In this course, students will learn various fundamental concepts covered in high school biology level 1 (US curriculum).  A comprehensive overview of the topic will be provided in each class before addressing the finer details. Foundational topics may be introduced at a high level initially, with deeper dives into specific areas in subsequent lessons. We will start by exploring the intriguing question of what defines something as a living organism. From there, we will examine the steps of scientific method and engage in meaningful discussions as we apply these steps to hypothetical experiments. Afterwards, our lessons move progressively from studying the smallest unit of non-living things -an atom- to the smallest unit of living things -a cell.  Next, we will transition into topics from genetics and molecular biology. Upon successfully completing this course, students will have acquired a thorough understanding of diverse cellular and molecular processes that occur within living organisms. This is a suitable course for home-schooled students and students who are currently enrolled in high school biology.

Presentations, worksheets, videos and simulations will be used to teach.  For some of the topics, I will use online assessments to check for student understanding.  Worksheet packets that go along with the presentations will be provided.  Students are expected to take some notes as they fill in the blanks on the handouts. This class is an interactive class; when in doubt, students are encouraged to ask questions. I will be assisting students while they work. Depending on the pace of the class, students may have some amount of homework. 

The recording of each session will be available to enrolled students after attending one live session (as long as there are students present in each session).  This is meant to help learners review or catch up if they miss anything during class as the class may have diverse learners. Please note that with the weekly payment option, parents may chose to withdraw their enrollment at any time to stop the weekly payments but are not able to resume their enrollment and will lose all access to previous class materials. 

***No classes during Thanksgiving time, Christmas & New Year's day. Check the meeting dates for details***
***No classes during the second week of April due to Spring Break***

Tentative Schedule:
Day1: What is Life? (1)
=>Identify the characteristics that categorize something as a living thing
=>Online Quiz

Day 2: Scientific Method (2)
=>Online Quiz

Day 3: Levels of Structural Organization & Atom (3)
=>From Atoms to Molecules to Organisms
=>Periodic table of elements
=>What is inside an atom?
=>Online Quiz

Day 4: Chemistry of Life 1 (4)
=>Elements of Life 
=>Chemical Bonds
=>Significance of carbon for life on Earth
=>Online Quiz

Day 5: Chemistry of Life 2 (5)
=>Properties of water
=>at home lab
=>materials for lab: copper penny, small plastic cup, paperclips, wax paper, balloon, oil & water
=>Online Quiz: Water

Day 6: Chemistry of Life 3 (6)
=>Structure and function of macromolecules 1

Day 7: Chemistry of Life 4 (7)
=>Structure and function of macromolecules 2
=>Online Quiz: Macromolecules
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Day 8: Cell Structures & Functions 1 (8)
=>Cell theory
=>Unicellular vs. Multicellular organisms
=>Cell specialization in multicellular organisms
=>Cell diversity and common parts of all cells 

Day 9: Cell Structures & Functions 2 (9)
=>Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
=>Match the cell structure with its function
=>Cytoplasm and cytoskeleton

Day 10: Cell Structures & Functions 3 (10)
=>Cell Membrane and Membrane Proteins
=>Origin of multicellularity
=>Summary: biological levels of organization
=>at home lab
=>materials for lab: salt, water, carrot or gummy bears or both
=>Online Quiz: Cell Organelles

Day 11: Cell Structures & Functions 4 (11)
=>Cell Transport
=>How do things go in and out of cells?
=>Osmosis
=>Passive vs. active transport
=>Endocytosis and exocytosis
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Day 12: Cellular Processes: making and using food (12)
=>Food chain
=>Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs
=> Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Day 13: Cell Cycle & Cell Division (13)
=>Genes and chromosomes
=>Mitosis 
=>Online Quiz

Day 14: Reproduction (at the cellular level) (14)
=>Asexual vs. sexual reproduction 
=>Meiosis
=>Online Quiz
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Day 15: Genetics 1 (15)
=>Mendel's experiments & heredity
=>Mendelian inheritance
=>Independent assortment of alleles
=>Punnett square

Day 16: Genetics 2 (16)
=>non-mendelian inheritance
=>Punnett square

Day 17: Genetics 3 (17)
=>Genetic disorders
=>Pedigree Analysis
=>Practice problems

Day 18: Pause and Review day (18)
=>Review
=>Quiz
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Day 19: Molecular Biology 1 (19)
=>Central Dogma of molecular biology
=>DNA Structure: major discoveries
=>DNA Replication
=>practice problems

Day 20: Molecular Biology 2 (20)
=>RNA structure
=>Transcription  
=>mRNA processing
=>practice problems

Day 21: Molecular Biology 3 (21)
=>Protein structure
=>Translation
=>Genetic code & mutations

Day 22: Review Day (22)
=>Summary
=>Quiz

NOTE:
=>class may run over the allotted time (by 5 to 10 minutes) at times depending on the class constitution and student needs
=>I will leave the zoom session if nobody shows up within the first 5 minutes of each session.

Refund Policy:
=>All classes allowing weekly payments adhere to the following refund policy:
=>If the parent chooses to pay weekly: "Cancel anytime. No refunds for past payments. Most recent payment can be refunded within 24 hours of purchase and prior to the first meeting of the payment period."
=>If the parent chooses to pay upfront: "Full refund until the class begins, or within 24 hours of purchase (until class starts), then a pro-rated refund based on the number of meetings."