Courses > Course Descriptions
All courses are half (3.0) or quarter (1.5) courses. In any one year, a minimum of one half course (or equivalent) from each of the different subject areas (Molecular and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Animal Physiology), will be offered. All courses will require each student to present at least one seminar and one essay based on analysis of the current literature (or equivalent).
Not all courses are offered each year.
Molecular Biology | Ecology and Evolution | Animal Physiology
Molecular and Cell Biology
Molecular topics discussed include replication, transcription, and translation of genetic information in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The major theme is the control of these processes at the biochemical (e.g., enzymes, factors) and genetic level and includes discussion of the structure of informational macromolecules. Cellular focus areas include molecular basis of chromosome structure and function; structure and function of organelles of plants and animals; cellular differentiation. Courses other than those listed here may also be offered.
Biology 5027 1.5: Topics in Molecular Biology I: Gene Expression
This core course covers the area of gene expression, including topics in chromatin remodelling, mechanisms of transcriptional activation/repression and activation of transcription factors by extracellular signals.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Students may not also receive credit for Biology 5027 3.0: Topics in Molecular Biology I: Gene Expression and Proteins
Biology 5028 1.5: Topics in Molecular Biology II: Proteins
This core course covers the area of proteins, including topics in protein synthesis, folding, transport, regulation and degradation.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Students may not also receive credit for Biology 5027 3.0: Topics in Molecular Biology I: Gene Expression and Proteins
Biology 5029 1.5: Topics in Molecular Biology III: Nucleic Acids
This core course covers the area of the structure and function of nucleic acids including DNA replication, recombination and repair, DNA and RNA polymerases, telomerases, and several aspects of mRNA processing and metabolism.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Biology 5030 1.5: Topics in Molecular Biology IV. Signal Transduction
This core course covers signal transduction including the activation of cell surface receptors, the generation of secondary messengers and intracellular ionic currents.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Biology 5033 1.5: Self-Incompatibility Systems in Plants
This core course covers different aspects related to plant self-incompatibility systems such as the genetics, cell biology, evolution, and molecular biology of these systems.
Prerequisites: Biology background with courses in plants, genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology; and permission from course director.
Biology 5034 1.5: Molecular Plant Virology
This core course explores the diverse molecular mechanisms employed by plant viruses in establishing infections in their plant hosts. The processes examined include invasion, gene expression, genome replication, cell-to-cell movement and particle assembly.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in biochemistry and cell biology and permission from the course director.
Biology 5037 1.5: Advanced Genetics
This core course will address recent advances in Drosophila, C. elegans and plant genetics. Techniques such as genetic dissection, genetic screens, methods for manipulating genes, chromosomal analysis, transposon and enhancer tagging, and positional cloning will be included in the lecture topics.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate Introductory Genetics Course.
Biology 5038 1.5: Current Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Animal Physiology
This core course is designed to introduct students to the process of scientific inquiry and hypothesis-based research. Students will be taught different formats of scientific writing and oral presentation.
Biology 5055 1.5: Cellular Techniques
Much of modern cell biology is based on diverse electron and optical imaging techniques, the understanding of which is fundamental to interpretation of the results obtained with these techniques. This core course discusses the basic principles underlying these techniques and provides experience in their use.
Biology 5063 3.0: Inorganic Carbon Acquisition by Aquatic Plants
The course reviews knowledge of the processes involved in the uptake of inorganic carbon as a substrate for photosynthesis by aquatic plants, principally algae and cyanobacteria. Topics include inorganic equilibria in aqueous solution; evidence for the active transport of biocarbonate and CO2; structure, localization and properties of carbonic anhydrase and the role of internal and external carbonic anhydrases; rubisco and the function of carboxysomes and pyrenoids in CO2 fixation.
Biology 5065 1.5: Molecular and Cellular Biology of Circadian Rhythms
This core course analyzes recent papers concerning circadian (daily) rhythms at the cellular and molecular levels in animals, plant, fungal and bacterial systems. Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in cell and molecular biology.
Biology 5335 1.5: Concepts and Controversies in Evolutionary Biology
This core course examines current issues in microbial phylogenetics and evolution, including the three domains concept, the scope and significance of lateral gene transfer, hereditary symbiosis, and the nature of the microbial diversity revealed by metagenomics.
Ecology and Evolution
Quantitative, experimental and theoretical aspects of ecology including aquatic biology and population dynamics of plants and animals. These courses will also examine current problems and controversies in evolutionary biology. Courses other than those listed here may be offered.
Biology 5070 3.0: Tropical Ornithology
This course examines the evolution, ecology, biodiversity and behaviour of tropical birds. This is a two week field course based at the Smithsonian Tropical Institute in Panama.
Biology 5071 3.0: Ecology of Plant-Fungal Symbiosis
This course examines the diversity , ecology and systematics of fungal symbionts of plants. Weekly seminars will be combined with laboratory demonstrations to introduce techniques to identify, isolate and measure endophylic and nycorrhizal fungi.
Biology 5072 1.5: Sociobiology and Sociogenomics
This core course will introduce students to the diversity of research belonging to the field of sociobiology, trace the history of the subject, and discuss the recent contribution of genomic biology to the topic.
Biology 5081 3.0: Introduction to Biostatistics
This core course surveys common statistical methods used in biology. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, regression, goodness-of-fit, contingency tables, nonparametric tests, bootstrapping and randomization tests are considered. SPSS will be used for data analysis.
Biology 5086 1.5: Critical Skills in Ecology and Evolution
In this core course, reviews expectations and responsibilities of graduate research in ecology and evolution. It trains student in communicating research in oral and written forms, and in the importance of understanding the deep history of ideas in their research field.
Biology 5087 1.5: Invasion and Community Ecology
This core course will explore topics in contemporary community ecology including a focus on invasion by non-native species. General principles, current hyotheses, and specific case studies will be used to examine the relevance of invasion to community construction, resilience, and structure.
Biology 5097 3.0: Pollination Biology
Interactions between bees and flowers are studied through field observations and exprimentation.
Biology 5098 1.5: Conservation Biology
This core course examines current topics in conservation biology through discussions, debate and review of recent theory and empirical studies in conservation biology. We will explore the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss in different taxa, the role of loss of genetic diversity in driving population declines, and the extent to which species have and will evolve in response to human impacts and multiple environmental stressors.
Biology 5221 1.5: Phylogenetics
This core course deals with i) the principles of phylogenetic reconstruction using cladistic methodology ii) the utility of phylogenetic approaches to areas other than systematics iii) computer programs to perform phylogenetic analyses.
Animal Physiology
Topics discussed include neurosecretion and endocrinology, muscle physiology and biochemistry, physiology of vision, and the physiology of selected phylogenetic groups. Courses other than those listed here may be offered.
Biology 5125 3.0: Invertebrate Endocrinology
This course examines the endocrinology of selected invertebrates, particularly those involved in the control of post embryonic events such as growth, differentiation, metabolism and reproduction.
Prerequisite: Biology 5124 3.0 or undergraduate course in vertebrate endocrinology.
Biology 5126 3.0: Physiology of Vision and Neural Processing
This course in animal physiology focuses on advanced topics and/or controversial issues pertaining to systems level and behavioural neuroscience, exemplified by the neurophysiology of vision and visually guided behaviours.
Biology 5128 1.5: Current Topics in Comparative and Integrative Animal Physiology
This core course covers that covers topics in comparative animal physiology with an emphasis on regulartory mechanisms and homeostasis. Topics include endocrinology, neurobiology, metabolism osmotic and ionic regulation, reproduction and hi-light modern integrative physiology techniques. Examples are drawn from vertebrate and invertebrate aimals.
Biology 5130 3.0: Cardiovascular Systems in Health and Exercise
This course covers an in-depth study of the cardiovascular system during exercise and disease, including an examination of current research.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6300 3.0.
Prerequisite: York undergraduate course Arts/Science Kinesiology & Health Science 4010 3.0: Physiology of Exercise or equivalent.
Students may not also receive credit for Kinesiology & Health Science 4450 3.0.
Biology 5131 3.0: Molecular Basis of Muscle Physiology
This course examines the molecular basis of muscle development, growth and regeneration.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6351 3.0.
Biology 5132 3.0: Advanced Respiratory Physiology in Health and Exercise
This course consists of an examination of salient research on the respiratory system in relation to health and exercise, including an exposure to relevant laboratory techniques.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6310 3.0.
Biology 5133 3.0: Neuromuscular Physiology
This course examines the physiology of the neuromuscular system as it relates to exercise and to health. Special emphasis is placed on fatigue and the adaptations to training.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6350 3.0.
Prerequisite: An introductory course in mammalian physiology is required. Courses in exercise, muscle and neurophysiology are recommended.
Biology 5134 3.0: Vascular Biology in Health and Disease
Understanding the cellular composition and function of the vascular system provides the basis in this course for discussing the processes of angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury with an emphasis on current advances in pharmacological and genetic therapies.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6301 3.0.
Biology 5135 3.0: Visualspatial Memory and Goal-Directed Action
Same as Psychology 6260 3.0 and Kinesiology & Health Science 6160 3.0.
The course examines how the brain represents, updates, and transforms spatial information from the senses, primarily vision, into goal-directed movements of the eyes, head, and hand.
Prerequisite: Psychology 3250, Biology 4370, Kinesiology 4500 or 4505.
Biology 5136 3.0: Perception and Action
This course looks at some of the biological and neurophysiological principles that underlie the representation of the spatial world and the sensory and motor processes with which we interact with the world. Specific examples of the realization of general principles are drawn from how we know about and control our own movements, including control of eye and head movements, reaching and pointing and locomotion and navigation. The course considers how various senses are transduced, coded, centrally represented and eventually converted into action.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6161 3.0 and Psychology 6750P 3.0.
Biology 5137 3.0: Brain Mechanisms of Movement in Health and Disease
This course surveys the role of different cerebral cortical and sub-cortical areas in controlling voluntary movements. Following a review of fundamental concepts in motor control and basic neuroanatomy, students give presentations summarizing what is currently known about the motor function of different brain regions. Data from theoretical, experimental, and patient studies will be used to illustrate how various areas such as primary motor, premotor, parietal, and cerebellar cortices are involved in the planning and execution of sensory-guided voluntary motor behaviour.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6150 3.0 and Psychology 6235 3.0.
Biology 5139 3.0: Advanced Exercise I: Muscle
Advanced topics in exercise physiology and biochemistry of muscle, including energy metabolism, fatigue, cell signalling and the molecular adaptations to exercise and disease states. Discussion of original research articles in exercise physiology.
Prerequisite: York undergraduate courses Arts/Science Kinesiology 4010 3.0: Physiology of Exercise or equivalent.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6370 3.0.
Biology 5141 3.0: Brain and Behaviour: Cognitive Systems
This course examines cognitive systems that guide our awareness, behaviour, and mental capacity. Major emphasis is placed on attentional systems and the study of consciousness.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6153 3.0 and Psychology 6278 3.0
Biology 5142 3.0: Laboratory Methods of Perceptual Psychology
This course teaches students how to design and caary out perceptual and cognitive experiments that require careful control of visual stimuli. It covers practical laboratory methods, as well as theoretical background material that is needed in order to design experiments intelligently. Topics include: programming in MATLAB, display calibration, stimulus design, psychometric functions and thresholds, data analysis, signal detection theory, ideal observers, and low-level sensory encoding.
Same as Psychology 6274 3.0.
Biology 5143 3.0: Neurobiology of Disease
This course will focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms that give rise to disease in the developing and mature nervous system. The contribution of genetic, developmental and environmental factors in the causation of human diseases will be specifically addressed.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6154 3.0.
Biology 5144 3.0: Computer Programming for Experimental Psychology
This course covers programming methods that re useful in experimental psychology. The course assumes no previous programming experience, and bring students to the point where they are able to write useful programs to advance their own research. Classes are held in a computer laboratory, and each week’s class consists of a lecture followed by programming practice on assigned problems. Topics include: the MATLAB programming language, data files, curve fitting, Monte Carlo simulations, statistical tests, journal-quality data plots, 2D and 3D graphics (OpenGL), interfacing to external devices,.
Same as Pscyhology 6273 3.0.
Biology 5145 1.5: Physiology of Circadian Timekeeping
This core course deals with analysis of current literature concerning the cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying circadian (daily) rhythms in insects, birds and mammals. including advances in medical applications to humans. Prerequisite: SC/BIOL 4310 3.0 or equivalent, or permission from course director.
Biology 5146 3.0: Fundamentals of Neuroscience I: Structures, Neurons, and Synapses
This core course will focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the structure and function of the nervous system, functional neuroanatomy, and the neurophysiology of movement.
Prerequisite: undergraduate course in neuroscience or equivalent or by permission of course director.
Same as Kinesiology & Health Science 6155 3.0 and Psychology 6257 3.0.
Core course for Neuroscience Diploma Students only.
Biology 5147 3.0: Fundamentals of Neuroscience II: Circuits, Systems and Behaviour
This course will focus on a system approach to specialized circuits within the central nervous system that determine sensory, motor and cognitive systems.
Permission from course director is required to enrol in this course.
Same as Psychology 6253 3.0 and Kinesiology & Health Science 6156 3.0.
Biology 5148 3.0: Introduction to Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its application to functional brain imaging, including theory and hands-on practical training. Students will design, implement and analyze their own functional MRI experiment.
Same as Psychology 6227 3.0 and Kinesiology & Health Science 6148 3.0.
Biology 5149 3.0: Applications in Vision Science
Unique in Canada, this course is comprised of a series of one-week training units on different applications of vision science. Lectures will be presented by faculty members at York, and guest lectures will be presented by scientists and engineers from industry and government. In addition to the lectures, each student will complete a project addressing an application of vision science. Student presentations will be reviewed with mentors to augment communications training.Same as Psychology 6228 3.0 and Kinesiology & Health Science 6149 3.0.
Biology 6021 3.0, 6022 3.0: MSc Research Evaluation. Progress in research is assessed annually as described above (see MSc Course Requirements).
Biology 7021 3.0, 7022 3.0, 7023 3.0, 7024 3.0: PhD Research Evaluation. Progress in research is assessed annually as described above (see PhD Course Requirements).
