Fall 2021 - BISC 425 D100

Sensory Biology (3)

Class Number: 3652

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 305, or BPK 305, or BPK 306 with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course will examine the basic physiological mechanisms underlying various senses including vision, audition, olfaction, gustation, and touch. Non-mamalian senses like polarization sensitivity and mechanoreception will also be explored. Lectures will combine concepts from physics, systems neuroscience, cell and molecular biology, and behaviour. The aim is to present an overview of the major sensory mechanisms underlying animal behaviour. Students who have taken special topics courses BISC 471 or 473 with the title "Sensory Biology" may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

The students will need to research the primary literature and present current knowledge on a sensory system topic assigned by the instructor.

Grading

  • Midterms 30%
  • Oral (with Power Point) Presentation 40%
  • Final Exams 30%

REQUIREMENTS:

Lecture:  asynchronous (office hours will be held during lecture times)
Tutorial: synchronous
Midterm: synchronous; date: TBA
Presentations: synchronous
Final: synchronous; date: TBA

Effective immediately, the Department of Biological Sciences is adopting a mandatory mask policy for all areas under Biology’s control and in spaces elsewhere where Biology faculty teach, applying to everyone regardless of vaccination status.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

No textbook is required for this course.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Online supplemental reading will be provided in the syllabus.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.