Curriculum Alignment Master DocumentCurriculum Alignment Master Biology • Environmental Science • Marine Biology High School Science Department Comprehensive NGSS Integration Essential Standards Analysis Biology (NGSS Life Science Focus) Concentrates on the internal mechanisms of life, from molecular structures to evolutionary patterns. HS-LS1: From Molecules to Organisms (Structures/Processes) HS-LS2: Ecosystems (Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics) HS-LS3: Heredity (Inheritance and Variation of Traits) HS-LS4: Biological Evolution (Unity and Diversity) Environmental Science (NGSS Earth & Human Activity) Focuses on the intersection of human systems and Earth's physical/biological cycles. HS-ESS2: Earth's Systems (Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere) HS-ESS3: Earth and Human Activity (Resources, Climate Change) HS-LS2: Ecosystem Dynamics and Carrying Capacity HS-ETS1: Engineering Design (Sustainable Solutions) Marine Biology (Integrated Oceanographic Science) Applies biological and geological principles to the unique context of the global ocean. HS-ESS2-5/6: Ocean Floor Tectonics & Biogeochemical Cycles HS-LS1: Marine Metabolism and Primary Production HS-LS2: Marine Trophic Levels and Coral Reef Ecology HS-LS4: Aquatic Adaptations and Taxonomic Diversity Revised Biology Scope & Sequence WeeksUnit TopicNGSS Standards & Key Outcomes1 - 4BiochemistryHS-LS1-1, HS-LS1-6 Scientific Method; Macromolecules; Enzyme catalysts; Lab: Enzyme Activity.5 - 8Cellular SystemsHS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-3 Prokaryotic/Eukaryotic cells; Organelles; Membrane transport; Homeostasis.9 - 13Energy & MatterHS-LS1-5, HS-LS1-7 Photosynthesis & Respiration; ATP cycle; Biogeochemical cycling of matter.14 - 18DNA & ProteinsHS-LS1-1, HS-LS1-4 DNA Structure/Replication; Transcription & Translation; Mitosis & Cell Division.19 - 24HeredityHS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-3 Meiosis; Mendelian Inheritance; Punnett Squares; Pedigrees; Mutations.25 - 30EvolutionHS-LS4-1 to HS-LS4-5 Evidence of Common Ancestry; Natural Selection; Speciation; Population Genetics.31 - 36EcologyHS-LS2-1 to HS-LS2-8 Trophic Levels; Energy Pyramids; Population Ecology; Human Impact; Biodiversity. Revised Environmental Science Scope & Sequence WeeksUnit TopicNGSS Standards & Key Outcomes1 - 5Dynamic Earth SystemsHS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-3 Tragedy of the Commons; Plate Tectonics; Convection; Rock Cycle; Sustainability.6 - 10Ecology & EvolutionHS-LS2-1, HS-LS2-4 Biomes; 10% Rule; Taxonomy; Natural Selection; Climate Graphs; Microorganism Lab.11 - 15Populations & BiodiversityHS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6 Carrying Capacity; Growth Curves (Logistic/Exponential); Human Population Trends.16 - 21Atmosphere & ClimateHS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS3-5 Atmospheric Layers; Coriolis Effect; Greenhouse Gases; Global Climate Change data.22 - 27Water & Land ResourcesHS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-4 Aquifers; Water Pollution; Soil Health; Sustainable Agriculture; Urbanization.28 - 32Energy & MiningHS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3 Renewable vs. Non-renewable; Mining Impacts; Nuclear Energy; Waste Management.33 - 36Future SustainabilityHS-ETS1-1 to HS-ETS1-4 Environmental Toxicology; Policy & Economics; Capstone Debate: Environmental Ethics. Revised Marine Biology Scope & Sequence WeeksUnit TopicNGSS Standards & Key Outcomes1 - 5Oceanic FoundationsHS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-5 Marine Bio History; Bathymetry; Plate Tectonics; Chemical Properties of Seawater.6 - 9Microbial WorldHS-LS1-5, HS-LS1-7 Phytoplankton & Zooplankton; Marine Primary Production; Photosynthesis in Oceans.10 - 15Marine InvertebratesHS-LS4-1, HS-LS4-2 Sponges to Echinoderms; Evolutionary Adaptations; Anatomy & Dissections (Mollusks).16 - 20Nekton: Marine FishesHS-LS1-2, HS-LS4-4 Agnatha; Cartilaginous (Sharks); Bony Fish; Gills & Osmoregulation; Locomotion.21 - 25Marine TetrapodsHS-LS4-1, HS-LS4-4 Marine Reptiles; Seabirds; Cetaceans; Pinnipeds; Diving Adaptations; Social Behavior.26 - 31Marine EcosystemsHS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6 Intertidal Zones; Kelp Forests; Coral Reefs; Hydrothermal Vents; Abyssal Ecology.32 - 36Human & Global ImpactHS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-6 Overfishing; Acidification; Plastic Pollution; Oil Spills; Marine Conservation Policy. Curriculum Framework Revised March 2026 • High School Science Alignment Project