Principles of Evolution and Ecology
Cell Cycles and Programs
Protein Synthesis
Cellular Functions
Cellular Metabolism
DNA, Heredity, and Genetics
For information on essential skills and specific scientific content for each subject, see the "What will I learn?" document.
Biology is a foundational science that studies life in its many, many forms. Spoiler alert: life is really just a bunch of "dead" things coming together in crazy ways. Life on earth, from a single protein to the growth of an ecosystem has predictable patterns based on fundamental scientific concepts. Besides scientific concepts, scientific skills such as experimentation, graphing, and basic laboratory techniques will be practiced and mastered. Core concepts of this course are as follows:
Evidence-based reasoning: understanding specific topics (like photosynthesis) and broad ones (like forest management) can be explored through the evidence of these phenomena.
Cause/effect and structure/function relationships: every biological trait has a history; structure predicts function at scales big and small.
Clear, concise communication: clear language helps us explore the complexity of biology with confidence; science vocabulary helps us describe the natural world..
Collaboration and Perseverance: modern science is a team sport; science is hard, but worth it.
Graded assessments will take many forms. Short and long-term projects, poster presentations, group activities including multi-component lab reports, and traditional tests and quizzes will be used. Students will show their learning through writing, drawing, oral communication, graphing, and multimedia representations including models, diagrams, and videos.
Summative grades will be based on proficiency scales for each assignment.
Course grades will be based on completion of graduation and content standards assessed in summative assignments
See the detailed Syllabus for general policies including how to turn in work, homework procedures, and class rules.