Advanced Biology
Instructor:
Nina Wilhite
Description:
This course presupposes that God is the creator of all life, the physical world, and designer of the human body. This is an upper-level high school biology course which will explore the eleven systems that comprise the human body, how each system completes its tasks, how each system interacts with other systems, and the efficiency with which each system works. This will be a challenging biology course taught for high school credit with a heavy emphasis on detailed memorization and will require a significant time commitment from each student. It will become profoundly evident that the human body is masterfully designed with biochemical engineering unmatched by anything attained by modern technology. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14, NIV) Advanced Biology has a mandatory lab that meets on Fridays.
Requirements:
Class time will consist of class activities, presentations by students, lectures, labs, and tests. Students will be assigned reading or listening to the module, completion of each Module Study Guide-to determine knowledge of the material and to prepare for tests, lab participation and lab notebook, occasional Article Reviews- to gain experience reading scientific research and applying it to personal research, and module tests. Two formally written lab reports will be required each semester. Students will examine aspects of human life and animal life through microscope examination and hands-on dissection. Students will have lab partner(s) but will be graded individually for their participation.
A detailed syllabus will be sent out to students and parents with a schedule of all assignments and activities. All due dates will be listed in the syllabus.
Prerequisites:
Students must have completed Biology and Chemistry prior to enrollment in this course.
Grades:
Homework-10%
Tests- 30%
Lab Participation and Reports-30%
Semester Final-30%
Late Work: Please see the Family Handbook for MRA’s late work policy.
Semester Exams may not be rescheduled. If your student misses a semester exam, whether given in class or on Exam Day, they will not be able to make up the grade and it will be logged as a zero.
Upon successful completion of this course a student will earn 1 Science credit toward graduation.
Level of Parental Involvement
High School:
5 hours independently per day, 1 hour working with a parent per day
Texts:
Exploring Creation with Advanced Biology: The Human Body, 2nd Edition by Marilyn M. Shannon and Rachael L. Yunis (Apologia Educational Ministries)
Supplies:
1” 3-Ring Binder or dedicated space in a larger binder
Colored Pencils
Spiral notebook or loose-leaf notebook paper kept in binder
Drawing pad for Advanced Biology Lab Notebook
Pens (Blue or Black)
Pencils
Notebook Paper
Scissors
Glue
Other Requirements:
2 formal lab reports per semester.
Lab attendance and participation
Lab journal updated w/ informal lab details
Module tests during rotating labs
A detailed syllabus will be provided including all due dates.
