the natural history and classification of insects, one of the most diverse groups of organisms known, as they are encountered in their natural habitat. Course material will include: techniques for collection and identification of major groups of insects and related terrestrial arthropods; aspects of behaviour and ecology of local species; use of insects as indicators of environmental change; censusing/monitoring insect populations.
Course Hours: H(1-5)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Graduate Courses

Enrolment in any graduate course requires consent of the Department.

Only when 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 program.

Biology 601

Research Seminar

Reports on studies of the literature or of current research. Graduate students normally register in their supervisor's research cluster

601.01. Biochemistry I

601.02. Biochemistry II

601.03. Cell, Development and Physiology I

601.04. Cell, Development and Physiology II

601.05. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology I

601.06. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology II

601.11. Microbiology I

601.12. Microbiology II

Course Hours: H(2S-0)
NOT INCLUDED IN GPA

Biology 603

Biology of Laboratory Animals

The course is based on the Canadian Council on Animal Care Syllabus "Basic Principles of Laboratory Animal Science for Research Scientists." In addition to the study of common, research, farm and exotic animals, topics to be covered include ethical considerations, regulation and legislation, animal models, animal facilities and husbandry, hazard control, surgery, anaesthesiology, euthanasia and post-mortem examinations. Practical sessions will provide experience in handling and restraint of specific laboratory animals, injections, blood collection, anaesthesiology and surgery.
Course Hours: H(3-1)
Notes: Enrolment in this course is restricted in the first instance to graduate students who will do research utilizing animals.
Also known as: (Medical Science 603) (Veterinary Medicine 603)

Biology 607

Special Problems in Biology

Lectures, seminars, term papers and training in theoretical and/or laboratory methods.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT

Biology 609

Advanced Statistical Applications in Biology

This course explains and demonstrates the analysis of biological data with general linear models, generalized linear models, maximum-likelihood fitting of nonlinear models, and resampling techniques. Content is presented in a workshop format, so that students learn the application of computer analysis coincidentally with statistical concepts.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Familiarity with statistical inference, regression, and ANOVA-based experimental design (equivalent of Ecology 425) is required.
Notes: Offered during odd-even dated academic years.

Biology 619

Advanced Evolutionary Biology

The theory of organic evolution. Historical development of evolutionary ideas. Darwin's contribution. The mechanism of natural selection; sexual, kin and group selection. The application of the theory in biogeography, ecology, ethology and other areas of biology.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Notes: Offered during odd-even dated academic years.

Biology 651

Topics in Systems Biology

In-depth discussions of the latest publications in systems biology, with emphasis on the fundamental principles of genome and cell function.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Notes: Offered during odd-even dated academic years.

Biology 653

Topics in Functional Genomics

Presentation and discussion of the primary literature in high-throughput methods for global functional and network analysis of genes and proteins (reverse genetics, microarrays, two hybrid, mass spectrometry and RNAi screening).
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Notes: Offered during even-odd dated academic years.

Biology 703

Recent Advances in Biology

Lectures, seminars and/or laboratories on special advanced topics in biological sciences. Each student should seek consent of a departmental faculty member who will supervise the chosen study.
Course Hours: H(0-6)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT

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