Department of Biology
207 Nesbitt Building
613-520-2600 ext. 8814
http://carleton.ca/biology
- M.Sc. Biology
- M.Sc. Biology with Specialization in Behavioural Neuroscience (listed under Neuroscience)
- M.Sc. Biology with Specialization in Bioinformatics (listed under Bioinformatics)
- M.Sc. Biology with Specialization in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology (listed under Chemical and Environmental Toxicology)
- Ph.D. Biology
- Ph.D. Biology with Specialization in Behavioural Neuroscience (listed under Neuroscience)
- Ph.D. Biology with Specialization in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology (listed under Chemical and Environmental Toxicology
M.Sc. Biology
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
An Honours B.Sc. or equivalent degree at a standard acceptable to the two universities is required for admission to the M.Sc. program.
Applicants with acceptable standing in a non-honours degree may be admitted to a qualifying-year program which will be determined in each case by the admissions committee.
Applicants must demonstrate a fluent knowledge of English (Carleton), or either English or French (Ottawa).
Program Requirements
The M.Sc. degree will be conferred upon a candidate who has fulfilled the following requirements:
- Completion of the graduate courses specified by the student's advisory committee and the director or associate director of the OCIB; these are normally two one-term courses, but additional courses may be required, depending on the background and research program of the student.
- The passing grade for all required courses is 70% or the equivalent, and the student is not allowed a supplemental examination.
- The admissions committee or the student's advisory committee may also direct the student to take or to audit additional courses. Knowledge of a second language may be specified as a requirement.
- Completion of at least two terms as a full-time student resident at one of the two universities is normally required. Programs for part-time students may be arranged.
- Presentation of one public seminar on the candidate's thesis research.
- Completion of a thesis incorporating the results of original research carried out under the direct supervision of an approved faculty member.
- Successful oral defence of the thesis before an examination board of at least four faculty members, normally drawn from both universities.
Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree
The maximum time limits for the completion of the requirements of the master's program are listed in the General Regulations , Section 13 of this Calendar. Full-time candidates in the master's program are expected to complete their degree requirements within six terms of first registration for full-time study. Part-time candidates in the master's program, and candidates who elect to complete their program by a combination of full-time and part-time study, are expected to complete their degree requirements within four calendar years or twelve terms from the initial registration in the master's program.
Ph.D. Biology
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
An M.Sc. from a recognized university is required for entry to the Ph.D. program.
A student already registered for the M.Sc. may be permitted to transfer to the Ph.D. program following a recommendation by the departmental graduate committee and successful completion of the Qualifying Examination required of Ph.D. candidates.
All applicants must demonstrate a fluent knowledge of English (Carleton), or either English or French (Ottawa).
Program Requirements
The Ph.D. degree will be conferred upon a candidate who has fulfilled the following requirements:
- Completion of the graduate courses specified by the student's advisory committee and the director or associate director of the OCIB; these will normally be two one-term courses (four one-term courses if transferred to the Ph.D. program without completing the M.Sc.).
- Only graduate courses may form part of the candidate's course requirements.
- The passing grade for all required courses is 70%, and the student is not allowed a supplemental examination.
- The admissions committee or the student's advisory committee may also direct the student to take or to audit additional courses. Knowledge of a second language may be specified as a requirement.
- Scheduling of an oral Qualifying Examination within approximately 12 months of entry into the program and completion normally within 18 months; this examination will cover the candidate's area of research, and related topics. The format of the examination will be established by the departmental graduate committee. The examination committee generally will be composed of faculty members of both universities.
- Presentation of at least one public seminar on the candidate's thesis research.
- A thesis incorporating the results of original research carried out under the direct supervision of an approved faculty member.
- Completion of at least four terms as a full-time student resident at one of the two universities (or six terms if transferred from an M.Sc.) is required. Under exceptional conditions programs may be arranged for part-time students.
- Successful oral defence of the thesis before an examination board of at least five faculty members, with representation from both universities, and including an external examiner from outside the two universities who is an authority on the thesis research area.
Guidelines for Completion of the Doctoral Degree
The maximum time limits for the completion of the program requirements of the doctoral program are listed in the General Regulations , Section 13 of this Calendar. Full-time candidates in the doctoral program are expected to schedule their oral Qualifying Examination within approximately 12 months of entry into the program, and to complete it within 18 months of entry into the program. Part-time candidates in the doctoral program are expected to schedule their oral Qualifying Examination within approximately 18 months after entry into the program. Full-time candidates are expected to complete their degree requirements within 4 calendar years or 12 terms of registered full-time study. Doctoral candidates who have transferred from the master's to the doctoral program without completing the master's program are expected to complete their degree requirements within 4 calendar years or 12 terms of registered full-time study from initial registration in the master's program. Part-time candidates in the doctoral program, and candidates who elect to complete their program by a combination of full- and part-time study, are expected to complete their degree requirements within 6 calendar years or 18 terms after the date of initial registration.
Biology (BIOL) Courses
Topics in Biotechnology
A course concerned with the use of biological substances and activities of cells, genes, and enzymes in manufacturing, agricultural, and service industries. A different topic will be selected each year.
Advanced Biochemistry
Advanced topics in biochemistry: the chemical structure and function of biological macromolecules, biochemical thermodynamics, metabolism, photosynthesis, lipids and membranes.
Advances in Applied Biochemistry
Contemporary methods in recombinant DNA technology and protein characterization, including advanced techniques in proteomics.
Methods in Molecular Genetics
Theory and associated applications of emerging methods in molecular genetics, including information gathered from large-scale genome-wide analysis and protein-protein interaction data, and how this information can advance understanding of cell biology.
Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Genetics
Laboratory course designed to give students practical experience in recent important techniques in molecular genetics.
Biophysical Techniques
Theory and application of current biochemical/biophysical instrumentation and techniques including X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, infrared, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, and isothermal titration and differential scanning calorimetry.
Advances in Protein Engineering
An advanced lecture, discussion and seminar course covering the theory, development and current techniques of protein and enzyme engineering. Topics to be discussed may also include applications in biotechnology, nanotechnology and new frontiers in basic and applied research.
Evolutionary Bioinformatics
Basic concepts in molecular evolution and hands-on experience with the computer analysis of DNA sequences. Topics may include molecular sequence databases, multiple alignments and phylogenetic trees.
Topics in Evolutionary Genetics
A lecture/seminar course on the genetic mechanisms and forces responsible for variation and evolutionary change in natural populations.Topics to include protein and genome evolution, molecular phylogenies, DNA sequences in population biology, and the evolution of multigene families.
Advanced Microscopy
Development of the practical skills of microscopy through original research and supporting theory lectures.
Fundamentals in Neuroscience
A comprehensive neuroscience course from cellular levels to neural systems and behaviour. Topics covered include aspects of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.
Advanced Insect Biology
Overview of the biological processes that allow insects to function in their environments and to overcome the constraints and limitations that the environment places on them.
Advanced Endocrinology
Major topics in comparative endocrinology: understanding the structure, function and evolution of vertebrate endocrine systems, including endocrine disruption.
Biostatistics I
Application of statistical analyses to biological data. Topics include ANOVA, regression, GLMs, and may include loglinear models, logistic regression, general additive models, mixed models, bootstrap and permutation tests.
Modelling for Biologists
Use and limitations of mathematical and simulation modelling approaches for the study of biological phenomena.
Directed Studies in Biology
One-to-one instruction in selected aspects of specialized biological subjects not covered by other graduate courses. Students may not take this course from their thesis supervisor(s), and are limited to one directed studies course per program.
Selected Topics in Biology
Lecture and seminar courses in selected aspects of specialized biological subjects not covered by other graduate courses.
Biological Science in Practice
Introduction to cross-cutting skills and issues in common to all biological disciplines. Key perspectives on philosophy of science, practical approaches to scientific publication and peer-review, data analysis and presentation, scientific inference, and technical writing will be provided through discipline-specific examples and associated practical work.
Principles and Methods of Biological Systematics
Biological systematics with reference to morphological and molecular character evolution and phylogeny reconstruction.
Advanced Topics in Ecology
Recent developments in population, community and/or ecosystem ecology.
Advanced Evolutionary Biology
Advances in micro- and macroevolution including the mechanisms both driving and constraining evolutionary change, phylogenetic relationships, patterns of evolutionary change at the molecular or phenotypic level, and evolutionary theory and techniques as applied to these areas.
Advanced Evolutionary Ecology
The ecological causes and consequences of evolutionary change, focussing on how the ecological interactions among organisms and their biotic and abiotic environments shape the evolution of phenotypic and species diversity.
Advances in Applied Ecology
The application of ecological and evolutionary principles in addressing resource management challenges and environmental problems.
Advances in Aquatic Sciences
Advanced theoretical and applied aquatic sciences including current topics in limnology and oceanography (e.g. impacts of climate change, invasive species, atmospheric pollution) with implications for lake, river, coastal and wetland management.
Bioinformatics
Major concepts and methods of bioinformatics. Topics may include genetics, statistics and probability theory, alignments, phylogenetics, genomics, data mining, protein structure, cell simulation and computing.
Applied Bioinformatics
Computational knowledge discovery in and the dynamic nature of cellular networks. Includes, but is not limited to, knowledge representation, large scale data integration, data mining and computational systems biology.
Bioinformatics Seminar
Current topics in bioinformatics. Students must successfully complete a presentation and written report.
Biostatistics II
Application of multivariate methods to biological data, including methods such as discriminant functions analysis, cluster analysis, MANOVA, principle components analysis.
Advances in Conservation Biology
Interdisciplinary exploration of the science of scarcity and diversity in a human dominated world.
Evolutionary Genetics
Genetic mechanisms and processes responsible for variation and evolutionary change in natural populations. Topics may include population and quantitative genetics as applied to protein and genome evolution, molecular phylogenies, DNA sequences in population biology, and the evolution of multigene families.
Advanced Field Ecology
Field experience in a new environment (e.g., local, national, international) to learn about ecological processes (note - extra fees associated with course).
Chemical Toxicology
An introduction to modeling chemical hazards and exposures at the cellular level. The properties of toxic substances are compared to the responses of enzymatic systems. These interactions are defined as Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships and used to interpret hazardous materials under regulations such as WHMIS.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 6402/CHEM 5708 (BIO 9101/CHM 8156), and permission of the director or associate director of OCIB.
Advanced Neuroethology
A comparative and evolutionary approach to studying neural mechanisms underlying animal behaviour, including genetic, neural and hormonal influences on behaviour.
Advanced Behavioural Ecology
Recent advances in behavioural ecology including topics such as the evolution of tactics and strategies of group living, foraging, anti-predation, resource use and defence, cooperation, reproduction, and parental care.
M.Sc. Thesis
Advanced Molecular Biology
In-depth coverage of the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Advances in Plant Molecular Biology
Use of molecular genetics in general plant biology and the contribution of plant genomics to our understanding of plant metabolism, plant development, and plant interactions with the environment at the molecular, genome, and cellular levels.
Advanced Cell Biology
Recent advances in cell biology, including such topics as membranes, signalling, the cytoskeleton and control of the cell cycle.
Advanced Cell Biology II
Topics for discussion may include: the structure, composition and three-dimensional organization of the nucleus, mechanisms and regulation of genome replication, structure organization of transcription. Nuclear reorganization during gamete development, fertilization, viral infection and the mitotic cell cycle. Normally offered in alternate years.
Special Topics in Neuroscience
In-depth study of current topics in neuroscience. Course content varies yearly and has recently included cognitive neuroscience, neuropharmacology, neurodegeneration, and behavioural medicine.
Techniques in Neuroscience
Completion of a research project carried out under the supervision of a neuroscience faculty member, normally not the current supervisor. The student will learn a new neuroscience technique and apply it to a research objective. Students must obtain prior approval from the graduate committee.
Advanced Plant Biology
Recent developments in plant biology. Topics may include plant anatomy, systematics, evolution, genetics, ecology, ethnobotany, cell biology, and/or biotechnology.
Advanced Animal Physiology
Recent advances in animal physiology, emphasizing comparative, evolutionary and environmental approaches.
Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience
A comprehensive pro-seminar series, covering issues ranging from cellular and molecular processes through to neural systems and behaviours as well as psychopathology. Students will also be required to attend the neuroscience colloquia series as part of this course.
Precludes additional credit for PSYC 6200, PSYC 6202, PSYC 6203, BIOL 6303.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 5304 or equivalent.
Principles of Toxicology
The basic theorems of toxicology with examples of current research problems. The concepts of exposure, hazard and risk assessment will be defined and illustrated with experimental material from some of the more dynamic areas of modern research.
Prerequisite(s): permission of the director or associate director of OCIB.
Ecotoxicology
Advances in ecotoxicology with emphasis on the biological effects of contaminants. The potential for biotic perturbance resulting from chronic and acute exposure of ecosystems to selected toxicants will be covered along with the methods pesticide, herbicide and pollutant residue analysis and the concept of bound residues.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 6402/CHEM 5708 (BIO 9101/CHM 8156), permission of the director or associate director of OCIB.
Plant: Animal Interactions
The biology of co-evolutionary relationships between plants and phytophagous animals.
Seminar in Toxicology
A seminar course highlighting current topics in toxicology. The student will present a seminar and submit a report on the seminar topic. Student, faculty and invited seminar speakers.
Prerequisite(s): permission of the director or associate director of OCIB.
Genetic Toxicology
Topics in mutagenesis and DNA repair, including spontaneous and induced mutagenesis, genetic toxicology testing, the genetics and biochemistry of replication, DNA repair and recombination, and the role of mutagens in the development of genetic disease and cancer.
Advanced Topics in Development
Recent advances in developmental biology. Topics may include embryonic induction, regulation of morphogenesis and differentiation, mechanisms of regional specification and pattern formation, and developmental genetics. Offered in alternate years.
Ph.D. Thesis
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca