CHEM 4203 - Biochemistry II
Course Syllabus - Fall 2007

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 4203 (CRN 85622)
        Biochemistry II

        Credit Hours:

        3.0 semester credit hours

        Course Description:

A continuation of the study of the chemistry of biological systems, including further examination of biological molecules (nucleic acids and DNA and RNA structure).  Other topics of discussion will include oxidative phosphorylation and the metabolic pathways involving amino acid synthesis and oxidation, lipid metabolism and fatty acid oxidation, and an introduction to informational pathways.  Emphasis will be placed on experimental techniques.

        Course Prerequisite:

        CHEM 4202 with a grade of C or better

        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®
• Able to use a spread sheet system (Excel®)

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:

• Have an in-depth understanding of the structure-function relationship of major biomolecules.
• Understand the complete oxidation of glucose, from glycolysis through the electron transport chain.
• Have an appreciation for the complexities and relationships of the various metabolic pathways and their regulation.
• Have a theoretical knowledge of several important techniques used in modern biochemical research.
• Be able to locate, read, and understand a typical research article in the field of modern bioscience. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

         General education outcomes:

• Communication: knowledge base: CHEM 4203 will provide knowledge base information necessary for communication of information concerning principles of biochemistry.
• Critical Thinking: Question/Issue, Method, Evidence, Conclusion: CHEM 4203 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 4203 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:

Fall, 2007

Instructor Information:

Class Meetings:

Textbook Information:

Text:

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

Evaluation:

Your evaluation in CHEM 4203 will be based upon the following components:  

Grading:

The grade you receive in Chemistry 4203 will be based upon the following distribution:

The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued on October 9, 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 October 12, 2007.

Important Dates:

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

**Dates of assessments will be announced in class at least one week before each assessment.

Course Policies:

Assignments:

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:

Biochemistry is a problem-solving science.  Students are thus strongly encouraged to complete as many of the problems at the end of each chapter as possible, preferably by forming study groups with fellow students.  These assignments will not be graded, but material may be derived from them for course assessments.

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 two (2) in-class examinations and one 2-hour final (comprehensive). The assessments will be announced approximately one week in advance whenever possible. 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.

Other Class Policies:

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities. Of particular concern is any sort of disruptive behavior where a student is not showing proper respect to the instructor or other students in the class.  Such behavior will not be tolerated and a student engaged in such behavior will be required to leave the class, forfeiting any points that are associated with that day's activity.  The ability of the student to return to class is determined by the instructor, based on the severity of the disruption, and can range from missing the current class period up to administrative withdrawal from the course.  In addition, charges may be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs.

Turn off all electronic devices during class. All electronic devices including cell phones, palm pilots, pagers, calculators, MP3 players, etc. are not allowed during exams or quizzes.  During such activities, these devices are not permitted to be in your possession at all (which means they cannot be clipped to your belt, in your pocket, etc.).  Possession and/or use of these items during an exam or quiz will result in an automatic zero on the graded activity.

No eating, smoking or drinking in the classrooms.

Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.

Last update: October 25, 2007