Biology article one: Introduction to biology courses
Introduction to Biology
What is Biology?
Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms. It is a broad natural science that encompasses a wide range of fields and unifying principles that explain the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of life. Central to biology are five fundamental themes: the cell as the basic unit of life, genes and heredity as the basis of inheritance, evolution as the driver of biological diversity, energy transformation for sustaining life processes, and the maintenance of internal stability (homeostasis). Biology examines life across multiple levels of organization, from molecules and cells to organisms, populations, and ecosystems. Subdisciplines include molecular biology, physiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, developmental biology, and systematics, among others. Each of these fields applies a range of methods to investigate biological phenomena, including observation, experimentation, and mathematical modeling. Modern biology is grounded in the theory of evolution by natural selection, first articulated by Charles Darwin, and in the molecular understanding of genes encoded in DNA. The discovery of the structure of DNA and advances in molecular genetics have transformed many areas of biology, leading to applications in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental science.
Life sciences 11
The course is an individual for the first time, where students learn to about biological kingdoms such as fungi, bacteria, protists, plants, and animals. Students will also learn about Darwin's theory of natural selection and how he developed the theory using fossils and anatomy. In this course, students will be asked to dissect animals such as worms or frogs to learn about organ systems. By the end of the course, students are expected to know about life diversity and how it changed over time.
Anatomy and Physiology 12
In Grade 12, students who continue with Biology 12 study advanced topics that resemble first-year university biology. The main focus is human anatomy and physiology, including detailed studies of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, nervous, and endocrine systems. Students learn how these systems interact to maintain homeostasis. On the molecular side, they cover DNA replication, RNA transcription, translation, and protein synthesis, as well as enzyme function in metabolism. Labs may include modeling DNA replication or investigating reflexes in the nervous system. Biology 12 is particularly important for students preparing for post-secondary studies in medicine, nursing, or life sciences.
Biology 8
The biology 8 curriculum is taught as part of the science 8 course. Students learn about cell theory and how all living things are made of cells while also being able to differentiate between animal and plant cells. The students also start practicing using microscopes to analyze cells at a minute scale. Students also learn about energy transfers and how plants use photosynthesis.
Biology 9
The biology 9 material is taught in the greater science 9 course. Students are expected to learn about genetics and cell division. Also, students will learn the difference between mitosis and meiosis while also learning about asexual and sexual reproduction. Some experiments include extracting DNA from fruits. DNA is a main aspect in biology 9, being taught the double helix shape and how genes help determine traits.
Biology 10
The biology 10 course is taught as a part of the science 10 course. It focuses on ecology and the human body. Some topics for ecology include: nitrogen and carbon cycles in the environment, showing how natural matter decomposes in th environment, and how humans have impacted to environment. Students learn about the digestive and reproductive systems. At the end of the course, students are expected to connect biological issues with global environmental issues.
Incentive Biology ProgramSC: ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY 12
Prerequisite: B or better in Life Sciences 11 or Life Sciences 11 Enriched, B or better in Anatomy & Physiology 12 or Anatomy & Physiology 12 Enriched OR taking Anatomy & Physiology 12 or Enriched concurrently.   Recommended: B or better in Chemistry 11  
AP Biology 12 is designed to be the equivalent of first year university level biology and is therefore more challenging than Biology 12. The content of AP Biology can be successfully completed only if students have completed Life Science 11 and Anatomy & Physiology 12 previously, or if they are taking Anatomy & Physiology 12 concurrently with AP Biology 12. Life Science 11 Enriched and Anatomy & Physiology 12 Enriched are strongly recommended to build a better foundation for AP Biology 12. An important component of the AP Biology course is extended laboratory work. There are mandatory laboratory experiments that must be completed by all students, as these labs are examinable on the AP Biology exam. Success in the AP Exam also provides students with post-secondary credit for the equivalent courses. To qualify for first year university chemistry credit, students must obtain school credit and a minimum score of 4 (four) on the Advanced Placement College Board Biology Examination written in early May. All institutions may not give this credit though local universities such as UBC and SFU do.
“R.C. Palmer AP Biology Requirements”
At R.C. Palmer Secondary School, the prerequisites and recommended academic standards for Advanced Placement (AP) Biology 12 are clearly outlined in the course guide. Students are required to have achieved at least a B grade in Life Sciences 11 or its enriched version, and similarly in Anatomy & Physiology 12 or its enriched version, or to be enrolled in AP Biology concurrently. (palmer.sd38.bc.ca) Additionally, the school recommends that students attain a B grade or higher in Chemistry 11 to ensure they have the necessary chemistry foundation for AP Biology. For standard Life Sciences 11 and Life Sciences 11 Enriched courses, the prerequisite is Science 10, with a recommended minimum of a B grade in Science 10 for students taking the enriched track. (palmer.sd38.bc.ca) According to the British Columbia provincial grading system followed by Palmer, a B grade corresponds to a percentage range of 73%–85%. (en.wikipedia.org) Therefore, while the school does not list a “biology cutoff score” per se, students typically need to achieve at least a B grade (approximately 73%) in prerequisite courses to qualify for enrollment in AP Biology 12
BC science textbooks
