Grade 9 Entry: The recommendation of Grade 8 Science teacher (includes Grade Level Expectations/report card grades). Students must concurrently enroll in Geometry, Geometry Honors or a higher level math.
Grade 10 or higher Entry: Grade of A- or higher in Earth and Space Science, B+ in Chemistry and B in Chemistry Honors.
Biology Honors is an introductory life science course that explores structure and function, inheritance and variation of traits, matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems, interdependent relationships in ecosystems, and natural selection and evolution. Student capacity for self-motivation, independent learning, higher-level critical thinking skills are expected. This course follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) HS-LS1-1 to HS-LS1-7, HS-LS2-1 to HS-LS2-8, HS-LS3-1 to HS-LS3-3, HS-LS4-1 to HS-LS4-5 and include deeper extension of topics at a faster pace.
Students will use NGSS science and engineering practices to develop answers to the following questions:
- How do the structures of organisms enable life’s functions?
- How do organisms obtain and use energy they need to live and grow? How do matter and energy move through ecosystems?
- How do organisms interact with the living and non-living environment to obtain matter and energy?
- How does biodiversity affect humans?
- How are the characteristics from one generation related to the previous generation?
- How can there be so many similarities among organisms yet so many different plants, animals, and microorganisms?
The course will include core unit formative/summative assessments. Understanding of concepts will be developed through collaborative lab experiences, tests and projects. Student learning in these situations will be assessed individually using the HS Grade Descriptors.