Overview
The essential biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and metabolic pathways underlying the survival and success of all living organisms. Themes and case studies could range from the application of genetic engineering in biotechnology to the role of cellular dysregulation in inheritable diseases.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the summer and/or winter term
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- explain and interpret how major macromolecules of living organisms interrelate to create cellular function, diversity and evolution
- explain and interpret how cells function normally, respond to environmental signals and propagate the next generation
- explain and interpret how genes work to facilitate life and inheritance and apply this knowledge to scientific experimentation and molecular biotechnologies
Topics
- Biology and the Tree of Life
- Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life
- Protein Structure and Function
- Nucleic Acids and the RNA World and an Introduction to Carbohydrates
- Lipids and Membranes
- Cell Ultrastructure and Cell Communication
- Cell Respiration and Fermentation
- Photosynthesis
- The Cell Cycle Mitosis and Meiosis
- Mendel and the Gene
- DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair
- How Genes Work
- Translation and Transcription
- Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria
- Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
- Genetic Technologies
Terms
Evaluation
| Virtual Research Lab | 20% |
| Case Study Integration Assignment | 20% |
| Two Quizzes | 15% |
| Three Round Table Assignments | 15% |
| Proctored Final Exam | 30% |
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Proctored Exams
Exam Centre Location, Eligibility, and Fees
Students enrolled exclusively in online courses may choose one of two options to write this course’s proctored assessments:
- You may choose to write the assessments online under supervision of Examity proctoring services. A $100 fee will be charged to your SOLUS account. This fee is known as the Off Campus Exam Admin Fee and is applied in SOLUS at the earlier of: term tuition posting date, or the date at which exam writing method is changed to online. The fee is assessed once per ASO course with proctored assessments.
- You may choose to write the assessments in-person on Queen’s campus in Kingston at no additional charge.
Students enrolled in at least one on-campus course are expected to write this course’s proctored assessments on-campus during the scheduled exam time. They will not be permitted to write this course’s proctored assessments online.
Students were prompted to indicate their preferred exam writing method when enrolling in the course in SOLUS. The exam writing method may be changed by contacting the ASO Exams Team at aso.exams@queensu.ca.
Information for students writing online assessments using Examity
Selected assessments in this course will be administered in onQ using online proctoring provided by Examity, a third-party, cloud-based service. This proctoring solution was chosen to support our efforts in maintaining academic integrity when online proctoring is required. Queen’s has conducted an extensive privacy and security review of Examity and has entered into a binding agreement with terms that address the appropriate collection, use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with Ontario’s privacy legislation. To learn more about online proctoring, please see the information provided by the Office of the University Registrar.
If you registered to write online with Examity, all information pertaining to the technical requirements and preparation for writing online will be posted in onQ well in advance of your exam. 
The use of Examity as described is unique to courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science Online. Other Faculties use online proctoring solutions in different ways under different regulations. Students should contact the appropriate Faculty examination team if they have questions.
Timing of Final Examinations
The exam period dates for each Term are listed on the Faculty of Arts and Science webpage under "Important Dates". Student exam schedules for the Fall Term are posted to SOLUS immediately prior to the Thanksgiving holiday; for the Winter Term they are posted on the Friday before Reading Week, and for the Summer Term they are individually noted on the Arts and Science Online syllabi. Students should not make any travel plans until after the examination schedule has been posted. Exams will not be moved or deferred to accommodate employment, travel/holiday plans or flight reservations. Students experiencing extenuating circumstances preventing them from writing their exams as scheduled should review the information about the Academic Consideration process.
Textbook and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
The following materials are available from the .
Required Textbooks and Labs
| Package ISBN | Package Components | Item Titles |
| Package ISBN: 9780134694009 | MasteringBiology Access Code Card
| Biological Science, Third Canadian Edition Freeman, Harrington & Sharp Custom PCL: Biology on the Cutting Edge Gillies & Hewitt Mastering Biology with etext with Full Suite for Freeman, Biological Science Direct Integration for OnQ for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ - Standalone Access Code Card Freeman |
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 111 hours on the course.
Evaluation
| Virtual Research Lab | 20% |
| Case Study Integration Assignment | 20% |
| Two Quizzes | 15% |
| Three Round Table Assignments | 15% |
| Proctored Final Exam | 30% |
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Proctored Exams
Exam Centre Location, Eligibility, and Fees
Students enrolled exclusively in online courses may choose one of two options to write this course’s proctored assessments:
- You may choose to write the assessments online under supervision of Examity proctoring services. A $100 fee will be charged to your SOLUS account. This fee is known as the Off Campus Exam Admin Fee and is applied in SOLUS at the earlier of: term tuition posting date, or the date at which exam writing method is changed to online. The fee is assessed once per ASO course with proctored assessments.
- You may choose to write the assessments in-person on Queen’s campus in Kingston at no additional charge.
Students enrolled in at least one on-campus course are expected to write this course’s proctored assessments on-campus during the scheduled exam time. They will not be permitted to write this course’s proctored assessments online.
Students were prompted to indicate their preferred exam writing method when enrolling in the course in SOLUS. The exam writing method may be changed by contacting the ASO Exams Team at aso.exams@queensu.ca.
Information for students writing online assessments using Examity
Selected assessments in this course will be administered in onQ using online proctoring provided by Examity, a third-party, cloud-based service. This proctoring solution was chosen to support our efforts in maintaining academic integrity when online proctoring is required. Queen’s has conducted an extensive privacy and security review of Examity and has entered into a binding agreement with terms that address the appropriate collection, use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with Ontario’s privacy legislation. To learn more about online proctoring, please see the information provided by the Office of the University Registrar.
If you registered to write online with Examity, all information pertaining to the technical requirements and preparation for writing online will be posted in onQ well in advance of your exam. 
The use of Examity as described is unique to courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science Online. Other Faculties use online proctoring solutions in different ways under different regulations. Students should contact the appropriate Faculty examination team if they have questions.
Timing of Final Examinations
The exam period dates for each Term are listed on the Faculty of Arts and Science webpage under "Important Dates". Student exam schedules for the Fall Term are posted to SOLUS immediately prior to the Thanksgiving holiday; for the Winter Term they are posted on the Friday before Reading Week, and for the Summer Term they are individually noted on the Arts and Science Online syllabi. Students should not make any travel plans until after the examination schedule has been posted. Exams will not be moved or deferred to accommodate employment, travel/holiday plans or flight reservations. Students experiencing extenuating circumstances preventing them from writing their exams as scheduled should review the information about the Academic Consideration process.
Textbook and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
The following materials are available from the .
Required Textbooks and Labs
| Package ISBN | Package Components | Item Titles |
| Package ISBN: 9780134694009 | MasteringBiology Access Code Card
| Biological Science, Third Canadian Edition Freeman, Harrington & Sharp Custom PCL: Biology on the Cutting Edge Gillies & Hewitt Mastering Biology with etext with Full Suite for Freeman, Biological Science Direct Integration for OnQ for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ - Standalone Access Code Card Freeman |
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 111 hours on the course.