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Goddess Moon Circles Academy Biology Curriculum
By
Reverend Kara Mueller
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Biology 1 (Fall) |
Biology 2 (Spring) |
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Course Objectives for Biology 1 and 2:
The student will learn an understanding of:
the chemical and physical basis of life
the structure and function of cells
aerobic and anaerobic respiration
photosynthesis in cells
chemo synthesis in cells
the continuity of live and evolution
molecular basis of heredity
DNA replication
protein synthesis (transcription and translation)
sexual vs. asexual reproduction
genetics in the role of health and disease
the application of genetics in forensics, medicine and disease
the Theory of Evolution
the diversity of Life
the classification of organisms
organ systems in animals
the functional systems in plants
ecological relationships
the water cycle
the carbon cycle
the nitrogen cycle
the influence of humans on the environment
nature vs. nurture
plant tropisms and other responses
animal behavior
biological clocks
Although the Earth is a wondrous gift from the Goddess, this science course
will retain a scientific focus. Religious discussion is welcome, but the
goal of this curriculum is to prepare the student to walk into a secular
college lecture hall and be able to play hard ball with the rest of the
students. Scientific thought and method will be encouraged. Research
projects are required to be submitted for each semester.
The Great Dissection Debate:
The reality is that for countless biology students throughout the ages, the
great frog dissection has been a rite of passage. However, most high school
students are not skilled or very experienced at necropsy and can actually
get better views of organ systems from the internet or books.
It is a family decision weather or not to perform dissections and as teacher
for this course I will individually support whatever decision the families
of my students make. If your family chooses dissection I will provide
lesson material to make it as useful as possible. If necessary, I will
contact a biological supply company to get higher mammals for your
laboratories. (only schools are allowed to purchase these from many
dealers) If your family would prefer supplemental material in lieu of
dissection I will provide that as well.
My personal experience in high school and college was that there wasn’t much
too gain from the novice dissection of an animal. The organs are often
unrecognizable, in an actual living organism or you can’t get the detail you
would like. From my own experience, observation of the living breathing
animal can afford you a lot more scientific data than an inexperienced
dissection.
Performing vivisections often yields disappointing results as well. Often
delicate tissues are badly damaged and the animal dies before any actual
scientific value is gained. At other times, students simply see results
that they know would be obvious and again gain no new knowledge.
A little about the instructor, Rev Kara Mueller:
I was ordained through Goddess Moon Circles on Feb. 9, 2001.
I have a degree in Zoology and some post-baccalaureate work completed but
not a master’s degree. In college, I was a teacher’s assistant for the
Genetics and Human Affairs course. |
