This is a full year course using the OpenStax curriculum. 

This course provides students with the fundamentals of the life sciences and insight into the nature of scientific research, its achievements and applications. Lab Biology is intended for college bound students who may or may not major in science. 

Prerequisites

Knowledge of middle school level physics and chemistry.

Lessons include

• Chapter 1 – Introduction 
• Chapter 2 – The Composition and Chemistry of Life 
• Chapter 3 – Basic Biochemistry of the Molecules of Life 
• Chapter 4 – Introduction to the Cell and Cell Membrane 
• Chapter 5 – The Cell Interior and Function Goals 
• Chapter 6 – Metabolism Overview and Enzymes 
• Chapter 7 – Photosynthesis
• Chapter 8 – Cellular Respiration 
• Chapter 9 – DNA, RNA, and Proteins 
• Chapter 10 – Cellular Reproduction: Mitosis 
• Chapter 11 – Organism Reproduction: Binary Fission, Budding, and Meiosis 
• Chapter 12 – Genes and Heredity 
• Chapter 13 – Inheritance Patterns
• Chapter 14 – Genetic Variation 
• Chapter 15 – Human Genetics 
• Chapter 16 – Evolution
• Chapter 17 – Biological Classification and Viruses 
• Chapter 18 – Kingdoms Bacteria and Archaea 
• Chapter 19 – Kingdom Protista 
• Chapter 20 – Kingdom Fungi 
• Chapter 21 – Plants: Introduction, Structure and Function 
• Chapter 22 – Plants: Physiology, Reproduction, and Classification 
• Chapter 23 – Kingdom Animalia  
• Chapter 24 – Kingdom Animalia (Part 2) 
• Chapter 25 - Ecology

The amount and pace of content coverage will depend on the prior knowledge of students enrolled as well as class interest on various topics with a desire to dive deeper into specific content.

This is a secular class.

Schedule

Lecture class will meet from 3:30pm to 5:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The ability to attend class regularly will be important for continuity of information. Students unable to attend a class should expect additional work in order to be prepared. Please arrive promptly, prepared to hit the ground running.

We will take attendance, but only for our own internal accountability. Spaces are limited, so only sign up if you intend to attend regularly, as you will be taking a slot that could have been occupied by somebody else.

Assignments and Grading

There will be homework - reading and video assignments. There will also be problem-solving assignments associated with each lecture, which will be submitted on line and will receive feedback. There may be times that homework will be turned in physically, when the online format doesn't meet our needs. There will also be optional tests, which can be submitted and will be evaluated. We can issue a formal grade for the class, which will be based on homework and test performance. We can also issue a separate grade for the optional lab portion of the class, which will be based on performance in the laboratory. Alternately, parents are welcome to assign their own grade for their child based on our feedback, but this will not be on a Winston Hall Academy transcript.

I will not expect any memorization. Our goal is to understand and be able to apply scientific principles. I want the students to be able to think critically, like a scientist. Anybody can look up an equation on their phone.

Students should be prepared to take notes during the lecture and to, for example, complete worksheets for the lab class. My slides will be available before class, though, so your student(s) can print them out and use them for their notes. Students will also need to have access to a computer, internet and a Google account. If your student does not have an email account, we can provide one @winstonhall.org. Students should also have access to a webcam with the ability to meet online. It would not be the intended method, but can be a good alternative for when weather is poor or otherwise dictated by various circumstances. We can also use online meetings for homework help/office hours. I spent 11 years in the Army and my policy is: we train no matter what.

Involvement by parents is key, but I will not expect you to do any of the teaching. What I will expect from parents is this:

• Respond to my emails, usually in the form of "Got it"
• Ensure your student(s) complete the homework and reading assignments
• Get your student(s) to class on time
• Don't get mad if we run overtime. Feel free to come in and pull your student(s) out if you need to go, though
• Be responsive if I ask something and abide by the written policies of the school, which will be provided to you prior to registering

Involvement by your student is even more important. What I will expect from students is this:

• Be attentive in class
• Do your homework
• Ask questions

I highly encourage questions. We ask a lot of questions in my current classes. Many of the questions are seemingly unusual and lead us down unplanned paths, but they all educate. I don't tolerate completely frivolous questions, though.

New students will require an in-person interview before being accepted into the class. Students may be denied entry into the class at my sole discretion, for reasons which may include lack of maturity, lack of interest in science or lack of tolerance of viewpoints with which they may not agree.

Class Materials

We will be using the textbook and curriculum provided by OpenStax. OpenStax is a comprehensive set of educational material developed by Rice University. The textbook is available free of charge, either online (best), as a downloadable PDF, or as a printed book through Amazon. This is what we will be using: https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-ap-courses

There are no additional materials required beyond a computer, printing ability, pen, calculator and typical classroom materials.