CHEM 4203 - Biochemistry II

Course Syllabus - Fall 2006

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 770-961-3719, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Number and Title:

CHEM4203 (CRN 85718)
Biochemistry II

Credit Hours:

3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog 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 or Corequisite:

CHEM 2412 and CHEM 2412L, CHEM 4202

Notebook Computer Requirement:

Each CCSU 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 CCSU'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 access and send e-mail (Outlook® or Outlook Express®)
  • Able to use a Web browser (Internet Explorer®) and search engine
  • Able to download files from a web site to your computer
  • Able to use a word processor system (Word®)
  • Able to use a spread sheet system (Excel®)

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the two-semester sequence, the student should:

  • 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.

    Applied 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:

Dr. Evan A. Mintzer
Phone: (678) 466-4559  
Fax: (770) 960-4335
E-mail: emintzer@clayton.edu
Internet: http://a-s.clayton.edu/emintzer/
Office: Arts & Sciences G-110J

Office hours:

Monday: 8:00 am - 9:00 am and 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm 
                   Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 am - 10:00 am;

Wednesday: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm and by appointment

A&S: G-110J 

Class Meetings:

Days

Times

Room

M,W

4:30 PM – 5:45 PM 

U-331

Textbook Information:

Text:

Principles of  Biochemistry by Lehninger, Nelson, and Cox, 4th Ed., Worth Publishing

Text Coverage (tentative):

Chapters 8, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24-27

There will also be occasional reading assignments throughout the semester.

Evaluation:

There will be 3 in-class assessments and a term paper/presentation, the topic of which will be discussed.   

component

points

Classroom Assessments (3) @ 100 points*

300

Term Project

200

Total

500

 

Grading:

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

letter grade

percentage range

  A

90% or greater

  B

80% - 89%

  C

70% - 79%

  D

60% - 69%

  F

< 60%

Mid-term Progress Report

The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued by October 10th, reflects approximately 20% 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 13th.

Tentative Course Schedule*:

Weeks

Text Book Chapters

Lecture Topic(s)

1

 

Introduction/Course Outline

1, 2

8

Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

3 (Sept. 4th)

Labor Day (No classes Sept. 4th and 5th)

DG¢°

3, 4

17

Fatty Acid Catabolism

5

Assessment 1**

Topics to date

5, 6

18

Amino Acid Oxidation/Production of Urea

7, 8

19 (Omit 19.6-19.9)

Oxidative Phosphorylation

8 (Oct. 13th)

MIDTERM: Last day to apply for “W”

DS¢°

9, 10

21

Lipid Biosynthesis

11

Assessment 2**

Topics to date from Assessment 1

11, 12

22

Biosynthesis of Amino Acids, Nucleotides, and Related Molecules

13, 14

24

Genes and Chromosomes

14 (Nov. 23rd)

Thanksgiving! (No classes Nov. 22nd-26th)

Tryptophan (Trp, W)

15

Assessment 3**

Topics to date from Assessment 2

15, 16

25, 26

DNA and RNA Metabolism

15, 16

 

Final Project Due

 *The instructor reserves the right to alter the course schedule at any time during the semester.

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

Course Policies:

Homework:

This is a demanding and rigorous course.  For the greatest chance of success, students are urged to complete all reading assignments prior to lecture on that topic. 

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 a significant amount of material will be derived from them for course assessments. 

Attendance:

Class roll will be taken.  However, attendance is not required except for classroom assessments. You are responsible for all attendance requirements for external programs (i.e. financial aid). 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.

Assessments:

There will be three (3) classroom assessments. The assessments will be announced approximately one week in advance whenever possible and 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.

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 College & State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities."

  • Arrive to class on time.
  • Avoid disruptive behavior in class: talking, snoring, children, etc.
  • Turn off beepers, phones, radios and other electronic devices.
  • If you must leave early, leave quietly by a back door if possible.
  • Use the pencil sharpener before class begins.
  • No eating, smoking or drinking in the classrooms.
  • No extra credit work will be assigned.

Last update: August 14, 2006