Life and Earth Sciences Course

Lesson 1 • The Nature of Scientific Inquiry

Covers hypothesis formation, experimental design, and data interpretation as practiced in life and Earth sciences. Grounds students in the empirical methods used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Organization of Living Systems

Examines hierarchical organization from atoms to biosphere, emphasizing emergent properties at each level. Provides the structural vocabulary needed for all biological topics ahead.

Lesson 3 • Matter and Energy in Science

Explains conservation of matter and energy flow as unifying principles across biology and geology. Students apply these principles to interpret natural systems.

Lesson 1 • Cellular Metabolism

Covers photosynthesis and cellular respiration as complementary energy-conversion pathways. Links biochemical reactions to the energy needs of organisms and ecosystems.

Lesson 2 • Cell Structure and Function

Compares prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, detailing organelle roles and membrane dynamics. Establishes the structural basis for all metabolic and genetic processes.

Lesson 3 • Cell Division and the Cell Cycle

Describes mitosis and meiosis, including checkpoints and regulation. Connects cell division to growth, repair, and sexual reproduction.

Lesson 1 • Gene Expression and Regulation

Covers operons, transcription factors, epigenetics, and post-transcriptional control. Shows how cells with identical DNA produce different proteins and functions.

Lesson 2 • Complex Inheritance Patterns

Examines polygenic traits, epistasis, sex-linked inheritance, and environmental gene interaction. Expands the Mendelian model to explain real-world trait variation.

Lesson 3 • Genomics and Biotechnology Basics

Introduces genome sequencing, gene editing tools, and recombinant DNA techniques. Connects molecular genetics to applied research and biotechnology careers.

Lesson 1 • Mechanisms of Evolution

Explains natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation as drivers of allele frequency change. Establishes the population genetics basis of evolutionary change.

Lesson 2 • Phylogenetics and Classification

Teaches cladistic analysis, phylogenetic tree construction, and the modern classification system. Enables students to read and interpret evolutionary relationships.

Lesson 3 • Survey of Life's Major Groups

Surveys prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals with emphasis on key adaptations. Provides biodiversity context for ecology and conservation chapters.

Lesson 1 • The Rock Cycle and Geologic Time

Details igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock formation and the processes linking them. Uses radiometric dating and stratigraphy to place events in geologic time.

Lesson 2 • Atmosphere and Weather Systems

Describes atmospheric layers, energy balance, and the mechanisms driving weather patterns. Provides the physical basis for understanding climate and climate change.

Lesson 3 • Plate Tectonics and Landforms

Explains plate boundaries, seafloor spreading, and the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and ocean basins. Connects tectonic activity to habitat creation and species distribution.

Lesson 1 • Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems

Characterizes terrestrial biomes and aquatic zones by climate, productivity, and dominant species. Prepares students for applied conservation and environmental science topics.

Lesson 2 • Community Interactions

Analyzes predation, competition, mutualism, and parasitism as forces shaping community structure. Connects species interactions to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Lesson 3 • Population Ecology

Examines population growth models, limiting factors, and age structure analysis. Provides quantitative tools for predicting population change over time.

Lesson 1 • Pollution and Toxicology

Covers air, water, and soil pollution sources, pathways, and biological effects including bioaccumulation. Prepares students to evaluate pollution risks and remediation options.

Lesson 2 • Climate Change: Causes and Evidence

Examines greenhouse gas mechanisms, paleoclimate proxies, and current observational data supporting climate change. Builds scientific literacy for evaluating climate claims.

Lesson 3 • Mitigation and Sustainable Practices

Evaluates renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and conservation strategies as responses to environmental change. Develops students' capacity to propose evidence-based solutions.

Lesson 1 • Geohazard Assessment and Risk

Integrates tectonic, atmospheric, and hydrological knowledge to assess volcanic, seismic, flood, and landslide hazards. Prepares students to communicate risk to non-specialist audiences.

Lesson 2 • Biomedical Applications of Biology

Applies cell biology, genetics, and microbiology to disease mechanisms, diagnostics, and treatment strategies. Bridges foundational science to health-sector professional practice.

Lesson 3 • Natural Resource Management

Applies ecosystem and Earth science knowledge to fisheries, forestry, water, and mineral resource management. Develops skills for balancing extraction with long-term sustainability.

Lesson 4 • Agriculture and Food Systems Science

Examines soil science, plant physiology, and pest management in the context of sustainable food production. Connects ecological principles to agricultural decision-making.