Course Description
The science of biology is large, complex, and constantly changing. This course provides students with a broad and interactive experience covering the main topics of biological science. Topics range from cell reproduction to the diversity of life. Students also learn about the chemical components of life, the process of energy conversion, and life’s functions. The course explores genetics, incorporating the latest scientific research, including the use of genetics in biotechnology. Next, the course covers ecology to raise students’ awareness of the many challenges and opportunities in the modern world and how they apply to the field of biology. Finally, the course presents the theory of evolution and the evidence that supports the theory. Throughout the course, students complete lab activities that reinforce the material and provide the opportunity to apply their knowledge through interactive experiments and activities.
Course Breakdown
The scientific method
Characteristics of life
Classification of living things
The cell theory
Cell structure
Types of cells
Cellular transport
The cell cycle
Mitosis and meiosis
Respiration and photosynthesis
Genetics
Protein synthesis Protein synthesis
Mutations of DNA
Genetic engineering
Structure of plants
Vertebrates and invertebrates
Structure of ecosystems
Population dynamics
Characteristics of biomes
Human impact on the environment
Mechanism of evolution
Evidence for evolution
Course Goals
Summarize the use of scientific inquiry to classify and describe living things.
Identify the structure and function of the various cellular organelles.
Show the steps involved in the processes of respiration and photosynthesis.
Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis.
Describe the use of DNA for genetics and protein synthesis. Summarize the processes of protein formation.
Describe the processes and controversies involved in genetic engineering.
Compare and contrast plants and animals, and vertebrates and invertebrates.
Identify the positive and negative ways that humans influence ecosystems.
Assess the Theory of Evolution based on multiple sources of evidence.