Online Zoology Course at Forest Trail Academy
Elective Online Zoology Course
This online zoology course provides an introduction to zoology with particular emphasis on the morphology and systematics of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Students acquire basic knowledge in ethology, evolution, and human ecology, including an introduction to the biosphere and biodiversity. The course is designed for online high school learners seeking a structured and academic elective experience.
Online Zoology Course Outline
Zoology is a course that surveys the nine major phyla of the kingdom Animalia. As part of this online elective zoology course, students explore the study of animal life and examine key concepts related to anatomy, interrelationships, physiology, genetics, distribution, and habitats.
Zoologists research a wide range of questions about animals, and humans have relied on animals for food, work, and companionship throughout history. This course highlights how humans are intricately connected to animal life and recognizes that humans are also part of the animal kingdom.
Materials Needed for Class
Students complete all coursework online. However, they are required to complete all assigned readings and submit all assignments throughout the course.
Discover Online High School Programs at Forest Trail Academy
Forest Trail Academy offers online high school programs designed to support flexible learning while maintaining academic structure.
Grading Scale:
A: 100%–90%
B: 89%–80%
C: 79%–70%
D: 69%–60%
F: Below 60%
Grades
To receive the best grade possible and fulfill all course requirements, students should follow these steps:
Complete each lesson in the order presented
Read lessons and review all additional materials provided by the teacher (videos, links, etc.)
Complete each assignment as it appears within the lesson
Do not skip assignments, including essays, worksheets, projects, or lab activities
After completing lesson materials and required work, proceed to the lesson quiz
Upon completing the entire course and all assignments, projects, essays, labs, and quizzes, complete and submit the course survey
Quizzes
Quizzes are given after each lesson is completed. There is no time limit for completing each lesson. However, students cannot proceed to the next lesson until the quiz for the current lesson has been completed. Each quiz covers the concepts presented in that lesson.
Course Outline
Course Introduction
- Course Description
- Introduction
- Course Links
- MLA Formatting Word 2007
- MLA Documentation updates
- MLA Citation
- MLA Incorporating Sources
- Understanding Plagiarism
Science
- What is Science?
- Scientific Methodology
- Graphing Data
- Types of Graphs
- The Application of Science
Chemical Basis of Life
- Chemical Basis of Life
- Organic Compounds: Chemistry of Life
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Nucleic AcidsHandout: Organic Compounds
- Assignment: Organic Compounds12- Photosynthesis
- Cellular RespirationHandout: Photosynthesis vs. Cellular Respiration
- Assignment: Photosynthesis vs. Cellular RespirationQuiz: Chemical Basis of Life
Cell Biology
- The History of the Cell Theory
- Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
- Cell Structure and Function of Animal Cells
- Cell Structure and Function of Plant Cells
- Differences Between Animal and Plant Cells
- Movement through the Cell
- Passive Transport
- Active TransportHandout: Cell Structure and Function
- Assignment: Cell Structure and FunctionQuiz: Cell Biology Quiz
Anatomy and Physiology
- Histology of Bone TissueHandout: Histology of Bone
- Assignment: Histology of Bone2- The Human Brain
- Circulation
- Respiratory System
- Vertebrate Sensory OrgansHandout: Vertebrate Sensory Organs
- Assignment: Vertebrate Sensory Organs6- Vertebrate Integumentary SystemHandout: Vertebrate Integumentary System
- Assignment: Vertebrate Integumentary SystemQuiz: Anatomy and Physiology Quiz
Evolution
- The Theory of Evolution
- Evidence to Support Evolution
- Hominid Evolution
- Darwin and Natural SelectionHandout: The Fossil Evidence for Evolution
- Assignment: The Fossil Evidence for EvolutionQuiz: Evolution Quiz
Ecology
- Abiotic Factors
- Biotic FactorsHandout: Abiotic vs. Biotic Factors
- Assignment: Abiotic vs. Biotic Factors3- Interruptions in an EcosystemHandout: Invasive Species
- Assignment: Invasive Species4- Relationships Among OrganismsHandout: Symbiotic Relationships
- Assignment: Symbiotic RelationshipsQuiz: Ecology Quiz
Classification and Kingdoms
- Taxonomy
- Linnaeus’ System of Classification
- Kingdoms of Life
- Kingdom Monera: Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
- Kingdom Protista
- Kingdom Fungi
- Kingdom Plantae
- Kingdom AnimaliaHandout: Directional Terms
- Handout: Animal Symmetry
- Assignment: Directional Terms
- Assignment: Animal SymmetryQuiz: Classification and Kingdoms Quiz
Phylum Porifera
- What is a Porifera?Handout: Investigating Sponges
- Assignment: Investigating Sponges2- Form and Function in PoriferaHandout: Sponges
- Assignment: SpongesQuiz: Porifera Quiz
Phylum Cnidaria
- What is a Cnidaria?
- Form and Function in Cnidaria
- Groups of CnidariaHandout: Cnidarian Vocabulary
- Handout: Cnidarian Word Scramble
- Assignment: Cnidarian Vocabulary
- Assignment: Cnidarian Word ScrambleQuiz: Cnidaria Quiz
Phylum Platyhelminthes
- What is a Platyhelminthes?
- Form and Function in Platyhelminthes
- Groups of PlatyhelminthesHandout: Flatworms
- Handout: Platyhelminthes Blood Fluke Investigation
- Assignment: Flatworms
- Assignment: Platyhelminthes Blood Fluke InvestigationQuiz: Platyhelminthes Quiz
Phylum Nematoda
- What is a Nematoda?
- Form and Function in Nematoda
- Roundworms and Human DiseasesHandout: Roundworm Threats
- Assignment: Roundworm ThreatsQuiz: Nematoda Quiz
Phylum Mollusca
- What is a Mollusk?
- Form and Function in Mollusks
- Groups of MollusksHandout: Mollusks
- Handout: Types of Mollusks
- Handout: Mollusk Population Survey
- Handout: Mollusk Concept Map
- Handout: Snail Anatomy
- Assignment: Mollusks
- Assignment: Types of Mollusks
- Assignment: Four Types of Mollusks
- Assignment: Mollusk Population Survey
- Assignment: Mollusk Concept Map
- Assignment: Snail AnatomyQuiz: Mollusca Quiz
- Assignment: Roundworm ThreatsQuiz: Nematoda Quiz
Phylum Annelida
- What is an Annelida?
- Form and Function in AnnelidsHandout: Annelida Anatomy
- Assignment: Annelida Anatomy
- Groups of Annelids
- Handout: Annelida Word Game
- Assignment: Annelida Word Game
- Quiz: Annelida Quiz
Phylum Arthropoda
- What is an Arthropod?
- Form and Function in Arthropods
- Groups of Arthropods – Crustaceans
- Handout: Investigating Crustaceans
- Assignment: Investigating Crustaceans
- Groups of Arthropods – Chelicerates
- Handout: Studying Spider Webs
- Assignment: Studying Spider Webs
- Groups of Arthropods – Uniramians
- Insects
- Handout: Arthropod Word Search
- Handout: Arthropod Vocabulary
- Assignment: Arthropod Word Search
- Assignment: Arthropod Vocabulary
- Quiz: Arthropod Quiz
Phylum Echinodermata
- What is an Echinoderm?
- Form and Function in Echinoderms
- Groups of Echinoderms
- Handout: Echinoderm Vocabulary
- Handout: Echinoderms
- Handout: Groups of Echinoderms
- Assignment: Echinoderm Vocabulary
- Assignment: Echinoderms
- Assignment: Groups of Echinoderms
- Quiz: Echinodermata Quiz
Mid-Term Exam
- Quiz: Zoology Mid-Term
Fish
- What is a Fish?
- Form and Function in Fish
- Groups of Fish – Jawless
- Groups of Fish – Chondrichthyes
- Groups of Fish – Osteichthyes
- Handout: Fish Anatomy
- Handout: Fish Crossword Puzzle
- Handout: Fish True and False
- Assignment: Fish Anatomy
- Assignment: Fish Crossword Puzzle
- Assignment: Fish True and False
- Quiz: Fish Quiz
Amphibians
- What is an Amphibian?
- Form and Function in Amphibians
- Handout: Form and Function in Amphibians
- Handout: Amphibian Form and Function
- Assignment: Form and Function in Amphibians
- Assignment: Amphibian Form and Function
- Groups of Amphibians
- Handout: Frog vs. Toad
- Assignment: Frog vs. Toad
- The Decline of Amphibians
- Handout: Mississippi Gopher Frog
- Assignment: Mississippi Gopher Frog
- Quiz: Amphibian Quiz
Reptiles
- What is a Reptile?
- Form and Function in Reptiles
- Handout: Reptile Crossword Puzzle
- Assignment: Reptile Crossword Puzzle
- Groups of Reptiles
- Handout: Extreme Reptiles: The Tuatara
- Assignment: Extreme Reptiles: The Tuatara
- Quiz: Reptile Quiz
Birds
- What is a Bird?
- Handout: Bird Feathers
- Assignment: Bird Feathers
- Form, Function, and Flight
- Handout: Bird Beaks
- Handout: Bird Vocabulary Word Search
- Assignment: Bird Beaks
- Assignment: Bird Vocabulary Word Search
- Groups of Birds
- Handout: Groups of Birds
- Assignment: Groups of Birds
- The Mechanism of Flight in Birds
- Quiz: Birds Quiz
Mammals
- What is a Mammal?
- Form and Function in Mammals
- Diversity of Mammals
- Handout: Diversity of Mammals
- Assignment: Diversity of Mammals
- Quiz: Mammals Quiz
Final Exam
- Quiz: Zoology Final Exam
End of Course Survey
- Handout: End of Course Evaluation
- Assignment: End of Course Evalution.
Programs for Diverse Student Needs
Forest Trail Academy, proudly accredited by Cognia, MSA-CESS, Accreditation International (Ai), and NCPSA, offers flexible and inclusive online high school programs designed to support students from diverse backgrounds, regions, and learning goals. Our online school delivers the hallmark of truly effective traditional education programs through certified instruction, a standards-aligned curriculum, and personalized academic support. This structured yet adaptable learning experience allows students worldwide to earn a U.S.-recognized high school diploma while progressing at a pace that fits their individual needs and preparing for college and future opportunities.
This online high school program is ideal for student athletes and performers who need flexible scheduling to balance academics with training, competitions, or performances. As an accredited online school, students are able to learn at their own pace while maintaining academic progress without sacrificing professional or athletic commitments. This flexible structure supports consistent learning and makes the program well suited for students managing demanding schedules.
Our American online high school program supports Asian students who want access to a U.S.-based education while studying from their home country. Forest Trail Academy offers an accredited curriculum aligned with U.S. standards, helping students build strong academic foundations, improve English proficiency, and prepare for college admissions worldwide through our flexible online school environment.
European students benefit from an internationally accessible online high school program that delivers a U.S.-recognized diploma through a fully accredited online school model. Flexible pacing, instruction from certified teachers, and a globally recognized curriculum support academic progress and university preparation in the United States, Europe, and other international destinations.
This online high school program allows Latin American students to earn a U.S. high school diploma without relocating. Our online school emphasizes academic consistency, English-language development, and college readiness, making it easier for students to transition into higher education while studying in a supportive and flexible learning environment.
Middle Eastern students can enroll in an accredited online high school to access a high-quality American education from anywhere. The program offers a structured yet flexible online learning experience that supports diverse educational needs while preparing students for international college pathways and future career opportunities.
This program provides African students with access to an internationally recognized U.S. curriculum through our accredited online school. Our online high school program supports academic growth, critical thinking, and college preparation while allowing students to study remotely with flexibility and personalized guidance from certified educators.
Why Forest Trail Academy Is The
Perfect Online School For You
- Proven Track Record: We are an established online school boasting 10,000+ successful students since 2007.
- Flexible Learning: Enjoy 100% online, self-paced learning from Kindergarten to High School with no live classes.
- University-Ready Graduates: Prepare for higher education with a curriculum designed to help students gain acceptance at top universities and colleges worldwide.
- Credible & Accredited: Learn with confidence from a regionally, nationally, and internationally accredited institution.
- Higher Achievement: Students consistently achieve higher than average SAT and ACT scores.
