This course has been designed to fill the needs of different instructors across multiple institutions. As such, there are more modules than can be taught in a single semester. Please note that we DO NOT recommend teaching all 26 modules in a single semester!
There are two primary approaches we suggest for teaching this content: one method has a broad coverage, while the other focuses more on the human body, with in-depth focus on each body system.
Broad Approach
This first method has a broad coverage, discussing the the scope and diversity of life. Below are recommended modules to include in this approach.
- Module 1: Introduction to Biology
- Module 2: Viruses
- Module 3: History of Life
- Module 4: Prokaryotes
- Module 5: Protists
- Module 6: Fungi
- Module 7: Plant Diversity
- Module 8: Plant Structure and Function
- Module 9: Plant Reproduction
- Module 10: Animal Diversity
- Module 11: Invertebrates
- Module 12: Vertebrates
- Module 13: Overview of Body Systems
- Module 25: Ecology of Living Things
- Module 26: Ecology and the Environment
Optional: You can also include a deeper focus on one or two body systems of your choosing, from modules 14–24. This approach has 15 modules (with an optional 16th module)—roughly one chapter per week for a sixteen-week semester. If you need to modify the pace and cover the material more quickly, the following chapters work well together:
- Module 1: Introduction to Biology and Module 2: Viruses
- Module 3: History of Life and Module 4: Prokaryotes
- Module 5: Protists and Module 6: Fungi
- Module 7: Plant Diversity and Module 9: Plant Reproduction
- Module 25: Ecology of Living Things and Module 26: Ecology and the Environment
We recommend NOT doubling up the following modules, because they are long and especially challenging. Students will need more time for mastery and completion of assignments.
- Module 11: Invertebrates
- Module 13: Vertebrates
Human-Centric Approach
This second method has a light discussion of the diversity of life, but is largely focused on the human body. In this method, we focus in on the human body systems. Below are recommended modules to include in this approach.
- Module 1: Introduction to Biology
- Module 3: History of Life
- Module 7: Plant Diversity
- Module 10: Animal Diversity
- Module 14: Nervous System
- Module 15: Endocrine System
- Module 16: Reproductive System
- Module 17: Sensory Systems
- Module 18: Circulatory System
- Module 19: Respiratory System
- Module 20: Immune System
- Module 21: Digestive System
- Module 22: Excretory System
- Module 23: Musculoskeletal System
- Module 24: Integumentary System
- Module 25: Ecology of Living Things
- Module 26: Ecology and the Environment
This approach has 17 modules—roughly one chapter per week for a sixteen-week semester. If you need to modify the pace and cover the material more quickly, the following chapters work particularly well together:
- Module 1: Introduction to Biology and Module 3: History of Life
- Module 7: Plant Diversity and Module 10: Animal Diversity
- Module 18: Circulatory System and Module 19: Respiratory System
- Module 21: Digestive System and Module 22: Excretory System
- Module 23: Musculoskeletal System and Module 24: Integumentary System
- Module 25: Ecology of Living Things and Module 26: Ecology and the Environment
