THMS Biology: Life on a Small Planet, or General Biology 1-2
Welcome to the Tucson High School Web Site for classes taught by Jim Sinex. This site deals with the THMS Biological Science 1-2 class. This course load is designed around a large array of science education standards including the State of Arizona Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core Standards for Literacy and Mathematics and the College Boards Standards for Advanced Placement. Additionally, the questions and interests of the most important component of the classroom, the students who are here to learn about the world in which they are inheriting, will be given primacy.
Whether you are a student carbon-unit, a parent/guardian-type, or simply a web-based explorer, please feel free to browse this site at length or in short. It is designed to be useful to all and beneficial to the educational process of any who venture here. Hopefully it will prove to be both useful and fun.
THMS Biological Science
THMS Biological Science - Life on a Small Planet was designed at a time when we used a Physics-First methodology and offered incoming Freshmen a course in Integrated Science that allowed students to begin with Physics and then Chemistry during their Freshman year. Students then followed up with a full year of Biology during their Sophomore year. Frankly, that was not enough time to do the subjects full justice, but it was the best way to get a broad spectrum of information presented in two years of curriculum. While three years of Science required by the state for High School Graduation, we encourage all students to explore the vast offerings of lab science offered at THMS during each year that they attend Tucson High. Hopefully, we'll hook our student into becoming a life long learner and admirer of the sciences that wonderfully describe the workings of our world.
Below, you will find a sketch of the course load taught within THMS Biological Science 1-2.
THMS Biology: From the Perspective of a Small Planet Section 1: Brains, Experimentation and Individual Genotypes
Here we'll begin with an introduction to ourselves and good scientific thought that assumes little, but can predict much.
An Introduction to Science as Philosophy: We'll be introducing ourselves to each other, our brains and to the scientific thought.
Individual Genetics Through Random Processes: The argument will be made that life's origin's on Earth were spontaneous and therefore life on other planets is a forgone conclusion. This argument requires a firm grasp mathematical probability and a sophisticated definition of "Random".
Brother Gregor Mendel: There are few scientific laws that apply specifically to biology. We use laws from other branches of science, but for biology alone,...few. Gregor Mendel owns three of those few and the understanding of his work netted another.
Rosalind's Mathematical Mind and Organismal Genetics: Next we enter the realm of Genetics, where Gregor Mendel will act as a primary scientist using statistical analysis to infer meaning into scientific observation. After that, it all comes down finding out why Gregor Mendel's findings occur and the mechanism that makes it all work. Here we find it, the secret to life on Earth,...IPMAT 1:2:1
Section 2: Phenotypes, Darwin and Population Genetics
Once we understand the basics of the forces that make everything possible, we need to look into how we think everything became everything.
The Analytical Charles and Population Genetics: Experimental genetics is one thing, but natural surroundings tend to make things a bit messier. That makes real world scientific understanding a bit more complex. Enter the Theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection.
Biological Evolution Theory: The basics are really very simple. If a population has a genetically inherited trait that has multiple alleles and is diverse within that population (Mendel) and there is a tenancy to overpopulate and a struggle for existence of that trait (Darwin), then the population will evolve.
Biological Evolution Mechanics: The types of environmental pressures that drive evolution through natural selection can make for an interesting study of our biological world and it's history.
Section 3: Natural History, The Cambrian and Land Acquisition
Anna's Couries and a Natural Evolutionary Process: What brings us to this place? Earth has a dynamic history and the greening of the sea and land is a vital first step towards our current diversity. OK, so here's the argument,...from a single cell to everything alive today. Fasten your seat belts.
Section 4: Becoming Homo, Becoming Human and the Invention of Inhumanity
Luci, Frodo and Hominid Evolution: Making a bony organism with limbs is one thing, but the complexity of the Human experience is quite another,...or is it? Homo sapiens' spread over from Africa to the rest of the planet. What does that tell us of our past and our future?
Science is a thing that makes us Human
Science is a problem-based philosophy that uses observation and method as means of solving problems in an organized and unprejudiced manner. As problems are a basic part of life, science is a basic life skill.
Critical Thinking is an intellectually disciplined form of analysis. Along with Mathematics, Logic, Strategy, Ethics and Artistic Composition, Science is an important form of critical thinking.
Remember: Simple Questions lead to Complex Answers Simple Answers often ignore Complex Realities
