Course title

Pre-requisite

Course description

This course provides an in depth look at the fundamental characteristics of living organisms. It is designed to promote scientific inquiry and discovery. Students will have an introductory exploration of diversity; evolution; structure and function of living things. Laboratory experiences are used to demonstrate understanding of the course key concepts. Collaborative learning is an integral part of the labs and activities.
Major topics and Concepts:

Foundations of Biology:

Observations and Inferences
Scientists and explorers
Technology
Lab safety
Microscopes (Virtual microscopy lab)
Properties of water (Properties of water lab)
Discovery of cells
Life's Origin:
Properties of carbon
Macromolecules
Cell Theory
Osmosis/Diffusion (Cell Transport lab)
Structure and function of animal and plant cells
Photosynthesis

Cellular Reproduction:
Cell cycle
Mitosis (cell division lab)
Meiosis
Cancer
Genetics (Mendel lab)
History of DNA
Mutations

Earth's Diversity:
Levels of organization
Biotic and abiotic factors
Energy in nature
Food chain
Food web
Climate
Biomes (Virtual Biosphere field trip)
Marine life
Habitats/Niches
Populations (Populations Dynamic Virtual Lab)
Threats to biodiversity
Population growth
Biogeochemical cycles (Water cycle lab)

Scientific Connections:
Primate Evolution
Theories on Evolution
Evidence of Evolution (Fossil lab)
Artificial Selection
Natural Selection (Natural Selection lab)
Human Population Growth (Population Dynamics lab)

Classification and Diversity:
Systems
Introduction to the kingdom of life
Taxonomy of bacteria
Viruses
General Characteristics of Protists
Fungi
Plants
Structure and function of plants
Taxonomy of animals
Invertebrates
Vertebrates

Human Body Systems:
Nervous and Endocrine systems
Respiratory and Circulatory systems
Digestive System
Excretory system
Reproductive system
Immune system (Hand washing lab)

Immune lab - To see how long it takes to effectively wash your hands.
Virtual Microscopy Activity- To compare the structure and function of four types of microscopes.

Properties of Water- To design and conduct an experiment that examines one of the water’s properties.

Cell Transport Lab- To observe the process of osmosis.

Cellular structure and function interactive acitivity- to describe the internal structures of eukaryotic cells and summarize the functions.

Cell Division Virtual Lab activity- cell division through an onion root tip.

Mendel lab – To observe what traits people have; dominant or recessive.

Virtual Fieldtrip Biosphere; water Ecosystem – To look at three of our unique aquatic biomes to learn abiotic and biotic factors.

Population Dynamics virtual lab activity – To investigate how predation; birth rates; and death rates influence the killer whale and seal populations within their marine ecosystem.

Natural Selection Lab – To see how a population changes based on natural selection.

Primate Evolution Virtual Lab – Comparing features of a newly discovered fossil skull to those of known species.

Classification project – categorize a group of animals by two forms of classification;phylogeny.

Virtual Garden Lab Activity – Identify patterns in plant growth under varying conditions; and predict outcomes.

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Date submitted

Approved

Approved competency code

• LBIO
• Biology

Approved date

Online / Virtual