Course Descriptions

Consists of modules taught by faculty in the environmental sciences. Students will participate together in weekly seminars, assigned readings, essays and oral presentations to learn about current issues in the environment and cutting-edge research with an environmental focus.

Weekly hours: 2.5 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of the Department is required.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 228 and BIOL 301.
Note: Students in the B.Sc. 4-Year and Honours Environmental Biology program must take this course in their fourth year. Enrolment preference will be given to students who have declared a major in Environmental Biology.

Introduction to the ecology of lakes. The biological, chemical and physical properties of lakes are examined at lake and watershed levels. Theoretical and applied topics, including human impacts (e.g., eutrophication, climate change, ultraviolet radiation, contaminants, and angling) are examined. Laboratories and field trips provide training in limnological techniques.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 121, BIOL 228 and CHEM 112; or permission of the instructor.
Note: A course in statistics is recommended. Students with credit for BIOL 415 may not take this course for credit. There will be costs for a field trip in addition to tuition fees.

Extreme environments challenge animal survival, leading to selection on physiology. In this course, students will conduct an in-depth examination of cardiovascular, respiratory, osmoregulatory, digestive, and reproductive system physiology in animals that live in environments that challenge homeostasis. We will interpret how evolution has selected for various physiological responses, integrating information about cellular and whole animal physiology, and endocrine and nervous system coordination. Labs will allow students to assess the literature and apply their understanding at a comparative level.  

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 317.3; or CPPS 302.3 and CPPS 303.3; or VBMS 324.3 and VBMS 325.3.
Note: Students with credit for BIOL 218 or BIOL 318 or BIOL 818 will not receive credit for BIOL 418.

A study of the molecular biology of plants: nuclear and plastid genomes, coordination of expression between nuclear and plastid genomes, transposable elements, biotic and abiotic stress, hormonal effects on gene expression, plant transformation, and biotechnology applications of plant molecular biology.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 121.3; one of BIOL 316.3 or BMSC 320.3; and one of BIOL 325.3, BIOL 331.3 or BIOL 345.3
Note: BIOL 301 is strongly recommended.

A practical course that will provide students with the background, experience and understanding of modern molecular biology as it pertains to the biological sciences. Emphasis will be placed on utilizing large, publicly available datasets to generate and test hypotheses about how organisms function at the molecular level. A single research theme will be used in the lab for investigation of biological processes in model organisms, extending into non-model species.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 6 Practicum/Lab hours
Permission of the department is required.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 316 or BMIS 340.
Note: BIOL 301 is recommended.

Studies how activities in an animal's nervous systems produces and modifies natural behaviour. Topics in the course include: the detection and coding of information from the environment, integration of information for decision-making, generation of motor patterns that underlie behaviour, and general constraints on form and function of neural circuits.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 317 or NEUR 350; or permission of instructor.

Climate change is having a major impact on the distribution and abundance of parasitic arthropods and the pathogens they carry. This course examines the diversity, ecology, and evolution of parasitic arthropods, focusing primarily on insects (e.g., mosquitoes, midges, fleas, flies, lice, and bugs) and acarines (ticks and mites), and the role that some of these arthropods play as vectors and hosts of pathogens (protozoa, bacteria, and viruses) that cause disease in humans, livestock, companion animals and wildlife. Emphasis will also be placed on how climate change is changing the distribution of arthropod vectors and changes in the risk of human and animal infections. We will also examine the approaches used to identify, control, and monitor parasitic arthropods.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 121, BIOL 301 and one of BIOL 336, BIOL 365 or BIOL 436, and an additional 6 credit units of senior BIOL courses; or permission of the instructor.

An introduction to light interactions with biological systems. The class will examine the evolution of biological pigments and photoreceptor systems. Emphasis will be placed on how plants and animals detect changes in their environment based on light cues and how they respond at the physiological level. Examples of topics which will be explored are the evolution of vision, photosynthetic energy production, circadian rhythms, phototoxicity and bioluminescence.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120; and 15 credit units of senior BIOL or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for BIOL 498: Photobiology may not take BIOL 440 for credit.

This course examines the diversity of fishes through the study of their morphology, physiology, and behaviour in relation to ecological processes. Students analyze how these traits influence the distribution, evolution, and ecological roles of fishes and evaluate the management and sustainable use of fish populations.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 121 and 224 and BIOL 228.
Note: BIOL 302 is recommended.

Introduces the diversity of local and global mammal faunas, including both living and extinct taxa. Lectures examine mammalian evolution, behaviour, ecology, morphology, phylogeny, and physiology, with emphasis on adaptation and diversity across environments. Laboratories focus on classification and identification of mammals and interpretation of anatomical adaptations.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 121 and 224 and BIOL 228.
Note: BIOL 302 is recommended.

Ornithology is the study of birds, a diverse and widely-studied taxonomic group that plays an important role in biological research and discovery. This course provides a capstone experience for students to integrate knowledge from across subdisciplines - all through the fascinating lens of avian biology. Lectures and labs focus on the evolution, diversity, ecology, behaviour, physiology, and conservation of birds, with a special focus on the birds of Saskatchewan. Laboratories include field trips that allow students to develop practical and applied skills in ornithology, including species identification by sight and sound. Students will also conduct an independent research project with the goal of developing practical skills in implementing the scientific method and communicating research findings.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 121 and 224 and BIOL 228.
Note: BIOL 302 is recommended.
Note: There will be costs in addition to tuition fees.

This course introduces both theory and practical examples of conservation biology as applied to animals and plants. Students will apply concepts in population, community and landscape ecology to solve conservation challenges. During labs and field trips, students will collect and analyze data to draw conclusions related to various conservation issues. Field trips are compulsory.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 228.3; and BIOL 301.3 or permission of the instructor.
Note: There will be costs in addition to tuition fees.

This course covers the fundamental concepts of animal behaviour, with emphasis on both proximate mechanisms and evolutionary explanations. Students examine how behaviour is shaped by genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences, and evaluate its adaptive significance in ecological contexts. Topics include animal communication, social behaviour, territoriality, sexual selection, and mating systems.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 228; 6 additional credit units of senior BIOL courses; one of STAT 245, STAT 246 or PLSC 214.

An introduction to the principles of ecotoxicology, including the history, fate and transport of organic and inorganic contaminants and their wide-ranging impacts on organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems. Practical computer laboratory exercises will be used to simulate and model contaminant exposure and effects with the goal of  understanding complex species responses to environmental pollution.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120 and 121 and BIOL 228 and 6 additional credit units of senior BIOL courses and a course in statistics; or permission of the instructor.
Note: TOX 301 is recommended. Students cannot receive credit for both BIOL 475 and BIOL 875.

Researching and interpreting the literature in regards to a scientific question is the first step in a research project. In this course, students will study a research question with a faculty supervisor through a research literature review. Students will gain experience in writing for a scientific and non-scientific audience, concluding with a literature review and oral presentation. Before beginning, students must obtain a supervisor and submit an outline of the project for approval by the Head of the Department.

Weekly hours: 5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 301; and 12 credit units from BIOL courses at the 200-level or above, ACB 406.3, ANBI 470.3, ANSC 313.3, ARCH 270.3, BINF 200.3, BMSC 210.3, BMSC 220.3, FABS 212.3, GEOL 343.3, BMIS 487.3, PLSC 405.3, PLSC 411.3, PLSC 416.3, PLSC 422.3, PLSC 425.3, TOX 300.3, TOX 301.3 of which at least 3 credit units must be at the 300-level or above; and permission of the department.
Note: Students are required to obtain a faculty supervisor prior to registration in this course.

This one-semester research project will allow students to integrate knowledge and lab skills from their undergraduate degree. Research projects will be conducted under the supervisor of a faculty member and can be lab, field, or theoretically based. The research project is rounded out with a literature review, data collection and analysis, and a final thesis and presentation. Before beginning, students must obtain a supervisor and submit an outline of the project for approval by the Head of the Department.

Weekly hours: 6 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 301; and BIOL 380 or 15 additional credit units of BIOL courses at the 200-level or above, of which at least 6 credit units must be at the 300-level or above; and permission of the department.
Note: Students may complete both BIOL 480.3 and 481.6 for credit provided that research conducted for each course is substantially different.

Integrating knowledge and lab skills gained during your undergraduate degree, students will undertake a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. This project can be lab, field, or theoretically based, providing students the opportunity to work through a research question from literature review, to data collection, to final thesis and presentation. Before beginning, students must obtain a supervisor and submit an outline of the project for approval by the Head of the Department.

Weekly hours: 6 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 301; and BIOL 380 or 15 additional credit units of BIOL courses at the 200-level or above, of which at least 6 credit units must be at the 300-level or above; and permission of the department.
Note: Students may complete both BIOL 480.3 and 481.6 for credit provided that research conducted for each course is substantially different.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours