Honors - Biology 9

Rm # C541

Mr. N. Carnevalla

carnen@danbury.k12.ct.us

Course Description
This course is recommended for 9th graders with strong ability and/or interest in the sciences. The course will
take a comprehensive look into biological concepts with an emphasis on scientific literacy. Scientific literacy
includes observation, problem solving, collecting data, and making inferences. Students will study topics on
cell chemistry and biotechnology, genetics, evolution, and biodiversity. Students will be expected to complete
an independent research project in some field of science. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab
activities will be integrated into the students coursework to prepare them for the CAPT. Labs are embedded
into the curriculum.

Objectives

The student will:

Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
Read, interpret and examine the credibility and validity of scientific claims in different sources of information.
Formulate a testable hypothesis and demonstrate logical connections between the scientific concepts guiding
the hypothesis and the design of the experiment.
Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.
Identify independent and dependent variables, including those that are kept constant and those used as
controls.
Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.
Assess the reliability of the data that was generated in the investigation.
Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data, and present relationships between variables in
appropriate forms.
Articulate conclusions and explanations based on research data, and assess results based on the design of
the investigation.
Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence and
clear logic.

Assessment

Tests:

40 %

Quizzes:

20 %

Quarter 1:

50%

Labs:

25 %

Quarter 2:

50%

Homework /
Classwork:

15 %

Units of Study

Honors - Biology 9

Rm # C541

Mr. N. Carnevalla

Semester 1
Unit 1- Cell Structure and Function
Unit 2 - Genetics
Unit 3- Evolution

carnen@danbury.k12.ct.us

Semester 2
Unit 4 - Ecology (A)
Unit 5 - Ecology (B)
Unit 6 - Human Interactions
Unit 7 - Classification

Missing / Make-Up Work

Students who are absent, excused or unexcused, are expected to make up all work. Students have as
many school days to make up work as they were absent, and this time period begins upon the students return
to school. If a student is absent on the day of a test or quiz, they are expected to take the test the day they
return. Students that miss a lab activity have 1 week to make up the lab.

Attendance
In accordance with the school policy, students will lose the right to attain a weighted letter grade;
with a total of 10 excused and unexcused within a semester
Credit may still be granted if a student:
1. completes all missing work within the allowed time frame;
2. demonstrates understanding of all course competencies;
Students who satisfy all of the above criteria will be given a Credit Only (CO) on their
report card and transcript, which indicates the student is receiving credit without a letter
grade. A grade of a (CO) is equal to a Grade Point Value of 1.0. For averaging purposes,
(CO) counts as a 65.

Plagiarism
At DHS we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in
accordance with school policy. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on
assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed
activities. Students will be held to the policy for intentional and unintentional plagiarism as outlined in the
student handbook.

Optional Independent Research Project

Honors - Biology 9
Mr. N. Carnevalla

Rm # C541
carnen@danbury.k12.ct.us

Any students taking this course will have the opportunity to conduct a long-term independent research project
and compete in a local or state run science fair if they choose. Science teachers will be available after school
on select days to assist and guide the students through the research process. Students are expected,
however, to complete the majority of the work on their own. This is a major commitment, and one that needs to
be completed with a steady and organized effort. If a student chooses to complete a quality independent
research project AND attends a local or state run science fair they will have the opportunity to replace their
lowest third quarter test grade.

___________________________________
Cut here and return to teacher.

Family communication
Besides the regular progress reports and report cards, please feel free to contact me at other times with
questions regarding the progress of your son/daughter in this class. You can leave a telephone message at the
main office at 797-4800, or better yet, e-mail me at carnen@danbury.k12.ct.us.
Please bring this home and go over this with your parent or guardian. If you have any questions, please
write them below and I will try to answer them. If you understand and accept these responsibilities, please sign
below and return this to me.
_________________________________________
Student Name
_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian

________________
Date