Course

Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Biology
Course code
BIOL 1103
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
37
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course is an introduction to the study of anatomy and physiology of humans. Cell biology and the biochemistry of cells are examined, and the levels of organization in the human body are studied. Body systems covered include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.

Enrollment is usually limited to students in Health Science and Sport Science programs.
Course content

1. Structure and function of cells

  • Cell membranes and various cytoplasmic and nuclear components
  • Preparation of and examination (using a compound microscope) of animal and plant cells
  • Major cellular processes and their significance to the cell

2. Introduction to biochemistry

  • The chemistry of water
  • The chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

3. Homeostasis

  • The definition of homeostasis, its importance, and the conditions required to fulfill homeostasis
  • The definitions of internal environment, stress, positive and negative feedback systems, and their roles in homeostasis
  • Examples of homeostatic mechanisms, including positive and negative feedback systems

4. The organization of the human body beyond the cellular level

  • The structure and function of the four tissue types
  • The major body systems, their major organs, and the general function of each organ
  • Directional terms as they relate to the human body
  • The body cavities and their organs

5. The integumentary system

  • The identification and description of the components of the epidermis and the dermis
  • Specialized cells, structures, and glands

6. The skeletal system

  • The basic structure, histology, and components of the human skeleton
  • The structure, physiology, and function of bone
  • The changes in skeletal structure during growth and development (ossification)
  • Articulations (joints) with respect to their structures and types of movement allowed
  • The basic mechanical principles of movement as they relate to joints (biomechanics)

7. The muscular system

  • The types of movements as a result of skeletal muscle contraction
  • The identification of the principal muscles and muscle groups and their movements
  • The gross anatomy of muscles and microscopic anatomy of muscle tissue
  • The physiology of muscle contraction

8. The nervous system

  • The structure and function of the parts of the brain, the spinal cord, and major nerves
  • The reflex arc
  • The structure and functioning of the sense organs
Learning activities

This course involves both classroom instruction and laboratory activities. Classroom work will consist of lectures, tutorials, and work in small groups.

Means of assessment

Assessments will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Quizzes and Assignments: 15-25%

Laboratory Assignments and Quizzes: 5-15%

Laboratory Final Examination: 10-20%

Term Test(s): 20-40%

Final Examination: 20-40%

Total: 100%

 

Notes:

1. Laboratory Experiments and Activities

Laboratory work will be assigned each week and must be completed in the week it is assigned. Laboratory experiments and assignments are a compulsory component of this course. A minimum of 50% of the laboratory experiments and assignments must be completed to receive a P grade or better in the course.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • use a compound microscope to describe and identify cell and tissue types in the body;
  • describe the basic components of an atom and the properties of ionic and covalent bonds;
  • describe the chemistry, properties, and biological significance of water;
  • describe the structure and biological significance of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids;
  • describe the basic principles of homeostasis and negative feedback systems, providing at least one example of a homeostatic mechanism;
  • describe anatomical structures using appropriate terminology;
  • specify the locations of various organs and systems;
  • describe the components and functions of the integumentary systems.
  • identify the components of the human skeleton, including the structure and growth of long bones;
  • describe the types and range of movements of skeletal articulations;
  • describe the basic principles of biomechanics;
  • describe the location, structure, and functions of the major muscles of the body;
  • describe the gross anatomy of muscles and the microanatomy of muscle tissue;
  • describe the physiology of muscle contraction;
  • describe the components of the nervous system;
  • identify the roles of the major components of the nervous system and associated sensory organs.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Marieb, E.N. & Hoehn, K. Human Anatomy & Physiology (Current Edition). Pearson Education Inc.

Douglas College produced manual: Biology 1103/1109: Human Anatomy and Physiology I.

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

BIOL 1109

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for BIOL 1103
Athabasca University (AU) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = AU BIOL 235 (6)
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO BIOL 1XX (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = CAMO BIOL 150 (3) & CAMO BIOL 151 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU BIOL 112 (4) or CAPU KINE 190 (3)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = CMTN BIOL 131 (3) & CMTN BIOL 132 (3)
College of New Caledonia (CNC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = CNC BIO 111 (3) & CNC BIO 112 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = COTR KNES 200 (3) & COTR KNES 210 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = COTR BIOL 181 (3) & COTR BIOL 182 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = KPU BIOL 1160 (4) & KPU BIOL 1260 (4)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU BIOL 1XXX (4)
Langara College (LANG) LANG BIOL 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = LANG BIOL 1190 (3) & LANG BIOL 1191 (3)
North Island College (NIC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = NIC BIO 160 (3) & NIC BIO 161 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = OC BIOL 131 (3) & OC BIOL 133 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU BPK 1XX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = SFU BPK 105 (3) & SFU BPK 1XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU BIOL 1593 (3) & TRU BIOL 1595 (0)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU BIOL 1592 (3) or TRU BIOL 1594 (0)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU BIOL 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UBCO BIOL_O 131 (3) & UBCO BIOL_O 133 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UBCV BIOL_V 155 (6)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UBCV KIN_V 110 (3) & UBCV KIN_V 131 (3) & UBCV KIN_V 132 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV KIN_V 131 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (4) = UNBC HHSC 111 (4) & UNBC HHSC 112 (4)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UNBC HHSC 105 (3) & UNBC HHSC 1XX (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC HHSC 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UFV BIO 383 (3) & UFV BIO 3XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UFV KIN 170 (4) & UFV KIN 1XX (2)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1209 (3) = UFV KIN 170 (4) & UFV KIN 1XX (2)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV BIO 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1209 (3) = UFV BIO 383 (3) & UFV BIO 3XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UFV HSC 111 (3) & UFV HSC 113 (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = UFV HSC 111 (4) & UFV HSC 113 (4)
University of Victoria (UVIC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1209 (3) = UVIC EPHE 141 (1.5) & UVIC EPHE 160 (1.5)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC EPHE 1XX (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) or DOUG BIOL 1109 (3) = VCC BIOL 1120 (4)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = VCC BIOL 1120 (4) & VCC BIOL 1220 (4)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1203 (3) = VCC BIOL 1120 (4) & VCC BIOL 1220 (4)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) DOUG BIOL 1103 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1209 (3) = VCC BIOL 1120 (4) & VCC BIOL 1220 (4)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU BIOL 156A (3) & VIU BIOL 156L (1)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
37
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
5
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D2009
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 001 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L01.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
36
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
16
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D2008
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 003 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L01.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
36
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
7
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D2009
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 004 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L01.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
37
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
1
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D2008
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 005 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L01. This section is taught using a flipped methodology. Videos are assigned prior to class (largely in lieu of lectures) and class time prioritizes active learning strategies.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
13
Remaining seats:
24
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D2009
Times:
Start Time
16:30
-
End Time
18:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 006 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L01. This section is taught using a flipped methodology. Videos are assigned prior to class (largely in lieu of lectures) and class time prioritizes active learning strategies.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
2
On waitlist
15
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1717
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 007 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L02.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
37
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
13
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1812
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 008 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L02. This section is taught using a flipped methodology. Videos are assigned prior to class (largely in lieu of lectures) and class time prioritizes active learning strategies.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
37
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
16
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3902
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 010 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L02.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
37
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
17
Building
Anvil Office Tower
Room
711
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 011 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L02.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
37
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
2
On waitlist
7
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S0650
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
20:20
Section notes

BIOL 1103 050 is intended, but not restricted, for students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs and includes a two-hour lab in addition to the scheduled class times. Students must also register in BIOL 1103 L02.