3.7V to 9V DC to DC boost step-up converter design help!
Really? About a minute on DigiKey and I was able to find several hundred ICs which meet your requirements. For example, this chip.

To find more, go to the "PMIC - Voltage Regulators - DC/DC Switching Regulators" section, specify an output current of 500 mA or higher, specify boost and buck-boost topologies, then sort on price. There are lots of options to choose from that meet your voltage requirements.

General procedure when using a switcher:


Read the datasheet.
Read the datasheet again.
Design your circuit based on the typical application circuit provided in the datasheet. Often these will even include specific suggestions for passives - you can use these, or equivalents.
If possible, simulate it. Linear Technology and TI are both good for this, as their free SPICE offerings (LTSpice and TINA-TI respectively) include models of most of their switchers.
Switchers are pretty sensitive to PCB layout considerations. Most switcher manufacturers include a recommended layout which helps you minimize EMI concerns - using this is highly recommended.


Finally, lots of manufacturers provide software tools which are essentially idiot-proof for DC/DC switching power supply design. National Semicondutor (now TI) WEBENCH is a good example of this. It only recommends TI parts (obviously) but if you punch in your requirements and it will spit out a list of possible designs including a full schematic, BOM, and estimated price for 1000 units. Pretty handy.