Using Classical Academic Press’s General Biology (Novare Series), we will combine up-to-date science with a Catholic worldview. The textbook starts at the atomic level and progresses to ever larger scales: cells, genes, microorganisms, plants, animals, and human organ systems. The final chapters survey ecology and the theory of evolution. 

How to get the most out ofBiology with Lab (Novare), Part One with MacBeth Derham:

• First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

• Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each recorded session.

• Read assignments before class meetings

• Watch that week’s recording.

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

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

Special Notes: This is Part One of a two-part course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two.

Total Classes: 14

Duration per class: 70 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: One full semester Biology with LAB or Science

Instructor: MacBeth Derham

Course description: This course will fulfill your high school science credit and prepare you for future science studies. Part One begins with the tools we use to talk about biology, and continues with the nature of molecular structure, increasing by scale to the cellular processes, DNA, classical genetics, and population genetics. The Novare method—learn, master, retain—is the goal of this course for the study of Biology. This course prepares students for ACT/SAT science exams. Students are expected to take notes during class. Notes will help with weekly quizzes, as quizzes are open book. Labs are an integral (and required) part of the course; materials are common household items.

Course outline:

Week 1: Biology as a quantitative science—measure!

Week 2: What on Earth is life?

Week 3: Too small to see? History of biogenic science and the atom

Week 4: Organic chemistry, from water to DNA

Week 5: Cell theory

Week 6: Energy and membranes

Week 7: Oxygen, cellular respiration, and energy

Week 8: Photosynthesis

Week 9: Molecular biology

Week 10: The cell cycle through mitosis

Week 11: Meiosis

Week 12: Chromosomes and human genetics

Week 13: Gregor Mendel and Classical Genetics

Week 14: Population genetics

Lab sequence:

1. Osmosis Lab – In this investigation, we will use a hen’s fresh egg to determine what happens during osmosis and diffusion across membranes.

2. Fermentation – We will set up a fermentation in a closed system and capture the generated carbon dioxide to carbonate root beer.

3. Mitosis Flip Book – We are drawing our own moving cell division!

4. Punnett Square – Applying our knowledge of phenotypes and genotypes to complete a worksheet.

5. Genetic Match – Students will determine the presence of certain high-frequency traits in themselves and their family members.

6. DNA Extraction – We will be creating a mixture to extract DNA from a strawberry!

7 M&M Lab – Activity to simulate the process of radioactive decay and to illustrate the concept of half-life.

Course materials: General Biology 1st ed. by Rogstad and Ayala from Novare ISBN: 9781732638433 

LAB booklet for purchase at Amazon. (<--click link)

Homework: Expect to spend approximately two-plus hours each week outside of the classroom on vocabulary study, reading, and quizzes. Vocabulary is assigned alongside the weekly reading for better understanding of the material and to prepare the student for the live lecture. Most of the computer-graded quiz material is based on vocabulary and what is presented in class. The sequence of events for each week is as follows:

1. Read the assigned chapter(s)

2. Write the provided vocabulary words in your notebook

3. Watch the recording.

4. Take the weekly computer-graded quiz, and lab quiz after completing lab sessions.

 Lab Homework: Students will perform labs at home after class. Labs require ½-1 hours on alternate weeks.

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2023 Homeschool Connections and MacBeth Derham.   All rights reserved. This course is designed by MacBeth Derham.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.