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Ninth Grade Biology
Course Syllabus for 2005-2006
Instructor: Ms. Stacy Baker, Room H323
sbaker@mountpisgahschool.org
678-336-3402, ext. 4453
Available 7am - 8am, breakout, and after school study periods; please schedule an appointment whenever possible
Course Description
This course will provide a basic overview of fundamental life processes, interactions among organisms, and an appreciation of how scientists
work. Six major themes will be investigated:
• Unity and Diversity
• Evolution
• Energy
• Homeostasis
• Systems and Interactions
• Nature of Science
Students will study cellular biology, the biochemical basis of life, and investigate the transfer of energy from the sun through living systems. In
biology, students will develop an understanding of the principles and mechanisms of genetics and analyze important concepts of natural selection
as they relate to the diversity of life.
Course Procedures
Every day, the class objectives and procedures as well as a bell-work assignment will be posted on the board. Students should go immediately
to their desks, open their notebooks, and begin working on the assignment. The bell-work assignment will not be turned in; however, notebooks
will be periodically collected and graded for organization and content. Daily Work points will be deducted from any student who is off-task.
Materials
• Textbook: Biology: Exploring Life. Campbell, N.A., Williamson, B. and R. J. Heyden. Needham, MA:
Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004.
• 2 ½ -3” 3-ring binder and paper for organizing class notes and handouts
• Lab Notebook (must be bound, not spiral)
• Pencils or pens (blue or black ink only)
• Supplementary materials such as graph paper and poster board may be needed at a later date. Students will be
given sufficient notice to obtain these materials.
Laboratory
The lab is the main place where students will get hands-on experience doing experiments, sharpening observation skills, and learning basic
techniques used in biology. Complete cooperation during laboratory is imperative. Students must be familiar with the Skill Handbook and Lab
Safety Appendix located in the text.
Students are expected to act with maturity during all labs, especially when handling living organisms. All animals used in the classroom will be
treated in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and the guidelines set forth by the National Science Teacher’s Association and the National
Biology Teacher’s Association. These guidelines will be posted in the laboratory.
Dissection
There are multiple dissection laboratories planned during the second semester of this course. Alternative assignments will be available to
students who ask for them. However, these students must submit a written statement within the first three weeks of school explaining why
they wish to have an alternative. A parental signature must be included on the paper. Final decision regarding alternative assignments is at the
discretion of the teacher.
Evaluation
Evaluation is based on projects, laboratory performance, quizzes and exams. Additionally, students are evaluated on class participation,
assignments, and group work. Semester grades will be calculated using a 100-point numerical system based on the following method:
Daily Work, Quizzes 15%
Lab and Lab Reports 25%
Projects 15%
Unit Tests 25%
Semester Exam 20%
Late Work: All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. A zero is issued for any late work including 3:00 remediation for that
day. Any grievance regarding assignments or tests must be submitted in writing.
Grading Scale
A = 90 – 100 Excellent Progress
B = 80 – 89 Above Average Progress
C = 70 – 79 Satisfactory Progress
F = 69 – below Failing
Course Outline and Tentative Test Dates
Semester 1
Week Laboratory Test Dates
1 Ch 1 Introduction
2 Ch 2 Design an Experiment
3 Ch 3 Animal Behavior Wednesday, 9/7
4 Ch 4 Lab 4A
5 Ch 5 Lab 5A Wednesday, 9/28
6 Ch 6 Lab 6
7 Ch 6 cont. Lab 6A
8 Ch 7 TBD
9 Ch 7 cont. TBD
10 Ch 8 TBD Friday, 10/28
11 Ch 9 Lab 9
12 Ch 9 cont. TBD
13 Ch 10 TBD Friday, 11/25
14 Ch 11 Lab 11
15 Ch 12 No Lab
16 Ch 12 cont. Lab 12 and/or 12A
17 Ch 13 TBD Friday, 12/9
18 Review No Lab
19 Exams No Lab
Semester 2
Week Laboratory Test Dates
1 Ch 14-15 TBD
2 Ch 14-15 cont. TBD Friday, 1/13
3 Ch 16 Lab 16A
4 Ch 17-18 Lab 17
5 Ch 19-20 Lab 19A and/or 20
6 Ch 21-22 TBD Friday, 2/10
7 Ch 23 Lab 23
8 Ch 24-25 Dogfish shark dissection
9 Ch 26 Lab 26 Friday, 3/3
10 Ch 27 Lab 27A
11 Ch 28 Lab 28A
12 Ch 29 Lab 29 Friday, 3/31
13 Ch 30 Lab 30
14 Ch 31 Lab 31A
15 Ch 32 Lab 32A
16 Ch 33 Lab 33 Friday, 4/28
17 Ch 34-35 Lab 35A
18 Ch 36 Lab 36 and/or 36A Friday, 5/12
19 Review No Lab
20 Exams No Lab
Pledge of Commitment
I have read and understand the 9th grade biology class expectations and procedures.
Student Signature _____________________________________ Date:_____________
Parent Signature ______________________________________ Date:_____________
“The works of the Lord are great. To be pondered by all who love them.”
– Psalm 111:3
Course Syllabus for 2005-2006
Instructor: Ms. Stacy Baker, Room H323
sbaker@mountpisgahschool.org
678-336-3402, ext. 4453
Available 7am - 8am, breakout, and after school study periods; please schedule an appointment whenever possible
Course Description
This course will provide a basic overview of fundamental life processes, interactions among organisms, and an appreciation of how scientists
work. Six major themes will be investigated:
• Unity and Diversity
• Evolution
• Energy
• Homeostasis
• Systems and Interactions
• Nature of Science
Students will study cellular biology, the biochemical basis of life, and investigate the transfer of energy from the sun through living systems. In
biology, students will develop an understanding of the principles and mechanisms of genetics and analyze important concepts of natural selection
as they relate to the diversity of life.
Course Procedures
Every day, the class objectives and procedures as well as a bell-work assignment will be posted on the board. Students should go immediately
to their desks, open their notebooks, and begin working on the assignment. The bell-work assignment will not be turned in; however, notebooks
will be periodically collected and graded for organization and content. Daily Work points will be deducted from any student who is off-task.
Materials
• Textbook: Biology: Exploring Life. Campbell, N.A., Williamson, B. and R. J. Heyden. Needham, MA:
Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004.
• 2 ½ -3” 3-ring binder and paper for organizing class notes and handouts
• Lab Notebook (must be bound, not spiral)
• Pencils or pens (blue or black ink only)
• Supplementary materials such as graph paper and poster board may be needed at a later date. Students will be
given sufficient notice to obtain these materials.
Laboratory
The lab is the main place where students will get hands-on experience doing experiments, sharpening observation skills, and learning basic
techniques used in biology. Complete cooperation during laboratory is imperative. Students must be familiar with the Skill Handbook and Lab
Safety Appendix located in the text.
Students are expected to act with maturity during all labs, especially when handling living organisms. All animals used in the classroom will be
treated in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and the guidelines set forth by the National Science Teacher’s Association and the National
Biology Teacher’s Association. These guidelines will be posted in the laboratory.
Dissection
There are multiple dissection laboratories planned during the second semester of this course. Alternative assignments will be available to
students who ask for them. However, these students must submit a written statement within the first three weeks of school explaining why
they wish to have an alternative. A parental signature must be included on the paper. Final decision regarding alternative assignments is at the
discretion of the teacher.
Evaluation
Evaluation is based on projects, laboratory performance, quizzes and exams. Additionally, students are evaluated on class participation,
assignments, and group work. Semester grades will be calculated using a 100-point numerical system based on the following method:
Daily Work, Quizzes 15%
Lab and Lab Reports 25%
Projects 15%
Unit Tests 25%
Semester Exam 20%
Late Work: All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. A zero is issued for any late work including 3:00 remediation for that
day. Any grievance regarding assignments or tests must be submitted in writing.
Grading Scale
A = 90 – 100 Excellent Progress
B = 80 – 89 Above Average Progress
C = 70 – 79 Satisfactory Progress
F = 69 – below Failing
Course Outline and Tentative Test Dates
Semester 1
Week Laboratory Test Dates
1 Ch 1 Introduction
2 Ch 2 Design an Experiment
3 Ch 3 Animal Behavior Wednesday, 9/7
4 Ch 4 Lab 4A
5 Ch 5 Lab 5A Wednesday, 9/28
6 Ch 6 Lab 6
7 Ch 6 cont. Lab 6A
8 Ch 7 TBD
9 Ch 7 cont. TBD
10 Ch 8 TBD Friday, 10/28
11 Ch 9 Lab 9
12 Ch 9 cont. TBD
13 Ch 10 TBD Friday, 11/25
14 Ch 11 Lab 11
15 Ch 12 No Lab
16 Ch 12 cont. Lab 12 and/or 12A
17 Ch 13 TBD Friday, 12/9
18 Review No Lab
19 Exams No Lab
Semester 2
Week Laboratory Test Dates
1 Ch 14-15 TBD
2 Ch 14-15 cont. TBD Friday, 1/13
3 Ch 16 Lab 16A
4 Ch 17-18 Lab 17
5 Ch 19-20 Lab 19A and/or 20
6 Ch 21-22 TBD Friday, 2/10
7 Ch 23 Lab 23
8 Ch 24-25 Dogfish shark dissection
9 Ch 26 Lab 26 Friday, 3/3
10 Ch 27 Lab 27A
11 Ch 28 Lab 28A
12 Ch 29 Lab 29 Friday, 3/31
13 Ch 30 Lab 30
14 Ch 31 Lab 31A
15 Ch 32 Lab 32A
16 Ch 33 Lab 33 Friday, 4/28
17 Ch 34-35 Lab 35A
18 Ch 36 Lab 36 and/or 36A Friday, 5/12
19 Review No Lab
20 Exams No Lab
Pledge of Commitment
I have read and understand the 9th grade biology class expectations and procedures.
Student Signature _____________________________________ Date:_____________
Parent Signature ______________________________________ Date:_____________
“The works of the Lord are great. To be pondered by all who love them.”
– Psalm 111:3