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.
| ENVB*2010 Food Production and the Environment W (3-0) [0.50] |
| 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 registered in B.Sc. (Agr.)
|
| ENVB*2030 Current Issues in Forest Science F (3-0) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| ENVB*2040 Plant Health and the Environment W (3-0) [0.50] |
| This is an interdisciplinary course on the nature and importance of diseases, 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 |
| ENVB*2100 Problem-Solving in Environmental Biology W (2-2) [0.50] |
| This course provides an introduction to current issues and problems in environmental biology. Methodologies of addressing
environmental issues and concerns will be critically examined. Project design, information retrieval and organization, and
the interpretation of statistical data will be covered. Oral and written presentations, both individual and group will be
emphasized.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040, (CHEM*1050 or CHEM*1310), MATH*1080 |
| ENVB*2210 Introductory Apiculture F,W (3-0) [0.50] |
| 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. (Also offered through distance education format.)
|
| ENVB*3000 Nature Interpretation F,W (2-3) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| ENVB*3040 Natural Chemicals in the Environment F,W (3-0) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| ENVB*3090 Insect Diversity and Biology W (3-3) [0.50] |
| This course is an overview of insect diversity and biology emphasizing groups of importance in conservation biology, outdoor
recreation and economic entomology. Labs focus on insect identification and the development of a small insect collection.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040 |
| ENVB*3160 Management of Turfgrass Diseases F (2-2) [0.50] |
| In this course ecology of turfgrass diseases and cultural methods of management will be emphasized, in addition to field recognition
and microscopic diagnosis of diseases. Advances in biological and chemical control measures and their impact on turfgrass
ecosystems and surrounding environments will also be discussed.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
HORT*2450 |
| Restriction(s): |
DTM*3200 |
| ENVB*3210 Plant Pathology F (2-3) [0.50] |
| This course examines the nature of disease in plants, including their causal agents, etiology, biology, epidemiology, and
management. Emphasis is placed on the historical and social importance of plant diseases, and on current issues in plant health.
Each student is required to make a collection of 20 plant disease specimens. Students must contact the course instructor before
starting their collection.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040 |
| ENVB*3230 Agroforestry Systems F (2-2) [0.50] |
| The planned and systematic integration of trees into the agricultural landscape can potentially result in sustainable environmental,
ecological, economic and social benefits. The key aspects of deriving these benefits, associated science and management considerations,
application potentials at the landscape level and adoption challenges will be discussed. Common temperate and tropical agroforestry
systems (e.g. intercropping of trees and crops) will be discussed. Emphasis will be given to successful research and development
case studies.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*2030 |
| ENVB*3250 Forest Health and Disease F (2-2) [0.50] |
| The impact of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms on forest health, and the biology and management of tree diseases in
natural and urban ecosystems is covered in this course. Emphasis will be placed on ecological processes, host-pathogen interactions,
mutualistic associations, wood decay, and human impacts on tree health.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*2030 or BOT*2100 |
| ENVB*3270 Forest Biodiversity W (4-0) [0.50] |
| This course examines biodiversity in forest ecosystems at a variety of scales from genes to landscapes. Relationships between
biodiversity and forest ecosystem structure, function, and stability are explored. Approaches to conserving biodiversity in
managed forests are discussed and evaluated. Analysis of the relevant scientific literature and practical experience with
methods of quantifying biodiversity are emphasized in the weekly seminar.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*2030, (1 of BOT*2050, BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110)
|
| ENVB*3280 Waterborne Disease Ecology F (3-2) [0.50] |
| Emerging and re-emerging waterborne diseases (bacterial, protozoan, and viral) as a function of environmental change (including
chemical and biological pollution and climate change) are covered in this course. Waterborne diseases, in freshwater and marine
ecosystems, will be examined from historical and contemporary issues as they relate to public and environmental health from
regional, national, and international perspectives. Topics presented within the course will include current waterborne diseases
of humans and aquatic fauna, detection of waterborne pathogens, microbial evolution, microbial physiology, water regulations
and protection of drinking water.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOC*2580, MBG*2000 |
| ENVB*3300 Applied Ecology and Environment F (2-2) [0.50] |
| This course covers 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), ENVM*1100 |
| ENVB*3330 Ecosystem Processes and Applications W (3-0) [0.50] |
| An ecosystem approach that treats living organisms and physical elements of the environment as components of a single, integrated
system is introduced in this course. The important processes that characterize ecosystems, tracing water, carbon and nutrients
from their abiotic sources to their cycles through plants, animals and decomposers will be examined. Human activity is a dominant
influence on these cycles and this influence is surveyed in several highly impacted ecosystems.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1040, (1 of BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110, BOT*2050), (CHEM*1050 or CHEM*1310)
|
| ENVB*4020 Water Quality and Environmental Management F (3-3) [0.50] |
| 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*2060 or (ENVM*1100, ENVM*1150)
|
| ENVB*4070 Biological and Cultural Control of Plant Diseases W (3-0) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| ENVB*4100 Applied Entomology W (3-3) [0.50] |
| 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
|
| ENVB*4130 Chemical Ecology: Principles & Practice W (3-0) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| ENVB*4260 Field Entomology F (1-6) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| ENVB*4270 Insect Biosystematics W (2-3) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| ENVB*4290 Applied Insect Physiology F (2-3) [0.50] |
| This course examines major physiological systems of insects at the molecular, cellular and whole animal levels of organization.
Emphasis is placed on identification of potential physiological targets for insecticides, and molecular mechanisms of insecticide
resistance. Applications of analytical chemistry, electrophysiology, mathematical modeling and molecular biology to the study
of insect physiology are discussed. The course includes tutorial exercises examining the external and internal morphology
of representative insect species.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
STAT*2040, (1 of ENVB*3030, ENVB*3040, ENVB*3090, TOX*2000, ZOO*3200)
|
| ENVB*4400 Forest Systems Field Camp F (0-6) [0.50] |
| This is a course emphasizing the study of ecological processes in forested areas and will consist of a 10-12 day field camp
prior to the start of the fall semester. Demonstration of the measurement of a variety of ecological processes or parameters
(e.g. biodiversity, biomass, nutrient cycling, hydrology) important to the understanding of forest structure and function
will be coupled with short presentations from faculty and government scientists. Students will then independently undertake
a forest research project of their choice, in consultation with faculty members, and will be required to prepare a research
report in thesis format and to present results at the end of the semester. Students will be responsible for living and transportation
expenses in addition to regular tuition fees and must submit a departmental application form to the course instructor during
the prior winter semester course selection period.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*2030 |
| Restriction(s): |
Registration in Forest Systems Minor. Instructor consent required. |
| ENVB*4420 Problems in Environmental Biology S,F,W (0-6) [0.50] |
| 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 required. |
| ENVB*4550 Ecotoxicological Risk Characterization W (3-0) [0.50] |
| 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 |
| Equate(s): |
TOX*4550 |
| ENVB*4780 Forest Ecology F (3-3) [0.50] |
| 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.
|
| Prerequisite(s): |
ENVB*2030, (1 of BOT*2050, BIOL*2060, BIOL*3110)
|
| ENVB*4800 Topics in Applied Biology F (2-2) [0.50] |
| 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 major. ) |
