Course Description:
This is an interesting and exciting course that covers biology concepts within the framework of ecology. It is broken down into six ecology-themed sections: populations, natural selection, biodiversity, tropical rainforest ecology, reef & coastal ecology, and human interaction with ecosystems.
Section 1 focuses on interactions between organisms within and across populations. Section 2 explores adaptations and traits that help organisms to better survive in their environment. Section 3 focuses on the variety of life found in different environments and why this is important. Section 4 explores several aspects of tropical rainforests, from trees and plants to insects and mammals. Section 5 explores coral reef environments and their connections with mangroves, marine mammals, fish, and other organisms. Lastly, section 6 focuses on how humans impact environments in both positive and negative ways.
This course is taught by an experienced classroom and ecology field studies teacher with two master of science degrees in environmental science and sustainable environmental resources management. Drawing on academic knowledge and field experience, these lessons offer an enjoyable and accessible look into the broad fields of ecology and biology.
Course Goals:
With knowledge and clarity gained from these concepts this course will not only improve ecological literacy, it will help foster a deeper curiosity about the natural world. Upon completion of this course the successful student will be able to understand the complex relationship between predators and prey, differentiate between populations within ecosystems, understand the science behind natural selection, understand the importance of biodiversity, develop expertise on tropical rainforest systems and coastal reef systems, and gain a deeper understanding of how human interaction affects ecosystems.
Target Audience:
The target audience is 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students who have basic scientific literacy skills and are interested in applied sciences such as biology.
Course Requirements:
The student will complete 22 full lessons, each with two components consisting of a regular lesson and a review lesson. Successful completion of a quiz after each lesson is needed in order to move on to the next course. Quizzes will be reviewed in the second component of each lesson, complete with a review answer sheet.
Course Includes:
- Over 5.5 hours of video lessons and review video lessons
- 22 lessons
- 21 Quizzes
- Lesson slides reviewing each lesson
- Quiz slides reviewing each test
- Additional parent resources: course outline and answer key for each quiz
Course Topics:
- Introduction
- Environmental Factors & Population
- Predator/Prey Interactions
- Carrying Capacity
- Adaptation
- Evolution
- Natural Selection Effects
- Artificial Selection
- Maintaining Biodiversity
- Monitoring Biodiversity
- Trees & Plants
- Mammals & Reptiles
- Birds, Bats & Insects
- Tropical Forest Ecology Connections
- Mangroves & Littoral Forest
- Cetaceans & Manatees
- Fish & Marine Animals
- Coral Reefs
- Reef & Coastal Connections
- Development & Threats
- Conservation Strategies
- Investigating Conservation Issues
