This course of study is aligned with the California State Science Framework and provides students the biology content needed to become scientifically literate and prepared for post-secondary science education. The course of study is divided into four sections. The first section provides an overview of the course and includes a course description, representative objectives, a time line, and the sequence of instructional units. The second section presents the course's 10 instructional units and enumerates the required concepts and skills to be taught. Topics covered by the units are: (1) the nature of biology; (2) the cell; (3) principles of taxonomy; (4) the classification, structure, and function of viruses, monera, protista, and fungi; (5) the classification, structure, and function of plants; (6) the classification, structure, and function of animals; (7) developmental biology; (8) genetics; (9) evolution; and (10) ecology and environment. The third section on lesson planning discusses various teaching strategies that foster scientific ways of thinking and encourage student creativity and curiosity. Ten sample lesson plans identifying specific objectives, instructional activities, practice formats, individual learner differences, and evaluation methods are provided. The fourth section contains four appendices that include: a classroom test of formal operation level including testing and scoring procedures and an answer key; a list of 31 resources; a list of the standards for Biological Science from the "Model Curriculum Standards, Grades Nine through Twelve"; and a copy of the Secondary Science Continuum. (MDH)