Current & Recent Course Offerings
Plant Biology (BIOL 3303, Fall/Winter)
This course is an intermediate course in plant biology and diversity, basic mechanisms of land plant physiology, behaviour, and ecology, with an emphasis on the structure, reproduction, and development of flowering plants (Angiosperms). Land plants are also studied from an evolutionary perspective, spanning from the first appearance of plants on land to the major groups present today. Students will explore the nature of plant diversity and biological structures through hands-on examination and preparation of plant material in the lab. Students will gain transferrable skills such as scientific communication (written & oral), critical reading and researching of a topic, microscopy, specimen staining and dissection, collecting data and interpreting results from an observational lab experiment.
Plant Ecology (BIOL 4410, Fall)
This course focuses on the theory and practice of plant ecology. We will focus on the factors that affect the distribution and abundance of plant species at different biological and spatial scales, including resource availability, species interactions, and environmental change. Hands-on field and laboratory activities emphasize patterns of plant distribution, abundance, and ecological processes. Students will learn numerical techniques to investigate relationships between plants and their environment. Topics also include plant adaptations, conservation issues, global change, and ecological restoration.
Biology Field Course (BIOL 4448, Spring)
This intensive 4-week course provides hands-on field and lab experience in biological research in the field. Students will visit Nova Scotia’s forests, wetlands, coastlines, and more to explore plants, soils, insects, fish, amphibians, birds, and other organisms in their natural habitats. Students gain practical skills in field research, experimental design, species ID, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication—all while working as part of a dynamic team in the field and lab.
Biology Honours Research Seminar (BIOL 4549)
The Biology Honours Research Seminar is offered exclusively to Honours students in Biology that are simultaneously enrolled in the Honours Research Thesis (BIOL 4500). The objective of this course is to provide instruction and exposure to critical thinking and scientific communication. Students will be given guidance on how to write their research thesis and how to present scientific research orally and in the form of a poster presentation. Students receive training in such topics as biological experimental design, data analysis, figure preparation, manuscript writing, and the peer review process. Students focus on developing communication skills by presenting seminars, a poster, and attending faculty research talks. Students also attend the annual Science Atlantic Conference held in March.
Phylogenetic Ecology (BIOL 4876, Directed Studies)
This course is an advanced undergraduate course in model-based methods of phylogenetic analysis including parsimony and maximum likelihood methods of tree building. The emphasis will be on DNA sequence data and issues associated with reconstructing phylogenetic trees from multiple gene loci. In addition, the course will cover how phylogenies can be used in the context of ecological and evolutionary hypothesis testing including character mapping, ancestral state reconstruction, trait evolution, and community ecology using rigorous statistical methods. The course will include a computer laboratory section for performing analyses using real data sets. Beginning skills in R programming will be introduced, and students will build an independent dataset to analyze using the techniques introduced in class. Students will be assessed based on 1) evaluating core literature in the field of phylogenetic ecology through written summaries and critiques of journal articles; 2) data analysis assignments using datasets provided in class and a dataset that the student compiles; 3) a final report in the style of a scientific journal article.
Techniques in Plant Functional Ecology (BIOL 4899, Directed Studies)
This course introduces students to core techniques in plant functional ecology through reading the literature and conducting hands-on work in the laboratory. In particular, students will learn how to: 1) prepare leaf materials for anatomical measurements and chemical analyses; 2) test different leaf extraction methods for chemical analyses; 3) measure leaf pH, electrical conductivity, and various ion concentrations; 4) measure leaf gas exchange of carbon dioxide and water vapour. Students will be trained on the use of specialized instrumentation, relevant statistical analyses, and scientific communication.
The Goud Lab 