Biology I Semester 2

Enrollment Message

Students need access to a webcam or video recording device.

Course Description

Biology I Semester 2 is a rigorous, standards-aligned online course that deepens students’ understanding of life science through the study of DNA and the cell cycle, protein synthesis, genetics, evolution, and ecology. The course begins with the molecular foundations of life, focusing on DNA structure, replication, and its role in protein production and cell division. Students then explore patterns of inheritance, genetic variation, and the effects of environmental influences on gene expression. Building on this foundation, the course examines natural selection, adaptation, and the evidence supporting biological evolution. The final unit focuses on ecological systems, emphasizing energy flow, matter cycling, population dynamics, biodiversity, and the impacts of human activities on ecosystems. Through scientific practices such as modeling, data analysis, and evidence-based reasoning, students engage with crosscutting concepts like cause and effect, systems thinking, and stability and change, preparing them for future success in science and society.

• Fulfills the Biology requirement for all diplomas

Course Goals

Upon completion of the course, students will…

• demonstrate understanding of DNA structure, replication, and repair mechanisms, and evaluate their roles in maintaining genetic continuity and addressing genetic disorders.
• differentiate between the processes and purposes of mitosis and meiosis, and analyze how errors in these processes contribute to genetic variation or disease.
• model the steps of the cell cycle, identify regulatory mechanisms, and evaluate consequences of abnormal cell cycle control, including cancer.
• translate DNA sequences into amino acid chains using a codon chart, and predict the impact of mutations on protein structure and function.
• compare transcription and translation processes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and analyze how environmental stress affects gene expression.
• investigate the regulation of gene activity and distinguish between active and inactive genes using experimental data.
• analyze ethical considerations and real-world applications of genetic technologies, including genetic engineering and genome editing.
• apply principles of inheritance to solve genetic problems, interpret pedigrees, and explore both Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance.
• explain how genetic variation arises through meiosis, mutation, and environmental factors, and assess its role in evolution and population dynamics.
• use multiple lines of evidence (DNA, anatomical structures, embryology) to support claims about common ancestry and biological evolution.
• construct scientific explanations for how natural selection and environmental changes drive adaptation, speciation, and extinction.
• evaluate the impact of human activities on ecosystems and biodiversity, and design or simulate solutions to mitigate negative environmental effects.

Indiana Academic Standards

• Biology I

Units of Instruction

• Unit 1 DNA and Cell Cycle
• Unit 2 Protein Synthesis
• Unit 3 Genetics
• Unit 4 Evolution
• Unit 5 Ecology

Grading/Evaluation

Indiana Online does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue transcripts or diplomas. A final score reported as a percentage of total points earned will be sent to students upon completion of a course. Your school of record can also access this score within the Student Information System, Genius. The final score will be shown as a percentage in Canvas and Genius. The student’s school of record will determine the letter grade based on their specific grading scale.

Students must complete at least 70% of the course and take all parts of the final exam(s) to have a score reported to their school of record. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a score of 0 reported to the school of record.

Assessments

Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, teacher-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building and other forms of authentic assessments. The course includes the minimum number of assessments

• 5 Discussions
• 29 Assignments
• 18 Quizzes

The assessments for this asynchronous course are weighted as follows

Teacher Contact Response Time

Students can use email or the private message system within Genius or Canvas to access highly qualified teachers when they need teacher assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside Canvas. The Teacher Information page of their course may describe additional communication options.

The teacher will respond to student inquiries (email, text, call) within one business day. Assignments will be graded and posted within two business days.

Expectations for Academic Conduct 

Student Handbook 

It is your responsibility to read the student handbook to understand all aspects of taking an online course including expectations for academic conduct. Contact your teacher if you have any questions. 

Assistance for Students with Accommodations

Indiana Online supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, such as inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos and podcasts, reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

Technology

Technology Requirements 

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Please review the Indiana Online’s Technology Requirements.

Technical Skills Needed 

Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to

• download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• download and install software
• use a messaging service similar to email
• communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• open attachments shared in messages
• create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• save a file as a .pdf
• copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• insert images or links into a file
• search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• use presentation and graphics programs
• follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• create and maintain usernames and passwords

Technical Questions?  Please contact the Indiana Online Helpdesk.