Biology P
Welcome to Biology!
The primary emphasis of this class is on developing an understanding of concepts; a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and the application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns. In this hands-on, lab and project based class, students will explore and build an understanding of life and how life changes over time in response to a changing environment. Central to this understanding is the study of interactions of living organisms and their environments on both macroscopic and microscopic scales.
Example Biology Macromolecules Project Fall :
Google Apps &
Google Classroom
For this school year, all assignments, labs, e-textbook, etc. are posted in Google Classroom. Answer keys will be provided in a packet to parents. You will need to log in to your VOCS Google account first, and then join our Conceptual Physics class in Google Classroom. Below are instructions on how to log in.
VOCS Google Login: google/kernvocs.org
Email: student-ID-#@kernvocs.org
Ex: Name: John Smith
Student ID: 123456
123456@kernvocs.org
Password: Valleyoaks1! You will be prompted to change your password after logging in
Units of Study: Fall Semester Units 1-4, Spring Semester Units 5-8
Unit 1 Biology Basics: What is biology and how do biologist learn? Student will learn about scientific method and nature of science,chemistry of life and water properties, macromolecules and nutrition.
Unit 2 Structure and Function: How can the basic structure of the cell sustain life and provide the basis for all of life’s diversity? How do organisms live, grow and respond to their environment and reproduce? Students will learn about Cell Theory and organelles, Cellular Transport, Mitosis and Cancer
Unit 3 Cycles of Energy and Matter : How do organisms use energy and matter from the environment to survive? How does the use of energy and matter by living organisms influence Earth’s systems? Students will learn about Enzymes, ATP, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Trophic Pyramids and Food Webs, and the flow of energy in an ecosystem.
Unit 4 Genetics: How is the hereditary information in genes inherited and expressed? How does DNA control growth and function? Students will learn about DNA structure and Function, DNA Replication, how DNA controls our cells and body through Protein Synthesis, how our cells reproduce in Meiosis and how it differs from Mitosis.
Unit 5 Inheritance & Variation of traits: Why are all individuals within a population similar, yet unique? How are the characteristics of one generation passed to the next? Students will learn about Mendelian Genetics, complex inheritance patterns, mutations, Pedigree, Genetic disorders, & genetic engineering.
Unit 6 Natural Selection & Change Over Time: How do differences among individuals affect the characteristics of a population over time? How do we know populations of organisms change over time? How have the Earth’s changing environments influenced where & how organisms survive & proliferate over time? Students will learn about natural selection, mechanisms for change on a micro and macro level, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, and evidence of change over time.
Unit 7 Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystem: How do Earth’s systems impact interactions between living & nonliving things?What happens to an ecosystem when environment changes? Student will learn about characteristics of life, relationships of organisms, cycles of matter, ecological succession, population growth patterns, and the interconnectedness of our biosphere.
Unit 8 Human Impact, Climate Change, & Biodiversity: How can we apply our understanding of humans’ influence on Earth’s systems to develop and maintain sustainable and resilient societies? Students will investigate the human impact on environment, and come up with possible solutions on how we can apply our understanding of Earth’s systems to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on natural resources, human populations, and biodiversity.
Grading:
Grades will be awarded as follows, based on joint assessment done by both parent and instructor
Weekly Packets 25%
Quizzes / Tests 35%
Labs & Activities 20%
Projects 20%