NOTE: FLEX means no live sessions. This allows the student more flexibility to access the course when ready and work at their own pace. Students may also join after the class deadline, the lessons will be ready upon registration. The set class period dates are for registration purposes only, the student can join after the deadline. 

In this FLEX course, there will be two lecture videos (40-45 minutes/lecture) posted every week for 12 weeks. New material will be placed on the Outschool website every Monday morning at 6 am EST.  This will include videos, written activities, and reinforcement worksheets (FRQs, MC questions)

The student is expected to take notes from the recorded videos and can finish optional assignment (either from textbook or prepbook). The assignment will be graded upon submission and I will provide the feedback.
 

Week 1. Basic Chemistry, Water Chemistry/ Macromolecules 
We will learn the properties of water and makeup and properties of macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids)

Week 2. Cell Structures/Membrane 
WHT will compare and contrast the cellular structures of prokaryotes and eukaryotes (animal and plant cells). 
We will also learn basic properties of different cytoskeletons: microfilament, microtubules, and intermediate microfilaments.
We will learn the properties of cellular membrane and how transport of different substances is regulated 

Week 3. Cellular Respiration/Photosynthesis 
We will learn molecular pathways of cellular respiration (aerobic vs. anaerobic) and photosynthesis
We will discuss molecular diversity and cellular response to environmental changes

Week 4. Mitosis/Meiosis/Cancer
We will compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis
We will discuss aberrant mitosis and meiosis

Week 5. Review/Midterm exam
We will have a comprehensive review section for all the materials we have learned and the students will take the mid-term exam.

Week 6. Cell communication/Introduction to the genetics  
We will discuss the steps and mechanisms of cell communication and how they are regulated 
We will discuss key terms in mendelian and modern genetics 

Week 7. Mendelian/Non-mendelian genetics/problem solving
We will go over how to work on key genetics problems during the lecture 

Week 8. Molecular genetics: DNA replication, transcription, and translation
We will discuss the processes of central dogma of biology and how each step occurs at molecular level.

Week 9. Gene regulation/Genetic engineering and biotechnology
We will discuss how prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic genes are regulated
We will also discuss how we can manipulate genes and how they can be used in biotechnology 

Week 10. Evolution (Microevolution vs. Macroevolution)  
Evolution is the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. We will compare and contrast different types of evolutions, such as microevolution and macroevolution. 

Week 11. Ecology (Take home final exam)
Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital connections between plants and animals and the world around them. Ecology also provides information about the benefits of ecosystems and how we can use Earth’s resources in ways that leave the environment healthy for future generations. We will discuss all the terms relevant for ecology for the lecture. 

Week 12. Review/Final Exam 
We will have a comprehensive review section for all the materials we have learned and the students will take the final exam.