The topics covered in these courses vary based on the research interests and expertise of the faculty teaching them, providing students with the opportunity to engage with advanced concepts and emerging research that align with the faculty’s specialized knowledge.
Special topics courses are updated prior to the start of each academic year and will be posted when the Academic Calendar for the year is available.
Current Special Topics in Biology
BIOL 430B/530G | 2025W T1
Advanced Meta-Science and Meta-Analyses, Dr. April Martinig
This course introduces the principles of meta-science with an emphasis on meta-analyses, including data transparency and repeatability. Lectures will build knowledge and skills pertinent to meta-science. We will discuss scoping searches, the PICO framework, search strings, benchmarking, decision trees, initial and full-text screening, data extraction, piloting methods, and pre-registration.
Prerequisite: BIOL 202 or approved equivalent/permission of the instructor
With permission of the department head, this course may be taken more than once with a different topic. Credit will be granted for only one of BIOL 430, 431, 432, 433, 530, 531, 532, 533 when the subject matter is of the same nature.
BIOL 430/530A | 2025W T2
Addressing the reproducibility crisis science research, Dr. Jason Pither
Most published scientific research – including in health, psychology, environmental science, and ecology – cannot be reproduced. This undermines the reliability of evidence that informs policy, and can reduce public trust in science. In this course students will learn about the research practices that underlie this problem. Then, through a combination of lectures, hands-on tutorials, and collaborative activities, students will learn about, and how to implement, the tools and practices that can ensure research reproducibility.
Prerequisite: BIOL202 or DATA301 or STAT230 or PSYO373 or Graduate student status with introductory coding experience
With permission of the department head, this course may be taken more than once with a different topic. Credit will be granted for only one of BIOL 430, 431, 432, 433, 530, 531, 532, 533 when the subject matter is of the same nature.
BIOL 430/530W | 2025W T2
Animal Microbiomes, Dr. Laura Grieneisen
Introduction to host-associated microbial communities, focusing on the host and environmental pressures that select for the resident microbial community in different body sites. The material is primarily in animals (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, arthropods, coral) but includes some human-specific comparisons. Specific topics will include microbial assembly, heritability, transmission, captivity, pathogens, and the gut-brain axis.
Prerequisite: BIOL 228, BIOL 202
With permission of the department head, this course may be taken more than once with a different topic. Credit will be granted for only one of BIOL 430, 431, 432, 433, 530, 531, 532, 533 when the subject matter is of the same nature.
BIOL 430F | 2025W T2
Clinical oncology, Dr. Jose Sapien
This course bridges cancer biology with the real-world experiences of individuals affected by this condition. Students will be introduced to the full cancer care pathway—from prevention and screening to diagnosis, staging, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care—while learning to consider both the scientific and human dimensions of oncology. Emphasis is placed on translating biological mechanisms into meaningful, real-life clinical application and understanding.
Prerequisite: One of BIOL 311, BIOC 304 and all of BIOL 200, BIOL 265 and BIOL 318
With permission of the department head, this course may be taken more than once with a different topic. Credit will be granted for only one of BIOL 430, 431, 432, 433, 530, 531, 532, 533 when the subject matter is of the same nature.
BIOL 430/530E | 2025W T2
Statistical Modelling, Dr. Mike Noonan
Advanced course on biostatistics focused on combining data with models to generate mechanistic descriptions of biological patterns. Building from simple linear regression, the course teaches regression methods for handling the most routinely encountered features in biological data. Emphasis is placed on understanding and interpreting the analyses in biological terms and linking analyses to theoretical or applied questions. The course is divided into core lectures and practicals.
Prerequisite: BIOL 202 or approved equivalent/permission of the instructor
With permission of the department head, this course may be taken more than once with a different topic. Credit will be granted for only one of BIOL 430, 431, 432, 433, 530, 531, 532, 533 when the subject matter is of the same nature.
For special topic course inquiries please contact: ugbiology.okanagan@ubc.ca
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for information regarding degree and course requirements.