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 microbiology. Complementary courses allow students to focus on basic microbial sciences or applied areas such as biotechnology. Successful graduates may work in university, government, and industrial research laboratories, in the pharmaceutical, fermentation, and food industries, and, with an appropriate CGPA, proceed to postgraduate studies or professional biomedical schools.
Specialization Adviser: Professor Lyle Whyte
Macdonald-Stewart Building, Room 3-036
Telephone: 514-398-7889
Required Courses (15 credits)
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MICR 331 Microbial Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles will be discussed. Microbial interactions with the environment, plants, animals and other microbes emphasizing the underlying genetics and physiology. Diversity, evolution (microbial phylogenetics) and the application of molecular biology in microbial ecology.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 331
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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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MICR 341 Mechanisms of Pathogenicity (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : A study of the means by which bacteria cause disease in animals and humans. Includes response of host to invading bacteria, bacterial attachment and penetration processes, and modes of actions of exotoxins and endotoxins.
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.
- Fall
- 3 lectures, one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: MICR 230 or LSCI 230
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MICR 450 Environmental Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : Focus on microbes in the environment. Topics include extreme environments, polar microbiology, biotechnology and bioremediation. Emphasis will be on population studies based upon molecular biological methods.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Whyte, Lyle (Winter)
- Winter
- Prerequisites: MICR 230 or LSCI 230
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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
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits selected from:
* Note: Students select either MIMM 413 or WILD 424.
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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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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 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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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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FDSC 442 Food Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : Topics in Food Microbiology including an overview of the natural flora and microbiological spoilage of food products, methods of control and shelf-life extension, methods of detection and control food-borne pathogens and the use of suitable microorganisms in the production of a variety of food products.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Chenier, Martin (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: MICR 230 or LSCI 230 or permission of instructor.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have completed MICR 442.
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MICR 300 Microbial Physiology Laboratory (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : Application of microbiological techniques relating to physiology, culturing, and characterization of microorganisms. Topics include bacterial growth curves, bacterial metabolic requirements, enzymatic assays.
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.
- Fall
- Prerequisites: MICR 230 or LSCI 230
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MICR 200.
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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
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MIMM 413 Parasitology (3 credits) *
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A study of the biology, immunological aspects of host-parasite interactions, pathogenicity, epidemiology and molecular biological aspects of selected parasites of medical importance. Laboratory will consist of a lecture on techniques, demonstrations and practical work.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Ali Khan, Zafer; Olivier, Martin; Dalton, John (Winter)
- Winter
- Prerequisite: MIMM 314 or equivalent - ANAT 261 is strongly recommended
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PARA 410 Environment and Infection (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : Infectious pathogens of humans and animals and their impact on the global environment are considered. The central tenet is that infectious pathogens are environmental risk factors. The course considers their impact on the human condition and juxtaposes the impact of control and treatment measures and environmental change.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Scott, Marilyn (Winter)
- 2 lectures per week
- Prerequisite: BIOL 111 or AEBI 120 or equivalent
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PLNT 304 Biology of Fungi (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : This course describes the various groups of fungi and explores in depth their biology and physiology, their ecological niches and the role in various ecosystems and their benefits and uses in industry and biotechnology.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Ajjamada, Kushalappa (Winter)
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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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.
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WILD 424 Parasitology (3 credits) *
Overview
Resource Development : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Rohrbach, Petra (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 424 (formerly ZOOL 424).
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)