This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Join this college-preparatory biology course and fully prepare your student for college biology with topics in the chemistry of life, energy, photosynthesis, genetics, classifications, and more.
Total classes: 14
Prerequisite: Middle School Life Science, excellent study skills, and love to learn.
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade or advanced 10th grade
Suggested credit: One full semester of Science or Honors Biology. For Honors Biology with LAB.
Description
What is life? How does it work? Biology is the study of life, from its simplest forms to the most complex. In this 2-semester course we will systematically explore all aspects of life, from the chemistry of the molecular machines that work in each of our cells to the vast intricate web of interconnected species on earth. An intensive honors-level biology class for college-bound students.
Outline
Week 1: Chemistry of life
Week 2: Cells; Lab: Denaturing proteins
Week 3: Flow of Energy
Week 4: Glycolysis and Respiration
Week 5: Photosynthesis; Lab: Winogradsky Column
Week 6: Genetics, Meiosis, Sexual Reproduction
Week 7: Genes and the Genetic Code
Week 8: Molecular Genetics of Prokaryotes and Viruses
Week 9: Molecular Genetics of Eukaryotes and Human Genetics Lab: Punnett Squares
Week 10: Classification
Week 11: Prokaryotes and Viruses; Lab: Prokaryote key
Week 12: Protist, Fungi, Plants
Week 13: Animals I, II; Lab: Cladogram
Week 14: Animals III, IV; Lab: Arthropod behavior
Materials and Homework
Course materials: Biology 5th Edition by Curtis and Barnes, ISBN-10: 087901394X (https://amzn.to/2Oc8A1Q or bookfinder.com)
Lab materials Provided free by instructor plus household or commonly available
items. Please purchase genetic corn (https://www.carolina.com/plant-genetics/genetic-corn-seed-green-albino/177130.pr). We will use half of the seed this semester, and half next semester. Some labs will be ongoing projects requiring preparation and sometimes long waiting periods.
Homework: Expect to spend approx. 4 hours per week outside of the classroom. Heavy reading in text and additional reading, per instructor. Weekly Quizzes, midterm/final, and labs. One 5-page paper.
