Physiology Major (B.Sc.) (66 credits)
Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 66
Program Description
(65-66 credits)
The Major program includes, in addition to some intensive studies in Physiology, a strong core content of related biomedical sciences. Admission to the Major program will be in U2, upon completion of the U1 required courses, and in consultation with the student's adviser.
If not previously taken, CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. must be completed in addition to the 64-65 program credits.
Students may complete this program with a minimum of 64 credits or a maximum of 65 credits depending on their choice of complementary courses.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
U1 Required Courses (18 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 200 | Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Molecular Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression. | ||
| BIOL 202 | Basic Genetics. | 3 |
Basic Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences. | ||
| CHEM 222 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 2. | 4 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics. | ||
| PHGY 209 | Mammalian Physiology 1. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology of body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, muscle, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems. | ||
| PHGY 210 | Mammalian Physiology 2. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems. | ||
| PHGY 212 | Introductory Physiology Laboratory 1. | 1 |
Introductory Physiology Laboratory 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in physiology: Biological Signals Acquisitions, Blood, Immunology, Neurophysiology, Neuromuscular Physiology. | ||
| PHGY 213 | Introductory Physiology Laboratory 2. | 1 |
Introductory Physiology Laboratory 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in physiology: Central Nervous System, Cardiovascular, Respiration, Exercise Physiology, Molecular Endocrinology. | ||
U2 and U3 Required Courses (19 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 311 | Metabolic Biochemistry. | 3 |
Metabolic Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The generation of metabolic energy in higher organisms with an emphasis on its regulation at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Chemical concepts and mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are also emphasized. Included: selected topics in carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism; complex lipids and biological membranes; hormonal signal transduction. | ||
| BIOL 301 | Cell and Molecular Laboratory. | 4 |
Cell and Molecular Laboratory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided. | ||
| PHGY 311 | Channels, Synapses and Hormones. | 3 |
Channels, Synapses and Hormones. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system. | ||
| PHGY 312 | Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology. | 3 |
Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular functions explored beyond the introductory level. | ||
| PHGY 313 | Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology. | 3 |
Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in immunology, blood and fluids, and gastrointestinal physiology. | ||
| PHGY 314 | Integrative Neuroscience. | 3 |
Integrative Neuroscience. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours. | ||
Complementary Courses (28 credits)
12-13 credits selected as follows:
3 credits, one of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 212 | Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. | 3 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division. | ||
| BIOL 201 | Cell Biology and Metabolism. | 3 |
Cell Biology and Metabolism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle. | ||
3 credits, one of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 309 | Mathematical Models in Biology. | 3 |
Mathematical Models in Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data. | ||
| BIOL 373 | Biometry. | 3 |
Biometry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages. | ||
| COMP 204 | Computer Programming for Life Sciences. | 3 |
Computer Programming for Life Sciences. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Computer Science (Sci): Computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms, modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in the life sciences. | ||
| COMP 250 | Introduction to Computer Science. | 3 |
Introduction to Computer Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Mathematical tools (binary numbers, induction,recurrence relations, asymptotic complexity,establishing correctness of programs). Datastructures (arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists,trees, binary trees, binary search trees, heaps,hash tables). Recursive and non-recursivealgorithms (searching and sorting, tree andgraph traversal). Abstract data types. Objectoriented programming in Java (classes andobjects, interfaces, inheritance). Selected topics. | ||
| PSYC 305 | Statistics for Experimental Design. | 3 |
Statistics for Experimental Design. Terms offered: Summer 2025 An introduction to the design and analysis of experiments, including analysis of variance, planned and post hoc tests and a comparison of anova to correlational analysis. | ||
3 credits, one of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 312 | Biochemistry of Macromolecules. | 3 |
Biochemistry of Macromolecules. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Gene expression from the start of transcription to the synthesis of proteins, their modifications and degradation. Topics covered: purine and pyrimidine metabolism; transcription and its regulation; mRNA processing; translation; targeting of proteins to specific cellular sites; protein glycosylation; protein phosphorylation; protein turn-over; programmed cell death (apoptosis). | ||
| CHEM 203 | Survey of Physical Chemistry. | 3 |
Survey of Physical Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The fundamentals of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics with applications to biomolecular systems. Thermodynamic and kinetic control of biological processes. | ||
| CHEM 204 | Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 1. | 3 |
Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Similar to CHEM 223/CHEM 243. Emphasis on the use of biological examples to illustrate the principles of physical chemistry. The relevance of physical chemistry to biology is stressed. | ||
3-4 credits, one of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 214 | Systemic Human Anatomy. | 3 |
Systemic Human Anatomy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the gross anatomy of the various organ systems of head, neck and trunk regions of the human body. Emphasis on functional anatomy. Laboratory component includes exploration of the human body through cadaveric prosections, imaging and other materials. | ||
| ANAT 261 | Introduction to Dynamic Histology. | 4 |
Introduction to Dynamic Histology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to light and electron microscopic anatomy in which cell and tissue dynamics will be explored in the principal tissues and organs of the body. | ||
| ANAT 316 | Clinical Human Visceral Anatomy . | 3 |
Clinical Human Visceral Anatomy . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The gross anatomy of the various organ systems of the human body, with emphasis on those aspects of greatest relevance to physical and occupational therapists. Laboratories include the study of prepared specimens. | ||
9 credits selected from the Upper-Level Physiology (ULP) course list as follows:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 532 | Developmental Neurobiology Seminar. | 3 |
Developmental Neurobiology Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussions of all aspects of nervous system development including pattern formation, cell lineage, pathfinding and targeting by growing axons, and neural regeneration. The basis for these discussions will be recent research papers and other assigned readings. | ||
| BMDE 505 | Cell and Tissue Engineering. | 3 |
Cell and Tissue Engineering. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of the principles of engineering, physical, and biological sciences to modify and create cells and tissues for therapeutic applications will be discussed, as well as the industrial perspective and related ethical issues. | ||
| BMDE 519 | Biomedical Signals and Systems. | 3 |
Biomedical Signals and Systems. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the theoretical framework, experimental techniques and analysis procedures available for the quantitative analysis of physiological systems and signals. Lectures plus laboratory work using the Biomedical Engineering computer system. Topics include: amplitude and frequency structure of signals, filtering, sampling, correlation functions, time and frequency-domain descriptions of systems. | ||
| EXMD 502 | Advanced Endocrinology 1. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is designed for U3 students who are in a major or honours program in anatomy, biology, biochemistry or physiology and for graduate students. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to teach biosynthesis and processing of hormones, their regulation, function and mechanism of action. The material will cover hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid, atrial and adrenal hormones as well as prostaglandins and related substances. | ||
| EXMD 503 | Advanced Endocrinology 02. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 02. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of the parathyroids, gut and pancreatic hormones and growth factors. In addition, the role of hormones and growth factors in reproduction and fetal maturation will be discussed. | ||
| EXMD 506 | Advanced Applied Cardiovascular Physiology. | 3 |
Advanced Applied Cardiovascular Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. Current topics, methods and techniques for studying the cardiovascular system. Basic and applied cardiac electrophysiology, mechanisms of pacemaker activity, arrhythmias, the effects of drugs on cardiac functions, fetal circulation, coronary circulation, mechanics of blood flow, cardiovascular diseases, renal and neural control of the circulation, and cardiac assist devices. | ||
| EXMD 507 | Advanced Applied Respiratory Physiology. | 3 |
Advanced Applied Respiratory Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. In depth coverage of respiratory biology including: functional anatomy of the respiratory system, pulmonary statics and dynamics, chest wall and respiratory muscles, ventilation and perfusion, control of breathing, and defense mechanisms. This course is aimed at providing a solid grounding in pulmonary biology and its research applications. | ||
| EXMD 508 | Advanced Topics in Respiration. | 3 |
Advanced Topics in Respiration. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. In depth coverage of developmental physiology, pulmonary vascular physiology, biology of airway smooth muscle, respiratory epithelium and molecular biology of respiratory muscles. Dyspnea, mechanical ventilation and respiratory failure will also be covered. This course emphasizes application of respiratory biology to basic and applied research and touches on pulmonary pathophysiology. | ||
| MIMM 414 | Advanced Immunology. | 3 |
Advanced Immunology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An advanced course serving as a logical extension of MIMM 314. The course will integrate molecular, cellular and biochemical events involved in the ontogeny of the lymphoid system and its activation in the immune response. The course will provide the student with an up-to-date understanding of a rapidly moving field. | ||
| MIMM 509 | Inflammatory Processes. | 3 |
Inflammatory Processes. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course concentrates on the non-specific aspects of the immune response, an area which is not adequately covered by the other immunology courses presented at the university. Interactions between guest researchers (from McGill and other universities) and students will be furthered. | ||
| PHGY 425 | Analyzing Physiological Systems. | 3 |
Analyzing Physiological Systems. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to quantitative analysis of physiological data, both to the mode of thinking and to a set of tools that allows accurate predictions of biological systems. Examples will range from oscillating genetic networks to understanding higher brain function. Modelling and data analysis through examples and exercises will be emphasized. | ||
| PHGY 451 | Advanced Neurophysiology. | 3 |
Advanced Neurophysiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics of current interest in neurophysiology including the development of neurons and synapses, physiology of ionic channels, presynaptic and postsynaptic events in synaptic transmission and neuronal interactions in CNS function. | ||
| PHGY 459D1 | Physiology Seminar. 1 | 3 |
Physiology Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion of topics in mammalian, cellular and molecular physiology. Students will be required to write one essay and make at least one oral presentation per term. A final course essay is required. | ||
| PHGY 459D2 | Physiology Seminar. 1 | 3 |
Physiology Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See PHGY 459D1 for course description. | ||
| PHGY 461D1 | Experimental Physiology. 2 | 4.5 |
Experimental Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual project work under the supervision of Departmental Staff members. | ||
| PHGY 461D2 | Experimental Physiology. 2 | 4.5 |
Experimental Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See PHGY 461D1 for course description. | ||
| PHGY 488 | Stem Cell Biology. | 3 |
Stem Cell Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The main concepts in stem cell biology: embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, cancer stem cells, stem cells populations of many adult tissues, applications of stem cell biology and ethical issues surrounding stem cell use in research and medicine. The major experimental methods and laboratory techniques in stem cell biology. | ||
| PHGY 502 | Exercise Physiology. | 3 |
Exercise Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Behaviour of physiological processes in response to physical effort, in areas such as structural basis of muscle contraction, thermoregulation during exercise, mechanics and energetics of muscle contraction, fuel utilization, fatigue, physiological adjustments during exercise and influence of training. | ||
| PHGY 513 | Translational Immunology. | 3 |
Translational Immunology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced key concepts in immunology as they relate to health and disease, including infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases and autoimmunity, and cancer immunology. | ||
| PHGY 515 | Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease. | 3 |
Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the organization and regulation of the blood-brain barrier, highlighting neurological diseases associated with the blood-brain barrier breakdown and give an overview of experimental approaches to study blood-brain barrier. | ||
| PHGY 516 | Physiology of Blood . | 3 |
Physiology of Blood . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Bone marrow hematopoiesis, with emphasis on regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation along hematopoietic pathways. Formation and differentiation of red and white blood cells and some of the diseases associated with hematopoiesis will be covered. Emphasis will be given to the molecular mechanisms involved in the normal and pathological conditions. | ||
| PHGY 518 | Artificial Cells. | 3 |
Artificial Cells. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physiology, biotechnology, chemistry and biomedical application of artificial cells, blood substitutes, immobilized enzymes, microorganisms and cells, hemoperfusion, artificial kidneys, and drug delivery systems. PHGY 517 and PHGY 518 when taken together, will give a complete picture of this field. However, the student can select one of these. | ||
| PHGY 524 | Chronobiology. | 3 |
Chronobiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the field of chronobiology. The aim is to provide basic instruction on different types of biological rhythms, with particular focus on circadian rhythms. | ||
| PHGY 525 | Cortical Plasticity. | 3 |
Cortical Plasticity. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of cortical plasticity following peripheral and central nervous damage from a systems/cognitive neuroscience perspective. Focus is on sensory systems and animal models, including the following topics: ocular dominance columns, retinal lesions, blindness, deafness, cochlear implants, barrel fields, amputation, stroke, and hemispherectomy. Experimental approaches to be considered include: electrophysiological recording, psychophysics, behaviour, and functional imaging. | ||
| PHGY 531 | Topics in Applied Immunology. | 3 |
Topics in Applied Immunology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminar format course in which experts in immunologic mechanisms of resistance against a variety of infectious diseases, including AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis oversee student moderators in their presentation of recent scientific literature in the field. | ||
| PHGY 550 | Molecular Physiology of Bone. | 3 |
Molecular Physiology of Bone. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Students will develop a working knowledge of cartilage and bone. Discussion topics will include: molecular and cellular environment of bone; heritable and acquired skeletal defects; research models used to study metabolic bone disease. | ||
| PHGY 556 | Topics in Systems Neuroscience. | 3 |
Topics in Systems Neuroscience. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics of current interest in systems neurophysiology and behavioural neuroscience including: the neural representation of sensory information and motor behaviours, models of sensory motor integration, and the computational analysis of problems in motor control and perception. Students will be expected to present and critically discuss journal articles in class. | ||
| PHGY 560 | Light Microscopy-Life Science. | 3 |
Light Microscopy-Life Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to optics, light microscopy imaging and data analysis for life scientists. | ||
| PSYC 470 | Memory and Brain. | 3 |
Memory and Brain. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Memory systems are studied with an emphasis on the neural computations that occur at various stages of the processing stream, focusing on the hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, cerebellum and cortex. The data reviewed is obtained from human, non-human primates and rodents, with single unit recording, neuroimaging and brain damaged subjects. | ||
| PSYT 500 | Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders. | 3 |
Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Current theories on the neurobiological basis of most well known mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, dementia). Methods and strategies in research on genetic, physiological and biochemical factors in mental illness will be discussed. Discussion will also focus on the rationale for present treatment approaches and on promising new approaches. | ||
- 1
the 6-credit course equals 3 credits of ULP and 6 credits of electives.
- 2
the 9-credit course equals 3 credits of ULP and 6 credits of electives.
6 credits selected from the Upper-Level Science (ULS)
Note: For Chemistry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery: select from all courses 300 level and above and the ULS courses listed below.
For Biochemistry, Computer Science, Microbiology and Immunology, Mathematics, Physics, and Pathology: select from all courses 300 level and above.
For Anatomy, Biology, Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology, and Psychology: select from the ULS courses listed below:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 321 | Circuitry of the Human Brain. | 3 |
Circuitry of the Human Brain. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores the functional organization of the human brain and spinal cord. The course focuses on how neuronal systems are designed to subserve specific motor, sensory, and cognitive operations. | ||
| ANAT 322 | Neuroendocrinology. | 3 |
Neuroendocrinology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A lecture course describing brain-endocrine relationships. Emphasis on modern experimental evidence and conceptual developments within the field. | ||
| ANAT 365 | Cellular Trafficking. | 3 |
Cellular Trafficking. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course explores the fundamental mechanisms that govern the organizations of intracellular membranes, how vesicle generation is signaled, how the membranes curve and bud, and how vesicles know where to go and fuse. In addition to intracellular vesicles, the principles of mitochondrial dynamics and process of cellular autophagy are examined. Also, there is a focus on "Applied Cell Biology", with respect to how the exquisite regulation of cellular transport plays a central role in complex biological systems. A series of modules will take students through the mechanisms of cellular polarity, neurotransmission, metabolic cell biology, pathogen invasion, and more. The emphasis is on the morphological aspects of the processes, and on the major techniques that led to discovery. | ||
| ANAT 381 | Experimental Embryology. | 3 |
Experimental Embryology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The basic processes of reproduction and embryonic development, such as molecular signaling; cell-cell interaction; differentiation; cell fate determination; genetic and epigenetic control of embryonic development. | ||
| ANAT 416 | Development, Disease and Regeneration. | 3 |
Development, Disease and Regeneration. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Importance of developmental biology for disease and regeneration. Topics: advanced developmental biology principles; molecular basis for stem cells and their potential applications; organogenesis and its applications to various diseases. | ||
| ANAT 458 | Membranes and Cellular Signaling. 1 | 3 |
Membranes and Cellular Signaling. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An integrated treatment of the properties of biological membranes and of intracellular signaling, including the major role that membranes play in transducing and integrating cellular regulatory signals. Biological membrane organization and dynamics; membrane transport; membrane receptors and their associated effectors; mechanisms of regulation of cell growth, morphology, differentiation and death. | ||
| ANAT 541 | Cell and Molecular Biology of Aging. | 3 |
Cell and Molecular Biology of Aging. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Complex aging process, including theories and mechanisms of aging, animal model systems used to study aging, age-dependent diseases, for example, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, and cancer, and age-related diseases, for example, Werner's syndrome and dyskeratosis congenita. | ||
| ANAT 542 | Transmission Electron Microscopy of Biological Samples. | 3 |
Transmission Electron Microscopy of Biological Samples. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Overview of theory, principles and practical applications of conventional and cryo-transmission electron microscopy relevant to biological samples. Major topics to be covered include: sample preparation and imaging, image analysis, three-dimensional reconstruction (including single-particle analysis an tomography). | ||
| ANAT 565 | Diseases-Membrane Trafficking. | 3 |
Diseases-Membrane Trafficking. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will examine how research into diseases has played a key role in unraveling the intricate molecular mechanisms controlling membrane trafficking in mammalian cells. Membrane trafficking disorders fall into two groups those arising from a) membrane-associated or b) cytoskeletal defect. Topics include a) mechanisms of endosomal maturation, lysosomal storage disorders and rab protein-mediated vesicular trafficking and b) rho GTPase and cytoskeletal binding protein mediated trafficking associated with neurological diseases and cancer. | ||
| BIOC 458 | Membranes and Cellular Signaling. 1 | 3 |
Membranes and Cellular Signaling. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An integrated treatment of the properties of biological membranes and of intracellular signaling, including the major role that membranes play in transducing and integrating cellular regulatory signals. Biological membrane organization and dynamics: membrane transport; membrane receptors and their associated effectors; mechanisms of regulation of cell growth, morphology, differentiation and death. | ||
| BIOL 300 | Molecular Biology of the Gene. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of the Gene. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction. | ||
| BIOL 303 | Developmental Biology. | 3 |
Developmental Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena. | ||
| BIOL 309 | Mathematical Models in Biology. | 3 |
Mathematical Models in Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data. | ||
| BIOL 313 | Eukaryotic Cell Biology. | 3 |
Eukaryotic Cell Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-depth examination of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, with an emphasis on experimental design and interpretation. Examination of the molecular mechanisms of various cellular processes, including protein homeostasis, intracellular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, multicellular organization and cell proliferation. | ||
| BIOL 314 | Molecular Biology of Cancer. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of Cancer. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The molecular basis of human cancers, including analyzing the events that promote the formation of oncogenes and inhibit tumour suppressor genes, the biochemical properties of the proteins encoded by these genes, and their functions. Current molecular targets for cancer therapy and the concepts and consequences of inheriting mutations in genes that predispose to cancer. | ||
| BIOL 324 | Ecological Genetics. | 3 |
Ecological Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Presents evolutionary genetics within an ecological context. Covers theoretical and applied topics together with relevant data from natural populations of plant and animals. | ||
| BIOL 370 | 3 | |
Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. | ||
| BIOL 373 | Biometry. | 3 |
Biometry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages. | ||
| BIOL 389 | Laboratory in Neurobiology. | 3 |
Laboratory in Neurobiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Methods of neurobiological research, including extracellular and intracellular recordings, electrical stimulation, and the study of neuro-behavioural problems. | ||
| BIOL 416 | Genetics of Mammalian Development. | 3 |
Genetics of Mammalian Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course aims to examine problems, theories, and experimental evidence on several concepts of mammalian developmental processes at molecular to organogenesis levels. Most topics are in the mouse model system, where various techniques for genetic manipulation are available. | ||
| BIOL 468 | Independent Research Project 3. | 6 |
Independent Research Project 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Independent research project. | ||
| BIOL 518 | Advanced Topics in Cell Biology. | 3 |
Advanced Topics in Cell Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concepts and mechanisms in advanced cell biology, based on genetic, cell biological, biophysical, and computational studies. Emphasis is placed on processes that are evolutionarily conserved, with examples from model organisms and cell-free (in vitro) approaches. | ||
| BIOL 520 | Gene Activity in Development. | 3 |
Gene Activity in Development. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An analysis of the role and regulation of gene expression in several models of eukaryotic development. The emphasis will be on critical evaluation of recent literature concerned with molecular or genetic approaches to the problems of cellular differentiation and determination. Recent research reports will be discussed in conferences and analyzed in written critiques. | ||
| BIOL 524 | Topics in Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Topics in Molecular Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Molecular genetics and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, including signal transduction, cell differentiation and function, genetic diseases in eukaryotes. | ||
| BIOL 532 | Developmental Neurobiology Seminar. | 3 |
Developmental Neurobiology Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussions of all aspects of nervous system development including pattern formation, cell lineage, pathfinding and targeting by growing axons, and neural regeneration. The basis for these discussions will be recent research papers and other assigned readings. | ||
| BIOL 544 | Genetic Basis of Life Span. | 3 |
Genetic Basis of Life Span. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course will consider how gene action is determining the duration of life in various organisms focusing on the strengths and limitations of the genetic approach. The course will focus particularly on model organisms such as yeast, Caenorhabditis, Drosophila and mouse, as well as on the characterization of long-lived people. | ||
| BIOL 546 | Genetics of Model Systems. | 3 |
Genetics of Model Systems. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in the genetics and molecular genetics of unicellular, plant, invertebrate and vertebrate models systems. | ||
| BIOL 551 | Principles of Cellular Control. | 3 |
Principles of Cellular Control. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells.. | ||
| BIOL 588 | Advances in Molecular/Cellular Neurobiology. | 3 |
Advances in Molecular/Cellular Neurobiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion of fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the general features of cellular neurobiology. An advanced course based on lectures and on a critical review of primary research papers. | ||
| CHEM 214 | Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 2. | 3 |
Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Emphasis is placed on the use of biological examples to illustrate the principles of physical chemistry. The relevance of physical chemistry to biology is stressed. | ||
| EXMD 401 | Physiology and Biochemistry Endocrine Systems. | 3 |
Physiology and Biochemistry Endocrine Systems. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. The course provides a basic knowledge of endocrine systems encompassing biosynthesis, metabolism and physiological actions of hormones. Specific topics covered are hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, thyroids, parathyroids, pancreas, gut and the gonads. The role of hormones and growth factors in pregnancy and fetal development are also discussed. | ||
| EXMD 502 | Advanced Endocrinology 1. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is designed for U3 students who are in a major or honours program in anatomy, biology, biochemistry or physiology and for graduate students. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to teach biosynthesis and processing of hormones, their regulation, function and mechanism of action. The material will cover hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid, atrial and adrenal hormones as well as prostaglandins and related substances. | ||
| EXMD 503 | Advanced Endocrinology 02. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 02. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of the parathyroids, gut and pancreatic hormones and growth factors. In addition, the role of hormones and growth factors in reproduction and fetal maturation will be discussed. | ||
| EXMD 504 | Biology of Cancer. | 3 |
Biology of Cancer. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the biology of malignancy. A multidisciplinary approach dealing with the etiology of cancer, the biological properties of malignant cells, the host response to tumour cell growth and the principles of cancer therapy. | ||
| EXMD 506 | Advanced Applied Cardiovascular Physiology. | 3 |
Advanced Applied Cardiovascular Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. Current topics, methods and techniques for studying the cardiovascular system. Basic and applied cardiac electrophysiology, mechanisms of pacemaker activity, arrhythmias, the effects of drugs on cardiac functions, fetal circulation, coronary circulation, mechanics of blood flow, cardiovascular diseases, renal and neural control of the circulation, and cardiac assist devices. | ||
| EXMD 507 | Advanced Applied Respiratory Physiology. | 3 |
Advanced Applied Respiratory Physiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. In depth coverage of respiratory biology including: functional anatomy of the respiratory system, pulmonary statics and dynamics, chest wall and respiratory muscles, ventilation and perfusion, control of breathing, and defense mechanisms. This course is aimed at providing a solid grounding in pulmonary biology and its research applications. | ||
| EXMD 508 | Advanced Topics in Respiration. | 3 |
Advanced Topics in Respiration. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Offered in conjunction with the Department of Physiology. In depth coverage of developmental physiology, pulmonary vascular physiology, biology of airway smooth muscle, respiratory epithelium and molecular biology of respiratory muscles. Dyspnea, mechanical ventilation and respiratory failure will also be covered. This course emphasizes application of respiratory biology to basic and applied research and touches on pulmonary pathophysiology. | ||
| EXMD 510 | Bioanalytical Separation Methods. | 3 |
Bioanalytical Separation Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The student will be taught the capabilities and limitations of modern separation methods (gas and high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, hyphenated techniques). Application of these techniques to solve analytical problems relevant to biomedical research will be emphasized, with special attention being paid to the processing of biological samples. | ||
| HGEN 575 | Human Biochemical Genetics. | 3 |
Human Biochemical Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Selected human diseases, from the molecular and cellular levels to tissue effects and emerging novel therapies. | ||
| NEUR 310 | Cellular Neurobiology. | 3 |
Cellular Neurobiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of the functional organization of nerve cells, signalling in the nervous system, and principles of neural development. Topics include cell polarity, neurotransmitters, neurotrophins, receptors and second messengers, cell lineage, guidance of axon outgrowth, and nerve regeneration. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of neurons at the molecular level. | ||
| PHAR 503 | Drug Discovery and Development 1. | 3 |
Drug Discovery and Development 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chemistry, mechanisms of action, and steps in drug discovery and development. | ||
| PHAR 504 | Drug Discovery and Development 2. | 3 |
Drug Discovery and Development 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Nobel Prize-winning discoveries as a basis for drug development. | ||
| PHAR 562 | Neuropharmacology. | 3 |
Neuropharmacology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in pharmacology with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms of drug-action and cellular targets in the nervous system. | ||
| PHAR 563 | Endocrine Pharmacology. | 3 |
Endocrine Pharmacology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This advanced course covers selected topics in pharmacology of reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disorders. | ||
| PPHS 501 | Population Health and Epidemiology. | 3 |
Population Health and Epidemiology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course presents concepts and methods of epidemiology at the introductory level. The use of epidemiologic methods for population and public health research and practice will be illustrated. A review of selected population health questions such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the cardiovascular disease epidemic, cigarette smoking, or screening for disease will be presented. | ||
| PSYC 302 | Pain. | 3 |
Pain. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to pain research and theory, with emphasis on the interactions of psychological, cultural and physiological factors in pain perception. The role of these factors in clinical pain and its management by pharmacological and non-pharmacological means will be discussed. | ||
| PSYC 311 | Human Cognition and the Brain. | 3 |
Human Cognition and the Brain. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course is an introduction to the field studying how human cognitive processes, such as perception, attention, language, learning and memory, planning and organization, are related to brain processes. The material covered is primarily based on studies of the effects of different brain lesions on cognition and studies of brain activity in relation to cognitive processes with modern functional neuroimaging methods. | ||
| PSYC 317 | Genes and Behaviour. | 3 |
Genes and Behaviour. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Focuses on current techniques employed to study which genes influence behaviour, and how they do so. | ||
| PSYC 318 | Behavioural Neuroscience 2. | 3 |
Behavioural Neuroscience 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physiological bases of motivational states, with respect to feeding, drinking, sexual behaviour, drug use, and aggression. Physiological bases of learning and memory. | ||
| PSYC 342 | Hormones and Behaviour. | 3 |
Hormones and Behaviour. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The role of hormones in organization of CNS function, as effectors of behaviour, in expression of behaviours and in mental illness. | ||
| PSYC 410 | Special Topics in Neuropsychology. | 3 |
Special Topics in Neuropsychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Developments in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive neuropsychiatry via readings from primary sources. Topics include the neural bases of memory, emotion, social cognition and neuropsychiatric diseases. Integrating knowledge from studies in clinical populations and functional neuroimaging studies. | ||
| PSYC 427 | Sensorimotor Neuroscience. | 3 |
Sensorimotor Neuroscience. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A systematic examination of the sensorimotor system, drawing on models and data from both behavioural and physiological studies. Topics include: cortical motor areas, cerebellum, basal ganglia, spinal mechanisms, motor unit properties and force production, prioception, muscle properties. | ||
| PSYC 470 | Memory and Brain. | 3 |
Memory and Brain. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Memory systems are studied with an emphasis on the neural computations that occur at various stages of the processing stream, focusing on the hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, cerebellum and cortex. The data reviewed is obtained from human, non-human primates and rodents, with single unit recording, neuroimaging and brain damaged subjects. | ||
| PSYC 522 | Neurochemistry and Behaviour. | 3 |
Neurochemistry and Behaviour. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Anatomical, biochemical and physiological aspects of neurotransmitter systems in the brain, current theories of the function of these systems in normal and abnormal behaviour, and the actions of psychotropic drugs. | ||
| PSYC 526 | Advances in Visual Perception. | 3 |
Advances in Visual Perception. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. We examine in detail the structure of the visual system, and its function as reflected in the perceptual abilities and behaviour of the organism. Parallels are also drawn with other sensory systems to demonstrate general principles of sensory coding. | ||
| PSYT 500 | Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders. | 3 |
Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Current theories on the neurobiological basis of most well known mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, dementia). Methods and strategies in research on genetic, physiological and biochemical factors in mental illness will be discussed. Discussion will also focus on the rationale for present treatment approaches and on promising new approaches. | ||
- 1
Students may take ANAT 458 Membranes and Cellular Signaling. or BIOC 458 Membranes and Cellular Signaling. but not both.
Note: Students may opt to replace 3 credits of the 6 credits of Upper Level Science with 3 credits selected from the following list:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMP 364 | Computer Tools for Life Sciences. | 3 |
Computer Tools for Life Sciences. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concepts and tools for programmatic storage, retrieval, searching, numerical analysis, and visualization of large biological data sets. | ||
| PHIL 341 | Philosophy of Science 1. | 3 |
Philosophy of Science 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A discussion of philosophical problems as they arise in the context of scientific practice and enquiry. Such issues as the philosophical presuppositions of the physical and social sciences, the nature of scientific method and its epistemological implications will be addressed. | ||
| PHIL 343 | Biomedical Ethics. | 3 |
Biomedical Ethics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An investigation of ethical issues as they arise in the practice of medicine (informed consent, e.g.) or in the application of medical technology (in vitro fertilization, euthanasia, e.g.) | ||
| REDM 410 | Writing Research Articles. | 3 |
Writing Research Articles. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Students will learn about the scientific article, publishing in the sciences, and the benefits of writing for a wide audience. This course focuses on how to structure the Abstract, as well as the Introduction and Discussion section of the full manuscript, and on editing techniques. | ||