THE LIVING EARTH
Emphasizes life science and its interrelatedness to other areas of science. Biology is designed to give students a broad experience in the life sciences and help students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the nature of science, the evolution of science, how we use science, the role of science in society, and the prospects for science in the future. This course will help students to develop scientific literacy, the ability to use the process of scientific inquiry, to think creatively about real-world issues, to communicate these thoughts to others and to integrate these ideas into decision making.
This biology course will focus on the following themes in order to support a transition into college biology:
Emphasizes life science and its interrelatedness to other areas of science. Biology is designed to give students a broad experience in the life sciences and help students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the nature of science, the evolution of science, how we use science, the role of science in society, and the prospects for science in the future. This course will help students to develop scientific literacy, the ability to use the process of scientific inquiry, to think creatively about real-world issues, to communicate these thoughts to others and to integrate these ideas into decision making.
This biology course will focus on the following themes in order to support a transition into college biology:
- Science as a Process—Science is a way of knowing. It can involve a discovery process using inductive reasoning, or it can be a process of hypothesis testing.
- Evolution—Evolution is the biological change of organisms that occurs over time and is driven by the process of natural selection . Evolution accounts for the diversity of life on Earth.
- Energy Transfer—Energy is the capacity to do work . All living organisms are active (living) because of their abilities to link energy reactions to the biochemical reactions that take place within their cells.
- Continuity and Change—All species tend to maintain themselves from generation to generation using the same genetic code . However, there are genetic mechanisms that lead to change over time, or evolution.
- Relationship of Structure to Function—The structural levels from molecules to organisms ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living systems.
- Regulation—Everything from cells to organisms to ecosystems is in a state of dynamic balance that must be controlled by positive or negative feedback mechanisms.
- Interdependence in Nature—Living organisms rarely exist alone in nature.
- Threats to Biodiversity - Climate Change