1
Sample Tree-thinking Curriculum Syllabus
For Introductory Biology
Week
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
11
11
11
12
12
12
13
13
13
14
14
14
15
15
15
Topic
Course overview,
Life and the biosphere
The science of biology
The history of life, taxonomy & organization of biodiversity
Mendel, inheritance & DNA
Mendel, inheritance & DNA
Case Study: Why Sex Is Good
Case Study: The Wolfman - Pedigree analysis
Case Study: Blue People of Troublesome Creek Pedigree Analysis
Reproduction and inheritance summary
EXAM 1
Case study: Walking with Darwin, History of Life on Earth
Darwin’s big idea, evolution as a population process (Hardy-Weinberg, natural selection and drift)
Case Study: Cross Dressing Salmon ot Sexual Selection in Widowbirds
More in natural selection, drift, etc.
Case Study: Canine Domestication
Speciation
Case study: Speciation in apple maggot flies
Plant structure, morphology and anatomy
Plant growth and development
Plant response
Plant transport, photosynthesis, & nutrition
EXAM 2
Plant transport, photosynthesis, & nutrition
Case Study: Reproductive Isolation in Columbines
Plant diversity & evolution
Fungi
Animal diversity & evolution
Animal diversity & evolution
Case study: Mystery of the Matching Marks
Animal structure and function in thermoregulation
Case Study: An Antipodal Mystery
Case study: A Deadly Passion
EXAM 3
Biomes and ecosystems
Biomes and ecosystems
Matter cycles and energy flows
Matter cycles and energy flows
Case study: Sex change and the environment
Populations
Populations
Case Study: The Case of the Missing Otters
Communities and multispecies interactions
Communities and multispecies interactions
FINAL EXAM