Biology
Explore cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, and physiology.
Curriculum outline
Year 1 · Living systems
General biology, general chemistry, evolution and ecology, and scientific measurement.
Year 2 · Molecules and inheritance
Genetics, cell biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.
Year 3 · Experiments and data
Molecular biology, physiology or ecology, experimental design, and biostatistics.
Year 4 · Specialization and research
Choose a focus such as genomics or ecology. Analyze an open dataset and explain its methods and limitations.
Curriculum reference · MIT
This roadmap is designed for university-level self-study.
Year 1 study guide and free resources
Read the assigned topics, work through examples, then solve problems from memory. At the end of each term, use a source problem set or a project to check what you can do independently.
Year 1 · Fall
- General Biology I
Read the units on biological molecules, cells and membranes. Explain how structure supports function.
OpenStax · Biology 2e - Chemistry I
Study atomic structure, bonding and solutions. Practice converting concentration units.
OpenStax · Chemistry 2e - Scientific Methods
Start with the scientific method section. State a hypothesis, choose a control and identify confounders.
OpenStax · Biology 2e
Year 1 · Winter
- General Biology II
Study inheritance, evolution and ecology. Use a pedigree or population data to test an explanation.
OpenStax · Biology 2e - Chemistry for Biology
Study equilibrium, acids and bases. Explain how buffers limit changes in pH.
OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
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