Course Outline

Term: 202 Course No: BIOL 100 Course Credits: 4

Instructor: Dr. Manjeet Kumari Course Section No: Lectures: 39 Total Weeks:
Labs: 26 14
Instructor Office: Course Title: Concepts in Class Room No.
Human Health and Biology Lecture: In-person
Laboratory: In-person
Instructor Email:
mkumari@columbiacollege.ca
Class Meeting Days/Time: -
I Course Format: In-person

Course Prerequisites Course

Corequisites

Transferability: Refer to the BC Transfer Guide (www.bctransferguide.ca/)

Course Description:
A liberal arts biology course for non-science majors beginning with an introduction to the basic principles
of biology. The course covers basic cell biology as well as a survey of human organ systems and how
these organ systems relate to human health.
Required Texts/Readings/Learning Resources:
Kumari, M. (2019). Introduction to biology-II (2nd ed.). h#p://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/300/
manjeet_kumari/intro_biology/index.html. Adapted from BIOLOGY 2e, OpenStax.

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Basic chemistry. Explain the basic principles of biochemistry, including being able to:
a. Explain the difference between atoms, ions, isotopes, and molecules.
b. Explain the difference between covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds.
c. Explain the difference between anabolic and catabolic biochemical reactions, and how they
are catalyzed by enzymes.
d. Explain what the four classes of biological macromolecules are, including carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids; giving examples of each.
e. Use a genetic code chart to translate mRNA into protein.
f. Explain acids, bases, the pH scale, and the concentration of solutions.

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2. Cell Biology. Understand basic cell biology, including being able to…
a. Explain the relative sizes of cells, including the difference in size between a eukaryotic and a
prokaryotic cell.
b. Explain the basic functions of cell organelles.
c. Explain basic microscopy techniques, and the difference between bright-field, fluorescent,
and electron microscopes.
d. Explain the basics of mitosis and meiosis.
3. Histology. Explain the four basic types of tissues, giving examples of each.
4. Musculoskeletal system. Name the important bones and muscles present in the human body, and
explain the movements they are responsible for.
5. Classify basic bone fractures.
6. Digestive system. Explain the function of the alimentary canal, and accessory organs.
a. (Odontology) Explain the different types of teeth, and their function.
b. Explain how different digestive system morphologies can be used to classify animals as
carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.
c. (Nutrition) Explain what essential amino acids are; and give examples of important water
soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.
7. Cardiovascular system. Name, and explain the functions of the major components of the
cardiovascular system, including being able to:
a. Name the major parts of the heart and explain their functions.
b. Name the major veins and arteries of the body and explain their functions.
c. Explain the meaning of the major features of an ECG wave.
d. Describe major pathologies of the heart, including atrial and ventricular fibrillation.
e. List the major types of red and white blood cells, and state which lineage they belong to.
f. Explain how the ABO/Rh factor blood typing system works.
g. Take human blood pressure using s sphygmomanometer.
8. Respiratory system. List and explain the functions of the major components of the respiratory
system.
a. Distinguish between the upper and lower respiratory systems.
b. Explain the difference between positive pressure breathers and negative pressure breathers
and give an example of each.
c. Explain the components of lung volume, including lung vital capacity.
d. Explain the significance of surfactant in IRDS (Infantile Respiratory Distress Syndrome).
e. Explain how the medulla oblongata regulates depth of breathing based on blood pH.
9. Renal system. Explain the basic functions of the human renal system, including being able to:
a. Explain the dual function of the renal system in excretion and osmoregulation.

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 b. List and explain the functions of the components of the kidney, including both macroscopic
and microscopic anatomy of the kidney.
c. Explain how antidiuretic hormone (ADH) can influence blood pressure by regulating the
amount of water retained by the kidneys.
10. Reproductive system. Explain the basic functions of the human reproductive system, including
being able to:
a. Explaining differences in sexual vs. asexual reproduction in the animal kingdom, giving
examples of each.
b. List and explain the functions of the components of the male and female reproductive
systems.
c. Explain how the female ovulation cycle is controlled by hormones.
d. Explain the role of teratogens in the major classes of birth defects.
e. List the major sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and how they are contracted.
f. List the major methods of contraception, how they work, and how effective they are.
11. Endocrine system. Explain the major functions of the endocrine system, including being able to:
a. List the difference between endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signaling.
b. Explain the difference between tropic and non-tropic hormones, giving example of each.
c. List the major endocrine glands and the hormones they produce; and explain the functions of
the major hormones.
12. Immune system. Explain the basic functions of the immune system, including being able to:
a. List the various endocrine organs and explain their functions.
b. Explain the difference between the humoral and cell mediated immune systems.
c. Explain how the lymphatic system generates antibodies in response to foreign invaders.
d. Explain the difference between a primary and a secondary immune response, and how these
responses are exploited to make vaccines.

13. Nervous system. Explain the major functions of the nervous system
a. review different parts of neurons
b. Discuss the mechanisms of action and resting potential formation
c. Distinguish the CNS from the PNS
d. Explain the different glial cells of the CNS and the PNS
e. Compare the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
f. Review the different parts of the brain and spinal cord and their features and functions
g. Explain some of the disorders of the nervous system

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Course Content/Schedule*
Week Topic(s) Introduction Assessments
to Biology-II
1 Introduction, chemistry of life Ch. 1, 2 Outcome 1
2 Macromolecules, cell structure, the Ch. 3, 4 quizzes begin Outcome 2
cell membrane
3 Animal form and function, the Ch. 11, 17 Outcomes 3,4
musculoskeletal system
4 Bones and muscles cont. Ch. 17 Outcomes 4,5
5 Digestive system Ch. 12 Outcome 6
6 Respiratory system Ch. 18 Pre-Midterm Outcome 8
7 Circulatory system Ch. 19 Midterm Outcome 7
8 Immune system Ch. 21 Outcome 12
9 Renal system Ch. 20 Outcome 9
10 Endocrine system Ch. 16 Outcome 11
11 Reproductive system Ch. 22 Outcome 10
12 Nervous system Ch. 14 Outcome 13
13 Nervous system Ch. 14 Outcome 13
14 FINAL EXAM Final Exam Cumulative
*Timing subject to change

Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Methods % Comments

Lab Reports and Pre-lab 1 Students must pass the lab component to pass the
Quizzes course
Lab Exam 1
Quizzes 10 Ten quizzes worth 1% each.
Pre-midterm 5
Midterm 20 Midterm covers all material up to and including the
last lecture prior to the midterm.
Final 40 Final exam is cumulative
Total 100

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Grading System
Grade Percentage Grade Points Rating
A+ 90-100 4.3 Excellent
A 85-89 4.0
A- 80-84 3.7 Very Good
B+ 76-79 3.3
B 72-75 3.0
B- 68-71 2.7 Good
C+ 64-67 2.3
C 60-63 2.0 Satisfactory
C- 55-59 1.7
D 50-54 1.0 Marginal Pass
F 0-49 0.0 Fail
N Below 50 0.0 Failure for non-completion or non-attendance
Please see the college calendar for more information about grading and related policies.
Code of Conduct:

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Cheating and Plagiarism Policy:
Columbia College expects all students to uphold the principle of academic honesty. Cheating and
plagiarism (presenting another person’s words or ideas as one’s own) are not acceptable behaviour at any
educational institution. Sharing test question and/or answers; or posting them on online tutoring sites is
prohibited. Depending on the severity of the offence such acts can result in a grade of zero on the test or
assignment, a failing grade (F) in the course, or expulsion from the college. In all cases, the circumstances
and the penalty are recorded in the student’s file.

College Policies:
Please see the college calendar for more information and a complete list of academic policies.

Course-Specific Policies:
Lecture Notes: Lectures are presented in an In-person format at college. The topic for each week is given
in the schedule table listed above. You are expected to review and understand the material at your own
pace within a week. Please refer to ‘managing your time’ document posted on Moodle course website.
Labs: Students must pass the lab portion of the course to be eligible to pass the entire course. The lab
manual is available on the course website. Before each lab, you must complete the pre-lab readings/
activities. Your lab instructor will provide more details.
Communication: Emails will be sent regularly to your College email account. Please use only Columbia
college email to communicate with instructor. Emails will be replied within 24 h period. Please do not use
chat feature of Moodle for a time sensitive issues or for formal requests including excuses for the missed
work due to illness. Instructor will use ‘announcements’ feature in Moodle and in-class announcements to
communicate with the entire class. It is student’s responsibility to attend the classes and check Moodle
announcements every day.
Office hours: You are highly encouraged to contact the instructor regularly. Bring your coffee! Virtual
office hours offered via Zoom meetings. You can send an email to book a time other than office
hours but only when provided office hours do not work for you and you urgently need a meeting.
Quizzes: There are nine multiple choice quizzes, and these happen when a major section of learning
outcome is finished. In addition, there is a plagiarism quiz that needs to be completed online. In total,
there are 10 quizzes in this course. You need to bring your charged laptop to the class for the quizzes. If
you miss bringing your laptop then you may miss the weekly quiz.
Online plagiarism quiz: You are required to do an online plagiarism quiz after thoroughly understanding
the material and watching the videos posted on Moodle. This is worth 1% of your total score.
Re-takes: No test, exam, or assignment can be re-taken without a valid medical reason. If you miss a test
for medical reasons, contact me as soon as possible.

Additional Course Details:

Laptop: For 202 semester, students are required to have a laptop computer.
Internet Access: Mandatory.
Camera on device: Camera is requested by the instructor during exams (online format only)
Check-in: Must check your email and Moodle regularly.
Time required to spend on course: Recommended to spend a minimum of 5 hours each week
working on this course outside of class time.
Moodle will be used to take attendance.
Exams: Zoom video is required to operate from test taking devise (Online format only).
Technology Support
Technology Support is available at Columbia College: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm PST, Saturday,
9am-4pm PST. Also, contact helpdesk@columbiacollege.ca.

Student Services
Advising, course counselling, career counselling, tutoring, student life programming, mental
health services, and health services are available via ssa@columbiacollege.ca.
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Good luck for BIOLOGY 100