Course Syllabus

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Syllabus Biology A

Welcome

Welcome to Biology A! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

Biology is the study of all aspects of life. This course focuses on environmental science and cell theory. As learners progress, they will develop both problem-solving and inquiry skills as they apply what they learn to everyday situations. After completing this course, students will learn and develop scientific thinking skills that will be useful for future science endeavors. Scientific Theories taught include Genetics, Evolution, Cell Theory, & Atomic Theory. Students need a science notebook and will find success if they commit to participating in the course daily.

Course Essential Questions


Essential Question 1

How do the major natural life systems interact?

Essential Question 2

How does the biological cell illustrate the major natural life systems?

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Introduction to Biology
  • 1.1: Define biology.
  • 1.2: Explore careers in biology.
  • 1.3: Describe the levels of organization and diversity among living things.
  • 1.4: Apply bioethics to an ethical dilemma related to biology.
  • 1.5: Identify and describe the characteristics of living things
  • 1.6: Explain how homeostasis is related to feedback mechanisms.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

2: Principles of Ecology
  • 2.1: Distinguish between biotic and abiotic factors.
  • 2.2: Describe the levels of organization in an ecosystem.
  • 2.3: Describe sustainable natural resource use. 
  • 2.4: Explain the difference between an organism’s habitat and niche.  
  • 2.5: Compare community relationships such as predation and competition.
  • 2.6: Explain symbiotic relationships such as mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
  • 2.7: Describe the causes and effects of global warming and climate change.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Ecosystem Slideshow

In this assignment, you will analyze your local ecosystem.

3: Population Dynamics and Biodiversity
  • 3.1: Describe characteristics of populations and how they are distributed.
  • 3.2: Explain the difference between density-independent and density-dependent limiting factors, and list examples of each.
  • 3.3: Compare and contrast exponential growth and logistic growth models.
  • 3.4: Describe how carrying capacity affects reproductive rates.
  • 3.5: List factors, trends, and consequences that affect human population growth.
  • 3.6: Explain why biodiversity is important and how it’s threatened.
  • 3.7: Describe methods used to conserve biodiversity.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

4: Chemical Foundations of Life
  • 4.1: Relate the structure of an atom to the identity of elements.
  • 4.2: Distinguish elements, compounds, mixtures, and solutions as they relate to biological concepts.
  • 4.3: Relate water’s unique features to polarity.
  • 4.4: Explain the process of diffusion and why it is biologically important.
  • 4.5: Describe chemical reactions and how energy is transferred.
  • 4.6: Describe major polymers found in organisms and their connection to organic chemistry.
  • 4.6: Describe the structures and functions of macromolecules

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Water Model Video

In this assignment, you will demonstrate what you know about the chemistry of water and explain why it's necessary to support life on Earth.

5: Energy and Matter Flow in Ecosystems
  • 5.1: Explain how living things are classified based on how they obtain energy.
  • 5.2: Explain how energy flows through ecosystems.
  • 5.3: Explain relationships shown in an ecological pyramid. 
  • 5.4: Describe the cycling of matter in the biosphere.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Exploring Biomass Pyramids

In this assignment, you will use a simulation to understand the concept of energy flow through trophic levels in a food web

Midterm Exam

6: Communities and Biomes
  • 6.1: Explain how climate, limiting factors, and ranges of tolerance affect distribution of organisms.
  • 6.2: Sequence the stages of ecological succession and describe the conditions under which they take place.
  • 6.3: Identify the major limiting factors affecting distribution of biomes.
  • 6.4: Compare and contrast terrestrial biomes and describe the characteristics of each.
  • 6.5: Compare and contrast aquatic biomes and describe the characteristics of each.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Biome Advertisement

In this assignment, you will create an advertisement for a specific biome.

7: View of the Cell
  • 7.1: Explain the tenets and development of modern cell theory.
  • 7.2: Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  • 7.3: Explain the structure and function of the cell membrane.
  • 7.4: Describe the structure and function of the cell organelles.
  • 7.5: Predict the movement of molecules across a selectively permeable membrane.
  • 7.6: Differentiate between diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. 

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Cell in an Organism Model

In this assignment, you will create models of cells. 

8: Cellular Energy
  • 8.1: Describe how the ATP molecule is used to store energy.
  • 8.2: Describe the equation, process, and importance of photosynthesis.
  • 8.3: Describe the equation, process, and importance of cellular respiration.
  • 8.4: Explain chemosynthesis and fermentation. 
  • 8.5: Compare and contrast cellular respiration, photosynthesis, fermentation, and chemosynthesis.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

9: The Cell Cycle
  • 9.1: Contrast cell division in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
  • 9.2: Describe chromosomes and their role in the cell cycle. 
  • 9.3: Identify the phases of the eukaryotic cell cycle.
  • 9.4: Explain how the cell cycle is controlled.
  • 9.5: Order and describe the four major events of mitosis.
  • 9.6: Define cancer and relate it to the cell cycle.  

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

10: Searching for Life Beyond Earth
  • 10.1: Identify factors that make a planetary body habitable.
  • 10.2: Relate the history of Martian missions for the search for life on other planets to current and future missions.
  • 10.3: Explain how life affects the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
  • 10.4: Connect the flow of carbon between the major spheres of the Earth with how life, especially human life, has affected this pattern.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Video Commercial for Habitable Earth

In this assignment, you will create a video for Earth. 

Final Exam

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 156
Lesson Quizzes 250
Midterm Exam 300
Final Exam 300
Total 1,006

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

There is no textbook for this course. 

Materials

No special materials are required, however, some common household items may be needed for supplemental activities.

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due