BIOLOGY

TEACHER: Mary Murphy

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Biological investigations give us a variety of lenses with which we can look at our world, identify problems and challenges and work towards solutions that benefit all living things. This year, we will frame our exploration by addressing four essential questions. First, "Why is life so diverse?" Evolution is a way of remodeling life as obstacles arise. By examining historic and current examples, we will assess the major evolutionary theories as explanations for life as we know it today. Secondly, "What are the fundamental processes that sustain life?" From a microscopic standpoint we can study the complex world within living things and understand the intricacies that make life possible. Our third question, "How is new life created?" will examine the processes that give rise to life and individuality. Finally, by asking "How do all living things live together?" we will focus on the relationships that maintain communities of life and the consequences of actions that disturb them. In addition to the discussion of these core concepts of biology, we will also explore applications of biological science and the effects they have on our world. As we search for the answers to our questions, we will come to understand that science is not just work conducted in sterile laboratories. It is a way of questioning what is unknown and finding the answers ourselves.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES

Throughout this course, students will:

· gain an appreciation for the complexity of life

· explain why diversity is essential to existence

· view and explain life's processes at a microscopic level

· describe why living things look and act the way they do

· explore, discuss and debate the effects and consequences of human actions on nature

· ask meaningful questions and design and conduct experiments to test them

· use critical thinking skills to analyze data and formulate explanations

· select and use appropriate tools and technology to perform tests, collect data, analyze relationships and display data

· formulate and defend opinions on current controversial biological issues

· be biologists!

COURSE CONTENT

Fall Thematic Units

I. Diversity of Life

· Why is life so diverse? Why is diversity essential to existences?

· What patterns do we see in living things and how can we explain them?

II. Fundamental Processes of Life

· What is the relationship between structure and function?

· How do cells harness energy and support life?

· What role does DNA play?

III. Pathogens

· How do pathogens interrupt life's processes?

· How do organisms defend themselves?

· What is the relationship between disease and society?

Spring Thematic Units

IV. Creating Life

· Why do we look and act the way we do?

· How does biotechnology influence society?

· What advantages and disadvantages does scientific progress present?

>V. Homeostasis

· How do organ systems maintain life?

· How are anatomy and physiology related?

VI. Web of Life

· How do species coexist? How are resources allocated?

· How are populations and communities maintained and organized?

· What effects do humans have on the natural world?

GRADES/CREDITS:

Semester grades will be calculated in the following manner:

Tests &Quizzes: 25%

Labs & Activities: 25%

Projects: 20%

Homework: 10%

Final Exam: 20%

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

We will be using a variety of sources including, but not limited to, the textbook, Biology: Life on Earth (Audesirk & Audesirk), and a number of independent articles and excerpts to be selected and distributed by the teacher.

SUGGESTIONS FOR INDEPENDENT WORK

· Stay up-to-date on hot topics in science by reading current periodicals (newspapers, magazines, journals, etc.) and watching programs on TV (PBS, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, nightly news, etc.)

· Visit scientific museums and attend scientific events in the community