CHEM 4203 - Biochemistry II
Course Syllabus - Fall 2008

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 87203)
        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.

Instructor Information:

Class Meetings:

Textbook Information:

Text:

Principles of Biochemistry by Lehninger, Nelson, and Cox, 4th ed. (2005) or 5th ed. (2008), W. H. Freeman and Co.

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 7, 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 10, 2008.

Important Dates:

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

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).

Late Policy:

Assignments due in class will be collected at the beginning of the class period. Work turned in after this is considered late. Late assignments are penalized 10% per day. Problems with printing (including SmartPrint) are not considered acceptable valid excuses for late work. No assignments will be accepted via email unless specified by the instructor.

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.

University Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Course Attendance Policy:

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 Dishonesty:

Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

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/Disruptive Classroom Behavior.doc.

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 and provide 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.

Turn off all electronic devices during class. All electronic devices including computers, 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.

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

Last update: August 07, 2008