Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - BISC 102 D100

General Biology (4)

Class Number: 1182

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Tue, Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Rolf Mathewes
    mathewes@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4472

  • Instructor:

    Sessional

  • Prerequisites:

    Biology 12 (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C (or BISC 100 with a minimum grade of C-, or BISC 113 with a minimum grade of C+, or BPK 105 with a minimum grade of C+, or HSCI 100 with a minimum grade of C+).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to evolution and ecology, focusing on the processes that shape the diversity of life on earth. Lecture and lab topics include: natural selection and other mechanisms of evolutionary change, phylogeny, genetics, speciation, behaviour, species interactions, population ecology, and ecosystems. BISC 101 and 102 may be taken in either order. Breadth-Science.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

HEALTH & SAFETY
To help keep everyone safe and healthy, we are asking you to stay home if you are sick (covid, flu, cold, or other contagious illness). Masks are optional, but are encouraged if you think you may be getting sick or if you've recently been exposed to someone who has covid.

ACCOMMODATIONS & CONCESSIONS
Please let us know if you have a condition/situation that may interfere with your ability to fully participate in lecture or labs, so we can explore any required accommodations together. We offer the following concessions to all students, in the event of illness, or unexpected personal or family emergencies.
   - Tutorials: You can miss one tutorial without penalty (no documentation required). We encourage you to check in with a classmate to find out what you missed.
   - Lectures: You can catch up on lecture material using the material posted on Canvas (e.g slides, recordings, textbook sections)
   - Labs: We are unable to offer make-up labs. Lab activities can be found in the lab manual, and lab intro slides will be posted. However other lab materials are not posted, so we ask that you exchange contact information with some of your classmates so that you can share lab notes and photos.
   - Lab Assignments: To account for missed lab assignments due to illness or emergency we automatically drop one lab assignment with the lowest grade.
   - Exams: If you miss an exam due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., illness) please contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss alternate arrangements. Note that we DO NOT grant concessions for conflicts with pre-planned travel.

Grading

  • Tutorial Participation 5%
  • Midterm exam 20%
  • Final exam 35%
  • Lab Assignments 15%
  • Lab Exam 25%

NOTES:

You must pass both the entire course and the lab exam to gain an overall passing grade. Failing either the lab exam or the lecture component (the midterm and final) will result in a 'D', which means you will not be able to use BISC102 as a pre-requisite for other courses. Failing both will result in an 'F'.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

TEXTBOOK - Biological Science, by Freeman, Harrington and Sharp. You can use either the 3rd or 4th Canadian Editions, Pearson. Highly recommended.
The text is available in e-book format--and is also used for BISC 101 and BISC 205, so if you expect to take those courses you might consider the "lifetime" rather than the "180 day" license, it's better value.

LAB MANUAL - You will receive a copy of your lab manual during your first lab. The printing cost is covered in your course fees.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.