Note: This is the 2010–2011 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
Students following this specialization receive education and training in fundamental principles and applied aspects of molecular biology and biotechnology. Complementary courses allow students to focus on basic molecular biology or aspects of biotechnology such as bioinformatics. Successful graduates may work in university, government and industrial research laboratories, bioscience industries (i.e. pharmaceutical), and with an appropriate CGPA proceed to post-graduate studies or professional biomedical schools.
Specialization Adviser: Professor Brian Driscoll
Macdonald-Stewart Building, Room 3-037
Telephone: 514-398-7887
Required Courses (15 credits)
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BINF 301 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Overview
Bioinformatics : Introduces analysis of DNA, RNA and protein sequences using computer software. Emphasis on implementation of molecular evolution theory for algorithms to make predictions of sequence function and infer the evolutionary history of sequences. Assessing analysis reliability and methods to improve efficiency of computer algorithms and their implications are discussed.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Beech, Robin N (Winter)
- Prerequisite(s): LSCI 202 or LSCI 204, and ANSC 326
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken BTEC 501.
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BTEC 306 Experiments in Biotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : Practical laboratory-based research experience. Techniques in cellular and molecular biology, designing experiments and developing skills in interpretation and communication of experimental results.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite(s): AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 and CELL 204 or LSCI 204 or permission of instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken AEBI 306.
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MICR 338 Bacterial Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : Basic bacterial genetics, DNA damage and repair, mutagenesis, gene cloning, mapping and regulation, molecular biology. Laboratory sessions will provide the student with practical experience in the genetic manipulation of microbes and in molecular biology techniques.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211 and CELL 204 or LSCI 204
- Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 338.
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PARA 438 Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Dzierszinski, Florence (Fall)
- 3 lectures per week
- Prerequisites: AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 or permission of instructor
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PLNT 424 Cellular Regulation (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : An overview of the cellular mechanisms used by prokaryotes and eukaryotes to regulate biosynthetic pathways. Topics covered range from control of gene transcription to the regulation of enzyme activity to the role of signal transduction pathways in the control of metabolic flux through cellular pathways.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
- Prerequisites: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211, AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 or permission of the instructor.
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits selected from:
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ANSC 234 Biochemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Martin, Deborah; Zhao, Xin (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211
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ANSC 323 Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Laurin, Denyse; Kimmins, Sarah (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 or permission of instructor
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ANSC 400 Eukaryotic Cells and Viruses (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : The basic principles of molecular biology and the underlying molecular basis for various methodologies in molecular biology are covered. The molecular genetic basis for viral infections and tumorigenesis will be covered as examples of the use of molecular genetic approaches to address biological problems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Zadworny, David (Winter)
- Winter
- Prerequisites: CELL 204 or LSCI 204
- Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken PARA 400
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ANSC 420 Animal Biotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Applications of animal biotechnology in agriculture, biomedicine and environmental preservation, including culture, manipulation and transformation of somatic cells, isolation of stem cells, reproductive biotechnologies, animal cloning by nuclear transplantation, production of transgenic animals, and cell and gene therapies.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 and MICR 230 or LSCI 230
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ANSC 565 Applied Information Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to concepts of an Information System and subsequent application to various scenarios in agriculture. Industry analysis in terms of users, goals, available data/information, communication, delivery structure, decision making, feedback, exploitation of technology and possible improvements using the Internet. Individual case studies and familiarisation with cutting-edge computer applications.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Wade, Kevin (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 2-hour lab
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BINF 511 Bioinformatics for Genomics (3 credits)
Overview
Bioinformatics : Bioinformatics methods and reasoning in relation to genomics, proteomics and metabolomics strategies with an emphasis on functional genomics data. The course will cover introduction to UNIX, Perl programming, data processing and integration, file parsing, relational database design and implementation, angled towards solutions relevant for genomics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Prerequisite: Understanding of cell and molecular biology (equivalent to a cell or molecular biology course) or permission from instructor.
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BTEC 535 Functional Genomics in Model Organisms (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : An overview of strategies used to understand the function of genes, especially those identified through genome sequencing and bioinformatics. Use of model organisms that have proved particularly valuable for this purpose.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Geary, Timothy (Fall)
- Prerequisite: 300-level course in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry or permission of instructor.
- Restriction: Limited to 30 students.
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BTEC 555 Structural Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : Fundamentals of protein structure and the application of tools for structure determination, how protein structure allows us to understand the complex biological functions, and how knowledge of protein structure can contribute to drug discovery.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Salavati, Reza (Winter)
- Prerequisite: 300-level undergraduate course in molecular biology, biochemistry or permission of instructor.
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CELL 500 Techniques Plant Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Genetics : Plant biotechnology, recombinant DNA techniques, transgenic plant generation (genetically modified plants) as well as gene and gene product analysis.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Fall)
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CELL 501 Plant Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Genetics : Photosynthesis, plant development, plant genome mutagenesis and analysis, and plant stress are discussed. Journal articles and reviews on all aspects of plant molecular biology and genetics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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MIMM 324 Fundamental Virology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A study of the fundamental properties of viruses and their interactions with host cells. Bacteriophages, DNA- and RNA-containing animal viruses, and retroviruses are covered. Emphasis will be on phenomena occurring at the molecular level and on the regulated control of gene expression in virus-infected cells.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Gotte, Matthias; Teodoro, Jose Guerreiro; Archambault, Jacques (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours of lecture
- Prerequisites: MIMM 211, BIOL 200, BIOL 201 or BIOC 212
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)