Courses

As an exploration of the botanical riches of the tropics - focusing on the plant life of Hawaii - this course traces fundamentals of plant taxonomy, physiology, and ecology in relation to complexities of existence on the most isolated island chain in the world. Issues related to indigenous vegetation, including effects of introduced animals and plants, agriculture, and ethnobotany, are discussed. The course involves one week of lectures at Trinity Western and two weeks of lectures and field work in Hawaii.

An in-depth survey of evolution as an organizing theory in biology, with emphasis on the primary scientific literature. Topics covered include comparative genomics, sources of variation, natural selection, genetic drift, adaptation, sexual selection, kin selection, speciation and phylogenetics.

A study of pathogenic microorganisms and the control of infectious diseases. Topics include: (i) the biology of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths; (ii) infectious diseases of temperate and tropical climates; (iii) immunity, immunology, and immunization; (iv) sterilization, disinfection, chemotherapeutic agents; and (v) epidemiology and public health microbiology.

An advanced study of topics in basic and applied microbiology. Topics include: (i) the structure, ultrastructure, and biochemical structure of prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses; (ii) microbial biochemistry and physiology; (iii) microbial taxonomy and phylogeny; (iv) microbial ecology and agricultural microbiology; and (v) industrial microbiology and biotechnology.

A lecture course covering current topics in immunology, including: the cellular basis of immunity, the molecular genetics of antibody diversity, the major histocompatibility complex, antigen recognition, lymphocyte development, the complement system, hypersensitivity reactions, and immunodeficiency diseases. The course provides an integrated view of the immune system and the immunologic response to disease.

This course studies animal development and its underlying causal principles including introductory reproductive biology, embryology, and developmental genetics.

A study of the normal microscopic anatomy of the various tissues and organs of the body with an emphasis on the relationship between structure and function. Special attention is given to the field of human histology with some discussion of the similarities and differences in animals. The laboratory component of the course involves the observation and discussion of representative tissue sections and provides a basic understanding of normal versus abnormal morphology.

A survey of physiological adaptations of animals to different environments including environmental stress. These adaptations are examined at several levels of organization, from the molecular and biochemical to the function of organ systems and behaviour. Includes in-depth examination of both vertebrate and invertebrate examples.

A course on the physiology of the various organ systems of humans and higher vertebrates. The course provides an integrated view of the organization and functioning of the different organ systems of the body and their role in maintaining homeostasis.