Courses

Course: BIOL 495: Special Topics | Plant-Microorganism Interactions
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Andrea Botero-Ramirez

Interactions between plants and microorganisms are essential to our terrestrial ecosystems. This course explores the dynamic relationships between plants and microorganisms in the rhizosphere, on aerial plant parts and inside the plant. We will focus on how plants perceive and respond to microorganisms' signals, both beneficial and harmful. Topics include plant-microorganism recognition, defense mechanisms and the crucial role of microorganisms in plant growth and protection. Join us to explore the fascinating ways microorganisms influence plant health and productivity.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of B- in BIOL 208 and in either BIOL 312 or in BOTN 205 plus one 300-level course from the ecology/diversity stream. Completion of BIOL 211 and/or BIOL 205 is recommended but not required. 

Permission Required: Yes. Please email artsandscience@macewan.ca for a permission number.

Course: BIOL 421: Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology | Investigating Cellular and Molecular Responses to Chemical Exposures in Mammalian Cells
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Habib Rezanejad

This course is a guided laboratory research project in which students investigate a biological question using modern cellular and molecular biology techniques. Working collaboratively, students design experiments, culture mammalian cells and examine molecular responses to environmental or chemical treatments. Experimental approaches may include RNA isolation, quantitative PCR, protein analysis and other cellular and molecular assays.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of B- in BIOL 205, and in any two of BICM 310, BICM 340, BIOL 300, BIOL 313, GENE 369 or GENE 370, one of which must have a lab or consent of the department. Enroll through the normal registration system; students only need to contact the chair if the prerequisites are not met and are requesting a waiver.

Permission Required: No

Course: BIOL 422: Experimental Ecology | Ravine Ecology and Insect Evolution
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructors: Dr. Kevin Judge, Dr. Leah Flaherty and Dr. David Locky

Students analyze experimental data and develop scientific communication skills through written reports and discussion of results. The course emphasizes hypothesis-driven experimentation, experimental design and critical interpretation of data in a collaborative research environment.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of B- in BIOL 208 and BIOL 337, and at least one of BIOL 310, BIOL 312, BIOL 314, BIOL 316, BIOL 365, BIOL 367 or BIOL 371. Enroll through the normal registration system.

Permission Required: No

Course: BIOL 495: Special Topics | Conservation Genetics
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructors: Dr. Joshua Miller

Populations and species are facing numerous threats from a changing climate and habitat alterations, increasing the risk of extinction. Conservation genetics examines the effects of habitat loss, exploitation and/or environmental change on the genetic composition of natural populations and how these changes affect their viability. Specifically, employing principles from population genetics, evolutionary biology and systematics.

In this course, we explore why genetic diversity is important to population persistence and viability, methods for quantifying genetic diversity in populations and how genetic data can be integrated into conservation and management policy. Throughout the course, students read, review, analyze and discuss topics in the primary literature related to conservation genetics.

Prerequisites: B- or higher in BIOL 323 and one of the following: BIOL 314, BIOL 321 or BIOL 367. Enroll with the permission number issued by the advisors if the prerequisites are met. Students need to contact the chair only if the prerequisites are not met and they are requesting a waiver.

Permission Required: No

Course: BIOL 495: Special Topics in Biology | Plant Biotechnology: Genes to Global Impact
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Dhruv Lavania

This fourth-year special topics course examines current research and applications in plant biotechnology. Drawing on foundational knowledge in genetics and molecular biology, the course considers how plant genomes are analyzed, modified and applied to address challenges in agriculture, resource sustainability and climate resilience. Areas of study may include plant gene structure and regulation, genome organization, transformation methods, genome-editing technologies, plant tissue culture, stress tolerance mechanisms, metabolic engineering and emerging applications in crop improvement and bioproduction. Legal, ethical and policy dimensions of biotechnology may also be addressed.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B- in GENE 370, and in one additional 300- or 400-level courses in the molecular/cellular stream. Enroll by permission number issued by advisors if prerequisites are met. Students only need to contact chair if prerequisites not met and are requesting waiver.

Permission Required: No