Program Requirements
The Honours program is designed to offer, in addition to the substantial background given by the Major program, a significant research experience in a laboratory within the Department during the U3 year. Students are prepared for this independent research project by following an advanced laboratory course in U2. This program is intended to prepare students for graduate study in microbiology and immunology or related fields, but could also be chosen by students intending to enter medical research after medical school, or intending to enter the job market in a laboratory research environment.
Students intending to apply to Honours must follow the Major program in U1 and U2 and must obtain a CGPA of at least 3.50 at the end of their U2 year. For graduation in Honours, students must pass all required courses with a C or better, and achieve a sessional GPA of at least 3.30 in the U3 year.
U1 Required Courses (25 credits)
* Students who have taken CHEM 212 in CEGEP are exempt and must replace these credits with an elective course(s).
** Students who have taken CHEM 222 in CEGEP are exempt and must replace these credits with an elective course(s).
-
BIOL 200 Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Bureau, Thomas E; Roy, Richard D W; Zetka, Monique; Hastings, Kenneth E M (Fall)
-
BIOL 202 Basic Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Schoen, Daniel J; Moon, Nam Sung; Nilson, Laura (Winter) Dankort, David; Hipfner, David (Summer)
-
CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Sleiman, Hanadi; Pavelka, Laura (Fall) Daoust, Michel; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Lumb, Jean-Philip (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Daoust, Michel (Summer)
Fall, Winter, Summer
Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.
Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.
Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 211 or equivalent
Each lab section is limited enrolment
Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page ().
-
CHEM 222 Introductory Organic Chemistry 2 (4 credits) **
Overview
Chemistry : Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Harpp, David Noble; Perepichka, Dmytro (Fall) Daoust, Michel; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Harpp, David Noble; Arndtsen, Bruce A (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Daoust, Michel (Summer)
-
MIMM 211 Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A general treatment of microbiology bearing specifically on the biological properties of microorganisms. Emphasis will be on procaryotic cells. Basic principles of microbial genetics are also introduced.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Cousineau, Benoit; Sagan, Selena; Nguyen, Dao (Fall)
Fall
3 hours of lecture
Corequisite: BIOL 200
-
MIMM 212 Laboratory in Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : This laboratory course is designed to complement MIMM 211. Sessions introduce general techniques peculiar to the handling of microorganisms.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Gruenheid, Samantha (Fall)
Fall
3 hours laboratory, 1 hour lecture, 1 hour follow-up
Corequisite: MIMM 211
-
MIMM 214 Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : Basic immunology, organs and cells, elements of innate immunity, phagocytes, complement, elements of adaptive immunity, B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, MHC genes and molecules, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis on anatomy and the molecular and cellular players working together as a physiological system to maintain human health.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Madrenas, Joaquin (Winter)
One of:
-
BIOC 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Duchaine, Thomas; Branton, Philip E; Bouchard, Maxime (Winter)
-
BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Brown, Gregory G; Roy, Richard D W; Dent, Joseph Alan (Winter)
U1, U2, or U3 Required Course (3 credits)
One of:
-
BIOL 373 Biometry (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Leung, Brian (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: MATH 112 or equivalent
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
-
MATH 203 Principles of Statistics 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Examples of statistical data and the use of graphical means to summarize the data. Basic distributions arising in the natural and behavioural sciences. The logical meaning of a test of significance and a confidence interval. Tests of significance and confidence intervals in the one and two sample setting (means, variances and proportions).
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Khalili Mahmoudabadi, Abbas; Wolfson, David B (Fall) Yang, Yi (Winter) Correa, Jose Andres (Summer)
No calculus prerequisites
Restriction: This course is intended for students in all disciplines. For extensive course restrictions covering statistics courses see Section 3.6.1 of the Arts and of the Science sections of the calendar regarding course overlaps.
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar. Students should consult for information regarding transfer credits for this course.
-
PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : The statistical analysis of research data; frequency distributions; graphic representation; measures of central tendency and variability; elementary sampling theory and tests of significance.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016
Instructors: Amsel, Rhonda N (Fall) Gu, Fei (Winter) Darainy, Mohammad (Summer)
Fall and Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have passed a CEGEP statistics course(s) with a minimum grade of 75%: Mathematics 201-307 or 201-337 or equivalent or the combination of Quantitative Methods 300 with Mathematics 300
This course is a prerequisite for PSYC 305, PSYC 406, PSYC 310, PSYC 336
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
U2 Required Courses (21 credits)
-
BIOC 311 Metabolic Biochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: St-Pierre, Julie; Schmeing, Thomas Martin; Tremblay, Michel (Fall)
-
BIOC 312 Biochemistry of Macromolecules (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : 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; mÏ㽶ÊÓƵ processing; translation; targeting of proteins to specific cellular sites; protein glycosylation; protein phosphorylation; protein turn-over; programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Nepveu, Alain; Richard, Stephane; Pelletier, Gerard (Winter)
-
MIMM 314 Intermediate Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : An intermediate-level immunology course covering the cellular and molecular basis of lymphocyte development and activation in immune responses in health and disease.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Piccirillo, Ciriaco; Fournier, Sylvie; Colmegna, Inés (Winter)
Winter
3 hours of lecture
Prerequisite: MIMM 214
-
MIMM 323 Microbial Physiology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : An introduction to the composition and structure of microbial cells, the biochemical activities associated with cellular metabolism and how these activities are regulated and coordinated. The course will have a molecular and genetic approach to the study of microbial physiology.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Marczynski, Gregory T (Fall)
Fall
3 hours of lecture
Prerequisite: MIMM 211
-
MIMM 324 Fundamental Virology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A study of the fundamental properties of viruses and their interactions with host cells. Bacteriophages, DNA- and Ï㽶ÊÓƵ-containing animal viruses, and retroviruses are covered. Emphasis will be on phenomena occurring at the molecular level and on the regulated control of gene expression in virus-infected cells.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Liang, Chen; Sagan, Selena; Teodoro, Jose Guerreiro (Fall)
-
MIMM 384 Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A series of laboratory exercises in molecular biology and microbial genetics during the Fall term. As part of a term paper writing project, students will explore contemporary research subjects that represent the wide interests of the Microbiology and Immunology departmentâ•Žs faculty. The general objective is to provide practical and theoretical introduction to the technology and methodology used in contemporary microbiology research.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Cousineau, Benoit; Marczynski, Gregory T; Briedis, Dalius J (Fall)
-
MIMM 385 Laboratory in Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : This laboratory course allows students to gain expertise in following protocols and performing key techniques in immunology. Students also develop basic experimental design and scientific thinking skills by designing their own experiments based on available reagents to solve a problem. Students learn to keep a lab book and communicate scientific findings in written and oral form.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Fournier, Sylvie (Winter)
U3 Required Courses (21 credits)
-
MIMM 413 Parasitology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A study of the biology, immunological aspects of host-parasite interactions, pathogenicity, epidemiology and molecular biological aspects of selected parasites of medical importance. Laboratory will consist of a lecture on techniques, demonstrations and practical work.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Matlashewski, Greg J; Ndao, Momar; Geary, Timothy (Winter)
-
MIMM 465 Bacterial Pathogenesis (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : Organized by the McGill Centre for the Study of Host Resistance. This course focuses on the interplay of the host and the pathogen. The cellular and molecular basis of the host defense mechanism against infections will be considered in relationship to the virulence factors and evasion strategies used by bacteria to cause disease.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Le-Moual, Herve; Nguyen, Dao; Behr, Marcel A (Fall)
-
MIMM 466 Viral Pathogenesis (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A study of the biological and molecular aspects of viral pathogenesis with emphasis on the human pathogenic viruses including the retroviruses HIV and HTLV-1; herpes viruses; papilloma viruses; hepatitis viruses; and new emerging human viral diseases. These viruses will be discussed in terms of virus multiplication, gene expression virus-induced cytopathic effects and host immune response to infection.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Gatignol, Anne; Liang, Chen; Wainberg, Mark (Winter)
-
MIMM 502D1 Honours Research Project in Microbiology (6 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : Presentation of students' research findings in a seminar and a final written report.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Krawczyk, Connie; King, Irah (Fall)
Fall
Restrictions: U3 Honours students and Majors students are eligible. Required CGPA: 3.50 or higher.
More than 18 hours per week for an independent research project.
An information meeting about the course is held annually in January for students who intend to apply for registration.
Students must register for both MIMM 502D1 and MIMM 502D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MIMM 502D1 and MIMM 502D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
-
MIMM 502D2 Honours Research Project in Microbiology (6 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : See MIMM 502D1 for course description.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Krawczyk, Connie; King, Irah (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisite: MIMM 502D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both MIMM 502D1 and MIMM 502D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Complementary Course (3 credits)
3 credits selected from:
-
ANAT 458 Membranes and Cellular Signaling (3 credits)
Overview
Anatomy & Cell Biology : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Silvius, John R; Autexier, Chantal; Sossin, Wayne Steven (Winter)
-
BIOC 404 Biophysical Methods in Biochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : Applications and fundamental bases of important biophysical techniques used in modern biochemistry research laboratories to isolate, characterize and determine the structure and dynamics of proteins, nucleic acids, small molecules and complexes that underlie life and disease.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Silvius, John R; Schmeing, Thomas Martin; Gehring, Kalle Burgess (Winter)
-
BIOC 450 Protein Structure and Function (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of enzymes. Active site mapping and site-specific mutagenesis of enzymes. Enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis. Multienzyme complexes.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Nagar, Bhushan; Schmeing, Thomas Martin; Purisima, Enrico (Fall)
-
BIOC 454 Nucleic Acids (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : Ï㽶ÊÓƵ processing, localization and stability. Ï㽶ÊÓƵi mechanisms, regulation and applications. Regulation of DNA replication. Genomics: human genome sequence, regulation and organization. DNA repair mechanisms. Special topics on transgenics, genetic diseases and cancer.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Dostie, Josee; Teodoro, Jose Guerreiro; Gallouzi, Imed Eddine (Fall)
-
BIOC 458 Membranes and Cellular Signaling (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Silvius, John R; Autexier, Chantal; Sossin, Wayne Steven (Winter)
-
BIOL 520 Gene Activity in Development (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Roy, Richard D W (Winter)
-
BIOT 505 Selected Topics in Biotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : Current methods and recent advances in biological, medical, agricultural and engineering aspects of biotechnology will be described and discussed. An extensive reading list will complement the lecture material.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Georges, Elias; Chitramuthu, Babykumari; Chang, Thomas Ming Swi (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: U3 students
-
CHEM 203 Survey of Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : The fundamentals of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics with applications to biomolecular systems. Thermodynamic and kinetic control of biological processes.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Sanctuary, Bryan Clifford (Fall)
-
CHEM 204 Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016
Instructors: Kambhampati, Patanjali (Fall) Wiseman, Paul (Winter)
-
MIMM 414 Advanced Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Fritz, Jörg; Richer, Martin; Krawczyk, Connie (Fall)
Fall
3 hour lecture
Prerequisite: MIMM 314
-
MIMM 509 Inflammatory Processes (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Rauch, Joyce Ellen; Di Battista, Giovanni; Lesage, Sylvie (Winter)
-
PHAR 562 Neuropharmacology (3 credits)
Overview
Pharmacology and Therapeutics : Topics in pharmacology with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms of drug-action and cellular targets in the nervous system.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Bowie, Derek (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: PHAR 301 or with permission of instructor.
Restriction: Open to U3 students in the minor, major or honours program in Pharmacology, or with permission of instructor.
-
PHAR 563 Endocrine Pharmacology (3 credits)
Overview
Pharmacology and Therapeutics : This advanced course covers selected topics in pharmacology of reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disorders.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Bernard, Daniel; Robaire, Bernard (Winter)
Prerequisite: PHAR 301 or permission of the instructor(s)
Restriction: Open to U3 students in the minor, major or honours program in Pharmacology, or with permission of instructor.
Course material will be presented in the form of lectures and student-led presentations.
-
PSYT 455 Neurochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Psychiatry : Covers biochemical mechanisms underlying central nervous system function. Introduces basic neuroanatomy, CNS cell types and morphology, neuronal excitability, chemically mediated transmission, glial function. Biochemistry of specific neurotransmitters, endocrine effects on brain, brain energy metabolism and cerebral ischemia (stroke). With examples, where relevant, of biochemical processes disrupted in human CNS disease.
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.