The Introduction to Advanced Biology course is designed to give students a head start on all aspects of advanced biology. Whether it's for AP Biology, olympiads, or research, our team of world-class instructors will make sure you start your biology journey right!
Kaiden Wu is a first year student at the University of Chicago studying biology. A graduate
of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, he was also a 2023 USABO
finalist and gold medalist one of only two US gold medalists at the 2023 IBO competition.
Kaiden has had a long history of mentorship both as a member of the Baology community and in
his own. He is a founding member of the American Regional Biology Competition and volunteers
as a Science Explainer at the National Air and Space museum. In his free time, Kaiden has
been a member of the TJ crew team for the past 3 years and is father to a baobab tree which
is growing big and healthy.
Caleb Zhao is a freshman at MIT planning on studying biochemistry. He is a 2021 USABO
Finalist and Bronze medalist. He also competed in the US National Chemistry Olympiad and was
selected as a Finalist in 2022.
During his time at Montgomery Blair High School, he was a key member of the Science Olympiad
team, winning the Cell Biology and Chemistry Lab events at the State level. As a Blair
Science Bowl captain, he led his team to the top 4 at the 2022 Nationals, while also
coaching his middle school Science Bowl team following the departure of the former coach. He
is excited to share his knowledge and experience in navigating the world of USABO.
First 2 weeks are FREE!
The course will run from September 24th to February 9th
2 hour Main Lecture, 1 hour Problem Solving, 1 hour Office Hours
Designed to give you a head-start like no other
All staff have top-level USABO experience
A focus on intuition and problem-solving
All lectures will be recorded!
| Week | Date | Lecture topic | Campbell's Chapters | Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9/24/23 | The Scientific Method & Basic Chem. | 1,2 | How to Read and Study |
| 2 | 10/1/23 | The Chemistry of Water | 2,3 | USABO Practice: CBO |
| 3 | 10/8/23 | The Chemistry of Carbon | 4,5 | AP Practice: Chemistry of Life |
| 4 | 10/15/23 | Cells and Organelles | 6 | AP Practice: Chemistry of Life |
| 5 | 10/22/23 | Cells and Membranes | 7 | USABO Practice: CBO |
| 6 | 10/29/23 | Cell Respiration | 8,9 | AP Practice: Cell Structure & Function |
| 7 | 11/5/23 | Photosynthesis | 8,10 | USABO Practice: CBO |
| 8 | 11/12/23 | Cell Communication | 11 | AP Practice: Cell Structure & Function |
| 9 | 11/19/23 | The Cell Cycle | 12,13 | USABO Practice: CBO |
| 10 | 11/26/23 | Mid Semester Review | NA | Statistics and Data Explanation |
| 11 | 12/3/23 | Mendelian Genetics | 14 | USABO Practice: Opens |
| 12 | 12/10/23 | Chromosomal Genetics | 15 | AP Practice: Cellular Energetics |
| 13 | 12/17/23 | Molecular Basis of Heredity | 16 | USABO Practice: Opens |
| 14 | 12/24/23 | Gene Expression | 17 | AP Practice: Heredity |
| 15 | 12/31/23 | Gene Regulation | 18,20 | USABO Practice: Opens |
| 16 | 1/7/24 | Darwinian Evolution | 22,23 | AP Practice: Gene Expression & Regulation |
| 17 | 1/14/24 | Phylogeny | 24,26 | USABO Practice: Old Semis |
| 18 | 1/21/24 | Biomes and Ecosystems | 52,55 | AP Practice: Natural Selection |
| 19 | 1/28/24 | Community and Population Ecology | 53,54 | Argumentation & the AP free answer |
| 20 | 2/4/24 | Final Review | NA | AP Practice: Ecology |
*Syllabus is tentative