Program Requirements
Students taking this specialization have a wide variety of Life Sciences course offerings to choose from, which allow them to target their program to their own interests in the field. Course choices are balanced between "fundamentals" and "applications." Depending upon the courses chosen, the resulting program may be relatively specialized or very broad, spanning several disciplines. Such a broad background in Life Sciences will open up employment opportunities in a variety of diverse bioscience industries; students with an appropriate CGPA may proceed to a wide variety of postgraduate programs or professional schools.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
24 credits selected from the following list:
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ANSC 312 Animal Health and Disease (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Winter)
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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 2024
Instructors: Zhao, Xin (Fall)
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ANSC 324 Developmental Biology and Reproduction (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Focus on the hormonal, cellular and molecular aspects of reproduction and development (gametogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryonic and foetal development, parturition, lactation period, periods before and after puberty). Emphasis on underlying cellular mechanisms and their regulation by hormones and the environment.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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ANSC 326 Fundamentals of Population Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Population genetics mechanisms in mammals, birds and plant. Factors influencing gene, genotype, and phenotypic frequencies. Effects of different types of selection, Hardy-Weinberg, linkage and recombination, polymorphisms and heterozygosity, population size, random drift and inbreeding on gene and genotype frequencies. Relationship between quantitative genetic parameters and gene frequencies.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Cue, Roger (Fall)
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ANSC 350 Food-Borne Pathogens (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Exploration of the taxonomy, characteristics, epidemiology, mechanisms of pathogenicity, disease, incidence, and factors affecting the survival and growth of pathogenic microorganisms in foods of animal origin; principles of detection, prevention and control of food-borne pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, viruses).
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Ronholm, Jennifer (Winter)
Prerequisite: LSCI 230, or permission of the instructor
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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 genetically modified and gene-edited animals, and cell and gene therapies.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Gutierrez, Karina (Fall)
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ANSC 424 Metabolic Endocrinology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Duggavathi, Raj (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: ANSC 323
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ANSC 433 Animal Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Burgos, Sergio (Winter)
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ANSC 560 Biology of Lactation (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Burgos, Sergio (Fall)
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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 2025
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: Winter 2025
Instructors: Stromvik, Martina (Winter)
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: Winter 2025
Instructors: Singh, Jaswinder (Winter)
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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: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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 2025
Instructors: Salavati, Reza; Sulea, Traian (Winter)
Winter
1-hr lecture, followed by 2 hrs of computer lab.
Prerequisite: Molecular biology or biochemistry, and basic bioinformatics, or permission of instructor.
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ENTO 330 Insect Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : Introduction to entomology, including the the importance and diversity of insects; insect morphology, anatomy and physiology; insect sensory systems; reproduction; metamorphosis; insect classification and survey of the orders and common families.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Boucher, Stephanie (Fall)
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ENTO 352 Biocontrol of Pest Insects (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : Modern concepts of integrated control techniques and principles of insect pest management, with emphasis on biological control (use of predators, parasites and pathogens against pest insects), population monitoring, and manipulation of environmental, behavioral and physiological factors in the pest's way of life. Physical, cultural, and genetic controls and an introduction to the use of non-toxic biochemical controls (attractants, repellents, pheromones, antimetabolites).
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have previously taken ENTO 452
3 lectures
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ENVB 301 Meteorology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : The physical processes underlying weather. Topics include: the atmosphere - its properties (structure and motion), and thermodynamics (stability, heat and moisture); clouds and precipitation; air masses and fronts; mid-latitude weather systems and severe weather.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restrictions: none
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ENVB 305 Population and Community Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Interactions between organisms and their environment; historical and current perspectives in applied and theoretical population and community ecology. Principles of population dynamics, feedback loops, and population regulation. Development and structure of communities; competition, predation and food web dynamics. Biodiversity science in theory and practice.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: McKinney, Melissa (Winter)
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ENVB 313 Phylogeny and Biogeography (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Topics in the interface of evolution, phylogenetics, and biogeography, including tree thinking, phylogeny estimation, and the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity. The major scientific discoveries that demonstrated how Earth’s history affects the evolution of organisms, including the unheard voices of evolutionary biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: AEBI 212
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ENVB 506 Quantitative Methods: Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : The process of formulating models of natural systems and confronting them with data, along with the necessary statistical computing skills. Emphasis on hands-on experience with current approaches for building, fitting, and comparing models.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Roy, Denis (Winter)
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ENVB 529 GIS for Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques to the presentation and analysis of ecological information, including sources and capture of spatial data; characterizing, transforming, displaying spatial data; and spatial analysis to solve resource management problems.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Cardille, Jeffrey; Adamchuk, Viacheslav; Dhiman, Jaskaran (Fall)
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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 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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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. 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 2025
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
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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 2024
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Fall)
Prerequisite: LSCI 230
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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 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: 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 2025
Instructors: Whyte, Lyle (Winter)
Prerequisites: LSCI 230
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NUTR 337 Nutrition Through Life (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Nutrient utilization, requirements and recommended allowances as related to physiological development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, psychological and environmental determinants of eating behaviour.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Iskandar, Michèle (Winter)
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NUTR 512 Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Owen, Patrick (Fall)
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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 2025
Instructors: Tritten, Lucienne (Winter)
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PARA 424 Fundamental Parasitology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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PARA 515 Water, Health and Sanitation (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : The origin and types of water contaminants including live organisms, infectious agents and chemicals of agricultural and industrial origins. Conventional and new technological developments to eliminate water pollutants. Comparisons of water, health and sanitation between industrialized and developing countries.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Basu, Niladri (Winter)
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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: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Restriction: U2 or above, or permission of instructor.
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PLNT 305 Plant Pathology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The theory and concepts of plant pathology, including the disease cycle, infection, symptoms, resistance, epidemiology and control. The biology and taxonomy of pathogens will be studied, including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Techniques of inoculation, isolation of pathogens from diseased plants, disease diagnosis and pathogen identification will be demonstrated.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Filion, Martin (Fall)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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PLNT 310 Plant Propagation (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles and practical aspects of plant propagation are examined. The course consists of two parts. The first third deals with sexual propagation; the production, processing storage certification and analysis of seeds. The remaining two-thirds deals with vegetative propagation; cutting, budding, grafting, layering, and tissue culture.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Gravel, Valérie (Winter)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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PLNT 353 Plant Structure and Function (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on how physiological processes influence function.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
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PLNT 358 Flowering Plant Diversity (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles of classification and identification of flowering plants and ferns, with emphasis on 35 major families of flowering plants and the habitats in which they grow.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Beauregard, Frieda (Fall)
A 4-day field week is held the week preceding the start of classes
Prerequisite: AEBI 210 or ENVR 202 or permission of instructor
A $92.68 fee is charged to all students registered in this course, which has a fieldwork component prior to the beginning of classes in August. This fee is used to support the cost of excursions, a hand lens, instructional handouts and identification aids. Students who have already received a hand lens may request a reimbursement of a portion of this charge through their department.
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PLNT 426 Plant Ecophysiology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : This course investigates the complex interactions between plants and their environment, focusing on the mechanisms underlying plant physiological processes. Plasticity of plants to their ecological environment; topics include phytoremediation, plant stress responses, plant-symbiosis and plant-insect interactions.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
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PLNT 434 Weed Biology and Control (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Begg, Caroline B (Winter)
Prerequisite: AEBI 210
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PLNT 435 Plant Breeding (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles and practices of plant breeding, including reproduction of crop plants; plant hybridization; sources of genetic variation; selection methods used for self- and cross-pollinated crops and for clonally reproduced crops; breeding for diseases and pest resistance; applications of biotechnology in plant breeding.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Hoyos-Villegas, Valerio (Winter)
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PLNT 460 Plant Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: AEMA 310 or permission of instructor.
This course carries an additional charge of $170.00 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
