This page contains supplemental information on biology courses offered in the next academic year that have special pre-requisites and/or enrollment priorities. Please reference this list for more information about these courses. You can find the full list of Biology course offerings on the UTM Timetable and in the UTM Academic Calendar
Full Year
Prof. Cassidy D'Aloia
Course Administrative Support: Stephanie do Rego
Students in this course will conduct a research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department of Biology. The course is open to third- and fourth-year students. Students learn how to design, carry out, and evaluate the results of a research project. Students are required to write and present a research proposal, write a term paper, and present a seminar on the results of their research project. All students interested in a research project must approach potential faculty supervisors several months in advance of the beginning of term. Students must obtain permission from the faculty member whom they would like to serve as their project supervisor. Students must meet with the course coordinator periodically throughout the academic year.
Students interested in BIO481 for the Fall/Winter 2023-2024 must submit an application. Priority will be given to students in a Biology program beginning on July 24, 2023, additional students will be granted a spot on a first come basis starting on August 4. Applications are to be submitted to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca). Once the details in the application are verified, the department will enroll the student into the course on Acorn. Students no longer have the ability to enroll in BIO481 on Acorn. Spaces are limited. The absolute last date to submit an application is September 15, 2023.
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Exclusions: BIO400Y5 or JCB487Y5
Interested students should enroll on Acorn as usual and they must provide Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca) with the name of a research professor who has agreed to supervise their project by the end of the second week of classes in September. Students will remain INT until the supervisor has been confirmed.
Fall 2023 & Winter 2024 Courses
Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Memory
Instructor: Dr. Brandon Walters
BIO483H5F, Molecular Mechanisms of Memory, will focus on cellular and molecular pathways that underpin memory formation. This class will cover synaptic plasticity, signaling cascades activated in synapses during learning, and the contributions of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics to memory formation. We will end the class with an in depth exploration of neurological diseases, optogenetics, advanced uses of CRISPR/Cas9 for brain research, and the new observations around implantable false memories.
Pre-requisites: This class requires 9.0 biology credits including: BIO304.
Spring 2024
This course examines plants as the biochemical motors and sustainers of life on earth. The major pathways of plant metabolism are surveyed to provide students with an integrated model of plant cells as autonomous biochemical networks. This course further emphasizes the specialized metabolism of economically significant plant species, the biosynthesis of pharmacologically and agriculturally important metabolites, and the role of biotechnology in engineering exotic plant metabolism in industrial settings. [36L]
Prerequisites: BIO203H5 and BIO206H5 and CHM120H5 or permission of instructor
Exclusions: CSB475H1
Recommended Preparation: BIO312H5 and CHM242H5 and CHM362H5
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Fall 2023
Conservation of biodiversity, from genes to ecosystems. Topics include identifying biodiversity across levels of organization; understanding major threats to biodiversity (land use change, climate change, overharvesting); evaluating conservation actions (protected areas, reintroductions, assisted migration, restoration); and ethical considerations pertaining to conservation practices.
Prerequisites: BIO205H5 and BIO259H5
Exclusions: BIOC63H3 or EEB215H1 or EEB255H1 or EEB365H1
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Spring 2024
This course covers contemporary topics in systems neuroscience, focusing on the relationship between the circuit structure and function of mammalian brains. We review the current understanding of topics concerning signal transduction and the peripheral circuits, information processing in the central nerve system, neuronal cell types and connectivity, development and critical period plasticity of sensory cortices, and motor control. Students present and critique the latest research progress on these issues.
Prerequisites: BIO202H5 or BIO304H5 or Permission of Instructor.
Exclusions BIO483H5 Winter 2019
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Spring 2024
Gene expression is regulated during development in multicellular organisms. The study of gene regulation is tightly linked to our understanding of cell types and functions. This course provides an overview of the molecular aspects of gene expression, including transcription, regulatory RNAs, chromatin regulation, and genomic regulation. Students will read, critique, and present recently published research articles on gene regulation in eukaryotes.
Prerequisites: (BIO207H5 and BIO372H5) or permission of instructor
Exclusions: BIO484H5 (Fall 2018) or MGY420H1
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Fall 2023
This course explains the fundamental principles of biological data analysis by focusing on neuroscience datasets. Students will learn methods for sampling data, testing hypotheses, multiple linear regression, PCA, clustering through both lectures and practical exercises. These methods will be discussed in the context of current research in understanding brain functions.
Prerequisites: BIO360H5 or permission of instructor
Exclusions: BIO427H5 or CSC311H1 or CSC311H5 or CSC413H1 or CSC413H5 or CSCC11H3 or STA314H1 or STA314H5
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Spring 2024
The genome has been referred to as the blueprint of life and consists of the full complement of genes and genetic material carried by an organism. The ongoing revolution in DNA sequencing allows biologists to observe the variety of genetic and genomic structures that underpin the diversity of life. In addition, applications of genomic technologies have facilitated new fields of research such as personalized medicine and evolutionary genomics. The lectures will focus on the diversity of genomic structures, their functions and evolutionary origins. The course also has computer-based practicals that provide hands-on training with cutting-edge bioinformatic tools for analysis of genome-scale datasets and next generation sequencing data.
Prerequisites: BIO206H5 and BIO207H5 and (BIO362H5 or CSC108H5) and permission of instructor
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Fall 2023
Virology examines the biology of viruses infecting all forms of life including humans and other animals, plants, eukaryotic microorganisms, and bacteria. The scope ranges from the molecular biology of virus replication to virus evolution and ecology. Current issues surrounding virology and society are incorporated into the course including vaccines, emerging viruses, and even consideration of practical applications of viruses.
Prerequisites: permission of instructor and (BIO370Y5 or BIO371H5 or BIO372H5)
Exclusions: CSB351Y1
Recommended Preparation: BIO373H5
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Fall 2023
The first part of the course examines the structure and molecular biology of the human genome. Topics will include: the sequencing of the human genome; variation between genomes; and various aspects of functional genomics such as a brief overview of how gene expression is regulated and how genomics is being utilized in health and medicine. Techniques such as high throughput sequencing will be covered. The second part of the course examines the molecular and genetic basis of cancer including the role of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and cell cycle regulating proteins in the development of this disease. It also looks at cancer from a functional genomics perspective. Lectures and seminars involve presentations and discussion of recently published research articles. [36L, 12S]
Prerequisites: ( BIO370Y5 or BIO372H5) and permission of instructor
Exclusions: MGY470H1
Recommended Preparation: BIO314H5 and BIO315H5
Students interested in this course should enroll on ROSI/Acorn as usual. Preference in this course is given to 4th year students in the Molecular Biology Specialist and the Bioinformatics Specialist. Second preference is given to other students with the pre-requisites. Generally, students in the Biology Minor and Biology Science Major are not approved in this course. Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)
Fall 2023
Instructor: Brandon Walters
Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Memory
BIO483H5F, Molecular Mechanisms of Memory, will focus on cellular and molecular pathways that underpin memory formation. This class will cover synaptic plasticity, signaling cascades activated in synapses during learning, and the contributions of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics to memory formation. We will end the class with an in depth exploration of neurological diseases, optogenetics, advanced uses of CRISPR/Cas9 for brain research, and the new observations around implantable false memories.
Pre-requisites: This class requires 9.0 biology credits including: BIO304.
Enrollment questions can be directed to Stephanie do Rego (stephanie.dorego@utoronto.ca)