Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc)

MDSC 203 Developing Health Research Literacy I

Coordinator: Dr. Donna-Marie McCafferty

Students will be introduced to the interdisciplinary scope of health research through reading and writing assignments. Students will learn the basics of academic research enquiry and practice academic writing and presentation skills through individual and team assignments.

MDSC 308 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to Research

Course Coordinator: Dr. Ebba Kurz

An introduction to the questions, methods, research techniques uses and ethics arising across the different majors of Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics and Health and Society. Sessions will support the development of a broad perspective on health issues. A component of the course will also introduce students to principal theories and methods in bioethics.

MDSC 404 - Integrative Human Physiology

Course Coordinator: Dr. James Fewell

Physiology is defined as the study of how living organisms function and encompasses the integration of processes from molecules to the whole-organism. Provides fundamental principles and concepts about the physiology of the major human organ systems.

MDSC 409 Brain and Society

Coordinator: Dr. Ken Lukowiak

Topics will include neuronal mechanisms of addiction, neuronal mechanisms of learning and memory, aging in the human brain and behavioural consequences and mind/brain dichotomy.

MDSC 417.06/419.06 - Integrated Research Course I/II

Course Coordinator: Dr. Vaibhav Patel

Provides students with the basic conceptual framework, knowledge and skill set to work and think independently in a medical science or life science research environment in their topic area. The course will include lectures in the various topic areas, group sessions and self-directed research project in the topic area.

MDSC 501 - Principles and Mechanisms of Pharmacology

Course Coordinator: Dr. Donna Slater

Basic principles of pharmacology, with emphasis on mechanisms of drug action and receptor signaling. The application of pharmacology to the treatment of disease will also be explored.

MDSC 503 - Pharmacology of Organ Systems

Course Coordinator: Dr. Quentin Pittman

Pharmacology of the nervous, cardiovascular, renal and immune systems, as well as anti-cancer therapies. Principles of toxicology.

MDSC 508 – Honours Thesis Project

Course Coordinator: Dr. Donna Slater (for Biomedical students)

The MDSC 508 course is a research-intensive, full-year course taken in the final year of study. The objective is for the student to demonstrate the capacity to conduct a piece of original work in a specific field. 

MDSC 567 Advanced Topics in Immunology

Coordinator: Dr. Derek McKay

New and emerging themes in immunology, with an emphasis on disease processes such as inflammation in the gut, kidney and lung. Topics include: innate immunity, the inflammasome, sterile inflammation, process and mechanism of immune cell recruitment in different tissues, T cell biology, B cell biology, regulatory immune cells, mucosal immunity, airways responses to virus, mechanisms of food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease. Lectures, small group interactive sessions, specified readings.

MDSC 569.02 – The gut-brain-microbiota axis: redefining mammalian physiology

Course Coordinator: Dr. Marie-Claire Arrieta

Through analysis and discussion of research literature, this course will explore the concept of the gut-brain-microbiota axis, including the development of the concept, advances in the field, pathways and mediators of intercellular communication and aspects of physiology and pathophysiology.

MDSC 569.05 - Cardiovascular Physiology

Course Coordinator: Dr. Jennifer Thompson

Designed for undergraduates with a general understanding of human physiology who wish to pursue advanced topics in a physiological system(s). The physiological system offered will vary from year-to-year and students should contact the instructor for more information prior to enrolling in the course. There will be a review and then build on basic physiological principles through a series of lectures and/or discussion groups. An examination of the specified area of physiology in-depth by introducing students to research methodologies and pathological processes.

Neuroscience, Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Neuroscience 201 Introduction to Neuroscience

Coordinator: Dr. Richard Wilson

A survey of clinical, cognitive, behavioural, systems, cellular and molecular neuroscience, with emphasis on applied, translational, and basic research.

Neuroscience 411 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience

Coordinator: Dr Michael Colicos

Structure and function of the nervous system examined through neurochemistry, intracellular signal transduction, mechanisms of communication, and functional organization of the nervous system at the cellular and systems levels.

Neuroscience 421 History and Ethics of Neuroscience

Coordinator: Dr. Keith Sharkey

An exploration of topics in the history of neuroscience, aspects of ethics as they apply to studies of the brain and how neuroscience fits into society.

Neuroscience 500 Honours Thesis in Neuroscience

Coordinator: Dr. Jun Jan

Research project undertaking critical assessment of data collected testing and hypothesis derived from the literature. To be conducted under the direction of one or more faculty members from departments participating in the Neuroscience program. Formal written and oral reports must be presented on completion of the course.