General Biology

Official Description

General Biology with Lab (04-102/103)
A general course in biology which provides students a broad understanding of the basic principles of biological science such as cells, energy production, photosynthesis, genetics, plant and animal physiology, ecology, and diversity. Upon completion, students should be able to understand the intricate relationship between living organisms and their environment and more intelligently act upon important issues facing our society.

Overview

Topics start at cells and minutiae pertaining thereto, and work your way through genetics and ecosystems.

What actually happens

If you've taken a high school biology course, imagine it shrunk into one semester, with more about enzymes and energy packed in along with a light dusting of microbiology and chemistry. If you haven't, basically you learn cells inside out (literally) and acquaint yourself with processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and replication. There are some genetics, ecosystems, and taxonomy as well.

Now there are many general bio professors, so we can't really guarantee a format that your class will follow. Haberyan has an outline that you spend your class time copying, while Derringer had a set of slides that he would simply read. In addition, each professor has his or her own area of expertise. This doesn't necessarily mean class will become more interesting in those areas; you'll just spend more time on them.

Unless you have any intense desire to go into biology, this class is probably useless to you, but it's easy, and you can get your Biology credit over with with minimal pain. If you do want to go into biology, this class is probably beneath you, and we suggest moving on to Microbiology, Botany, or Zoology.

The lab is the biggest waste of time available to you during your stay at the Academy (bigger even than VBA, as at least there you can surf the net). Sometimes you get to build models of DNA, and sometimes you can draw cells after looking at them through a microscope just like in fourth grade. The only potentially interesting bit is the dissection of a fetal pig, but that's only if you're not easily nauseated.

Note that the classes of 2007 and beyond will have to take two Biology classes. Depending on how they set it up, you may be able to test out of this class and just take Micro and not have to take a second biology credit. This works in Chemistry and Math, but we're not sure what they'll be doing here.