VHS Course Catalog

Description
This course begins with Cell Biology and then covers Molecular Biology and Genetics, Evolution and Diversity of Life and Ecology. Students are asked to view videos, tutorials and animations, play biology games and complete simulations. Most assignments have follow-up activities that include 3-2-1 key fact assignments, automated quizzes, vocabulary word walls, and concept maps. At the end of each week, students complete a weekly quiz to test their knowledge of the content and are asked to reflect on their performance. At the end of each unit, students reflect on the content of the unit in a class discussion and complete a unit test.

All course material is included within the online course. There is no need to purchase textbooks or material of any kind.

Please note that because this course is eight weeks in duration, and students are expected to work approximately ten hours per week, the course will therefore not cover a full year's curriculum with the same depth that is covered in a year-long course. In addition, if the student is taking this course for credit recovery, it is advised that you check with the student's school to confirm that the topics covered (see course syllabus) match those required by the school. You may also want to confirm with the school the process for receiving credits, which may involve an assessment administered separately by the school.

Course Objectives
1. To demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of biology associated with Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Evolution and Diversity of Life and Ecology.
2. To use twenty first century learning tools to communicate, obtain and present information each week in a virtual biology classroom

Discipline
Science - Biology

Level
Standard

Grade
09, 10, 11, 12

Program
Summer School

When Offered
Summer School Extended Session

Discipline
08 weeks

Course may be selected for teacher training (NIM).

Course requires a media kit to be shipped to students.

Course requires a media kit to be purchased by course sponsor.

Syllabus

This summer biology course begins with the Cell Biology, and then covers DNA & Genetics as well as Evolution and Ecology. Students are asked to view videos, tutorials and animations, play biology games and complete simulations. Most assignments have follow-up activities that include 3-2-1 key fact assignments, automated quizzes and concept maps.
At the end of each unit, students reflect on the content of the unit in a class discussion and complete a unit test.

Week 1: Cell Structure and Function
What is Life?
Cells are the Basis of Life
Introduction to Cells
Cell Theory
Cell Size
Microscopes are Used to See Cells
Two Kinds of Cells
Prokaryotic Cells
Eukaryotic Cells
Organelles: Control, Manufacturing, Transport, Storage and Recycling, Energy Conversion, Boundary
Fluid Mosaic Model of the Plasma Membrane

Week 2: Cellular Transport and Reproduction
Introduction to Membranes and Transport
Diffusion
Introduction to Osmosis
Osmosis in Animal and Plant Cells
Active Transport
Introduction to Cellular Reproduction
Binary Fission
Introduction to the Cell Cycle
The Cell Cycle: Interphase
The Cell Cycle: Mitosis
The Stages of Mitosis
Cytokinesis
Cancer
Types of Reproduction
Homologous Chromosomes
The Cell Cycle: Meiosis
The Stages of Meiosis: Meiosis I and Meiosis II
Meiosis Makes You Unique
Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis

Week 3: Cells and Energy and Unit Test
Introduction to Energy and Cells
Chemical Energy and ATP
Cellular Respiration: An Overview
Cellular Respiration: Glycolysis and Krebs, Electron Transport Chain Fermentation
Photosynthesis: An Overview
Anatomy of the Leaf
Photosynthesis: Light Reactions and Calvin Cycle
Comparing Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis
Unit Review and Unit Test: Cell Biology

Week 4: DNA Structure and Function
Introduction to DNA
Discovering DNA
Structure of DNA
DNA Replication: A Semi-conservative Process
DNA Replication: A Closer Look
Introduction to Gene Expression
Protein Synthesis Overview
Transcription
The Genetic Code
Translation
Protein Synthesis Review
Mutations
Introduction to DNA Technology
Viral Genetics
Bacterial Genetics
DNA Technology: Techniques, Applications and Ethical Concerns
Careers in Biotechnology (optional)

Week 5: Genetics
Introduction to Genetics
Genotype Leads to Phenotype
Mendel's Pea Plants: The Law of Segregation
The Punnett Square
Solving Genetics Problems: Monohybrid Crosses
Genetics Problem Set #1
Mendel's Pea Plants: The Law of Independent Assortment
Solving Genetics Problems: Dihybrid Crosses
Linked Genes
Dominance
Multiple Alleles
Genetics Problem Set #2

Week 6: Human Genetics and Unit Test
Autosomal Traits
Sex-linked Traits
Pedigrees
More Complex Human Traits
Karyotypes
Chromosomal Mutations
Unit Review and Unit Test: Genetics

Week 7: Evolution and Biodiversity
The Geologic Timescale
The Fossil Record
Radiometric Dating
The Origin of Life
The Origin of Eukaryotes
Darwin's Theory
Natural Selection
Evidence for Evolution
Evolution of Populations
Speciation
Patterns of Evolution
Evolutionary Time
Taxonomy
What is a Species?
Showing Evolutionary Relationships
Survey of Life
What About Viruses?
Unit Test: Evolution

Week 8: Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Levels of Organization
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
Introduction to Ecosystem Ecology
Energy Flow: Feeding Relationships, Food Webs and Ecological Pyramids
Chemical Cycling: Water , Carbon and Oxygen, Nitrogen
Introduction to Population and Community Ecology
Community Ecology
Succession
Population Ecology
Biodiversity
Conservation Biology
Unit Review and Unit Test: Ecology

Media Kit