9th Grade Advanced Biology Syllabus 2015-2016
Hunter Mims
Huntingdon College B.A. Biology with Secondary Education
hamims@tcss.net
Conference Information: I am available to talk to both students and parents during my prep periods or
before school. Parents need to make arrangements at the front office at 342-2800.
Communication: You may also contact me through e-mail at hamims@tcss.net. Parents can view class
work (including test study guides), homework, projects, and test dates on the Hillcrest High School web
site at www.hillcresthigh.tcss.net.
Teaching Schedule: 1) Advanced Biology 2) Collaborative Prep 3) Advanced Biology 4)
General Biology 5) Prep 6) General Biology 7) General Biology 8) General Biology
Course Objectives or Goals: Standards from the Alabama High School Course of Study, which are
appropriate for the course.
1. Select appropriate glassware, balances, time measuring equipment, and optical instruments to
conduct an experiment.
2. Describe cell processes necessary for achieving homeostasis, including active and passive
transport, osmosis, diffusion, exocytosis, and endocytosis.
3. Identify reactants and products associated with photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and the
purposes of these two processes.
4. Describe the similarities and differences of cell organelles, using diagrams and tables.
5. Identify cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and
ecosystems as levels of organization in the biosphere.
6. Describe the roles of mitotic and meiotic divisions during reproduction, growth, and repair of
cells.
7. Apply Mendel's laws to determine phenotypic and genotypic probabilities of offspring.
8. Identify the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and protein.
9. Differentiate between the previous five-kingdom and current six-kingdom classification
systems.
10. Distinguish between monocots and dicots, angiosperms, gymnosperms, and vascular and
non-vascular plants.
11. Classify animals according to type of skeletal structure, method of fertilization and
reproduction, body symmetry, body coverings, and locomotion.
12. Describe protective adaptations of animals, including mimicry, camouflage, beak type,
migration, and hibernation.
13. Trace the flow of energy as it decreases through the trophic levels from producers to the
quaternary level in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.
14. Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and
nitrogen.
15. Identify biomes based on environmental factors and native organisms.
16. Identify density-dependent and density-independent factors limiting factors that affect
populations in an ecosystem.
Textbook and Materials: Prentice Hall Biology, 3-ring notebook or spiral bound notebook, pencils and
or pens, and a folder with BOTH pockets and prongs. Students will be able to access class notes and
assignments on the Hillcrest Website.
Behavior Expectations:
1. Students are expected to follow all rules in the student handbook.
2. Students will respect their classmates, teacher, and school administrators.
3. Students will not leave class without permission. Water and restroom breaks should be taken
care of between classes.
4. Students are expected to be prepared for class every day. This includes bringing all necessary
materials and being ready to learn.
5. Follow all laboratory safety rules and procedures.
6. Students are NOT allowed to chew gum, eat, or drink in the classroom.
Technological Devices: Technological devices that are out and not authorized by the teacher will be
taken up and sent to the office. The student will receive a discipline referral.
Attendance: Attendance is critical to your success in school. Students who miss school due to an illness
may make arrangements to make up missed work within two days per excused absence. It is the
student’s responsibility to schedule make up work at a time convenient to both the student and teacher.
Students who miss class due to school functions such as ball games, club activities, field trips, are
responsible for getting their assignments before their absence. Students who have unexcused absences
will not be allowed to make up work.
Grading Policy: Grades will be earned on a point system. Students will earn points through homework,
class work, laboratory reports, portfolios, projects, quizzes and tests. The percentage grade will be
determined by dividing the points earned by points possible for each nine weeks. There will be a nineweeks exam given at the end of the first nine-weeks term that is 20% of the total nine-week grade. A
comprehensive exam comprising 20% of the semester average will be given at the end of the semester.
Students may exempt the final exam if they meet the required board polices for exemption. Progress
reports will be sent home in the middle of each nine-weeks grading period. This must be returned with a
parent signature within two days.
Statement of Essential Functions: The student will be able to: 1. Follow and apply basic safety
requirements. 2. Collect and analyze data. 3. Perform laboratory procedures. 4. Prepare and read graphs.
5. Perform mathematical calculations. 6. Prepare written reports. 7. Communicate effectively in writing
and orally. 8. Using critical thinking to solve problems. 9. Read from the textbooks and supplemental
materials. 10. Prepare collections and projects. 11. Complete written and project based assignments. 12.
Work effectively in groups and teams. 13. Take accurate and useful class notes. 14. Follow written and
oral directions.
Tentative Scope and Sequence:
First Semester
Second Semester
Science of Biology-Chapter 1
Ecology-Chapters 3-6
Chemistry of Life-Chapter -2
Natural Selection & Evolution-Chapters 15 & 16
The Cell-Chapter 7
History of Life-Chapter 17
Cell division-Chapter 10
Classification-Chapter 18
Photosynthesis-Chapter 8
Plants-Chapters 22-25
Cellular Respiration-Chapter 9
Microorganisms, Protists, and Fungi-Chapters 19-21
Genetics-Chapters 12-14
Invertebrates-Chapters 26-29
Genetics-Chapter 11
Vertebrates-Chapters 30-34
This course outline is subject to change according to student needs, unforeseen circumstances, and
teacher considerations.
I have read the 9th grade advanced Biology syllabus and understand the course requirements, rules,
grading policy, and expectations.
Student Signature______________________________________________ Date___________________
Parent Signature _______________________________________________ Date __________________
Parent e-mail address ________________________________________________________________