Courses

2024-2025 Academic Year

BIOL 1114
Human Reproduction, Growth and Maturation 0.5 unit
An examination of the human life cycle. Students will investigate the biological understanding of typical and atypical development, environmental and hormonal influences, brain development, reproductive maturity, and physiological changes over life. Note: This course may not be counted towards a major in Biology.

BIOL 1152
Introductory Biology I 0.5 unit
An introduction to the important elements of life. Topics include the definition of life, the scientific method, natural selection, chemistry of life, cell biology, the flow of energy in the living systems, cellular energy, reactions and enzymes, metabolism, photosynthesis, cell communication, cell division, heredity, DNA, genes and gene expression. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 1153
Introductory Biology II 0.5 unit
A course about the diversity, evolution and ecology of organisms. Topics include the system used to classify organisms, the major groups of organisms and their evolutionary relationships, populations, and the interactions of communities of organisms with their physical environment to form ecosystems. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 2202
General Microbiology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): grade XII Biology and 1.0 unit of a 1000-level university science course or BIOL 1152
A lecture and laboratory course providing an overview of the microbial world, including classification, genetics and metabolism. The focus will be on the importance of microorganisms in human affairs, such as preparation and storage of food, agriculture and historic and emerging diseases. Note: This course may not be counted towards the units of Biology required for a major or concentration, but may be counted for a minor or as a general elective. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 2203
Plants: Form and Function 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152 and 1153
A study of the evolution of plants and the structure and development of plants in relation to function. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 2204
Animals: Form and Function 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152 and 1153
A comparative study of invertebrate and vertebrate body plans and the phylogenetic origins of living animal taxa. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 2205
Human Anatomy and Physiology I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): grade XII science, Biology preferred, and 1.0 unit of a 1000-level university science course, or BIOL 1152
An introduction to the principles of the human body’s structure and functions. Topics covered will include: organization of the body, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and endocrine systems. Note: Students who have received credit for BIOL 2201 may not take this course for credit.

BIOL 2206
Human Anatomy and Physiology II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2205
A continued study of the principles of the human body’s structure and functions. Topics covered will include: cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, renal and reproductive systems. Note: Students who have received credit for BIOL 2201 may not take this course for credit.

BIOL 2207
Microbial Diversity 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152 and 1153
A lecture and laboratory course providing an overview of the diversity of the microbial world. This course includes the classification, metabolism, genetics, ecology and evolution of microorganisms. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 2213
Environmental Science 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 unit of any 1000-level university course
An examination of our environment and the myriad factors that affect its quality. Important ecological concepts are introduced and our roles and responsibilities regarding current environmental issues are examined. The field is highly interdisciplinary, integrating information from many areas, including biology, chemistry, geography, sociology and engineering.

BIOL 2214
Plants for People 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 unit of any 1000-level university course
Plants are the mainstay of traditional and modern-day societies. This course will investigate the origins of economically valuable plants and will describe their structure, cultivation, preparation and uses.

BIOL 2217/ PSYC 2217
Brain and Behaviour 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152 or PSYC 1110
A study of the neural basis of human behaviour. Topics will include development of the nervous system, brain plasticity, and the biological basis of sensory and perceptual processes, consciousness and sleep, attention, learning, emotion, motivation, psychopharmacology, and disorders of the nervous system.

BIOL 2222
Introduction to Vertebrate Histology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152
An introduction to the microscopic structure of tissues and organs of the vertebrate body. Topics covered will include organs from all major systems of the body. This course will complement Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIOL 2205, BIOL 2206).

BIOL 2240
Cell and Molecular Biology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152, 1153 and CHEM 1012
A detailed consideration of the fine structure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells (and viruses), the chemical composition and organization of cells, cell metabolism and bioenergetics; and for each major cell organelle or structural component, its particular molecular and supramolecular organization and its function. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 2250/PSYC 2250
Animal Behaviour 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152 and 1153 or PSYC 1110 and 1120
An introduction to the biological bases of behaviour in animals, covering genetic, developmental, neural, ecological and social aspects.

BIOL 2260/PSYC 2260
Fundamentals of Neuroscience 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1152 or PSYC 1110
A course about the physiological and biophysical mechanisms that enable the nervous system to receive, process and transmit information on the molecular, membrane, cellular and system levels.

BIOL 3260
Advanced Neuroscience 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2260
Advanced topics in neuroscience such as the sensory systems of animals and humans and cellular mechanisms of memory and learning.

BIOL 3302
Microbial Interactions 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2207
A study of further topics in microbiology, with a focus on microbial interactions. This includes microbial diversity and function in natural environments, as well as the relationships between microbes and plants, animals and other microbes. Students will conduct a term research project.

BIOL 3309
Physiology of Plants 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2203
A course highlighting the basic physiological functioning of plants as seen in plant-water-mineral relations; metabolism and hormonal regulation. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 3310
Physiology of Animals 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2204
A comparative study of invertebrate and vertebrate systems, including internal and external regulation, transport of substances and co-ordination of function. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 3312
General Ecology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): Two of BIOL 2203, 2204, 2207
A course about organisms and their interactions with the environment. The main topics include the physical environment, individuals, populations, species interactions, communities, ecosystems, and global ecology. In this course, students learn techniques of ecological sampling and testing.(Also listed under Canadian Studies) Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 3314
Evolutionary Biology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): one of BIOL 2203, 2204, 2207
An in-depth examination of how life has diversified and adapted to change. This course will outline Darwinian natural selection and the major events in the history of life, from life’s probable origin in simple replicating molecules to the development of modern prokaryotes, viruses, selfish DNAs, protists, fungi, animals and plants.

BIOL 3322
Animal Developmental Biology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2240
An examination of embryology, the process by which animals develop from fertilized eggs to complex multicellular organisms. The focus is on how cells divide, differentiate and then assume their proper positions relative to one another within the embryo such that tissues and organs develop and grow correctly. This includes morphology, regeneration, and evolutionary-developmental biology. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 3332/PSYC 3332
Human Neuropsychology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL/PSYC 2217 or BIOL/PSYC 2260
A study of the neural bases of mental function. The neural mechanisms of complex cognitive processes such as object recognition, spatial processing, attention, language, memory, executive functions and emotion will be reviewed from the human clinical perspective.

BIOL 3374
Genetics: Genes and Genomes 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: BIOL 2240
A study of genes and genomes. Topics include the structure and function of DNA, gene expression and regulation, epistasis, epigenetics, the reproduction, recombination, mutation, repair and transmission of genetic information with some introduction to population genetics. New technologies allowing genome/exome “big data” analyses and human gene therapy will be introduced. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 3501/CHEM 3501
Introductory Biochemistry 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2401
The structure and chemistry of cellular molecules, dealing mainly with carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids and their components, aqueous solutions, pH, pKa, buffers, and colloidal dispersions. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 3502/CHEM 3502
Intermediary Metabolism 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL/CHEM 3501
A study of the enzymes, energetics and intermediary metabolism of living cells, catabolic biosynthetic and regulatory processes affecting the metabolism of cellular molecules. Laboratory required (3 hours/week)

BIOL 3999
Biology Colloquium 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): any 2000 level BIOL course
Development of skills in literature research, critical thinking, and evaluation of scientific presentations. Students will be required to make presentations using several different modes of communication.

BIOL 4400
Field Biology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3312
An exploration of ecosystems. Students will observe organisms in their natural environments at publicly accessible sites around Halifax. Specimens and data will be analyzed in the laboratory. Students must complete six of eight field trips on Saturdays from May to December. A full report will be required for each trip.

BIOL 4444
Climate Change and Plants 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): normally completion of the 3000 level required courses in the major program or permission of the instructor
A detailed study of climate change, its components and effects on plants in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Anthropogenic activities and natural processes that lead to climate change are discussed. The main topics include the evidence for climate change, global warming, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, and plant responses to climate change.

BIOL 4450
Selected Topics in Biology 0.5 unit
BIOL 4451
Selected Topics in Biology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): will vary according to the topic offered
An opportunity for in-depth study of current topics in biology. These courses are open to senior biology majors and others with departmental approval.

BIOL 4453
Directed Studies 0.5 unit
BIOL 4454
Directed Studies 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): normally completion of the 2000 level required courses in the major program
A research problem that does not require laboratory or field work undertaken under the direction of members of the department. Offered for senior students majoring in biology and subject to departmental approval. Emphasis will be placed on learning new material through reading, critical thinking, and discussion.

BIOL 4460
Directed Research 0.5 unit
BIOL 4461
Directed Research 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): normally completion of the 2000 level required courses in the major program
A research project requiring laboratory or field work under the direction of members of the department. Offered for senior students majoring in biology and subject to departmental approval.

BIOL 4499
Honours Thesis 1.0 unit
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3999 (may be taken concurrently)
A required course for biology honours students to be taken in their final year. Students conduct independent research with a faculty member. Students will be required to produce an honours thesis and present their research.

BIOL 6100
Advanced Directed Study 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): students must have completed a BSc degree with a major in life sciences. Admission to MSVU and permission of the supervising instructor is required
An in-depth examination of a specialized area of biology. The task will be related to the student’s thesis topic and completed under the supervision of a MSVU Faculty member.

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 01, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.