![Introductory Biology Cameron White [email_address] 212-867-5309 ext 5364](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/biocourseoverview-090818162300-phpapp01/85/Bio-Course-Overview-1-320.jpg)
Bio Course Overview
- 1. Introductory Biology Cameron White [email_address] 212-867-5309 ext 5364
- 2. Biology topics – fall semester Scientific method (what it is, how to apply it)… VERY IMPORTANT !!! Water’s unique properties that make it essential for life Major classes of organic molecules and their general properties Components of cells and their functions How cells interact with their environment (osmosis, etc) What enzymes are, and how they work Cellular respiration: just the basics (mitochondria use sugar and oxygen to produce ATP, water and CO2) Photosynthesis: how plants make food from CO2 and sunlight How cells divide, either for growth or reproduction Basic genetics : dominant/recessive, punnett squares, blood type, pedigrees What DNA is, and a general idea of how it works (components, base pairing, replicaton, transcription, translation)
- 3. Biology topics – spring semester (1 st half) What natural selection is, and how it works Evolution of populations General history of life on earth (age of the planet, origin of life, order of life’s milestones) Plant evolution and structure How plants work (basic nutrition, internal transport) What are the major ecosystems on earth, and why do they occur where they do? Introduction to Environmental Science : how everything on earth is interconnected Food webs and predation: the circle of life… important for understanding human impact Nutrient cycles, such as the carbon cycle, important for working knowledge of issues such as global warming
- 4. Biology topics – spring semester (2 nd half) Major body systems and a general idea of what they do How muscles work How skeletons work Digestive organs and how they work together Basic nutrition How lungs, heart and blood vessels work together to carry oxygen to cells Basic nervous system functioning Note: anatomy unit includes fetal pig dissection
- 5. Biology resources schoolbook: http:// www.homewirk.com Every student has access to assignments, announcements and course documents Course outline Vocabulary lists (on schoolbook) Textbook website: http://wps.aw.com/wps/media/access/Pearson_Default/5329/5457129/login.html
- 6. Honors option Eligibility determined by grade at midterm (90% or higher) and performance in chemistry course Adds 1 point to GPA (i.e. A in regular biology = 4.0, A in honors = 5.0) Requirements: Extra reading assignments Extra written assignments Additional challenging questions on tests 1 major project each semester