BIOL 103
Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems
Winter 2026
Topics
- Evolutionary mechanisms
- populations and speciation
- phylogeny
- animal physiology
- signalling and hormones
- nervous and sensory systems
- homeostasis
- immunity and reproduction
- behavioural and community ecology.
Readings
- Required: Campbell Biology, 4th Canadian edition, Pearson; e-text bundle includes Mastering Biology. Supplemental-material table contains unfilled template fields, not actual recommended resources.
Winter 2025 · Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems 3.0 CR Blended
Topics
- Evolution
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
Readings
- Listed material: Course Text: Campbell Biology, Canadian 3rd Edition by Urey, Cain et. al., 2020, published by Pearson. There is no physical textbook required for this course.
- Listed material: 1) Title: Multi Term Mastering Biology with Pearson eText Access Code for Campbell Biology, Third Canadian Edition
Fall 2025
Topics
- Evolution and diversity
- speciation and phylogeny
- organismal physiology
- cell signalling and hormones
- neurons, muscles and sensory systems
- homeostasis
- ecology.
Readings
- Required: Campbell Biology with Mastering Biology, 4th Canadian edition, Pearson Canada. No other required or supplemental materials listed.
Winter 2024 · Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems 3.0 CR Blended
Topics
- Evolution
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
Readings
- Listed material: Course Text: Campbell Biology, Canadian 3rd Edition by Urey, Cain et. al., 2020, published by Pearson. Dates and details of readings will be posted on the course website in OnQ. The Core Content of the course will be available via recorded lectures, with slides and transcripts available.
Fall 2024
Topics
- 1 Evolution and Diversity
- Evolution of populations
- Origin of species
- The
- Introduction to Physiology
- Evolution of
- Multicellularity
- Common Themes in Physiology
- Cell signalling and Hormones
- Neurons
- Muscles
- Nutrition
- Circulation and gas exchange in
- 4 Ecology
- Behaviour
- Ecology and the Biosphere
- Population ecology
- Community ecology
- Ecosystems
- Global change and conservation
- ecosystems and recognize the importance of ecological interactions and biodiversity in building
- Learning
Readings
- Required: Course Textbooks Edition(s) Publisher
Winter 2023
Topics
- Evolution
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
Readings
- Listed material: Course Text: Campbell Biology, Canadian 3rd Edition by Urey, Cain et. al., 2020, published by Pearson. Dates and details
Fall 2023
Topics
- Evolution
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
Readings
- Listed material: Campbell Biology, Third Canadian Edition, Urry et al.
Winter 2022
Topics
- Group Learning
- A. Evolution
- Why evolution matters. The importance of understanding evolution
- the evidence for evolution
- the
- major processes of evolutionary change: natural and sexual selection, drift, migration, mutation
- how
- Macroevolution and a history of life on earth. Species definitions
- how evolution causes speciation
- governing changes in assemblages of organisms over Earth’s history
- evolution of sexual reproduction
- of the membrane potential, evolution of types of myocytes and neurons
- Nervous systems and Sensory Biology. Building nervous systems from neurons and supporting cells
- Nutrition and Osmoregulation. Regulation of nutrients and water balance: feeding modes, nutrient
- Internal transport. Movement of gases, fluids, and nutrients throughout the organism: Cardiovascular
- physiology, respiratory systems, plant internal transport
- Immunity. Defense against pathogens: Evolution of immune systems, innate and acquired immunity
- Reproduction and Development. From gametes to organisms and back: regulation of gametogenic
- tissues, role of life history strategies, developmental patterns, regulation of development
- D. Organisms to Ecosystems
- Behaviour. The importance of mate choice and competition for mates in shaping sexual organisms
- conflicts between the sexes, both physical and genetic
- relatedness, kinship and the evolution of
- Population & Community Ecology. Life history strategies
- population growth
- the niche
- species
- Ecosystems & Conservation. Energy and material flow in biological systems
- productivity
- elemental
- Weekly group learning sessions run the continuum from laboratory to group learning. Weekly pre-lab
- Biodiversity
- Natural selection
- Equilibrium
- Climate change
Readings
- Listed material: Campbell Biology, Canadian 3rd Edition by Urey, Cain et. al., 2020, published by Pearson. Dates and details of readings will be posted on the course website in OnQ.
Winter 2020
Topics
- Movement of gases, fluids, and nutrients throughout the organism: Cardiovascular physiology, respiratory
- Defense against pathogens: Evolution of immune systems, innate and acquired immunity, roles of various
- evolution of types of myocytes and neurons, building muscle and nerve systems
- strategies, developmental patterns, regulation of development
- Organisms to Ecosystems (Dr. Chippindale)
- The major forces of evolutionary change: selection, drift, migration, mutation
- species definitions
- modes of
- changes in assemblages of organisms over earth’s history
- evolution of sexual reproduction and
- multicellularity
- origins of different mating types and gametes
- consequences of separate sexes
- sexual
- Energy and material flow in biological systems
- productivity
- elemental cycles
- biodiversity
- biological
- Weekly group learning sessions run the continuum from laboratory to group learning. Weekly pre-lab
- Disease
- Nutrition
- Natural selection
- Equilibrium
- Community ecology
- Conservation
- Climate change
Readings
- Listed material: Campbell Biology, Canadian 2nd Edition by Reece, Urey, Cain et. al., 2017, published by Pearson.
- Listed material: The digital version provides the textbook itself as well as supplementary material such as practice tests, and instructional videos and tutorials.
- Listed material: Department of Biology website: http://biology.queensu.ca Dates and details of readings and assignments will be announced in class and/or posted on the course website in OnQ.
Winter 2019
Topics
- Movement and Muscle Control
- An introduction to movement (plants, protists, cultured cells) with emphasis on the vertebrate
- Neuroscience
- Respiration and Gas Exchange
- Evading the Immune System
- Hormones and Endocrine Systems
- by endocrine glands. Practical applications of hormone studies including cheating in athletic
- Organisms to Ecosystems (Dr. Chippindale)
- The forces of evolutionary change (selection, drift, migration, mutation)
- detecting evolution
- Population & Community Ecology
- Ecosystems & Conservation
- physiology, respiration physiology, and evolution
- Stress
- Infection
- Enzymes
- Vertebrates
- Brain
- Development
- Proteins
- Epidemiology
- Disease
- Synthesis
- Natural selection
- Biodiversity
- Conservation biology
Readings
- Required: Campbell Biology, Second Canadian Edition by Reece, Urry, Cain et. al., 2018, published by Pearson.
- Required: Note: Access to the publisher’s website is associated with the text (provided with purchase of new text)
- Required: Department of Biology website: http://biology.queensu.ca Dates and details of readings and assignments will be announced in class and/or posted on the course website in OnQ.
Winter 2018
Topics
- Movement and Muscle Control
- An introduction to movement (plants, protists, cultured cells) with emphasis on the vertebrate
- Neuroscience
- Respiration and Gas Exchange
- Evading the Immune System
- Hormones and Endocrine Systems
- by endocrine glands. Practical applications of hormone studies including cheating in athletic
- Organisms to Ecosystems (Dr. Chippindale)
- The forces of evolutionary change (selection, drift, migration, mutation)
- detecting evolution
- Population & Community Ecology
- Ecosystems & Conservation
- physiology, respiration physiology, and evolution
- Stress
- Infection
- Enzymes
- Vertebrates
- Brain
- Development
- Proteins
- Epidemiology
- Disease
- Synthesis
- Natural selection
- Biodiversity
- Conservation biology
Winter 2017
Topics
- Movement and Muscle Control
- An introduction to movement (plants, protists, cultured cells) with emphasis on the vertebrate
- Neuroscience
- Respiration and Gas Exchange
- Evading the Immune System
- Hormones and Endocrine Systems
- by endocrine glands. Practical applications of hormone studies including cheating in athletic
- Organisms to Ecosystems (Dr. Chippindale)
- The forces of evolutionary change (selection, drift, migration, mutation)
- detecting evolution
- Population & Community Ecology
- Ecosystems & Conservation
- physiology, respiration physiology, and evolution
- Stress
- Infection
- Enzymes
- Vertebrates
- Brain
- Development
- Proteins
- Epidemiology
- Disease
- Synthesis
- Natural selection
- Biodiversity
- Conservation biology
2014-2015
Topics
- Nutrition and Digestion
- Movement and Muscle Control
- An introduction to movement (plants, protists, cultured cells) with emphasis on the vertebrate
- Neuroscience
- Respiration and Gas Exchange
- carbon dioxide. Adaptations to high altitudes and embryonic development. Human diseases (genetic
- Evading the Immune System
- HIV (life cycle, epidemiology and social responsibility). The battle between HIV and the immune
- Hormones and Endocrine Systems
- Organisms to Ecosystems
- Evolution and Diversity
- Variation and Natural Selection
- Natural Selection in the Wild)
- Population Genetics
- Cell biology
- Bacteria
- Enzymes
- Learning
- Physiology
- Vertebrates
- Brain
- DNA
- Proteins
- Diabetes
- Synthesis
2013-2014
Topics
- Nutrition and Digestion
- Movement and Muscle Control
- An introduction to movement (plants, protists, cultured cells) with emphasis on the vertebrate
- Neuroscience
- Respiration and Gas Exchange
- carbon dioxide. Adaptations to high altitudes and embryonic development. Human diseases (genetic
- Evading the Immune System
- HIV (life cycle, epidemiology and social responsibility). The battle between HIV and the immune
- Hormones and Endocrine Systems
- Organisms to Ecosystems
- Evolution and Diversity
- Variation and Natural Selection
- Natural Selection in the Wild)
- Population Genetics
- Cell biology
- Bacteria
- Enzymes
- Learning
- Physiology
- Vertebrates
- Brain
- DNA
- Proteins
- Diabetes
- Synthesis
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026–2027
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2026
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2025
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Fall 2025
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2024
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Fall 2024
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2023
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Fall 2023
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2022
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2020
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2019
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2018
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Winter 2017
- Syllabus / course outline ↗2014-2015
- Syllabus / course outline ↗2013-2014
- Winter 2026. Required textbook restored and template noise removed.
- Fall 2025. Textbook recovered from source table.