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HONORS BIOLOGY SYLLABUS
Learning Expectation:
Students will evidence knowledge of the basic concepts & interrelationships between the life & physical
sciences, & be able to apply scientific skills, processes, & methods of inquiry to real world settings.
Enduring Understandings:
* Science is a process. It is a way of knowing, based on curiosity, experimentation, data collection,
analysis, & interpretation.
* Life processes result from the physical structure & chemical organization of the cell.
* All organisms have essential roles and interactions on Earth.
* DNA is the molecule of inheritance for all organisms. The universality of this molecule is the basis of
biotechnology.
* Evolution explains both the unity & diversity of life.
* Organisms maintain homeostasis through the interactions of physiological systems.
Topical Outline:
By drawing on selected sections of your textbook, Biology: A Molecular Approach (BSCS), as well as
other resources, we will examine the following topics this year.
Dates are approximate.
1st Quarter
Introduction to Biology: Prologue & some of Chapter 2
Themes of Biology: What reoccurring themes unify the study of Biology?
Characteristics of Life: What characteristics distinguish living organisms from non-living entities?
Scientific Method: How do scientists know what they know?
Tools of the Trade: How has technology contributed to our knowledge of living systems?
Chemistry of Life: Chapter 1 & most of 2
Structure of Matter: What is the nature of matter?
Biological Polymers: Why is life carbon based?
Energy Transfer: How do molecules store & use energy? How does energy flow through the ecosystem?
You will be assigned chapter homework once or twice a week; there will be activities & labs for
which you will complete worksheets or write reports; there will be outside readings on which you
will have to answer questions; tests will be given @ every 3 weeks.
2nd Quarter
Cell Biology: Chapters 3, 4, 5 & 6; some of Chapter 8
Cell Structure & Function: How does cell structure ensure efficiency & survival?
Cell Processes: Why are all organisms made of cells? (How do cells get energy? reproduce?)
At the end of 2nd quarter (about the 3rd week in January) you will have a midterm exam which
includes questions on the above topics, questions on an example lab (procedure, data presentation,
analysis), & questions on information presented in short reading selections.
3rd Quarter
Genetic Continuity: Chapters 8, 9; some of 10, 11 & 12; Chapters 13, 14 & 15
Principles of Genetics: What processes are responsible for genetic continuity & diversity?
Chemistry of the Gene: How does the structure of DNA enable it to store info. & direct cell processes?
Protein Synthesis: How are genes expressed?
Human Genetics: How does the study of genetics impact society?
Biotechnology/Bioethics: Just because we can, should we?
The state CAPT will be administered during the 3rd quarter. The test includes questions on
experimental processes, data presentation & analysis for labs that we will have conducted
throughout the year. Prior to the CAPT you will receive a review of the lab activities that the state
may have included on the test.
4th Quarter
Evolution: Chapters 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20
Theory of Early Life: How could conditions on early earth have given rise to life forms?
Mechanisms of Evolution: How & why do organisms change over time?
Species Concept: Why is a population the smallest unit of evolutionary change?
Human Evolution: How do scientists explain human origins?
Classification: How can the characteristics of life be used to organize the living world?
Life Processes (Systems): Parts of Chapters 2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 12, 21 & 23
How do organisms maintain homeostasis?
Digestion
Transportation
Exchange
Immune
Chemical
Nervous
Motor
The Biology final exam is cumulative – this means that all the material from the 1st semester, as well
as the 2nd semester, will have test questions. The format of the exam will be the same as the midterm
(described previously).