Scholars Online Biology

Course Overview for 2020-2021

Scholars Online offers a an intensive introduction to biology covering the following topics:

• the definition of a living organism,
• the function and structure of cells,
• the process of genetic inheritance,
• growth and reproduction of cells and organisms,
• the current theory of evolution,
• the diversity and classification of living beings,
• plant and animal physiology, with emphasis on human physiology, and
• ecology.

We will approach this mass of material through our texts, through discussion, through guided Web Tours, and through lab experiences. As we learn about the concepts and methods of modern biology, we will try to put them into perspective by addressing these questions:

• What is science?
• What is scientific methodology?
• How do we observe a natural object or event?
• How do we use instruments to discover more detailed information about a living organism or process?
• How do we evaluate and organize our knowledge?
• What are hypotheses, models, theories, and natural laws?
• How do we test, accept, or disprove a theory?
• How does the very act of organizing knowledge limit or enhance the way we think about nature and ourselves?
• What are the ethical implications of scientific investigations into life processes?
• What are the areas of conflict between current biological theories and models and the social, cultural, and religious concerns of the human community?
• What are our responsibilities as stewards of the natural resources of Earth?

Text: see the text and materials page for information about the textbooks required for course.

Browser Recommendation: I strongly that you use FireFox to attend class and use the Moodle, and avoid Chrome and Microsoft Edge, since Google and Microsoft chose not to implement the MathML standard in their browsers. While biology is not as math-dependent as chemistry or physics, the ability to clearly display mathematical and chemical formula in chat is necessary on occasion. Addtionally, he Moodle is optimized for FireFox; some features are available in FireFox and not in other browsers.

Meetings: The Biology course meets in online chat sessions twice a week for a review of the material and open discussion of homework assignments or topics posing difficulties. Some time will be devoted to basic lab work. Students post individually-assigned problems to the course conference center to gain practice in explaining solutions.

Credit: Students completing the course will receive high school biology credit. Students completing additional lab work will receive honors credit. AP credit will not be an option starting in 2020-2021 academic year (see the FAQs page for an explanation).

Standard Exam Preparation: Students taking the Biology course should be well prepared to take both the SAT II Biology Test in both Microbiology and Ecology forms, or the CLEP biology test. Students completing extra lab work should be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Biology exam. Those interested in any of these exams should read the Biology Exam Preparation page, and contact the instructor if they have questions.

Prerequisites: The Scholars Online Biology Course is designed to be an independent course for students who have completed a rigorous junior high school life science course, or Scholars Online Natural Science I and II.

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Need more information? Further details on this course are available at this site on course procedures, our apprach to evolution, and other frequently-asked questions.

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© 2005 - 2021 This course is offered through Scholars Online, a non-profit organization supporting classical Christian education through online courses. Permission to copy course content (lessons and labs) for personal study is granted to students currently or formerly enrolled in the course through Scholars Online. Reproduction for any other purpose, without the express written consent of the author, is prohibited.