Note: This is the 2011–2012 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
The Minor Natural History involves the exploration of the natural world via specimen-based studies, object-oriented investigations and field studies. Museum collections are used to provide hands-on experience with real objects and specimens. The required course brings students to the Redpath Museum and other McGill natural science museums and exposes them to natural history methodologies and the value of specimen-based studies. Complementary course lists are drawn from a variety of disciplines to emphasize breadth and integration with the inclusion of specimen- or object-based courses and field courses in zoology, botany, and earth and environmental sciences. To ensure breadth, students are required to choose courses from among these lists. A compulsory field course component rounds out the program.Required Course (3 credits)
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REDM 400 Science and Museums (3 credits)
Overview
Redpath Museum : Natural history museums and their collections, how collections are created and maintained and how collections are used in scientific research. Context of natural history museums, collections-based research and curatorial methods.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Gray, Heather; Larsson, Hans Carl; Green, David M; Millien, Virginie (Winter)
Winter: Course consists of lectures, practical labs, field trips and individual term-projects.
Prerequisites: A 200- or 300-level course that deals with diversity of specimens or objects relevant to Museum-based research and collections. e.g. BIOL 215, BIOL 305, EPSC 210, EPSC 233, ANTH 208, ANTH 310, PLNT 358, WILD 212, WILD 313, or permission of instructor.
Complementary Courses (21 credits)
Students select 21 credits from among four course lists (A (Zoology), B (Botany), C (Earth and Environmental Sciences), and D (Field Courses)) with the following specifications.
- At least 3 credits and no more than 9 credits from each of Lists A, B, and C.
- At least 3 credits from List D.
- No more than 3 credits from any one list may be at the 200 level.
Note: Students may take up to a maximum of 9 credits of courses outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science.
List A: Zoology
* Note: BIOL 205 and BIOL 215 may be applied to either List A or List B.
** Note: Students may take either ENTO 330 or one of the cross-listed courses BIOL 350 and ENTO 350 as these courses have similar content.
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AEBI 211 Organisms 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : Introduction to the biology, physiology, structure and function of heterotrophs and their interactions with other organisms. This course will focus on animals in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Topics include bioenergetics and functional metabolism, adaptations to environments, animal-animal, animal-plant, and animal-pathogen interactions.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Lewis, David James (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 200
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ANTH 312 Zooarchaeology (3 credits)
Overview
Anthropology : A systematic investigation into current methodological and theoretical concerns in archaeological faunal analysis. Topics to be examined include sampling and quantification, butchery, seasonality, subsistence, taphonomy, and paleoecology.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Lofthouse, Susan (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites: ANTH 201 and Honours/Major status in Anthropology
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BIOL 205 Biology of Organisms (3 credits) *
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Unified view of form and function in animals and plants. Focus on how the laws of chemistry and physics illuminate biological processes relating to the acquisition of energy and materials and their use in movement, growth, development, reproduction and responses to environmental stress.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Dhindsa, Rajinder S (Winter)
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BIOL 215 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3 credits) *
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the fundamental processes of ecology and evolution that bear on the nature and diversity of organisms and the processes that govern their assembly into ecological communities and their roles in ecosystem function.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Price, Neil; Potvin, Catherine; Abouheif, Ehab (Fall)
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BIOL 305 Animal Diversity (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The characteristics of the major groups of animals, their ancestry, history and relationship to one another. The processes of speciation, adaptive radiation and extinction responsible for diversity. Methods for constructing of phylogenies, for comparing phenotypes, and for estimating and analyzing diversity.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Larsson, Hans Carl; Bell, Graham; Ricciardi, Anthony; Green, David M (Winter)
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BIOL 341 History of Life (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The origin, history, and nature of life from 3.5 billion years ago to the present, within the context of physical and biological changes in the Earth's environment. Topics: origin of life, radiation of multicellular organisms; invasion of land by plants and animals; rise and extinction of dinosaurs; origin of modern biota.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: BIOL 304 or permission
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BIOL 350 Insect Biology and Control (3 credits) **
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Introduction to insect structure, physiology, biochemistry, development, systematics, evolution, ecology and control. Stress on interrelationships and integrated pest control.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Dunphy, Gary Brian (Fall)
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BIOL 352 Vertebrate Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The origin and evolution of the major groups of vertebrates. Emphasis is placed on the evolutionary and embryonic origin of key vertebrate anatomies within the context of living and extinct vertebrate phylogeny.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisites: BIOL 304 or permission
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BIOL 418 Freshwater Invertebrate Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The life history and ecology of freshwater invertebrates in lakes, rivers and wetlands; habitat requirements, functional ecology and food web interactions; the role of invertebrates in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems; threats to freshwater diversity.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony (Fall)
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BIOL 427 Herpetology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Principles of biology as exemplified by amphibians and reptiles. Topics include: adaptation, social behaviour, reproductive strategies, physiology, biomechanics, ecology, biogeography and evolution. Laboratories will emphasize structure, systematics and identification of local and world herpetofauna as well as field methods.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Green, David M (Fall)
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BIOL 463 Mammalian Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The origin, diversity and evolutionary history of mammals, systematic review of fossil and living orders of mammals, aspects of mammalian paleoecology, functional morphology and adaptation.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
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ENTO 330 Insect Biology (3 credits) **
Overview
Entomology : Insect structure and function, development and specialization; ecology and behavior; diversity, evolution and classification of insect orders and common families; pest management.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Boucher, Stephanie (Fall)
Fall
2 lectures and one 2-hour lab
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NRSC 330
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ENTO 350 Insect Biology and Control (3 credits) **
Overview
Entomology : Introduction to insect structure, physiology, biochemistry, development, systematics, evolution, ecology and control. Stress on interrelationships and integrated pest control.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Dunphy, Gary Brian (Winter)
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ENTO 440 Insect Diversity (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : Ecology, evolution and systematics of insects and their relatives. Classification and phylogeny of selected insect families; use of diagnostic characters and taxonomic keys. Ecological interactions at an individual, population and community level with emphasis on diversity patterns in space and time.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Wheeler, Terry A; Buddle, Christopher (Fall)
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ENTO 535 Aquatic Entomology (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : Diversity, biology, ecology and recognition of the main groups of aquatic insects.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Fall
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EPSC 334 Invertebrate Paleontology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Preservation of fossils; the fossil record of invertebrates; use of fossils in stratigraphy and paleoecology; fossils in evolutionary studies. Fossils of invertebrates are studied in the laboratory.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
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WILD 307 Natural History of Vertebrates (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Review of higher taxonomic groups of vertebrates and prochordates, emphasizing diagnostic characters evolution and distribution.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Frei, Barbara (Fall)
Fall
Lectures and modules
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ZOOL 307
This course carries an additional charge of $15 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
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WILD 350 Mammalogy (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : This course focuses on the evolution, classification, ecology and behaviour of mammals and relations between humans and mammals. Also structure, systematics and identification of local and world mammals, as well as field methods will be emphasized.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Humphries, Murray Mitchell (Winter)
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WILD 420 Ornithology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Taxonomic relationships and evolution of birds are outlined. Reproduction, migration and population processes of North American birds are examined.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Bird, David M (Fall)
Fall and Winter
3 lectures and occasional field trips
Prerequisite: WILD 307 (formerly ZOOL 307) or permission of instructor
This course is scheduled for video-conferencing.
This course carries an additional charge of $15 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
List B: Botany
* Note: BIOL 205 and BIOL 215 may be applied to either List A or List B.
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AEBI 210 Organisms 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : The biology of plants and plant-based systems in managed and natural terrestrial environments. The interactions between autotrophs and soil organisms and selected groups of animals with close ecological and evolutionary connections with plants (e.g., herbivores and pollinators) will be explored in lecture and laboratory.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Singh, Jaswinder (Fall)
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BIOL 205 Biology of Organisms (3 credits) *
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Unified view of form and function in animals and plants. Focus on how the laws of chemistry and physics illuminate biological processes relating to the acquisition of energy and materials and their use in movement, growth, development, reproduction and responses to environmental stress.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Dhindsa, Rajinder S (Winter)
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BIOL 215 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3 credits) *
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the fundamental processes of ecology and evolution that bear on the nature and diversity of organisms and the processes that govern their assembly into ecological communities and their roles in ecosystem function.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Price, Neil; Potvin, Catherine; Abouheif, Ehab (Fall)
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BIOL 240 Monteregian Flora (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Field studies of ferns, fern allies, conifers and flowering plants; the use of keys for plant identification.
Terms: Summer 2012
Instructors: Lapointe, Melanie; Lechowicz, Martin J (Summer)
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BIOL 355 Trees: Ecology & Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Functional ecology and evolution of trees: patterns in the diversity of tree form and function, the nature of tree adaptation to environment from the scale of habitat to global biogeography.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
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PLNT 304 Biology of Fungi (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : This course describes the various groups of fungi and explores in depth their biology and physiology, their ecological niches and the role in various ecosystems and their benefits and uses in industry and biotechnology.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Jabaji, Suha (Winter)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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PLNT 353 Plant Structure and Function (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on the cells, tissues, organs, chemical components of plants and the physiological processes associated with their function.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
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PLNT 358 Flowering Plant Diversity (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Principles of classification and identification of flowering plants and ferns, with emphasis on 35 major families of flowering plants and the habitats in which they grow.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Stromvik, Martina; Eades, Tracy Lee (Fall)
2 lectures, one 3-hour lab, plus a 4-day field week held the week preceding the start of classes
Prerequisite: PLNT 201 or AEBI 210 or ENVR 202 or permission of instructor
A $50 fee is charged to all students registered in this course, which has a fieldwork component prior to the beginning of classes in August. This fee is used to support the cost of excursions, a hand lens, instructional handouts and identification aids. Students who have already received a hand lens may request a reimbursement of a portion of this charge through their department.
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PLNT 460 Plant Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Theory and practice of plant ecology with an emphasis on the interaction between patterns and ecological processes and the dynamics, conservation and management of plant populations and communities over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: de Blois, Sylvie (Fall)
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: AEMA 310 or permission of instructor.
List C: Earth and Environmental Sciences
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BIOL 540 Ecology of Species Invasions (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Causes and consequences of biological invasion, as well as risk assessment methods and management strategies for dealing with invasive species.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony (Winter)
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ENVR 200 The Global Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : A systems approach to study the different components of the environment involved in global climate change: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The interactions among these components. Their role in global climate change. The human dimension to global change.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Rhemtulla, Jeanine; Roulet, Nigel Thomas; Atallah, Eyad Hashem; McCourt, George; Fyles, James W; Fabry, Frederic (Fall)
Fall
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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ENVR 202 The Evolving Earth (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Formation of the Earth and the evolution of life. How geological and biological change are the consequence of history, chance, and necessity acting over different scales of space and time. General principles governing the formation of modern landscapes and biotas. Effects of human activities on natural systems.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Leung, Brian; Paquette, Jeanne; Schwartz, Amy Karen; McCourt, George; Wheeler, Terry A (Winter)
Winter
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
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EPSC 210 Introductory Mineralogy (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Crystal chemistry and identification of the principal rock-forming and ore minerals. Elementary crystallography. Optional 2-day field trip.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Paquette, Jeanne (Fall)
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EPSC 233 Earth and Life History (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Interpretation of stratified rocks; history of Earth with special emphasis on the regions of North America; outline of the history of life recorded in fossils.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Paquette, Jeanne (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lectures
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ESYS 200 Earth System Processes (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Complex interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. Biological, chemical and physical processes within and between each "sphere" that extend over spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of planetary orbits and that span time scales from fractions of a second to billions of years.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Wing, Boswell; Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite(s): ENVR 200 or permission of instructor.
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ESYS 300 Investigating the Earth System (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : An understanding of the biological, chemical and physical fundamentals of the Earth system and how the different components interact. The mechanisms controlling interactions between reservoirs are quantitatively investigated. Special emphasis on the development and response of the Earth system to perturbations.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: McKenzie, Jeffrey; Kollias, Pavlos; Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or equivalent.
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GEOG 203 Environmental Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An introduction to system-level interactions among climate, hydrology, soils and vegetation at the scale of drainage basins, including the study of the global geographical variability in these land-surface systems. The knowledge acquired is used to study the impact on the environment of various human activities such as deforestation and urbanisation.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Moore, Timothy R; Arroyo Mora, Juan Pablo (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
Restriction: Because of quantitative science content of course, not recommended for B.A. and B.Ed. students in their U0 year.
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GEOG 272 Earth's Changing Surface (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Introduction to the study of landforms as products of geomorphic and geologic systems acting at and near the Earth's surface. The process geomorphology approach will be used to demonstrate how landforms of different geomorphic settings represent a dynamic balance between forces acting in the environment and the physical properties of materials present.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Pollard, Wayne H (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
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GEOG 470 Wetlands (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An examination of the structure, function and utility of wetlands. Topics include the fluxes of energy and water, wetland biogeochemistry, plant ecology in freshwater and coastal wetlands and wetlands use, conservation and restoration. Field trip(s) are envisaged to illustrate issues covered in class.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Restriction: Permission of instructor.
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GEOG 550 Historical Ecology Techniques (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Principles and methods of Quaternary paleoecology and vegetation reconstruction. Examination of ecosystem response to human disturbance and environmental change.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
List D: Field Studies
* Note: Students may take either of the cross-listed courses NRSC 405 and REDM 405, but not both.
Students may also take other field courses with the permission of the Program Adviser.
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BIOL 331 Ecology/Behaviour Field Course (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Methods of sampling natural populations. Testing hypotheses in nature.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Chapman, Lauren; Reader, Simon; Schoen, Daniel J (Fall)
Fall
Note: Preregistration in March and April. See Course web page: . Meets 12-days just before the fall term, with a project report early in the fall term.
The field portion of this course is given at the University's Gault Nature Reserve in Mont St. Hilaire over a two-week period in August. In the fall, students prepare a report based on projects carried out during this field portion. This course has an additional fee of $532 which includes room and board and handouts. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity
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BIOL 334 Applied Tropical Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Relevant to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and conservation of natural resources. Field component taught at the University's Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, for two weeks in early May. The course is organized in a series of small-group field projects of 2-3 days each. Interested students should contact the Undergraduate Office and fill out an application form.
Terms: Winter 2012, Summer 2012
Instructors: Bureau, Thomas E; Price, Neil; Guichard, Frederic (Winter) Guichard, Frederic; Bureau, Thomas E; Price, Neil (Summer)
Summer
Prerequisites: BIOL 206; and BIOL 215 or both ENVR 200 and ENVR 202; and permission of the instructor.
This course, given in Barbados, has an additional fee of $1450 to cover the costs of room and board at Bellairs Research Institute, the course pack and all other expenses during the course. It does not cover tuition, airfare, flight insurance, airport taxes, meals in transit, or the cost of supplementary health insurance. The fee is refundable during the period where a student can drop the course with full refund. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.
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BIOL 335 Marine Mammals (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Biology of marine mammals with special emphasis on seals and whales of the Bay of Fundy. Taught at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St. Andrews, N.B., for two weeks in August. The course combines lectures, laboratory exercises, field trips, and individual projects. Apply first to Huntsman, then contact susan.gabe@mcgill.ca.
Terms: Summer 2012
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Prerequisite: BIOL 205
- This course is offered in the summer.
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BIOL 573 Vertebrate Palaeontology Field Course (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Terrestrial vertebrate fossils (i.e. dinosaurs, crocodiles and other reptiles) and palaeocommunity analysis, including practical training with fossil identification, mapping, collecting, and stratigraphic interpretation.
Terms: Summer 2012
Instructors: Larsson, Hans Carl (Summer)
Summer
Prerequisites: BIOL 304 and BIOL 352 or permission of instructor.
Notes: Spring field course with completed project and presentation by the end of the Summer. Given in a selected Late Cretaceous Alberta and/or Saskatchewan site. Enrolment limited to 15 students.
This course, given at selected localities in Alberta and/or Saskatchewan in May, has an additional fee of $800, which includes room and board and museum entrance fees, but not tuition or transportation. The fee is refundable during the period where a student can drop the course with full refund. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.
This course is offered in the summer.
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ENTO 340 Field Entomology (3 credits)
Overview
Entomology : A field course and project about arthropod taxonomy, field methods and experimental design in entomology. Includes natural history observation, and experimental approaches to arthropod population and community ecology.
Terms: Fall 2011
Instructors: Wheeler, Terry A; Boucher, Stephanie (Fall)
Summer
- EPSC 231 Field School 1 (3 credits)
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NRSC 405 Natural History of East Africa (3 credits) *
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Integrated study of African landforms, geologic history, climate, environments, biota, water resources and human influences, fostering a thorough understanding of the East African landscape and its inhabitants. Lectures, discussions on selected topics, use of museum resources and field studies will develop powers of observation, identification and enquiry.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: Titman, Rodger D (Winter)
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REDM 405 Natural History of East Africa (3 credits) *
Overview
Redpath Museum : Integrated study of African landforms, geologic history, climate, environments, biota, water resources and human influences, fostering a thorough understanding of the East African landscape and its inhabitants. Lectures, discussions on selected topics, use of museum resources and field studies will develop powers of observation, identification and enquiry.
Terms: Winter 2012
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Winter
- Course consists of field exercises, lectures, seminars and discussions.
- Corequisite(s): ANTH/GEOG 451 and NRSC/BIOL 451
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 300 or GEOG 300 or NRSC405. Open only to African Field Study Semester students during the year of participation in the field.
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WILD 475 Desert Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : This course deals with adaptations to heat and drought. Representative areas of Coastal Bend, Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts are visited over a two-week period. In the third week, emphasis is on the high desert and historical and cultural aspects of desert life observed in at the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. A pre-trip analysis of an area to be visited and field notes are the principal bases of evaluation. Students must bear transportation costs.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2011-2012 academic year.
- Winter
- Field course
- Prerequisites: PLNT 460, WILD 307 (formerly ZOOL 307), WILD 420
- Enrolment limited to 20
- A $1,000.00 fee is charged to all students registered in WILD 475 Desert Ecology, a course that is based on site visits in the southwestern US, that include representative areas of the Chihuahuan (Texas), Sonoran (Arizona) and Mojave (California) Deserts. This fee is used to support the cost of transportation once in the USA, entrance fees and the operation of the support vehicle and crew. Students will be responsible for their own airfare and food expenses.
Faculty of Science—2011-2012 (last updated Jan. 26, 2012) (disclaimer)