Program Requirements
The Minor Animal Biology is intended for students who wish to further their studies in the basic biology of large mammals and birds. Successful completion of the program should provide students with a sound background in the field of biomedical studies and the use of animal models. It should also qualify students to apply to most veterinary colleges in North America, to study in a variety of postgraduate biology programs, and to work in many laboratory settings.
This Minor is not open to students in B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.) programs. These students may register for the specialization in Animal Biology.
For information on academic advising, see:
Required Courses (15 credits)
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ANSC 312 Animal Health and Disease (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Winter)
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ANSC 323 Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Zhao, Xin (Fall)
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ANSC 324 Developmental Biology and Reproduction (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Focus on the hormonal, cellular and molecular aspects of reproduction and development (gametogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryonic and foetal development, parturition, lactation period, periods before and after puberty). Emphasis on underlying cellular mechanisms and their regulation by hormones and the environment.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Baldassarre, Hernán (Winter)
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ANSC 420 Animal Biotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Applications of animal biotechnology in agriculture, biomedicine and environmental preservation, including culture, manipulation and transformation of somatic cells, isolation of stem cells, reproductive biotechnologies, animal cloning by nuclear transplantation, production of genetically modified and gene-edited animals, and cell and gene therapies.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Gutierrez, Karina (Fall)
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PARA 438 Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sonzogni-Desautels, Karine (Fall)
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits selected from:
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ANSC 234 Biochemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Giehl Glanzner, Werner; Martin, Deborah (Winter)
Prerequisite: LSCI 211
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ANSC 251 Comparative Anatomy (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Study of the macroscopic anatomy of mammals based on detailed dissection of the dog. Comparison with other domestic species will be emphasized.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
A fee of $261.07 will be charged to partially cover the purchase of sufficient quantities of animals and organs for detailed dissection for students in the course
Une redevance de $261.07 dollars sera appliquée afin de couvrir, en partie, les frais des spécimens qui seront utilisés pour la dissection dans le cours.
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ANSC 326 Fundamentals of Population Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Population genetics mechanisms in mammals, birds and plant. Factors influencing gene, genotype, and phenotypic frequencies. Effects of different types of selection, Hardy-Weinberg, linkage and recombination, polymorphisms and heterozygosity, population size, random drift and inbreeding on gene and genotype frequencies. Relationship between quantitative genetic parameters and gene frequencies.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Cue, Roger (Fall)
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ANSC 400 Eukaryotic Cells and Viruses (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : The basic principles of molecular biology and the underlying molecular basis for various methodologies in molecular biology are covered. The molecular genetic basis for viral infections and tumorigenesis will be covered as examples of the use of molecular genetic approaches to address biological problems.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Klein, Matthias (Winter)
Prerequisite: LSCI 204
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ANSC 424 Metabolic Endocrinology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Duggavathi, Raj (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: ANSC 323
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ANSC 433 Animal Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Burgos, Sergio (Winter)
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ANSC 555 The Use and Welfare of Animals (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Understanding the roles in which animals are used by Society, especially in food production, companionship, research, and recreation; application of the scientific approaches that are used in assessing and improving animal welfare; and use of ethical approaches that are invoked in the use of animals, often in controversial contexts. An interdisciplinary course, based on active participation and discussion-method learning.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Vasseur, Elsa (Winter)
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ANSC 560 Biology of Lactation (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Burgos, Sergio (Fall)
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ANSC 565 Applied Information Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to concepts of an Information System and subsequent application to various scenarios in agriculture. Industry analysis in terms of users, goals, available data/information, communication, delivery structure, decision making, feedback, exploitation of technology and possible improvements using the Internet. Individual case studies and familiarisation with cutting-edge computer applications.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Wade, Kevin (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 2-hour lab
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LSCI 451 Research Project 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : A research project on a topic relevant to the life sciences. This course is intended for senior (U3) undergraduates.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Ronholm, Jennifer; Kallenbach, Cynthia; Cestari, Igor (Fall) Ronholm, Jennifer (Winter)
Fall and Winter
Prerequisite(s): PARA 438 as a prerequisite or corequisite, and permission of instructor.
Restriction: Open to students with a minimum CGPA of 3.0.
Enrolment is limited by availability of research project supervisors and to students in the Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Major. Students should make arrangements with a willing supervisor, and the proposed supervisor and project are subject to approval. Recommended for students in their final year (U3).
Not open to students who have taken AEBI 451.