Course Search

AST222H5 • Astrophysics II – Stellar Systems, Galaxies and the Universe

This course explores the astrophysics of the Milky Way, other galaxies, and the Universe.

Prerequisites: AST221H5
Exclusions: AST222H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

AST222H5 | Program Area: Astronomy

AST252H5 • Life in the Universe

This course addresses the question of life beyond Earth. Starting with our current understanding of how life began and evolved on Earth, the course explores possibility that life might have developed elsewhere in the Universe. It summarizes the evidence that the conditions necessary for life might exist today or existed in the past on other planets in our solar system. This search for evidence of life is then extended to the thousands of planets that have been discovered orbiting other stars.

Exclusions: AST251H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

AST252H5 | Program Area: Astronomy

AST299Y5 • Research Opportunity Program

This courses provides a richly rewarding opportunity for students in their second year to work in the research project of a professor in return for 299Y course credit. Students enrolled have an opportunity to become involved in original research, learn research methods and share in the excitement and discovery of acquiring new knowledge. Participating faculty members post their project descriptions for the following summer and fall/winter sessions in early February and students are invited to apply in early March. See Experiential and International Opportunities for more details.


Course Experience: University-Based Experience
Distribution Requirement: Science
Mode of Delivery: In Class

AST299Y5 | Program Area: Astronomy

AST320H5 • Astrophysics III – Unsolved Problems in Astrophysics

This course explores the formation, equilibrium, and evolution of structure on various astronomical scales through the investigation of major open questions in modern astrophysics. Topics may include exoplanet formation and evolution, supermassive black holes, the progenitors of type Ia supernovae, galaxy evolution, and the nature of dark matter.

Prerequisites: AST222H5
Exclusions: AST320H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

AST320H5 | Program Area: Astronomy

AST399Y5 • Research Opportunity Program

This course provides third-year undergraduate students (after completing at least 9.0 credits) who have developed some knowledge of astronomical research with an opportunity to assist in a research project of a professor in return for course credit. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to enhance their research skills and share in the excitement of acquiring new knowledge and in the discovery process of science. Participating faculty members post their project descriptions for the following summer and fall/winter sessions in early February, and students are invited to apply in early March. See Experiential and International Opportunities for more details.


Course Experience: University-Based Experience
Distribution Requirement: Science
Mode of Delivery: In Class

AST399Y5 | Program Area: Astronomy

BIO152H5 • Introduction to Evolution and Evolutionary Genetics

The scientific method and the modern theory of evolution as an introduction to biology. The principles of evolution, transmission and evolutionary genetics are developed in lectures and laboratories.

Note:
Although 12U CHM and MAT are not prerequisites for BIO152H5, students intending to pursue a major or any specialist program in Biology must note that CHM110H5 and CHM120H5 and (MAT134Y5 or MAT135Y5 or MAT137Y5) are requirements for these programs.

Prerequisites: Grade 12 SBI4U Biology (minimum grade of 70%)
Exclusions: BIO130H1 or BIOA01H3

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T/15P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO152H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO153H5 • Diversity of Organisms

The consequences of Darwinian evolution: adaptations of organisms as a product of the main evolutionary mechanism - natural selection. The roles of natural selection and other mechanisms in the diversification of life are reviewed, along with the diversity of structures and life cycles in bacteria, protists, animals, plants and fungi.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5
Exclusions: BIO120H1 or BIOA02H3

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T/18P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO153H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO200H5 • Introduction to Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetic Principles

Topics include absorption, distribution, biotransformation, elimination, calculation of dosages, variability in drug response and adverse drug reactions.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5 and CHM110H5 and CHM120H5
Exclusions: PCL201H1 or JBC201H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO200H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO201H5 • The Biology Behind the News

News stories are used to explore areas of biology, to learn about the process of science, and to find and assess the validity of information. The topics for the course modules will change yearly because the course is designed to give students the tools to explore the biology behind the news, not to teach a comprehensive survey of biological facts. Reading, writing, and research skills are emphasized. This is a biology course for students in the Humanities and Social Sciences as well as other non-Biology Sciences.

Exclusions: Any BIO course (except BIO211H5) taken previously or concurrently.

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO201H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO202H5 • Introductory Animal Physiology

Diversity of structure and function in animals at the tissue and organ system level. Focus is on morphology and processes that sustain life and maintain homeostasis, including water balance, gas exchange, acquisition and transport of oxygen and nutrients, temperature regulation, electrical and chemical signal transmission, sensory processing, and locomotion. Principles and mechanisms of animal form and function are developed in lectures and laboratories.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5 and CHM110H5 and CHM120H5
Exclusions: BIO204H5 or (BIO270H1 or BIO271H1) or (BIOB32H3 or BIOB34H3)

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/10T/15P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO202H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO203H5 • Introductory Plant Morphology and Physiology

Introduction to the morphology and physiology of plants. Students will learn that plants require energy to support metabolism and growth, and that these processes are highly regulated in order to achieve homeostasis. Topics covered include: biology of the plant cell, plant morphology, plant respiration and photosynthesis, transport processes, regulation of growth and development, and plant ecophysiology. Principles and mechanisms of plant form and function are developed in lectures and laboratories.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5 and CHM110H5 and CHM120H5
Exclusions: BIO204H5 or BIO251H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/10T/15P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO203H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO205H5 • Ecology

An introduction to the scientific study of ecology, emphasizing the structure and dynamics of populations, communities and ecosystems. Topics include population growth and regulation, competition, predation, biodiversity, succession, and nutrient cycling. Classic models and studies will be supplemented with both plant and animal examples.

Prerequisites: (BIO152H5 and BIO153H5) or (ENV100Y5 for students in Environmental Programs)
Exclusions: BIOB50H3

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/18P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO205H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO206H5 • Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology

An introduction to the molecular biology of the cell with an emphasis on similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Topics include the structure and function of: macromolecules, membranes, ribosomes, nuclei, intracellular organelles, etc. Other topics include: the central dogma of molecular biology (replication, transcription and translation), protein targeting, organization of the genome, gene regulation and regulation of the cell cycle. Tutorials will emphasize and consolidate concepts from lecture and text through individual and group assignments.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and CHM110H5 and CHM120H5
Exclusions: BIO230H1 or BIO255H1 or BIOB10Y3 or BIOB11H3 or BIOB12H3

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L/6T/18P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO206H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO207H5 • Introductory Genetics

The principles of Mendelian inheritance and modern genetics are illustrated using examples from medical research, evolutionary biology, agriculture and conservation biology. Topics covered include: chromosome theory of inheritance, basic eukaryotic chromosome mapping, gene and chromosome mutation, the lac system, the extranuclear genome, population and quantitative genetics. In tutorials, students will work through problem sets related to lecture material as well as probability and statistical analysis.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5 and BIO206H5
Exclusions: BIO260H1 or HMB265H1 or BIOC15H3

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L/18T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO207H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO208H5 • Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology I

The integration of the major organ systems involved in human biomechanics. A comparative approach is taken, placing the structure and function of the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems in an evolutionary context.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5
Exclusions: BIO210H5 or BIO210Y5Y or BIOB33H3 or BIOB35H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO208H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO209H5 • Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology II

The structure and function of the human body. Topics include integrating different organ systems, such as endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, and urogenital systems. An emphasis is placed on integration of structure and function of the major organ systems. As part of this course, students may have the option of participating in an international learning experience that will have an additional cost and application process.

Prerequisites: BIO208H5
Exclusions: BIO210H5 or BIO210Y5Y or BIOB33H3 or BIOB35H5

International Component: International - Optional
Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO209H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO211H5 • The History of Our Living Planet

This course provides a survey of major events in the evolution of life and Earth's geological history. It includes overviews of science as a process, geological principles, climate, and evolution. Special focus will be on major events including origin of life, the Cambrian explosion, plant and animal radiations onto land, the Mesozoic evolution of dinosaurs, and the Cenozoic diversification of mammals. This is a biology course for students in the Humanities and Social Sciences as well as other non-Biology Sciences.

Exclusions: Any BIO course (except BIO201H5) taken previously or concurrently.

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO211H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO259H5 • Introduction to Biological Data

This course introduces students to the exploration and analysis of biological data through computation. Students will learn to import biological datasets, parse and manipulate the data, and develop an intuition for basic statistical thinking through practical exercises and lectures.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5
Exclusions: BIOB20H3

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/12T/24P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO259H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO299Y5 • Research Opportunity Program

This program provides a richly rewarding opportunity for students in their second year to work in the research project of a professor in return for 299Y course credit. Students enrolled have an opportunity to become involved in original research, learn research methods and share in the excitement and discovery of acquiring new knowledge. Participating faculty members post their project descriptions for the following summer and fall/winter sessions in early February and students are invited to apply in early March. See Experiential and International Opportunities for more details.


Distribution Requirement: Science
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO299Y5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO304H5 • Physiology of Neurons and Muscle

The course will provide students with knowledge of the physiology of neurons, muscle and sensory systems by demonstrating the biophysical, ionic, and molecular bases of cellular excitability. Topics include the forces that govern ion movement through solution, the electrical properties of the cell membrane, the molecular properties of ion channels, and the molecular physiology of neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, neuromodulation, and muscle contraction.

Prerequisites: BIO202H5 or BIO204H5 or BIO206H5 or (BIO208H5 and BIO209H5) or BIO210Y5
Exclusions: CJH332H1 or CSB332H1
Recommended Preparation: PHY100H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO304H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO310H5 • Physiology of Regulatory Systems

Principles of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and digestive physiology of animals and their control by the neural and endocrine systems.

Prerequisites: BIO202H5 or BIO204H5 or (BIO208H5 and BIO209H5) or BIO210Y5
Exclusions: PSL300H1 and PSL301H1

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO310H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO311H5 • Landscape Ecology

Landscape ecology asks how spatial patterns originate and how they affect ecological processes like forest dynamics, nutrient cycling, species interactions, and the distribution and population dynamics of plants and animals. Lectures and computer labs introduce students to concepts and methods of landscape ecology and their application to current issues of land-use management and global change. The students will learn to apply GIS, spatial statistics, landscape metrics, and modelling to address problems in conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem management.

Note: Students interested in this course will need to meet with the course instructor before being approved and permitted to enroll.

Prerequisites: BIO205H5 and (BIO259H5 or STA215H5) and permission of instructor *STA215H5 will no longer be accepted as an appropriate prerequisite course AFTER 2022-2023 Academic year. Beginning 2023-2024 Academic year all students will be required to complete BIO259H5 as the statistics prerequisite course.
Exclusions: GGR311H5
Recommended Preparation: BIO360H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/24P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO311H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO312H5 • Plant Physiology

This course focuses on the principal physiological processes in plants and the regulation of these processes in response to environmental factors with an emphasis on the relationship between structure and function from the molecular to the whole-plant level. The course will provide the basis to understand how plants sense and respond to changing environmental conditions. This will enable students to understand why rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and global climate warming impact photosynthesis, plant metabolism and ultimately whole plant and ecosystem performance. Concepts discussed during lectures will be demonstrated in a series of practical labs.

Prerequisites: BIO203H5 or BIO204H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L/15P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO312H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO313H5 • Methods and Experimental Design in Ecology

This course will provide Biology Majors and Specialists particularly interested in ecology with integrated, practical exposure to field and laboratory research methods on plant, animal, and microbial communities including study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results.

Prerequisites: BIO205H5 or BIO259H5 or STA215H5 or PSY201H5 or equivalent.

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO313H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO314H5 • Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology

Students are introduced to commonly employed techniques in cell biology such as cellular fractionation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blotting, and immunolocalization. Students will also perform some advanced molecular biology techniques including the cloning and transformation of genes, DNA sequencing and the expression of proteins in bacterial and/or model systems. Each week, a two-hour lecture provides an introduction and theoretical basis for the lab.

Prerequisites: BIO206H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/48P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO314H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO315H5 • Human Cell Biology

This course uses the information learned in prerequisite courses to cover advanced details in specific areas. The course will also introduce students to many exciting new topics in the structure and function of normal and diseased cells. Areas of focus include cell adhesion, intercellular communication, signal transduction, the cytoskeleton, chemotaxis, motor proteins, receptor mediated endocytosis and intracellular trafficking with an eye towards understanding their underlying roles in the disease process. Throughout the course, students will learn about the underlying approaches, methods and experimentation used by biomedical researchers including polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blotting, immunolocalization, pharmacological intervention and various means of localizing proteins within cells.

Prerequisites: BIO206H5 and BIO207H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO315H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO318Y5 • Animal Behaviour

This course will cover the adaptive (evolved) behaviours of organisms that result from interactions with the biological environment. We ask why animals behave in a particular way, i.e. how does their behaviour enhance success in survival or reproduction? Examples involve adaptive strategies in competing with rivals, choosing mates, and avoiding parasites. We also ask how adaptive behaviour is controlled; what are the genetic, developmental, and physiological mechanisms underlying behaviour? Assignments involve observing and analyzing (suggesting alternative explanations/ hypotheses) for behaviour, followed by a use of these skills to critique a published scientific paper.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5
Exclusions: BIO328H5 or PSY252H5 or PSY352H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 48L/72P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO318Y5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO320H5 • Sensory and Cognitive Ecology

The acquisition and transduction of environmental information will be explored in the context of decision making and adaptive behaviour. This course will focus on the form and function of visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical senses and signals, and animal communication writ large. Post-acquisition, cognitive processes concerned with learning and memory will also be discussed. A comparative approach will be taken throughout to examine the ways that different animals and animal groups rely on different sources of information and a diverse variety of sensory and cognitive mechanisms. All topics will be covered in the context of species-specific ecology and evolution.

Prerequisites: BIO202H5 or BIO204H5
Exclusions: PSY362H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 24L/10T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO320H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO324H5 • Plant Biochemistry

This course examines plants as the biochemical motors and sustainers of life on earth. The major pathways of plant metabolism are surveyed to provide students with an integrated model of plant cells as autonomous biochemical networks. This course further emphasizes the specialized metabolism of economically significant plant species, the biosynthesis of pharmacologically and agriculturally important metabolites, and the role of biotechnology in engineering exotic plant metabolism in industrial settings.

Prerequisites: BIO203H5 and BIO206H5 and CHM120H5 or permission of instructor
Exclusions: CSB475H1
Recommended Preparation: BIO312H5 and CHM242H5 and CHM362H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 36L/12T
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO324H5 | Program Area: Biology

BIO325H5 • Biomechanics

From the form of an organism one can read its evolutionary history. This course addresses the use of organ systems to find and process food, escape enemies by locomotion, reproduce by pollination vectors, filter nutrients, exchange gases, coordinate and make decisions. Content includes the mechanics of moving in fluids by swimming and flying, sending and receiving of signals at body surfaces, the microstructure of materials. Forces are seen to have adaptively affected the shape and leverage of skeletons.

Prerequisites: BIO152H5 and BIO153H5
Recommended Preparation: BIO202H5 or BIO204H5

Distribution Requirement: Science
Total Instructional Hours: 48P
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BIO325H5 | Program Area: Biology