Acknowledgements
Successful completion of a full year of biology or equivalent
Please Note: This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.
Course Objectives
Course Essential Questions:
- How does the process of natural selection explain the vast diversity of animal life on our planet?
- What are the complex factors that drive an animal's behavior, and how do those behaviors ensure its survival and reproductive success?
- How do the interactions between different species—from predator and prey to cooperation—shape the balance and health of an ecosystem?
- What can the study of animal behavior teach us about human society and our role in the natural world?
Course Learning Objectives:
- Explain how the process of natural selection leads to new adaptations and the diversity of animal species.
- Analyze the principles of animal classification and taxonomy to explain the evolutionary relationships and vast diversity of animal life.
- Evaluate how a range of animal behaviors—including innate responses, learned actions, feeding strategies, and social structures—contribute to an individual's survival and reproductive success.
- Analyze the roles animals play within their ecosystems by examining key interspecific interactions and their impact on ecological stability.
- Synthesize information from modern zoological research to evaluate current issues in animal science and explore potential career paths in the field.
Additional Requirements
- Access to a camera (cell phone is okay)
- Students will need to access several YouTube videos throughout the course.