Our catalog of courses is complete. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Register for 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 a love to learn.
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade, or advanced 10th grade
Suggested credit: One full semester Science or Honors Biology with LAB.
Description
What is life? How does it work? Biology is the study of life, from its simplest forms to its 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.
Note: This course only takes 20 students, so we recommend registering early. This is Part One of a 2-Part Course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the spring. LAB is included with the course.
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 the instructor, other than household or commonly available
items. Please purchase genetic corn (https://www.carolina.com/plant-genetics/genetic-corn-seed-green-albino/177130.pr). 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 the textbook and additional reading, per instructor. Weekly Quizzes, midterm/final, and labs. One 5-page paper.
Important Dates
Class Meetings:
Wednesdays, September 7 to December 14, 2022 (No class Nov. 23rd)
4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
