Course Description

Dream Academy Biology is a fast-paced, rigorous course in which the student is expected to be highly motivated to achieve at an honors level. This course is an in-depth, lab-oriented approach to the biological sciences with emphasis on practical encounters. Honors Biology investigates biological organization starting at a molecular level and culminating with living organisms and their inter-relationships. Students will develop the skills required for using the scientific method using hands-on exercises including gel electrophoresis and dissection. 

BASIC SCIENCE SKILLS

Lab Safety Procedures | Scientific Method | Experimental Design | Unit Conversions | Analyzing Data and Interpreting Graphs | Dimensional Analysis | Scientific Notations | Finding Averages and Percentages

ORGANIZATION OF LIFE

Basic Chemistry | Acid and Bases | Chemical Bonding | Chemical Reactions | Energy | Enzymes | Mixtures | Water Properties  | Macromolecules | Monomers and Polymers | Cells and their environment | Hierarchical Systems | Antibiotics | Cell Theory | Cell Types | Cellular Organization | Characteristics Of Life | Microscopy | Pathogens | Plant (Autotrophic) Vs. Animal (Heterotrophic) |  Vaccines | Viruses | Bacteria | Cell Membrane Properties |  Cellular Transport | Concentration Gradient | Tonicity

HEREDITY INHERITANCE AND VARIATION OF TRAITS

Cell Differentiation | DNA | Protein Synthesis | RNA | Transcription and Translation | Mutation | Nucleotide | Gene | Autosome | Cancer | Cell Cycle | Chromosome | Gene Expression | Homologous Chromosomes | Meiosis | Mitosis | Non-Disjunction | Sex Chromosome | Cloning | Genetic Engineering | GMO | Genome | Mendelian Genetics | Non-Mendelian Genetics | Punnett Square | Monohybrid Cross | Dihybrid Cross | Sex-Linked Traits | ABO Blood Typing | Pedigree Charts | Genetic Disorders | Gene Therapy | Immunotherapy |

EVOLUTION

Ancestry | Artificial Selection | Cladogram | Evolution | Natural Selection | Phylogenetic Tree | Extinction | Adaptation

ECOLOGY

Ecology | Ecological Footprint | Population Dynamics | Species | Food Webs | Species Interactions and Energy Flow | Sustainability | 3 Rs | Pollution | Urban Sprawl | Human Impact to the Environment | Carrying Capacity | Greenhouse Effect | Global Warming | Climate Change 

APPLICATION OF STUDIES

Anatomy (Dissecton of frogs, cow's eye ball, heart, rat) | Performance Task | Case Studies | Research Simulations | Field Study