Advanced Biology: Human Body Textbook 2nd Ed (softcover)

Apologia Science courses are written from a Biblical worldview with the homeschool in mind. At the elementary level, courses follow a Charlotte Mason-inspired methodology, with lessons organized around narration, notebooking exercises and hands-on activities or projects. Children at different ages can use these together, learning at their own level. Each course is designed to be teacher-student interactive, so teacher involvement is fairly high at this level. At the junior high and high school levels, science courses are more traditional in nature, with the textbook written to the student. Teacher involvement time at this level is much less than at the elementary level. Textbooks contain student reading, lab instructions, "On Your Own" questions and Study Guide questions. A Solutions Manual provides the answers to these and the test questions. Lab kits are available separately for both the elementary and upper-level science courses which include most of the harder to find items you will need.

Written specifically for use in a homeschool environment, these biblically-centered courses take a lot of pressure off the parent teaching the course. The main component of each course is the textbook. Please note that most textbooks have switched from hardcover to softcover format. The student text includes all the student reading, instructions for labs, "On Your Own" exercises, and fifteen to twenty "Study Guide" questions at the end of each chapter. Unlike many upper-level science texts, we have found these to be extremely readable! The text has a conversational tone, and concepts are explained in an easy-to-understand way. Plenty of helpful diagrams and pictures are included which add interest and break up the text. Answers to the "On Your Own" exercises are also included with discussion at the end of each chapter. The labs are designed to be done easily, and most require only household items to complete; unlike high school courses, like Bob Jones which require investing in some lab equipment and chemicals to complete the labs. Where a microscope or dissecting materials are required, a reasonably-priced complete kit of materials is available, for ease in collecting the items.

The Solution Manual contains test questions for each chapter, answers to the test questions and solutions to the "Study Guide" questions. For some courses, a separate Perforated Tests booklet is available; please note that this is only necessary if you want an extra copy of the test questions.

TheStudent Notebooks are a user-friendly companion that provides space for answering the On Your Own and Study Guide questions as well as for developing Lab Reports. Study helps include graphic organizers and a Module Summary for each module (fill-in-the-blank). Digging Deeper sections provide opportunity for practical applications and writing activities. For the teacher there are grading rubrics for lab reports and suggested answers for some of the graphic organizers. The History of Science module includes a nicely done timeline. Grading rubrics for the lab reports are provided in the Appendix.

MP3 Audio CDs are also available for most courses. The audio files are in MP3 format, and will require an MP3-compatible CD player to use (these can also be run on most computers). Tests, study guides, and answers are not included - this is simply an audio version of the text.

Apologia also offers Video Instruction for Biology, Chemistry, Marine Biology and Advanced Biology. These have transitioned to USB flash drive format. Sherri Seligson, author and scientist, is your host and takes you to interesting locations, incorporating animated diagrams (over 20 hours of instruction) to help students better understand the concepts being taught. The content is more of a summary of the textual information found in each section of the modules than a narration of the text. Students will either see Sherri Seligson on location or in a lab during the speaking portions or they will see animated illustrations and examples. Sherri takes students through each lab and talks about what needs to be done and the results of the experiments.

System requirements for USB drives: USB port (PC or Mac), media player capable of playing mp4 files, and an internet browser. DVD requirements: DVD drive on your computer (PC or MAC) capable of playing mp4 files; these are not compatible with a DVD player.

We now offer SuperSets and Advantage Sets which include multiple items. Advantage Sets include the text, solutions manual (with a copy of the test), notebooking journal, and the MP3 Audiobook CD. SuperSets include everything in the Advantage Set (text, solutions manual with tests, otebooking journal and MP3 CD) plus the Video Instruction USB Flash Drive.

Newly revised and co-authored by Marilyn Shannon and Rachael Yunis, this anatomy and physiology course continues the exceptional teaching we have come to expect from Apologia. Solidly college-prep, this course combined with the Exploring Creation with Biology, is equivalent to one full year of college Biology and will familiarize students with AP or CLEP exam content. Prerequisites to this academically rigorous course are one year of high school Biology and one year of high school Chemistry.

The softcover student text is comprised of sixteen modules (chapters). Each module is designed to be completed within 2 weeks, meaning the course could be completed in 32 weeks; however, you may want to allow extra time to complete some modules. The built-in flexibility of the program allows for students who need more time to assimilate the teaching to still complete it within one school year.

The first module provides an organizational overview of the human body and homeostasis, as well as a general review of concepts such as cell structure, protein synthesis, and cellular mitosis. Subsequent modules study histology (study of tissues), integumentary and skeletal systems, skeletal system histology and movement, muscular system histology and physiology, skeletal muscle system, nervous system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, digestive system, respiratory system, urinary system and the reproductive system. Featured throughout each module are "On Your Own" study questions to help students assess comprehension of the subject matter. Each module contains a comprehensive Study Guide to prepare students for module tests. Sprinkled throughout the 2nd edition are "Think about This" and "Heart of the Matter" segments to direct student focus to familiar experiences and Christian worldview/scripture verses (NIV and NLT). An additional benefit of the Apologia courses is the experiments, which have three types in this course: microscopic labs, dissection labs and household labs. References to coloring exercises from the Kaplan Anatomy Coloring Book (#000258) are incorporated (although the coloring book has been updated and the page numbers are different. Parents/Students will find it fairly easy to match the lessons to coloring pages. Apologia has updated their website and currently state, "As there are many good options for a student to choose from, we have decided to let the student and/or instructor pick the anatomy coloring book that best fits their needs. Many anatomy coloring books cover the same basic human body functions and the process of coloring."

The Solutions and Tests booklet contains anywhere from 7 to 20 test questions for each module, answers to the test questions, and solutions to the Study Guide questions.

There are a few differences between the 1st and 2nd editions. In the 2nd edition, you will find a Welcome Letter which incorporates Scripture references. The initial chapters in the 2nd edition appear less "chatty" than the 1st edition text. The textual information is similar (and much is the same) although a few sections have been expanded and clarified. Many of the "On Your Own," Study Guide and Test questions are the same. A negligible number of questions have been reworded. The 2nd edition also contains a link to a website with web-based support materials arranged by module (password included). Lab experiments appear to be mostly the same; although changes have been made in the Fetal Pig Dissection. While the 1st edition listed several websites and books as resources to walk the student through the dissection, the 2nd edition provides only six general overview steps with no additional support resources listed. For a more thorough dissection experience, we would recommend supplementing with the Photo Manual Dissection Guide: Fetal Pig (#28523) or How to Dissect (#45220). Most of the changes to the 2nd edition are found in the formatting, including text color and font type. Lab experiments are now in a contemporary font overlaid on graph paper. Other format changes include more colorful fonts and some improved graphics. Colored Tabs at the side of each page reflect the current module.

With this course, your student is sure to experience an excellent, homeschool-friendly Anatomy and Physiology course that will prepare him or her for college success. Speaking from experience, my daughter completed this course during her high school at home and graduated with her Bachelors degree in nursing four years later. She unwaveringly affirms her appreciation for the Apologia science courses in giving her success at the college level. ~ Deanne