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Fundamental principles of cellular biology; structure and function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells; transcription and translation as components of gene expression. Applications of cellular and molecular biology in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.

Prerequisites: Biology 30, and Chemistry 30 or 0500.

A comparative study of the major lineages of eukaryotic organisms from an evolutionary perspective; biology of protists, fungi, plants and animals.

Recommended background: Biology 30.

Principles of heredity; Mendelian laws, recombination; basic concepts of gene structure and function.

Prerequisites: Biology 1010; and Mathematics 30 or Pure Mathematics 30, Mathematics 0500, or Applied Mathematics 30 and at least 75% standing in Athabasca University's Mathematics 101.

Corequisite: Biology 1020.

Relationships between animals, plants and the non-living environment, energy flow, nutrient cycles, ecological succession, communities, populations; application of ecological principles to the modern world; lecture and laboratory projects using basic techniques of ecological investigation.

Prerequisites: Biology 1020; and Mathematics 30 or Pure Mathematics 30, Mathematics 0500, or Applied Mathematics 30 and at least 75% standing in Athabasca University's Mathematics 101.

Corequisite: Biology 1010.

Molecular mechanisms of inheritance, rearrangement and regulated expression of genetic information.

Prerequisite: Biology 2000.

Recommended background: Chemistry 2200 or 2600.

Scope and application of epidemiology in relation to factors that affect health and contribute to disease in a global context.

Prerequisites: Three courses (9.0 credit hours) offered by the Department of Biological Sciences or admissibility to any program in the School of Health Sciences.

Intracellular systems regulating cell growth, cell division and differentiation; emphasis will be placed on cell regulation in higher organisms and its breakdown in cancerous tissues.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000, and Chemistry 1000 or 2100.

Introduction to microorganisms; emphasis on isolation, metabolism, ecology and genetic engineering of bacteria.

Prerequisite: Biology 2000.

Survey of evolutionary thought; current concepts of evolutionary mechanisms.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000 and 2200.

Patterns of sexual reproduction; gene activity and control mechanisms (including hormonal and environmental controls) during embryonic development and cell differentiation; cellular and tissue interactions in the differentiation process.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000, and Chemistry 1000 or 2100.

SEM theory, design and practice, including specimen preparation, darkroom procedures and digital imaging.

Prerequisites: Completion of six courses (18.0 credit hours) offered by the Department of Biological Sciences and a written application.

Recommended background: Physics 1050.

Note: Due to limited availability of space and instrumentation, only a very few students are accommodated in electron microscopy courses. Selection of students is based on a written application and analyses of academic performance, interest and major and future aspirations.

Organization and diversity of animal functions; lecture and laboratory consideration of both vertebrates and invertebrates, including study of the respiratory, circulatory, osmoregulatory, digestive, endocrine, nervous, and muscular systems; thermoregulation.

Prerequisites: One of Biology 2000 or 2200, and one course (3.0 credit hours) offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the 1000 level or above.

Recommended background: Chemistry 2200 or 2600.

Physiological and molecular basis for plant growth and development; plant metabolism, hormones, water relations, stress adaptation and physiological aspects of local crop plants.

Prerequisite: Biology 2000 or 2200.

Recommended background: Chemistry 2100 or 2500.

The systematics, biology, evolution and importance of the invertebrate phyla, including Protozoa, Porifera, Cnideria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Echinodermata and related smaller groups.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000 and 2200.

Comparative survey of the morphology, evolution, classification and natural history of the vertebrates.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000 and 2200.

The major evolutionary trends in vascular plants (ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms) as evidenced by structural, developmental and reproductive characters; the internal structure of plants with emphasis on angiosperms.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000 and 2200.

The adaptation of animals and plants to their environment; independent laboratory involving elementary biostatistics; seminars and lectures using research papers.

Prerequisite: Biology 2200.

Recommended background: Biology 2000 and Statistics 1770.

Comprehensive overview of the native prairie landscape in Alberta, including physical, ecological and cultural attributes of the prairies. Examination of ecological, social, industrial, management and policy issues.

Prerequisite: Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours).

Application of evolutionary theory to social behaviour and social organization of animals; individual and kin selection, social groups, mate choice, mating systems, parenting strategies.

Prerequisites: Biology 1020 and completion of any other four courses (12.0 credit hours) offered by the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Recommended background: Biology 2000 and 2200.

Provides hands-on experience with the theory, implementation, and analyses of ecological field studies. Focus is on a series of day-long field trips to selected prairie, foothill and mountain sites characteristic of Southern Alberta. Emphasis during the regular semester is on the development of skills in statistical methods and in the completion of an independent field study.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000 and 2200.

Note: Credit is not allowed for Biology 3630 and Biology 3850 (Field Biology).

The mandatory field component is completed during seven consecutive days prior to the start of the regular Fall semester. There is at least one overnight camping trip.

Examination of processes controlling plant community composition and ecosystem function, including carbon acquisition, water use, nutrient uptake, decomposition and nutrient recycling; field work and computer assignments included in laboratory projects.

Prerequisite: Biology 2200.

Recommended background: Biology 2000 and Statistics 1770.

Recent and advanced aspects of molecular biology and biotechnology related to agricultural applications; critical reading, discussions and seminars on current research problems in these areas.

Prerequisites: Two of Biology 3000, 3110, 3200, 4170 and 4200.

Recent and advanced aspects of genetics, cell and molecular biology; critical reading, discussions and seminars on current research problems in these areas.

Prerequisite: One of Biology 3000, 3110, 3200, 3310 or Psychology 3600.

Lecture, seminar and laboratory study of plant molecular biology and opportunities for biotechnological applications for crop plants in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

Prerequisite: Biology 3200.

Recommended background: Biology 3460.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA isolation and manipulation, including experiments in subcloning, transformation, mutagenesis, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting.

Prerequisites: Biology 3000 and 3200, and Chemistry 2600.

Recommended background: Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours).

Seminars on various aspects of Biology by staff or invited speakers. Pre-seminar literature is made available; brief written reaction papers are required for each seminar.

Prerequisite: Completion of eight courses (24.0 credit hours) offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.

Recommended background: At least one course (3.0 credit hours) from each of the three subfield lists: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

An examination of developmental events in angiosperms, emphasizing current molecular genetic studies of regulating mechanisms.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000 and completion of two courses (6.0 credit hours) at the 3000 level in Biology.

Recommended background: Biology 3000, and one of Biology 3460 or 3560.

Application of ecological and evolutionary theory to the understanding and management of biodiversity.

Prerequisites: Biology 2200 and two 3000-level courses (6.0 credit hours) in Biology, or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science program.

Recommended background: Biology 3300.

An examination of angiosperm plant families, their evolutionary relationships and the different modes of plant speciation which have contributed to plant diversity. Emphasis will be placed on plants of local and economic importance.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000, 2200, and one 3000/4000-level course (3.0 credit hours) in Biology.

Seminar, lecture and laboratory-based aspects of symbiotic interactions, from permanent mutualisms to virulent parasitic associations. Emphasis will be placed on the ecological and evolutionary effects of mutualists and parasites on their hosts.

Prerequisites: Biology 2000 and 2200.

Biological role of immunity and natural resistance.

Prerequisite: Ten courses (30.0 credit hours) from the Science list (See Part 4 - Academic Regulations, Section 5, List III: Science Courses, p. 79), or admissibility to any program in the School of Health Sciences.

This is a research-oriented course in which students will conduct empirical research, report orally on the work, and submit a report in the form of an undergraduate thesis, which will be made publicly available. In consultation with their Thesis Supervisor, students will define a research problem and formulate a research plan.

Prerequisites: Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher.

Completion of six Biology courses (18.0 credit hours).

Note: Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.

See Part 7 - Arts and Science, Sections 5.c. (p. 90), 6.c. (p. 92), and 7.c. (p. 93).