Course

Principles of Biology: The Organism

Faculty
Science and Technology
Department
Biology
Course code
BIOL 1210
Credits
5.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course presents an introduction to genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, plant and animal reproduction, developmental biology and evolution,  with an emphasis on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these processes.
Course content

1. Genetics

  • genes and chromosomes
  • cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis
  • mendelian inheritance
  • extensions to Mendelian genetics: allele relationships, epistasis, multiple alleles, and polygenic inheritance
  • sex and sex linkage
  • mutations

2. Molecular and cellular basis of life

  • structure and functions of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids.
  • enzymes
  • DNA replication, transcription and translation
  • cell membrane structure and membrane transport
  • structure and functions of the components of the cell

3. Energy and life

  • cellular respiration
  • role of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in energy metabolism
  • fermentation
  • role of energy metabolism in thermoregulation
  • photosynthesis
  • plant adaptations to dry environments

4. Reproduction and development

  • asexual reproduction
  • sexual life cycles in plants
  • reproduction of flowering plants
  • roles of hormones in plant growth, development and responses to the environment
  • reproduction in animals
  • fertilization and early development in animals
  • genetics basis of cell differentiation during animal development
  • cloning

5. Origin and evolution of life

  • scientific theories about the origin of life
  • origin of aerobic life and eukaryotic cells
  • microevolution and macroevolution
  • theory of evolution by natural selection
  • gene flow and genetic drift

6. Laboratory skills

  • microscopy
  • biochemical tests
  • enzyme activity assays
  • chromatography
  • identification and classification of reproductive structures in plants
  • sex identification in flies
  • collection, presentation and analysis of experimental data

 

Learning activities

Classroom time may include a combination of lecture, group discussions, and other in-class activities. The course content is integrated with laboratory experiments, problem sets and textbook readings.

Means of assessment

Assessment 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. This is a letter-graded course.

Evaluation will be based on the following:

Quizzes and assignments  

15-25%

Laboratory assignments

5-15%

Laboratory examination

10-15%

Term test(s)

20-35%

Final examination

20-35%

Total

100%

 

A minimum of 70% of the laboratory assignments must be completed to receive a final grade of D or higher in the course.

 

Learning outcomes

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

  • Describe the processes of cell division in plants and animals, and explain their significance in development and reproduction;
  • Predict the outcome of genetics crosses based on parental genotypes and deduce parental genotypes based on the outcome of crosses;
  • Describe the chromosomal basis of sex;
  • Describe the various types of mutations and their role in evolution;
  • Describe the structure and functions of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates;
  • Explain the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis;
  • Explain the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation;
  • Discuss how plants and animals reproduce and develop;
  • Discuss the mechanisms of evolution and current theories about the origin of life;
  • Use common laboratory equipment;
  • Use microscopes to examine cells, tissues, and organisms;
  • Use biochemical methods to determine the presence of substances and the activity of enzymes in biological samples;
  • Interpret and present observations and results from lab experiments;
  • Critically analyze scientific data and observations.

 

Textbook materials

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

Urry L. A. et al. (Current Edition). Campbell Biology. Pearson         

Douglas College Biology 1210 Course Manual. Current edition

 

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

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 to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for BIOL 1210
Alexander College (ALEX) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = ALEX BIOL 101 (4) & ALEX BIOL 102 (4)
Athabasca University (AU) AU BIOL 204 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU BIOL 110 (4)
Capilano University (CAPU) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = CAPU BIOL 110 (4) & CAPU BIOL 111 (4)
Capilano University (CAPU) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = CAPU BIOL 109 (5.5) & CAPU BIOL 111 (4)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) DOUG BIOL 1100 (4) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = CMTN BIOL 101 (3) & CMTN BIOL 102 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU BIOL 1210 (4)
Langara College (LANG) LANG BIOL 1115 (4)
Langara College (LANG) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = LANG BIOL 1115 (4) & LANG BIOL 1215 (4)
North Island College (NIC) DOUG BIOL 1110 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (3) = NIC BIO 102 (3) & NIC BIO 103 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC BIOL 121 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = SFU BISC 101 (4) & SFU BISC 102 (4)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU BISC 1XX (4)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) DOUG BIOL 1110 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (3) = TRU BIOL 1113 (3) & TRU BIOL 1115 (0) & TRU BIOL 1213 (3) & TRU BIOL 1215 (0)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) DOUG BIOL 1110 (3) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (3) = TRU BIOL 1113 (3) & TRU BIOL 1115 (0) & TRU BIOL 1213 (3) & TRU BIOL 1215 (0)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU BIOL 1XXX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = TRU BIOL 1110 (3) & TRU BIOL 1210 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU BIOL 114 (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = UBCO BIOL_O 116 (3) & UBCO BIOL_O 125 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = UBCV BIOL_V 1st (8)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC BIOL 103 (3) & UNBC BIOL 123 (1)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV BIO 111 (5)
University of Victoria (UVIC) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = UVIC BIOL 184 (1.5) & UVIC BIOL 186 (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = VCC BIOL 1100 (4) & VCC BIOL 1200 (4)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) DOUG BIOL 1110 (5) & DOUG BIOL 1210 (5) = VIU BIOL 121 (4) & VIU BIOL 123 (4)

Course Offerings

Fall 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2310
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

BIOL 1210 001 Students must also register in a non-conflicting closed lab section at the same campus (BIOL 1210 L05 or L06).

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3902
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

BIOL 1210 002 Students must also register in a non-conflicting closed lab section at the same campus (BIOL 1210 L03 or L04).