Thursday, April 15, 2010

Introduction to Natural History and Biology

About the Science Course:

This course covers Natural History and Biology and will take about 2 years. The two fields overlap, which is why our family usually studies them together. Biology is more concerned with the substance and form of living things and is more analytic while Natural History is usually more concerned with behavior, environment, etc. and is more descriptive. More here.

A starting definition of Biology:

The science of life; that branch of knowledge which treats of living matter as distinct from matter which is not living; the study of living tissue. It has to do with the origin, structure, development, function, and distribution of animals and plants.
A starting definition of Natural History
the study and description of living things, especially their behavior and how they relate to one another (the term can cover other areas but this is the one we will focus on for the most part)

The elements of the course are:

  • Reading (textbook and "real books")
  • Science Vocabulary (in Biology, especially, this is an important element)
  • Scientific Method: Labs or Fieldwork
  • Some videos or audiovisual presentations
  • (extra reading and science videos can count towards credit in the course -- we will keep a log)

Texts for the Course:

  • A Biology textbook (remains to be decided at the present moment, but probably this one.) See table of contents here (a PDF)
  • The Syllabus for Natural History by Laura Berquist.
Other Books or Documents Used:

Optional (or to be decided):

Go on to NEXT section: First Assignment for Science

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