Program Requirements
This specialization focuses on the ecology of vertebrate animals, their biological and physical environment, and the interactions that are important in the management of ecological communities and wildlife species. Students have access to local wildlife resources including the Avian Science and Conservation Centre, the McGill Arboretum, the Stonycroft Wildlife Area, the Molson Reserve, and the Ecomuseum.
For information on academic advising, see:
Required Courses (10 credits)
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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 2015
Instructors: Waterway, Marcia J (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 $51.30 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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WILD 307 Natural History of Vertebrates (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : The diversity and natural history of Canadian vertebrates illustrated with trophic, phylogenetic, and macroecological approaches.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Humphries, Murray Mitchell (Fall)
Fall
Lectures and modules
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ZOOL 307
This course carries an additional charge of $15.39 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 401 Fisheries and Wildlife Management (4 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Principles of fisheries and wildlife management are considered and current practices of research and management are discussed.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Solomon, Christopher; Humphries, Murray Mitchell (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures, one 2-hour lab and one week field laboratory prior to fall term
Prerequisite: PLNT 358
A $307.80 fee is charged to all students registered in WILD 401, Fisheries and Wildlife Management, a course that has a required field trip. This fee is used to support the cost of excursions, accommodations, food and fees associated with visiting a research facility in New York. The Department of Natural Resource Sciences subsidizes a portion of the cost of this compulsory activity.
Complementary Courses (14 credits)
14 credits of complementary courses selected as follows:
At least 6 credits from the following:
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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 2015
Instructors: Green, David M (Fall)
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WILD 302 Fish Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Introduction to the biology and ecology of freshwater and marine fishes. Topics include taxonomy, physiology, biogeography, competition, predation, fishing, and conservation. Lab exercises and field trips emphasize familiarity with local fishes and their ecological interactions.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: AEBI 211 or permission of instructor
This course carries an additional charge of $30 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is only refundable prior to the deadline to withdraw with full refund.
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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 2016
Instructors: Humphries, Murray Mitchell (Winter)
Winter
2 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisites: AEBI 211 or WILD 200 (formerly AEBI 200), and WILD 307 (formerly ZOOL 307)
A fee of $15 is charged to all students registered in WILD 350, Mammalogy, a course that has a required field trip. This fee is used to support the cost of excursions and equipment associated with local field trips. The fee is only refundable prior to the deadline to withdraw with full refund.鈥�
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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 2015
Instructors: Elliott, Kyle (Fall)
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 $15.39 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
At least 6 credits from the following:
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BIOL 307 Behavioural Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The relationship between animal behaviour and the natural environment in which it occurs. This course introduces the subject of ecology at the level of the individual organism. Emphasis on general principles which relate to feeding, predator avoidance, aggression, reproduction and parental care of animals including humans.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Lefebvre, Louis; Sakata, Jon (Winter)
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BIOL 465 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Discussion of relevant theoretical and applied issues in conservation biology. Topics: biodiversity, population viability analysis, community dynamics, biology of rarity, extinction, habitat fragmentation, social issues.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Chapman, Lauren; Green, David M; Gonzalez, Andrew (Fall)
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ENVB 430 GIS for Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques to the presentation and analysis of ecological information, including sources and capture of spatial data; characterizing, transforming, displaying spatial data; and spatial analysis to solve resource management problems.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Cardille, Jeffrey; Adamchuk, Viacheslav (Fall)
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WILD 421 Wildlife Conservation (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Study of current controversial issues focusing on wildlife conservation. Topics include: animal rights, exotic species, ecotourism, urban wildlife, multi-use of national parks, harvesting of wildlife, biological controls, and endangered species.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Elliott, Kyle (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NRSC 421.
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WILD 424 Parasitology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Geary, Timothy; Faubert, Gaetan Mario; Rohrbach, Petra (Winter)
Winter
2 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 424 (formerly ZOOL 424).
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WILD 475 Desert Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : A three week field course exploring relationships between climate, geology, landforms, biodiversity, biotic adaptations and ecosystem conditions in the arid regions of Arizona and southern California. Focus is on the Sonoran and Mojave deserts but includes the transitions to adjacent grassland and forest biomes of the Sky Islands and Colorado Plateau. Exploration of issues arising from human use of land and water, and conservation in arid environments. Experiential learning involving team and individual projects and assignments before and during the field trip.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Odd-numbered Winter terms; enrollment limited to 20.
The course begins and ends in Phoenix AZ. Students are responsible for their transportation to/from Phoenix.
A course fee of $1269.61 covers the cost of transportation, camping, admissions and most meals during the field trip.
The course requires camping and living under desert conditions.
Restriction(s): Restricted to U2 and U3 students.
Prerequisite(s):Permission of the instructors is required to register. To be eligible students are required to have at least one systems-focused course, one ecology course and two organismal courses. Students should consult the instructors for list of appropriate courses.