Master's Class High School Biology Set brings God’s creation of cells, ecosystems, biomes, the genetic code, and more to life for homeschool students. This science curriculum teaches Christian students to observe and recognize the interactions and interdependencies of organisms in their natural environment. In this 36-week study of biology, the use of a light microscope, dissection skills, and recent advances in modern biology are also taught.
The student text, Master's Class High School Biology, and the Teacher Guide are required for the completion of the course. Please see optional resources listed below. Students can expect to complete 5 hours of course work a week.
The Master's Class High School Biology (student text) used alongside the Master's Class High School Biology Teacher Guide work together to bring the wonder of biblical creation and science together for homeschool students. This homeschool curriculum with labs begins with a review of chemical principles needed for biology, including the biology of water, and concludes with human origins.
This course provides important training and practice in developing skills involved in the study of biology, including observing and recognizing interactions and interdependencies of organisms in their natural environment, the use of a light microscope, dissection skills, and insights and recent advances in modern biology.
Through this study of biology, your high school student will learn how we are created in God’s image with an eternal destiny rather than being the sum product of natural laws acting upon atoms and molecules. This course reveals the variations in humans today had their roots in the DNA of two humans (Adam and Eve) and give glory to God for this wonder of life.
Course Objectives:
Investigate the core concepts of classical and modern biology
Become familiar with the meaning of key terms in biology
Explore the fundamental concepts of cell biology and important recent developments
Study the development of classical genetics and modern concepts in the expression of DNA and how it varies with age and changing environmental conditions
Learn the coordination and maintenance of the parts of an organism
Study the variety of life forms and how their roles are integrated in an ecosystem
Explore varied views of the origin of life and how the biblical narrative is consistent with what is observed in the study of biology
Conduct laboratory procedures that develop important skills and illustrate important concepts
Write lab reports each week to further develop writing skills in a scientific context
This is a one-year course with two full semesters, helping the student fulfill one credit of biology, which includes the lab. High school transcripts will list the course as Biology with Labs.
Table of Contents
1. Chemical Principles in Biology
2. Water
3. Carbohydrates and Lipids
4. Proteins and Nucleic Acids
5. Nature of Cells
6. Cell Membrane and Nucleus
7. Movement through Cell Membranes
8. Cell Organelles
9. Cell Division
10. Ecosystems
11. Biomes
12. Energy Capture — Photosynthesis
13. Energy Release — Respiration
14. Chromosomes and Genes
15. The Genetic Code
16. Expression of DNA — Transcription
17. Expression of DNA — Translation
18. Perpetuation of Life
19. Genetic Patterns 1
20. Genetic Patterns 2
21. Genetic Mutations and Variations
22. Genomcis
23. Plant Taxonomy
24. Taxonomy — Invertabrates
25. Taxonomy — Vertebrates
26. Views of Biological Origins
27. Evidences of Biological Origins
28. Human Origins
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Customer Reviews
5
Enjoyed this curriculum!
Review byKimberly
My teen boys loved this curriculum and we are grateful for the Christian teaching!
5
Amazing pictures
Review byMegan
We like so many things about this book, but the number one thing is the pictures! Saved us so much money on buying a microscope. The kids could see so much more in the pictures than they ever would have found on a home or school microscope. Very thankful to Master Books for going above and beyond to provide such amazing microscope pictures.
4
Good Biology Text
Review byThomas
I got this set for my eldest son when he was a ninth grader. He was dismayed to find the first chapters were chemistry based though he enjoyed the rest of the book.
5
Perfect Course
Review byTasha
I got this for my upcoming 9th grader after researching several different biology courses from different companies. They all seemed to be just information overload.
I am very pleased with this one though. It gives just the right amount of information and I think it will be great for a freshman getting used to the bigger high school workload.
Also, you can’t beat the Biblical aspect tied into this. It’s wonderful!
4
Overall; Good Content & Easy to work with
Review byCourtney
For my child who doesn't particularly like science and would rather not spend hours on it this was a good fit for her. Coming from Apologia (which is great-but a lot for a non-science minded student) this was a more laid back approach and gave her what she needed for this subject. One thing I did notice was that some of the teacher's answers given I had to go back and read that section to see if the student's answer was actually correct just in a different form. Some answers towards the end of the book were a little off but nothing I couldn't work with. Some labs did not work but I have found that through three different aged children sometimes that is just the case and you move on or supplement. Overall, great content, Christian based and easy to work!
3
Needs some work but understand it is a first edition
Review byKeith
CONCEPTS
Not bad but missing some key concepts or components. I noticed that there was no mention of the polymerase enzyme either DNA or RNA. So, in the chapter when it discusses transcription (p 159) there is no mention of the RNA polymerase as the enzyme responsible for the pre-mRNA strand. The same is the problem for the chapter on cell division. What is copying the DNA? There is no anatomy or physiology in this text if you are familiar with BJU Press's Biology text. A section or chapter on viruses would be nice. Viruses are mentioned but scatter through the text but not explained in detail. No epigenetics are mentioned. Yes, I understand you must cut of the content at some point, but just letting reviewers know.
ORGANIZATION
Organization could be better. I would insert section headers and label them, so you know the author is changing subjects. When explaining processes, it best to use nice large graphics and label the steps in the process versus trying to explain it in paragraph form. Blueprints, graphs, pictures do best explain processes.
LABS
Labs were a little week. Some did not work at all. Had to go to YouTube and find an alternative. For example, the DNA extraction from an apple or potato forget it. Use strawberries. They are octoploid, plenty of DNA and a great result. Photosynthesis did not work either. Wound up using another lab. Some of the labs were not associated with the chapter content. Masterbooks should use it's YouTube channel or other video channel to produce videos for its labs so it can be seen what exactly the materials are being used and the procedure.
REVERENCE FOR GOD
Dr. Englin does a wonderful job revering God and so it is not a text with a few flurries of scripture which a lot of Christian curriculum are.
LASTLY
The expected wrong answers in the answer key. Just a few, not a big deal.
CONCLUSION
Add some of key content that was left out, organized the content a bit better, tighten up the labs, maybe use videos and revise the answer key and by the third edition you'll have a mature text.
P.S. The last three chapters regarding origins was particularly good.
5
Wonderful course
Review byYulia
This biology course goes into depth of talking about the living things. It intervenes chemistry into biology. The author explains that it is important to understand chemistry to understand biology, so he explains so basics of chemistry to review or learn, so everyone can be on the same page.
I really like that the author explains things through christian worldview. He breaks down concepts and includes labs to help students to solidify them. The labs are engaging, informational and tie well with the lessons. They are also not hard to do.
I also like how conversational the tone of this book is and that it is not as technical, boring as I've encountered growing up. Even the way he explains vocabulary words is in conversational tone verses making it super formal and a bit stressful as I am used to growing up.
I think this book is beautifully done and I am excited for my kids to use it.
I have the digital copy of this course.
5
More Chemistry than Biology
Review byKristin
This is a great science text. My only drawback is that the first four chapters are more along the lines of chemistry with a biological focus than to be strictly about biology. Then it goes into cells, dna, genetics, and reconciliation between the biblical creation account and science (macro vs micro). Overall a fairly good book and even the labs at the end of each chapter are really good and easy enough to accomplish at home (with the recommended kit).
5
Comprehensive Biology Course with a Christian Worldview
Review byHSKelly
Biology can be a complex subject to study. After all, when you are diving into the study of all living organisms, there's definitely a lot to grasp and take in. It's so important to find curriculum that is going to help students connect with what they are trying to learn. What I love about this particular Biology course from Master Books is that everything is taught from a Christian worldview. The lessons encompass God's living creation, while also coupling them with modern day advances in science, so students are getting the best of both worlds when it comes to the study of biology. This makes everything all the more fun and exciting!
Each chapter in the student text breaks down the main objectives for that lesson right in the beginning. The entire course encompasses a strong hands-on approach, which is great! While you initially have your reading portion of each lesson, it doesn't just stop there. After each lesson has been completed, a lab is tied in to bring everything together. I find this to be extremely important, especially with all the subject matter that the study of biology entails. Since there is a lot to take it, just reading text and trying to memorize everything may not be enough. That is why the course challenges students with these hands-on lab activities and real life practice, in turn, giving them a better understanding of what they're learning
This also fulfills a high school science (with lab) credit requirement, which is wonderful. The course is quite comprehensive covering topics that include, but not limited to cell systems, biomes, energy, ecosystems, genetics/DNA, animal/plant classifications, and human origins. Since this is biology from a Creation perspective, there are some discussions spread throughout the lessons about evolution in comparison to God's great design. These discussions offer living proof of the Lord's purposeful plan for all life forms. The text provides detailed (and logical) examples of how evolution just simply cannot be the reasoning behind many of the events that take place in the world of science. The author does a wonderful job at settling the debates with backed up evidence, which is fantastic! The course offers a well-rounded introduction to biology, providing a solid foundation on the study of all living organisms. It's an extremely helpful course to not only satisfy the requirement for a high school lab science, but also helps prepare students for future courses and studies in related subject matter.
5
I'm impressed with this book!
Review byKelly
Biology from Master Books is a 300+ page high school level science book perfect for students who want to study science, but also know that God is key to all things in life including Creation. This entire science book is taught from a Christian worldview.
Right from the first page, your student is immersed in the study of living things in an easy-to-understand format. Starting with a brief overview of the history of Biology, you then embark on a small study on chemistry and chemical compounds – but don’t confuse yourself, because this is not a chemistry book. However, a brief understanding of chemistry and how molecules bond is necessary. The following 27 chapters cover topics such as water, cells, biomes, ecosystems, energy, DNA and genetics, plant taxonomy and more. Each chapter is easy to read, comes with colorful images, and includes objectives at the beginning, vocabulary words with definitions, and a lab. A full glossary, with definitions and corresponding page numbers, is included at the end of the text.
As a family who typically orders science materials from another company, I am seriously impressed with this addition to the Master Books line up. My two high school students are excited to try this book out themselves this year.