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 (15 credits)
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ENVB 529 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 2024
Instructors: Cardille, Jeffrey; Adamchuk, Viacheslav; Dhiman, Jaskaran (Fall)
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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 2024
Instructors: Humphries, Murray Mitchell (Fall)
This course carries an additional charge of $20.54 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 2025
Instructors: Humphries, Murray Mitchell (Winter)
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WILD 401 Fisheries and Wildlife Management (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Principles of fisheries and wildlife management are considered and current practices of research and management are discussed.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Humphries, Murray Mitchell; Elliott, Kyle; McKinney, Melissa; Roy, Denis (Fall)
Prerequisite: WILD 307 and ENVB 305 or permission of the instructor.
A 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 research facilities where final projects are devised, and data are collected in the field (e.g., at the SUNY-ESF Adirondaks Ecological Center in Newcomb, New York). The Department of Natural Resource Sciences subsidizes a portion of the cost of this compulsory activity.
A fee of $410.60 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 research facilities where final projects are devised, and data are collected in the field (e.g., at the SUNY-ESF Adirondaks Ecological Center in Newcomb, New York). The Department of Natural Resource Sciences subsidizes a portion of the cost of this compulsory activity.
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WILD 420 Ornithology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Taxonomic relationships and evolution of birds. Examination of the physiology, migration, identification and ecological processes of North American birds.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Elliott, Kyle (Fall)
Prerequisite: WILD 307 or permission of instructor
This course carries an additional charge of $20.54 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits from the following:
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BIOL 307 Behavioural Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : How an organism’s behaviour relates to its physical, biological, and social environment, using evolutionary and ecological perspectives. Emphasis is on general principles, covering topics such feeding, predator avoidance, aggression, reproduction, social behaviour, communication and cognition.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Reader, Simon; Guigueno, Mélanie (Winter)
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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 2024
Instructors: Green, David M (Fall)
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ENVB 437 Assessing Environmental Impact (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Principles and practice of Environmental Assessment (EA) in Canada and internationally. Exploration of issues surrounding impact assessment for sustainable development in different sectors, including their limitations.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Hickey, Gordon (Winter)
Open to U2 students and above.
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ENVB 506 Quantitative Methods: Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : The process of formulating models of natural systems and confronting them with data, along with the necessary statistical computing skills. Emphasis on hands-on experience with current approaches for building, fitting, and comparing models.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Roy, Denis (Winter)
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PARA 424 Fundamental Parasitology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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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 2024
Instructors: Beauregard, Frieda (Fall)
A 4-day field week is held the week preceding the start of classes
Prerequisite: AEBI 210 or ENVR 202 or permission of instructor
A $95.46 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 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: Fall 2024
Instructors: Roy, Denis (Fall)
Prerequisite: AEBI 211 or permission of instructor
This course carries an additional charge of $41.07 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 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 2025
Instructors: Elliott, Kyle (Winter)
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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 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 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.
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.
A course fee of $1,596.23 covers the cost of transportation, camping, admissions and most meals during the field trip.
