Academic Calendar - 2025
Western University Academic Calendar. - 2025
Microbiology and Immunology
The biology of the human immune system and microbial pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Host-pathogen relationships and mechanisms used by microbes to cause disease will be emphasized.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Virology elucidates the complexities of viruses, informing strategies for disease prevention, vaccine development, and therapeutic interventions, playing a pivotal role in advancing public health and medical research. Lectures will focus on the understanding of viral genomes, structures, and replication and students will participate in a collaborative inquiry-based term project.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B and Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B. Pre-or Corequisite(s): It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Elementary concepts of innate and adaptive immunity, structure and function of the immune system, antigens and antibodies, complement, genetic basis of the immune response, humoral and cellular immunity, immunological tolerance, organ and tissue transplantation, allergy, and autoimmune disease.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 lecture/tutorial hour.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Bacteriology, essential for understanding diseases, guiding medical interventions, and advancing biotechnology, critically influences human health and environmental sustainability. Lectures will focus on bacterial cell structure and function; bacterial culture, growth, development, and division; bacterial genetics and information flow; bacterial metabolism and diversity; and roles of bacteria in the environment.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B and Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B. Pre-or Corequisite(s): It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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A trans-disciplinary approach to examine the introduction, spread and ecological impact of infectious diseases; the underlying biological and social determinants of infectious diseases with an emphasis on the effects of environment and socio-economic status; lessons learned from global pandemics; treatment/prevention of infectious diseases and challenges with implementation in under-resourced communities.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Laboratory techniques used in the broad discipline of microbiology, including bacteriology and virology. Laboratory exercises include the staining, biochemical characteristics and identification of live bacteria, plus genetic techniques used to study microorganisms. This course runs parallel to, and applies basic principles acquired in, Microbiology and Immunology 3400A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B, Chemistry 2213A/B and Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B with marks of at least 60% in each; Pre-or Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A. It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously or concurrently.
Extra Information: 1 lecture/tutorial hour, 3 laboratory hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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This course will familiarize students with a variety of practical techniques used in immunology research and diagnostic laboratories. The course applies basic principles acquired in Microbiology and Immunology 3300B.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3610F with a mark of at least 60%.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3300B.
Extra Information: 1 lecture/tutorial hour, 3 laboratory hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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A course offering an integrated view of bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms. Topics focus mainly on medically important bacterial pathogens, with an emphasis on how they cause disease and the host's immune defense mechanisms to these infectious microbes.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A, with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Molecular mechanisms involved in viral replication and host pathogen relationships. This course focuses on animal and human viruses and their host-pathogen relationships including immune evasion strategies, mechanisms of host restriction, evolutionary relationships, disease pathogenesis and therapeutic applications of viral vectors.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3200B or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A, with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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With recent technological advances, our understanding of the immune underpinnings of inflammatory and immunological diseases continues to evolve. In this course, students will explore modern perspectives that challenge existing paradigms of inflammatory diseases.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 4300A.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3300B with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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This course explores how humans harness microbes and their products to improve health, enhance food systems, address sustainability challenges, and drive innovation in biotechnology.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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An overview of concepts and applications of techniques in bioinformatics for the study and clinical/public health management of infectious diseases. Students are introduced to the basic analysis of conventional and next-generation sequence data, principles of maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, reconstructing epidemic and evolutionary histories, detecting adaptation, and molecular epidemiology.
Antirequisite(s): Medical Bioinformatics 4750F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Biology 2581A/B; and either Biology 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2244A/B.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): One of Medical Bioinformatics 3100A/B, Medical Sciences 3391A/B or Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B is recommended but not required.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours. Cross-listed with Medical Bioinformatics 4750F/G.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Students conduct independent research projects under direct supervision of a faculty member, while also receiving support from other members of the research team. Designed to immerse students in authentic scientific inquiry, it fosters hands-on learning, critical thinking, and collaboration while developing essential research skills in a real-world laboratory setting.
Antirequisite(s): Anatomy and Cell Biology 4985E, Biochemistry 4484E, Biochemistry 4985E, Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4900E, Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4985E, Medical Bioinformatics 4985E, Medical Biophysics 4985E, Medical Sciences 4990E, One Health 4985E, Pathology 4985E, Physiology and Pharmacology 4985E, the former Anatomy and Cell Biology 4480E, the former Biochemistry 4483E, the former Chemical Biology 4500E, the former Medical Bioinformatics 4980E, the former Medical Biophysics 4970E, the former Medical Biophysics 4971E, the former Microbiology and Immunology 4970E, the former One Health 4980E, the former Pathology 4980E, the former Physiology and Pharmacology 4980E.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3610F and Microbiology and Immunology 3620G, with a mark in each of at least 70%. Enrolment is limited and is available only to students in Year 4 of an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity, Microbiology and Immunology, or Microbiology and Immunology with Pathology.
Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 4986Y.
Extra Information: 15 laboratory hours per week.
Course Weight: 1.00
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Microbiology and Immunology 4986Y BEYOND THE BENCH: BUILDING SKILLS FOR SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
Success in biomedical research requires more than technical expertise – it demands strong ethical foundations, effective communication, and resilience in the face of challenges. This course equips students with essential skills for thriving in academic and professional research environments.
Antirequisite(s): Anatomy and Cell Biology 4986Y, Biochemistry 4986Y.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in Year 4 of an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity, Microbiology and Immunology, or Microbiology and Immunology with Pathology.
Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 4985E.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours per week. Cross-listed with Anatomy and Cell Biology 4986Y, Biochemistry 4986Y.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Microbiology and Immunology
The biology of the human immune system and microbial pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Host-pathogen relationships and mechanisms used by microbes to cause disease will be emphasized.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Virology elucidates the complexities of viruses, informing strategies for disease prevention, vaccine development, and therapeutic interventions, playing a pivotal role in advancing public health and medical research. Lectures will focus on the understanding of viral genomes, structures, and replication and students will participate in a collaborative inquiry-based term project.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B and Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B. Pre-or Corequisite(s): It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Elementary concepts of innate and adaptive immunity, structure and function of the immune system, antigens and antibodies, complement, genetic basis of the immune response, humoral and cellular immunity, immunological tolerance, organ and tissue transplantation, allergy, and autoimmune disease.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 lecture/tutorial hour.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Bacteriology, essential for understanding diseases, guiding medical interventions, and advancing biotechnology, critically influences human health and environmental sustainability. Lectures will focus on bacterial cell structure and function; bacterial culture, growth, development, and division; bacterial genetics and information flow; bacterial metabolism and diversity; and roles of bacteria in the environment.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B and Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B. Pre-or Corequisite(s): It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
A trans-disciplinary approach to examine the introduction, spread and ecological impact of infectious diseases; the underlying biological and social determinants of infectious diseases with an emphasis on the effects of environment and socio-economic status; lessons learned from global pandemics; treatment/prevention of infectious diseases and challenges with implementation in under-resourced communities.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Laboratory techniques used in the broad discipline of microbiology, including bacteriology and virology. Laboratory exercises include the staining, biochemical characteristics and identification of live bacteria, plus genetic techniques used to study microorganisms. This course runs parallel to, and applies basic principles acquired in, Microbiology and Immunology 3400A.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B, Chemistry 2213A/B and Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B with marks of at least 60% in each; Pre-or Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A. It is recommended, but not required, that Biochemistry 3381A be taken previously or concurrently.
Extra Information: 1 lecture/tutorial hour, 3 laboratory hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
This course will familiarize students with a variety of practical techniques used in immunology research and diagnostic laboratories. The course applies basic principles acquired in Microbiology and Immunology 3300B.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3610F with a mark of at least 60%.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3300B.
Extra Information: 1 lecture/tutorial hour, 3 laboratory hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
A course offering an integrated view of bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms. Topics focus mainly on medically important bacterial pathogens, with an emphasis on how they cause disease and the host's immune defense mechanisms to these infectious microbes.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A, with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Molecular mechanisms involved in viral replication and host pathogen relationships. This course focuses on animal and human viruses and their host-pathogen relationships including immune evasion strategies, mechanisms of host restriction, evolutionary relationships, disease pathogenesis and therapeutic applications of viral vectors.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3200B or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A, with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
With recent technological advances, our understanding of the immune underpinnings of inflammatory and immunological diseases continues to evolve. In this course, students will explore modern perspectives that challenge existing paradigms of inflammatory diseases.
Antirequisite(s): the former Microbiology and Immunology 4300A.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3300B with a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
This course explores how humans harness microbes and their products to improve health, enhance food systems, address sustainability challenges, and drive innovation in biotechnology.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3400A or the former Microbiology and Immunology 3100A a mark of at least 70%.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
An overview of concepts and applications of techniques in bioinformatics for the study and clinical/public health management of infectious diseases. Students are introduced to the basic analysis of conventional and next-generation sequence data, principles of maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, reconstructing epidemic and evolutionary histories, detecting adaptation, and molecular epidemiology.
Antirequisite(s): Medical Bioinformatics 4750F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Biology 2581A/B; and either Biology 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2244A/B.
Pre-or Corequisite(s): One of Medical Bioinformatics 3100A/B, Medical Sciences 3391A/B or Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B is recommended but not required.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours. Cross-listed with Medical Bioinformatics 4750F/G.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Students conduct independent research projects under direct supervision of a faculty member, while also receiving support from other members of the research team. Designed to immerse students in authentic scientific inquiry, it fosters hands-on learning, critical thinking, and collaboration while developing essential research skills in a real-world laboratory setting.
Antirequisite(s): Anatomy and Cell Biology 4985E, Biochemistry 4484E, Biochemistry 4985E, Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4900E, Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4985E, Medical Bioinformatics 4985E, Medical Biophysics 4985E, Medical Sciences 4990E, One Health 4985E, Pathology 4985E, Physiology and Pharmacology 4985E, the former Anatomy and Cell Biology 4480E, the former Biochemistry 4483E, the former Chemical Biology 4500E, the former Medical Bioinformatics 4980E, the former Medical Biophysics 4970E, the former Medical Biophysics 4971E, the former Microbiology and Immunology 4970E, the former One Health 4980E, the former Pathology 4980E, the former Physiology and Pharmacology 4980E.
Prerequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 3610F and Microbiology and Immunology 3620G, with a mark in each of at least 70%. Enrolment is limited and is available only to students in Year 4 of an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity, Microbiology and Immunology, or Microbiology and Immunology with Pathology.
Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 4986Y.
Extra Information: 15 laboratory hours per week.
Course Weight: 1.00
Return to top
Microbiology and Immunology 4986Y BEYOND THE BENCH: BUILDING SKILLS FOR SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
Success in biomedical research requires more than technical expertise – it demands strong ethical foundations, effective communication, and resilience in the face of challenges. This course equips students with essential skills for thriving in academic and professional research environments.
Antirequisite(s): Anatomy and Cell Biology 4986Y, Biochemistry 4986Y.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in Year 4 of an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity, Microbiology and Immunology, or Microbiology and Immunology with Pathology.
Corequisite(s): Microbiology and Immunology 4985E.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours per week. Cross-listed with Anatomy and Cell Biology 4986Y, Biochemistry 4986Y.