(Recorded Course) Honors Biology with LAB Part One with MacBeth Derham

Instructor Access (optional grading support) for Unlimited Access families is available for this course!

Join this college-preparatory biology course and fully prepare your student for college biology with topics in the chemistry of life, energy, photosynthesis, genetics, classifications, and more.

How to get the most out of Honors Biology with LAB Part One with MacBeth Derham:

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting. In this case, please read chapters 1, 2, and 3 before class. Subsequent assignments will be announced at the end of each class session.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session. Note-taking is an important skill. I will allow time for notes and drawings during the class.

  • Read Chapters 1-3 before the first class meeting.

  • Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Note: This course only takes 20 students so we recommend registering early. This is Part One of a 2-Part Course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the spring. In previous years, the LAB portion of this course was a separate signup. This year, the LAB is included with the course.

Total Classes: 14

Duration: 75 minutes

Prerequisite: Middle School Life Science, excellent study skills, and love to learn.

Suggested Grade Level: 11th to 12th grade or advanced 10th grade

Suggested Credit: One full semester of Science or Honors Biology. For Honors Biology with LAB, register for LAB separately.

Class Instructor: MacBeth Derham

Instructor Email: macbethderham@gmail.com

Course description: What is life? How does it work? Biology is the study of life, from its

simplest forms to the most complex. In this 2-semester course we will systematically

explore all aspects of life, from the chemistry of the molecular machines that work in

each of our cells to the vast intricate web of interconnected species on earth. An

intensive honors-level biology class for college-bound students.

Course outline:

Week 1: Chemistry of life

Week 2: Cells; Lab: Denaturing proteins

Week 3: Flow of Energy

Week 4: Glycolysis and Respiration

Week 5: Photosynthesis; Lab: Winogradsky Column

Week 6: Genetics, Meiosis, Sexual Reproduction

Week 7: Genes and the Genetic Code

Week 8: Molecular Genetics of Prokaryotes and Viruses

Week 9: Molecular Genetics of Eukaryotes and Human Genetics Lab: Punnett Squares

Week 10: Classification

Week 11: Prokaryotes and Viruses; Lab: Prokaryote key

Week 12: Protist, Fungi, Plants

Week 13: Animals I, II; Lab: Cladogram

Week 14: Animals III, IV; Lab: Arthropod behavior

Course materials: Biology 5th Edition by Curtis and Barnes, ISBN-10: 087901394X                     (https://amzn.to/2Oc8A1Q or bookfinder.com)

Lab materials Provided free by instructor plus household or commonly available

items. Please purchase genetic corn (https://www.carolina.com/plant-genetics/genetic-corn-seed-green-albino/177130.pr). We will use half of the seed this semester, and half next semester. Some labs will be ongoing projects requiring preparation and sometimes long waiting periods.

Homework: Expect to spend approx. 4 hours per week outside of the classroom. Heavy reading in text and additional reading, per instructor. Weekly Quizzes, midterm/final, and labs. One 5-page paper.