Welcome to the BICH 107 home page

Horizons in Biological Chemistry

Fall 2006



 

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Academic Integrity

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Academic integrity is an important issue for students, faculty, staff and administrators at Texas A&M.
Academic misconduct, a violation of the Texas A&M Honor System, involves any of the following: cheating, fabrication, falsification, multiple submission, plagiarism, and complicity.

Visit the Honor System web page, Academic Integrity, for more information and examples of each of the violations.


Disabilities:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Room B118 of Cain Hall, tel 845-1637.

Information

  • Class Time Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 - 8:50 am
  • Class Room Biochemistry Building (BICH) room 107
  • Professor Dr. Martyn Gunn
  • Office Hours Biochemistry Building room 104.
    I'm available before class, after class, between 12 noon and 1pm MTWF, or by appointment -- call Ms Juanita Withem at 845-5032.
  • Telephone Office 845-5541.
    Or call me at home -- 696-4516 -- but before 10pm please!
  • email jmgunn@tamu.edu. The best way to get a prompt reply!

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Course Objectives:  To provide a friendly and informal introduction to biochemistry.

Learning outcomes: by the end of the course you will know

1. some of the principles of biochemistry

2. the structure and function of biomolecules

3. how biochemistry is being applied to problems in the 21st century

4. the research interests of some of the faculty

5. how to work productively in small groups

6. how to exercise problem solving skills individually and as a group

7. how to conduct web-based literature searches of the primary scientific literature.

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Course Format

You are encouraged to ask questions at all times

There will be a series of introductory lectures by Dr. Gunn.
These lectures will cover the principles of biochemistry.
They will stress the fundamental chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology of bio-molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids.

Then individual faculty members will present lectures on their research interests in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Group activities will involve:

1. each group will design an informative web page on one faculty member's lecture;
2. researching, writing draft progress reports, and presenting a 12-minute lecture on a the biochemistry of a prescription drug;
3. answering group exams associated with each major exam and the final;
4. answering questions posed in class.

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Textbook

There is no textbook. You will use your chemistry and biology texts plus lecture notes posted below.

In addition you may access class related material in chemistry, biology and biochemistry on my Teaching Page.
In particular look at<ul

CHEMcentral, which contains on-line help for chemistry as well as biochemistry,
and Kimball's Biology Pages.

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Attendance and decorum

  • You are required to attend class.
    Each unexcused absence will lower your final average by one full percentage point.
  • You will treat visiting faculty lecturers with the respect they deserve.
    • Do not hold conversations during class.
    • Do not disrupt the class.
    • Do not distract those seated around you.
  • If you arrive late enter quietly and sit at the back. See Dr. Gunn after class.
  • If you must leave early, sit at the back. See Dr. Gunn before class.
  • Written, University excused absences must be given to Dr. Gunn in a timely fashion.

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Examinations

All examinations will receive equal weight in determining your final grade.
The exam format will be multiple choice and short answer.
In addition each exam will have a group component which may involve interpretation of figures or tables, and brief essays.
Examples of old exams are posted
below.

    • Exam 1: Thursday October 5, 2006
      Help! session Wednesday October 4 at 7pm in room 107.
    • Exam 2: Tuesday November 7, 2006..
      Help! session Monday November 6 at 7pm in room 108.
    • Final Exam: Monday December 11, 2006, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
      Help! session to be announced.

Make-up examinations will be scheduled as specified in Student Rules.

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Out-of-class Assignments

In addition to the regularly scheduled examinations, periodic, out-of-class assignments will be made during the semester. These projects are designed to introduce you to the various services offered by the University and the Department. They include the GaBEE program, electronic media such as email, the phone book, listservs and web pages, and your bcbp Mentor.

For some assignments, there will be group projects, and groups will be assigned points. These points will be distributed among the group members by the group.


Assignment 1: 10 points

Keep stress out of your life -- say hello to the joys of college!
Read this article by
Jane E. Brody.
Combat the dark side of the freshman experience -- see an advisor or counselor.

The Genetics and Biochemistry Enrichment Experience, GaBEE, suggests ways to get the most out of college.
This program is required of all freshman biochemistry and genetics majors as well as all transfer students in their first semester. It introduces you to each other, the Undergraduate Societies, TAMU student services, and career options in research, medicine, and industry.

All first time enrollees at A&M must attend 3 of the 4 meetings from September 4-25, 2006.
There is a Bonus of 5 pts for attending all 4 meetings from September 4-25.

If you are enrolled in BICH 107 but are not a Biochemistry or Genetics major, see me.


Assignment 2: 5 points

Claim your email account at http://neo.tamu.edu/.
You may automatically forward email from neo to your preferred provider -- follow the instructions at http://neo.tamu.edu/

Email me from your neo email address.
I will send you a reply.
Give me a print out of my reply.

Now you know how to send email, receive email and print out your email.

Due date: Tuesday September 5, 2006.


Assignment 3: 5 points

Update your listing in the TAMU electronic directory.
Go to the neo web page and log in.
Click on instructions for changing your directory information under Subject/Announcement. Read the instructions. Close the window.

Back on the neo page click on Directory in the upper right hand corner.
When your listing comes up, click on Edit (upper right hand corner, second line) , make any changes and hit Submit.
You may add your preferred name, alias and email address.
You may also use this page to change your email forwarding address.

When your new, edited listing appears print it out and give it to me.

Now you know how to look up individual listings and change your own.

Due date: Tuesday September 5, 2006.


Assignment 4: 5 points

Subscribe to our Department's Undergraduate listserv.
A listserv is an email mailing list: everyone subscribed gets to read the messages.
Simply send an email to LISTSERV@TAMU.EDU and in the body of the message write:

SUBSCRIBE BCBP-UG YOURFIRSTNAME YOURLASTNAME

YOURFIRSTNAME YOURLASTNAME is your name as recognized by neo

Due date: Tuesday September 5, 2006.


Assignment 5: 10 points

Time management may be the key to your success as a college student!
You are to keep a detailed 24/7 record of your activities for the two weeks August 29-Serptember 12.
Write down everything you do and how long you spend doing it.

Give me a copy of your record.

How many hours a week do you spend in course work and studying or working, and how many just goofing off?
It's important to schedule play time and study time.

Use your 24/7 record to schedule your life so that you make good use of your time for both work and play.

Remember, college is a 9-5 job!

Due date: Thursday September 14, 2006.


Assignment 6: 10 points

Take the VARK Test

Print out the results -- your preferences for Visual, Aural, Read/Write or Kinesthetic learning -- and give me a copy.

Now you know how you learn and can use this knowledge to good advantage in your courses.

Due date: Tuesday September 12, 2006.


Assignment 7: 10 points

Make an appointment to visit your bcbp Mentor.
If you cannot remember who it is, ask in the Undergraduate Programs Office, Room 104.
If you are not a biochemistry or genetics major, see me.
Your mentor may wish to visit with you as a group during one of the GaBEE sessions.

Bring me your bcbp Mentor's business card, or other proof of your appointment.

Due date: Tuesday September 26, 2006.


Assignment 8: 10 points

You will write a short essay (250 words, typed) on your college experience to date.

      • Why did you choose A&M?
      • Tell me about your first impressions.
      • From your 24/7 record, how much tiome where you studying and how much goofing off? Are you using your time more wisely now?
      • Did the results of the VARK test help your lecture and study habits?
      • Who is your bcbp-mentor and how was your visit?
      • What was your impression of the GaBEE meetings?
      • Are your classes easier, harder or about what you expected?

Due date: Thursday September 28, 2006.


Assignment 9: 10 points

Attend the pre-registration GaBEE meeting on Monday November 13, 2006, at 5:30pm in room 108 0f the Biochemistry Building.


Assignment 10: 10 pts

The first semester in College is always one of personal growth but also often one of change with a reassessment of personal goals and ambitions. Our aim is to ease the transition to college for you and for those who come after you. To help us we will ask you to fill out a survey at the end of the semester. This survey is designed to find out how well you have adapted to life in College.

Please return it by Tuesday December 5, 2006.


Group Assignment 1: 50 points

Work with your group to design a web page for the lecture given by one of the visiting faculty members.
You will be assigned a faculty member.
There will be opportunities to meet with the faculty members after their lectures.
The web page will be used as a study guide by the whole class.
The other groups in the class will award the grade for this assignment.

This assignment must be completed within 1 week of the lecture.


Group Assignment 2: 70 points

Work with your group to prepare a 12-minute lecture on the biochemistry of a prescription drug.
Your assignment by group is as follows:

Group #1

Actoplus Met (pioglitazone + metformin), Type II diabetes

Group #2

Boniva (ibandronate), post-menopausal osteoporosis

Group #3

Lexapro (escitalopram), hypertension

Group #4

Celebrex (celecoxib), chronic pain

Group #5

Lyrica (pregabalin), chronic pain

Group #6

Namenda (memantine), Alzheimer’s

Group #7

Tricor (fenofibrate), cholesterol/hyperlipidemia

Group #8

Lipitor (atorvastatin), cholesterol

Group #9

Prevacid (lansoprazole), ulcers

Group #10

Rozerem (ramelteon), insomnia

Group #11

Effexor XR (venlafaxine), depression

Group #12

Tygacil (tigecyline IV), antibiotic

The First Draft of your presentation (10 pts) is due Thursday September 28, 2006 and the Second Draft (10 pts) is due Thursday October 26, 2006.

A web page of your presentation (20 pts) is due by Monday November 20, 2006
Group Presentations (20 pts) will be after Thanksgiving.

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Grading

      • Exam 1: 100pts
      • Exam 2: 100pts
      • Final Exam: 100pts
      • Out-of-class Assignments: 80pts
      • Group Assignments: 120 pts
        Total: 500 pts

Grades

      • A = 450-500 pts
      • B = 400-449 pts
      • C = 350-399 pts
      • D = 300-340 pts
      • F = <300 pts>

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Schedule of lectures and speakers.

Date

Speaker

Title

08/29/06

Martyn Gunn

Howdy!

08/31/06

Norma Funkhouser

Library skills you will need!

09/05/06

Martyn Gunn

Basic biology -- cell structure

09/07/06

Martyn Gunn

Water

09/12/06

Martyn Gunn

Chemistry

09/14/06

Martyn Gunn

Nucleic acids

09/19/06

Martyn Gunn

Information transfer

09/21/06

Martyn Gunn

Amino acids

09/26/06

Martyn Gunn

Protein structure

09/28/06

Martyn Gunn
First draft of group presentation due

Enzyme kinetics

10/03/06

Martyn Gunn

Metabolism

10/05/06

Exam #1

Gunn's lectures 3 - 11

10/10/06

Dr. David Peterson

Group #1 notes

10/12/06

Dr. Vlad Panin

Group #2 notes

10/17/06

Dr. Steve Safe

Group #3 notes

10/19/06

Dr. Suma Datta

Group #4 notes

10/24/06

Dr. Bill Park

Group #5 notes

10/26/06

Second draft of group presentation due
Dr. Paul Fitzpatrick

Group #6 notes

10/31/06

Dr. Jorge Cruz-Reyes

Group #7 notes

11/02/06

Dr. Dorothy Shippen

Group #8 notes

11/07/06

Exam #2

Visiting Lectures 1 - 6

11/09/06

Dr. Ry Young

Group #9 notes

11/14/06

Dr. Dave Giedroc

Group #10 notes

 

11/16/06

Dr. Greg Reinhart

Group #11 notes

11/20/06

Web-page of prescription drug presentation due

 

11/21/06

Dr. Mike Polymenis

Group #12 notes

 

11/23/06

No class

Thanksgiving

11/28/06

Presentations by:
Group #1
Group #2
Group #3
Group #4

 

11/30/06

Presentations by:
Group #5
Group #6
Group #7
Group #8

 

12/05/06

Presentations by:
Group #9
Group #10
Group #11
Group #12

 

12/11/05

Final Exam
1:00pm in Rm 107

Visiting Lectures 7 – 12

Group presentations

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Lecture Notes

Use the Lecture Questions as learning objectives.
Read them and think about them before coming to class.

Old Exams

You may look at old exams here:


2005 Exams

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Access your grade for BICH 107.

Grades are posted on webct. Use your neo name and id number to access.

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web site http://www.tamu.edu/classes/bich/gunn/BICH107.html was last updated 11/20/06

comments to Martyn Gunn.