Biology/honors/GT/AP
301110 Biology
Prerequisite: none Credit:1
This course emphasizes the basic principles involved in the study of life. The first semester covers the biological concepts of the scientific method, cell theory, evolution, genetics, organism functions, and the flow of energy through the environment. The second semester represents a panorama of life on Earth, starting with the simplest organism and progressing to the most complex. The botanical principles include how plants live, function, and reproduce, as well as morphology and classification. The zoological principles deal with classification, anatomy and physiology, and interaction between the environment and man.
301120 Honors Biology
Prerequisite: none Credit:1
This course emphasizes the basic principles involved in the study of life. The first semester covers the biological concepts including cell theory, cytology, metabolic processes involving energy, and protein synthesis. Genetics and evolution will be covered the first semester. The second semester will stress the concepts of classification and review of the vast complexity of living organisms with emphasis placed on the development and progression of organs and systems. The diversity of representative organisms will be studied using techniques of comparative physiology and anatomy. Students should commit to three to five hours per week of outside class independent activity and/or study. Students may be required to complete a summer reading assignment and/or project before the opening of school in the fall.
301125 GT Honors Biology
Prerequisite: GT identified students Credit:1
This intellectually challenging course emphasizes the basic principles and conceptual theories involved in the study of life processes and living organisms. The curriculum is prepared specifically for the student identified as GT in science. The first six weeks will cover the biological concepts including cellular theory and the cytological disciplines of biochemistry and metabolic processes involving energy. Protein synthesis in cells will also be studied. Genetics and genetic engineering will be covered in the second six weeks. The third six weeks will cover ecological relationships between organisms and their environments and the principle of natural selection as a basis for change and speciation in organisms. The second semester will start with a historical survey of life on Earth as well as the theory of biological evolution. The fifth six weeks will cover the concepts of classification and survey the vast complexity of living organisms beginning with the viruses and bacteria with further discussion of the fungi and plants. The final six week period will follow with a study of animals with emphasis placed on body plans and the development and progression of organs and organ systems. All topics covered will require independent readings, reports and/or projects. The course contains a significant writing component and places emphasis on higher level conceptual thinking skills. The diversity of representative organisms will be studied using techniques of comparative anatomy and physiology including dissections. Students should commit to at least five hours per week of outside class independent activity and/or preparation. Students may be required to complete a summer reading assignment and/or project before the opening of school in the fall.
303130 AP Biology
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry Credit:1
The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. The AP course differs significantly from the regular high school biology course with respect to the range and depth of topics, the type of laboratory work, and the time and effort required of the students. This course shifts from the traditional “facts coverage” model of instruction to one that focuses on enduring biology concepts and the information and content that supports them. Students who take the AP Biology course will follow a curriculum that has its foundation in the development of advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in a across domains. AP Biology is designed to be taken by students after the successful completion of biology and chemistry. It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses. Students will be encouraged to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in biology.