Biology Program Goals and Objectives
For Biology and Earth/Environmental Science Courses
Grade Level 9-12

About the Sound to Sea Biology Program
All students will participate in the Barrier Island Ecology Course at the same time. Small groups of approximately twelve students together with a Sound to Sea instructor each start in a different habitat area and begin a rotation. This component introduces students to the five habitats (beach/ocean, maritime forest, freshwater pond, salt marsh, and sound/estuary), geological history, basic ecological concepts and general habitat study skills that are reinforced throughout the entire program. Sound to Sea instructors encourage exploration and present various ecological concepts (such as habitats, cycles, communities, populations, species, food webs, decomposition, etc.) as students discover concrete evidence that relates to that concept. As the groups explore each habitat, students observe the differences and make comparisons. The Habitat Study skills include: observation, measurement, data collection, and analysis and assessment of habitat conditions with respect to soil, air, water, wind, temperature, and human impact; and observation, identification, classification, mapping and representative sampling of species present within the habitat.

Sound to Sea Biology Program
Biology Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Biology Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Biology Competency
Goal 1		 Learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.

Objectives
1.01 Identify biological problems and questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.

1.02 Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer biological questions.

  • Create testable hypotheses.
  • Identify variables.
  • Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
  • Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
  • Collect and record data.
  • Organize data into charts and graphs.
  • Analyze and interpret data.
  • Communicate findings.

1.03 Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models of biological phenomena using logic and evidence to:

  • Explain observations.
  • Make inferences and predictions.
  • Explain the relationship between evidence and explanation.

1.04 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:

  • Recognize and avoid potential hazards.
  • Safely manipulate materials and equipment needed for scientific investigations.

Biology Competency
Goal 3		 Learner will develop an understanding of the continuity of life and the changes of organisms over time.

Objectives
3.05 Examine the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection including:

  • Development of the theory.
  • The origin and history of life.
  • Fossil and biochemical evidence.
  • Mechanisms of evolution.
  • Applications (pesticide & antibiotic resistance).

Biology Competency
Goal 4		 Learner will develop an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.

Objectives
4.01 Analyze the classification of organisms according to their evolutionary relationships.

  • The historical development and changing nature of classification systems.
  • Similarities and differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
  • Similarities and differences among the eukaryotic kingdoms: Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals.
  • Classify organisms using keys.

4.02 Analyze the processes by which organisms representative of the following groups accomplish essential life functions including:

  • Unicellular protists, annelid worms, insects, amphibians, mammals, non-vascular plants, gymnosperms and angiosperms.
  • Transport, excretion, respiration, regulation, nutrition, synthesis, reproduction, and growth and development.

4.03 Assess, describe and explain adaptations affecting survival and reproductive success.

  • Structural adaptations in plants and animals (form to function).
  • Disease-causing viruses and microorganisms.
  • Co-evolution.

    • 4.05 Analyze the broad patterns of animal behavior as adaptations to the environment.

    • Innate behavior.
    • Learned behavior.
    • Social behavior.

Biology Competency
Goal 5		 Learner will develop an understanding of the ecological relationships among organisms.

Objectives
5.01 Investigate and analyze the interrelationships among organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems.

  • Techniques of field ecology
  • Abiotic and biotic factor
  • Carrying capacity

5.02 Analyze the flow of energy and the cycling of matter in the ecosystem.

  • Relationship of the carbon cycle to photosynthesis and respiration
  • Trophic levels- direction and efficiency of energy transfer
5.03 Assess human population and its impact on local ecosystems and global environments:

  • Historic and potential changes in population.
  • Factors associated with those changes.
  • Climate Change.
  • Resource use.
  • Sustainable practices/ stewardship.
Sound to Sea Biology Program:
Earth/Environmental Science Goals and Objectives:
These Earth/Environmental Science objectives will be covered during all Biology Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will build an understanding of population dynamics.

Objectives
1.01 Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.

1.04 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
  • Recognize and avoid potential hazards.
  • Safely manipulate materials and equipment needed for scientific investigations.

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will build an understanding of the origin and evolution of the earth system.

Objectives
3.02 Evaluate the geologic history of North Carolina.

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere and its interactions and influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and environmental quality.

4.01 Evaluate erosion and depositional processes:

  • Formation of stream channels with respect to the work being done by the stream (i.e. down-cutting, lateral erosion, and transportation)
  • Nature and characteristics of sediments.
  • Effects on water quality.
  • Effect of human choices on the rate of erosion.
4.02 Analyze mechanisms for generating ocean currents and upwelling:

  • Temperature.
  • Coriolis Effect.
  • Climactic influence.
4.03 Analyze the mechanisms that produce the various types of shorelines and their resultant landforms:

  • Nature of underlying geology.
  • Long and short term sea-level history.
  • Formation and breaking of waves on adjacent topography.
  • Human impact.
4.05 Investigate and analyze environmental issues and solutions for North Carolina’s river basins, wetlands, and tidal environments:

  • Water quality.
  • Shoreline changes.
  • Habitat preservation