BIOLOGY
Syllabus: 2016 - 2017
Mr. Chace
[email protected]
(717) 298-8090
COURSE INTRODUCTION:
Science for Christians is the study of God’s creation.
According to the late Henry M. Morris, Ph.D., “Biology, a word derived from two Greek
words, bios ("life") and logos ("word") is "the study of life." The Bible is the written
word of God, according to its own claims and an abundance of evidence.
The Bible encourages—in fact, commands—the study of biology and all other factual
science. The very first divine commandment given to man was "Be fruitful, and multiply,
and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and
over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Genesis
1:28 KJV).
This "dominion mandate," as it has been called, is in effect a command to "do science,"
for Adam and his descendants could only "subdue" the earth and "have dominion" over
all its living creatures by learning their nature and functions. This clearly implies the
establishment of a "science" of biology, so that mankind could properly care for and
utilize the world's resources of animal and plant life as created by God.
There is thus no conflict at all between the Bible and biological science. However,
"evolutionary biology" is another matter. It is a philosophy, not science, an attempt to
explain the origin and developmental history of all forms of life on a strictly naturalistic
basis, without the intervention of special creation.”
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http://www.icr.org/article/bible-or-biology/
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
After completion of this course, the student will be able to:
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Comprehend the structure and function of plants
Understand the anatomy and physiology of the human body
Explore and synthesize the theory of evolution, contrasted with Creation
Understand the genetics that govern heredity
Comprehend and analyze the different varieties and designs within zoology
Determine and learn the parts of a cell by a drawing and by function
Analyze and know the respective properties of DNA
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
Students will:
 Attend on campus instruction, missing no more than two sessions per semester.
 Participate in discussions with grace and respect for teacher and classmate input.
 Manage and plan their studies in coordination with known academic and family
responsibilities.
 Complete all assignments on time or accept point reductions for late work.
GRADING WEIGHT & SCALE:
Each semester varies with respect to course assignment content, writing assignments, and
homework. With the caveat that changes are sometimes necessary given the marking
period’s variance in assignment, the weighted grade for the year will be as follows:
25% - Homework
25% - Quizzes
50% - Unit Exams
H. Work
Quizzes
Unit
Exams
GRADING SCALE:
A….90-100
B….80-89
C….70-79
D….60-69
F…. less than 60
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:
With the understanding that course planning is tentative and may change to accommodate
unforeseen events and needed extra emphasis on areas difficult for each class, the course
aim is to cover the following (one exam and a few quizzes per unit):
1st SEMESTER:
Unit 1 – Botany; Structure and Function of Plants
Unit 2 – Human Anatomy and Physiology: Purpose and Design
Unit 3 – Life Science: Methodology and Philosophy
2nd SEMESTER:
Unit 4 – Zoology: Variety and Design in the Animal World
Unit 5 – Cellular and Molecular Biology: the Complexity of Living Things
REQUIRRED RESOURCES:
A Beka. Biology: God's Living Creation—New Edition. Pensacola Christian College,
Pensacola, Florida. 2016.
COURSE POLICIES:
ATTENDANCE - Students are expected to attend all classes. In the case of absence
due to emergency (illness, death in the family, accident), it is the student’s responsibility
to confer with the instructor about the absence and missed course work. Students absent
from an announced (major) test or examination, unless authorized, may be given an
equivalent examination at a later date.
EXTRA HELP / TUTORING / SPECIAL NEEDS - Extra help is available through the
Providence Center. Students who have special needs are encouraged to identify
themselves to the coordinator of special student services as early as possible. Reasonable
accommodations based on current documentation are provided to qualified students.
HONOR CODE - Students are expected to produce work that is the product of their own
learning and academic effort. Grades must represent honest work and accomplishments.
A student who chooses not to abide by these rules and expectations will receive a “0”
grade for their work and may fail the class.