Period 1 Biology

Course Description and Outcomes

Biology is a high school lab science course. This course covers seven units. In each unit, we begin by discovering a new phenomenon that is based around an organism. That organism tends to lead the unit, but supporting organisms are included in each unit as well. We will be observing interactions, collecting data, and applying the wide variety of scientific concepts that make up biology (DNA, Energy Transfer, Cell Division, Homeostasis, Evolution, Natural Selection, and Comparative Anatomy just to name a few!). In all units we also look at the impact humans have made on the species both positive and negative. These phenomenon-driven units involve students in making sense of the natural world through the use of authentic data while integrating different areas of science together when they are necessary to solve a problem. This allows for much deeper and longer lasting learning because everything is taught in context.

Semester	Unit/Module	Topics Covered
1	Africa Part 1- Lions	Group Behavior Predator-Prey Interactions Relatedness (Karyotypes, Phylogenetic Trees) Food Chains and Food Webs Macromolecules Human Impacts
	Africa Part 2 - Elephants	Characteristics of Life Population Growth, Limiting Factors Human Impacts DNA Biodiversity Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
	Homeostasis - Sea Otters	Predator-Prey Interactions Food Webs and Energy Pyramids Keystone Species Population Growth, Limiting Factors Water Quality, Ocean Acidification Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Diffusion, Fermentation
2	Melanin - Rock Pocket Mouse	Pedigrees, Relationships Punnett Squares, Genetics Protein Synthesis Mutations
	Disease - Naked Mole Rat	Mitosis and Meiosis Cell Cycle Mutations Cancer cells vs Normal Cells Cancer Risks and Prevention DNA Replication
	Populations Dynamics - Penguins	Phylogeny and Genetics Isolation Endangered Species Population Growth and Statistics Human Impacts
	Phylogeny - Canines	Natural Selection Adaptations Genetics Artificial Selection Gene Mapping

Online Text: OpenStax.org Biology 2e

Standards This course is based on the Next Generation Science Standards which includes Science & Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts . The goal being to enable students to grow and become self-directed learners through real-world problem solving.