Fostering academic excellence and biblical virtue to equip students for lives as local and global Christian servants.

Biology (Honors)

Course Catalog ID:
4000
Subject Categories:
Honors, Science
Description

This course is an in-depth challenging study of Biology for the motivated student. Each topic starts with a real-world case study, and concepts are developed using readings, images, video, activities, labs, projects and more. The virtual labs are designed specifically for the textbook, and the hands-on labs are further designed to prepare students for the challenges of AP Biology or college Biology. The course provides a thorough and fascinating survey of high school Biology at an honors level, with strong lab preparation for college and AP. Topics include biochemistry, cellular biology, bioenergetics, heredity and molecular genetics, creation/evolution, structure and diversity of organisms, and ecology. The course also includes study of development of species, taught from a biblical worldview but including discussion of naturalistic theories as well, with the goal of preparing students to be learned and confident participants in further academic studies in biological sciences.

Prerequisites
Grade Levels*:
8, 9, 10
* Enrollment restricted based on Date of Birth and Grad Year (whichever is more limiting). Enrollment outside these levels requires written concurrence from TPS Support.
Readiness

• TPS Life Science and Physical Science are recommended (not required) prior to this course.

Notes and Conditions

Grade 8: This high school credit course allows grade 8 enrollment for strong motivated students preparing to take more upper HS and AP science credits in high school. No accommodation is made for students who are not ready to work at a HS pace with HS standards of evaluation. Students in grades 7 and 8 preparing for high school science should take TPS Life Science and TPS Physical Science.

Lab Reports: This lab science course includes training and resources for writing technically correct lab reports to prepare the student for upper level science and college lab courses. Students will be instructed in the process of writing, revising, and producing a formal lab report, in general and specifically for that field of science. No accommodation is made for students who are unable to obtain the required lab materials.

Standard vs. Honors: This honors course features additional topics and more in-depth study of advanced topics for students who are working toward the AP Biology exam or might pursue science degrees or careers. Students seeking a Biology course that has less emphasis on lab work and uses a more conservative text will enjoy TPS Biology.

“This course is wonderful! The instructor teaches very efficiently, both communicating the details of biology and keeping classes entertaining. The textbook is brief but effective, and the workload is not too heavy. Overall, a great experience that I highly recommend!”

Samuel M
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Student

“Biology (Honors) is an excellent course if you want to challenge yourself and think deeply and carefully about science. I was able to learn so much, write my first formal lab reports, and conduct experiments using logical and scientific thinking. The teacher is also really sweet and helpful! She was always happy to answer my questions and go through concepts or homework with our class.”

Anise K
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Student

“The teacher has an infectious love of biology, making the class a fun and comfortable learning environment.”

Meredith B
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Student

“I would definitely recommend this course. The teachers are amazing and always open to questions, which we know is very much needed in biology. I am absolutely thrilled with this class and would take it all over again if I could.”

Noor D
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Student

“This course had excellent material. The exercises explained the concepts well, the work load was generally reasonable, and the teacher was incredibly helpful when it came to student questions and difficulties.”

Abigail B
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Student

“This Biology course was definitely a challenging one. There was a lot of reading, and the labs were in depth, but I would still recommend it. I learned a lot that would’ve been extremely hard to learn without a live teacher. The textbook that we used this year was a secular one, so we learned about the theory of evolution, while my teacher contradicted that with a Christian worldview. Our teacher was happy to answer any questions we had, so there was no need for confusion. I would recommend this course to anyone who needs a biology class.”

Madison C
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Student

“This course is amazing. Though truly challenging for an average smart high schooler, this course left me with a working knowledge of biology as well as prepared me for tougher classes in the future.”

Kate G
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Student

“This biology class was a great introduction to high school-level science. I learned about fascinating things to do with all kinds of living organisms, from humans all the way to microscopic bacteria. Another highlight was that I never felt bored with the fast-paced class.”

Savannah S
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Student

“The teacher makes the class interesting and enjoyable even though there is a lot of difficult stuff to learn. The class is really in depth and challenging, which is important for those pursuing a science career or for those who love science. This is not an easy class, but it is definitely worthwhile.”

Madison J
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Student
Reviews from Students and Parents