9th Grade Biology Syllabus: Mr. Emory
Introduction: The purpose of this biology course is to provide students with a basic
introduction to modern biology and to develop in students an appreciation of how biology
relates to them and to the world in which they live. The course curriculum is based on
both the district’s and state’s biology curriculum and is designed to prepare students for
the biology keystone exam.
Timeline: Time periods should be considered approximate and subject to change.
UNIT 1
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
5 weeks
UNIT 2
CELLS
6 weeks
UNIT 3
ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
4 weeks
UNIT 4
HEREDITY
7 weeks
UNIT 5
MOLECULAR GENETICS
6 weeks
UNIT 6
EVOLUTION
4 weeks
UNIT 7
ECOLOGY
5 weeks
Procedures for Evaluation:
Evaluation of student progress will be measures by using the following procedure:
Homework average
Quiz, Lab, In-class, Small Project average
Unit Test, Section Test, Major Project average
=10%
=30%
=60%
Expected Level of Achievement:
Students are expected to earn an average (based on the above procedure) no less
than 65%. Additionally, students will be expected to pass the biology keystone
exam, for graduation purposes, as mandated by the state.
Plagiarism:
Any student caught cheating will receive a zero for that assignment. This
includes helping another student cheat on a test, quiz, or other assignment.
Textbooks:
Students will be provided with their own textbook. They can leave this in the
classroom or take it with them at any point in time. Regardless of whether they
choose to leave it in the classroom or take it with them, they are responsible for
returning the book at the end of the school year. If a book disappears from the
classroom, it is still the responsibility of the student who was assigned that book
to return that book.
Notebooks:
Students will be given a skeleton outline of the notes early in the year. Students
will need to get a 1 inch 3-ring binder for class to place this skeleton outline in.
They will NOT need a separate notebook for this course as all notes will be taken
on the skeleton outline. Students will only be given one copy of the notes. If they
lose these notes they will be responsible for printing off the outline on their own.
This document can be accessed from my district webpage under “My Resources.”
References and Resources:
Textbook
Biology (Miller & Levine)
2002, Prentice Hall
Contact Information
Christopher Emory
4800 Susquehanna Trail
Turbotville, PA 17777
(570) 649-5138
cemory@wrsd.org
Return this signed document by the end of the first full week of school for credit as a
homework assignment. Failure to do so will result in a zero for this assignment.
Student Signature: ____________________________________ Date: ______________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________ Date: ______________