XII. Course Descriptions
Environmental Biology
Department of Environmental Biology.
Additional course listings may be found in the course descriptions for Microbiology, Plant Biology, Toxicology and Zoology.
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ENVB*2010 Food Production and the Environment W (3-0) [0.50]
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| Systems of food production are described and related to their impact on the environment and food safety. Consumer demands and the effects of food processing and packaging will be discussed. Issues of population pressure and sustainable development will be explored. For non-B.Sc.(Agr.) students. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
2.50 credits |
| Restriction(s): |
AGR*1250, not available to students in registered in B.Sc. (AGR) |
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ENVB*2030 Current Issues in Forest Science F (3-0) [0.50]
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| Basic principles of forestry and forest management with emphasis on Canada's forests. Relationship of important tree species to their preferred environments. Aspects of tree growth, forest ecology and soils and silviculture. Utilization of forests and trees in the global context. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040
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ENVB*2040 Biology of Plant Pests W (3-0) [0.50]
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| An interdisciplinary course on the nature and importance of diseases, weeds, insects and abiotic stresses on plant productivity and quality. A case history approach will be used to illustrate the biology of plant pests, the principles of pest population management, and related topics. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040
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ENVB*2100 Problem-Solving in Environmental Biology F,W (2-2) [0.50]
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| An exploration of ways of approaching problems dealing with environmental concerns. Training will include critical thinking, information retrieval and organization, and project design. Emphasis on oral and written presentations, both individual and group. Students will be introduced to the various disciplines within the department. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
Registration in the Environmental Biology major. |
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ENVB*2210 Introductory Apiculture F,W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course is designed to acquaint the student with the broad field of beekeeping. It will include honey bee biology and behaviour, management for honey production, products of the hive, pests and enemies and the value of bees as pollinators of agricultural crops. |
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ENVB*3000 Nature Interpretation S,F (2-3) [0.50]
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| An exploration of communication and experiential learning theories and their application to natural history interpretation and environmental education program design. Students will develop and present interpretive materials and a program within the context of the existing nature interpretation program at The Arboretum. (Also offered through distance education format.) |
| Prerequisite(s): |
1 of BIOL*2060, BOT*2050, BIOL*3110
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ENVB*3040 Natural Chemicals in the Environment F,W (3-0) [0.50]
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| The role of naturally occurring chemical substances in the inter-relationships of organisms, population dynamics and the structure of ecosystems, and the role of such chemicals in the biological regulation and control of pests. (Also offered through distance education format.) |
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040
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ENVB*3300 Applied Ecology and Environment F (2-2) [0.50]
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| Environmental issues require scientific analysis. The applications of ecology, the science of diversity, abundance, and activities of living things and their interactions with the physical and biotic environment, are presented as the basis for sustainable agricultural practices, ecosystem rehabilitation, and conservation. Use of ecological principles in planning and policy are debated in local, regional, national, and global contexts. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
1 of BIOL*2060, CROP*2110, (BIOL*3110, BIOL*3120) |
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ENVB*4020 Water Quality and Environmental Management F (3-3) [0.50]
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| This course will introduce the student to issues pertaining to water quality, how to assess environmental impacts, and strategies for the management of water resources. Examples and case studies will draw from agricultural, industrial and municipal sources. Topics include: historical perspectives, methods to assess water quality, restoration and rehabilitation of impacted aquatic habitats, and risk assessment and management of water resources. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*3450
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ENVB*4070 Biological and Cultural Control of Plant Diseases W (3-0) [0.50]
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| Current concepts and approaches to managing plant pathogens and diseases in crops and natural plant communities by measures that have minimal impact on the environment. Topics include naturally-occurring biological control such as suppressive soils and induced host resistance, use of microbial agents and their modes of action, transgenic disease resistance, use of organic soil amendments and mulches to promote microbial diversity and suppress pathogens, and effects of sanitation, crop sequences, tillage, flooding, soil solarization and other cultural practices on microbial communities, including pathogens and on disease epidemics. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
1 of BIOL*3050, ENVB*3210, MICR*3220
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ENVB*4100 Applied Entomology W (3-3) [0.50]
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| A study of the life histories and pest management practices employed against insect pests of various plant and animal hosts. Principles of economic entomology are illustrated using specific insect pests as examples. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
1 of ENVB*3090, 0.50 credits in Crop Production at the 3000 level |
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ENVB*4130 Chemical Ecology: Principles & Practice W (3-0) [0.50]
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| Chemicals mediate interactions between individuals of a species and between organisms and their host plants. These interactions can be manipulated and exploited to mange pest populations through the use of pheromones, allelochemicals and host plant resistance. The nature of these interactions (from behavioural to evolutionary), biological and chemical methods used in their investigation, and the application of chemical ecology to insect pest and plant disease management will be covered. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*3040
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ENVB*4260 Field Entomology F (1-6) [0.50]
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| An introduction to insect sampling, observation, and experimentation in field situations. Lectures and discussions on the biology of the insect fauna of the field site. Students conduct two projects (individual or small group): (1) a diversity study involving the observation, collection and identification of selected groups of insects and (2) a behaviour/ecology study utilizing experimental techniques to test hypotheses. Student evaluation based on participation in course activities and written reports. Course fees cover the costs of room, board, equipment, and transportation to the field station. Detailed information is available from the Office of the Chair - Department of Environmental Biology. This course must be recorded as part of your Fall course selection and tuition and compulsory fees will be calculated accordingly. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
1.00 or more credits in biological sciences, ENVB*3090
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ENVB*4270 Insect Biosystematics W (2-3) [0.50]
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| A study of the lesser known groups of native insects and an introduction to taxonomic procedure and the principles of insect systematics. Students are required to assemble their own insect collections prior to registering in this course. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on identification of student insect collections. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*3090
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ENVB*4420 Problems in Environmental Biology S,F,W (0-6) [0.50]
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| Students will select a research problem in an area of special interest. Direction will be given by a faculty member concerned with entomology-apiculture, applied microbiology, weed science and environmental physiology, plant pathology, etc., as represented within the department. For 7th and 8th semester students considering graduate studies. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
1.50 credits at the 3000 level in the agricultural and biological sciences . |
| Restriction(s): |
Instructor consent. |
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ENVB*4550 Ecotoxicological Risk Characterization W (3-0) [0.50]
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| A biologically based, advanced course that will give students working knowledge of current processes and techniques for ecotoxicological risk characterization. The course material will cover the topics of problem definition, dose response characterization, exposure characterization, risk assessment, and risk management decision making. (Also listed as TOX*4550.) |
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*3030, TOX*2000
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| Equate(s): |
TOX*4550
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ENVB*4780 Forest Ecology F,W (2-3) [0.50]
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| Principles of forest ecology with emphasis on the ecological principles needed for sound forest management. Biotic and abiotic components of forest ecosystems will be discussed in the context of energy flow, nutrient cycling, forest succession and appropriate silvicultural systems. (Also offered through distance education format.) |
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*2030, (1 of BOT*2050, BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110) |
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ENVB*4800 Topics in Applied Biology F (2-2) [0.50]
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| An integrated overview of those areas of applied biology that are of special interest to environmentalists. The material will be directed toward students majoring in Environmental Biology and Environmental Protection. Lectures and discussions will be presented by faculty and other professionals from research, business, education and technical fields. Students will conduct seminars on selected topics. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
1.50 credits at the 3000 level in the agricultural or biological sciences |
| Restriction(s): |
Restricted to B.Sc (Environmental Biology major) or B.Sc. (Env.) (Environmental Protection area of emphasis) |
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