CHEM 4202 - Biochemistry I
Course Syllabus - Spring 2008

Course Schedule

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the 
Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

Course Description:

        Number and Title

        CHEM 4202 (CRN 26080)
        Biochemistry I

        Credit Hours:

        3.0 semester credit hours

        Course Description:

A study of the chemistry of biological systems. Topics typically include proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and metabolism pathways.

        Course Prerequisite:

        CHEM 2412 and CHEM 2412L

        Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

        Computer Skill Prerequisites:

• Able to use the computer’s operation system (Windows®)
• Able to send and receive e-mail (Outlook® or Outlook Express®)
• Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
• Able to use a Web browser (Internet Explorer®)
• Able to download files from a web site to your computer
• Able to use a word processor system (Word®)
• Able to use Microsoft PowerPoint®

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will occasionally be used in the classroom in this course. Computers will also be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Course Objectives:

• To learn the basic chemical and structural features of important classes of biomolecules, including peptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
• To learn the principles of these molecules’ interactions and dynamics in cellular systems.
• To survey the experimental methods by which many biochemical processes were elucidated.
• To apply chemical principles to the study of enzyme kinetics.
• To gain an appreciation for the complexities of cell signaling and its implications.
• To prepare the student for the continuation of the study of biochemistry.

Student Learning Outcomes:

         General education outcomes:

• Communication: knowledge base: CHEM 4202 will provide knowledge base information necessary for communication of information concerning principles of biochemistry.
• Critical Thinking: Question/Issue, Method, Evidence, Conclusion: CHEM 4202 will provide problem solving skills in the area of biochemistry. Students will be required to assess information given in a scientific problem and form a conclusion based on that information. In this process, students will be required to determine which given information is pertinent and if their conclusion is reasonable.

Biology Outcomes:

• Outcome 2:  Students will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas using oral, written and digital arts.  CHEM 4202 will provide knowledge base information necessary for communication of information concerning principles of biochemistry.
• Outcome 7:  Students will obtain a sufficient background in chemistry to pursue further professional education in the biomedical field.

Term:

Spring, 2008

Instructor Information:

Class Meetings:

Textbook Information:

Text:

Principles of Biochemistry by Lehninger, Nelson, and Cox, 4th Ed., W. H. Freeman and Co., 2005

Text Coverage:

Chapters 1-7, 10-16

Evaluation:

Your evaluation in CHEM 4202 will be based upon the following components:  

Grading:

The grade you receive in Chemistry 4202 will be based upon the following distribution:

The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued on February 26, reflects approximately 25% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on February 29, 2008.

Tentative Course Schedule:

The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule as necessary and will communicate any changes clearly to the class.

Course Policies:

Assignments:

Problems will be assigned throughout the semester. These assignments will vary in length and format, may be given in-class or as homework, and will be graded. Details for each assignment will be announced in class and/or posted on the course website. You make work on these assignments with your classmates (unless otherwise instructed), but each student must submit their own work for grading (either online or to the instructor, depending on the assignment).

Additional Problems:

This course demands and expects approximately two hours of work per night. Reading assignments are tentatively made on this syllabus. The student is expected to complete problems from the textbook upon completion of each topic in class. However, these will not be collected or graded. Completion of these problems is your responsibility.

Attendance:

Attendance is expected for all class periods. Attendance is required for all examination periods. It is your responsibility to sign the roll sheet at every class meeting you attend. This roll sheet is the instructor's official record. You will be held responsible for all announcements and material covered in lecture in addition to text, references, hand-outs and study guides.  Note: Lectures will contain valuable explanations of content and thought processes which are difficult for most students to extract from the text book on their own. Therefore, regular attendance is strongly encouraged.

Academic Irregularity:

Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Consequences may include a zero grade on the assessment instrument, or possible action by the College Judicial Board of Review.

Exams:

There will be three (3) in-class examinations and one 2-hour final (comprehensive). All examinations are closed book. Attendance is mandatory.  If a student has an excused absence on an exam day, the student's final exam percentage score will be used in place of the missed exam score.  No make-up exams will be given. In order for an absence to be considered excused, the student must contact the instructor within 24 hours. Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority. Without a valid excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for any missed work.

Grades will not be communicated via email or telephone.  Exams will be handed back in the next lecture period after an exam.  If absent, a student must come by during office hours to retrieve their exam.  Final exam papers may be viewed the following semester during office hours.

Disruption of the Learning Environment

Behavior which disrupts the teaching-learning process during class activities will not tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF. A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: http://a-s.clayton.edu/cclower/Disruption.doc.            

Other Class Policies:

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

• Arrive to class on time.
• Turn off beepers, phones, radios and other electronic devices.
• If you must leave early, leave quietly by a back door if possible.

Last update: January 04, 2008