Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - BISC 471 D100

Special Topics in Cells, Molecules and Physiology (3)

Development & Environment

Class Number: 4516

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 15, 2024: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    To be announced.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Special Topics in Cells, Molecules and Physiology not currently offered in the Department of Biological Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

Title: Eco-Evo-Devo and organismal adaptations to climate change

Ecological and Evolutionary Developmental Biology, or Eco-Evo-Devo for short, is a relatively new area of biological research that investigates how environmental conditions affect organismal development and evolution. This field of study is of particular importance in today’s world, where it is predicted that climate change will outpace the adaptive capacity of many organisms. In this course we will explore what is known about the ability of organisms to adapt to new environmental conditions as climate change progresses. In the Fall of 2024, we will focus on habitat-forming organisms in marine intertidal and nearshore environments on the B.C. coast including the iconic seaweeds that form kelp forests. Course activities will include a combination of lectures, reading, discussing, and summarizing papers from the scientific literature, and student presentations.

 

Grading

  • Exam(s) 40%
  • Summaries of scientific papers discussed in class 30%
  • Student presentations/participation 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.