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Elements of Biological Chemistry

Fall 2006



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Syllabus

Learning Objectives - amino acids

Learning Objectives - Proteins, Mb and Hb

Exam #1 Fall 05

Learning Objectives - Fibrous Proteins

Learning Objectives - Chymotrypsin

Learning Objectives - Enzyme kinetics

Learning Objectives - Biological Membranes

Exam #2 Fall 05

Exam #2 Fall 06

Learning Objectives - Overview of Metabolism

Learning Objectives - Carbohydrate Metabolism

Learning Objectives - TCA cycle

Exam #3 Fall 05

Learning Objectives - Oxidative Phosphorylation

Learning Objectives - Lipid Metabolism

Learning Objectives - Amino Acid Metabolism



 

Syllabus

Biochemistry 303 Fall 2006.
MWF 11:30 Ð 12:20PM, WCBA 154

Dr. Martyn Gunn
Office: room 104, Biochemistry Building
Office hours, MWF after class or by appointment Ð call Ms Juanita Withem, 845-5032.
email: jmgunn@tamu.edu

Course description: Biochemistry is the study of life processes at the molecular level. We will examine the structure and function of proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids; and how cells produce, store and utilize energy.

Textbook: Essential Biochemistry by Pratt and Cornely. Check out the CD!

My teaching objectives: I want you to leave understanding the fundamental principles and concepts of biochemistry: how biochemistry relates to your own discipline. I will give you a list of objectives for each topic and I will test to those objectives. In many classes I will use an inquiry-based approach to probe the depth of your understanding. Please ask questions at any time. Questions are beneficial for they mean that either I haven't explained something well or you are having trouble with putting the topic in context with other knowledge.

How to do well: You will gain most from the class and the interactive questioning if you come prepared. Read ahead. Use the CD that comes with the text. Work the chapter problems. Also you should be aware that biochemistry is not a subject most students can learn the evening before an exam. This is because it draws on your prior knowledge of chemistry, physics and biology to explain life processes at the molecular level. You are admonished to keep up. In some cases I may not cover all the material in a chapter. You will be responsible for knowing the learning objectives for each topic even if we have not covered it in class.

Learning objectives: By the end of this course you will know and understand:

Exams:
There will be 3 in-class quizzes, 3 in-class exams and a 2h final (see schedule below).
All exams will have multiple choice and short answer questions.
Make-up exams will be given approx one week after the scheduled exam. The format of the make-up exam may be the same, similar, or totally different from the scheduled exam.
Requests for regrades must be made no later than one week after the graded exam has been returned.

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.

 

Lecture and exam schedule:
Note 1: the lecture schedule may slip.
Note 2: the exams may cover different chapters depending on note #1.

Week

Topic

Chapter

August 28

Amino acid structure and properties.
Acid base chemistry

4
2

September 4

Protein structure
Non-covalent interactions
Protein stability, free energy

4
2
4,1

September 8

Quiz #1

1, 2, 4

September 11

Myoglobin, hemoglobin
Other proteins structures

4
5

September 18

Protein structure
Chymotrypsin

5
6

September 22

Exam #1

1, 2, 4, 5, 6

September 25

Enzyme kinetics

7

October 2

Fatty acids, phospholipids, cholesterol
Biological membranes
Membrane transport

8

October 6

Quiz #2

7, 8

October 9

DNA

3

October 16

Metabolism
Glycolysis

9
10

October 20

Exam #2

3, 7, 8, 9, 10

October 23

Gluconeogenesis, glycogen, HMP

10

October 30

TCA cycle

11

November 3

Quiz #3

10, 11

November 6

Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation

12

November 13

Fatty acid metabolism
Cholesterol metabolism

14

November 17

Exam #3

10, 11, 12, 14

November 20

Catch-up - no lecture 11/23 - Thanksgiving

 

November 27

N metabolism

15

December 4

N-metabolism

15

December 13

Final exam, 10:30-12:30PM

3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15

 

Grade:

Quizzes are worth 25 points, exams 100 points and the final 200 points for a total of 575 points.

A = 89%-100% = more than 510 points

B = 79% - 88% = 450 – 509 points

C = 69% - 78% = 390 – 449

D = 59% - 68% = 330 – 389

F = less than 59% or 330 points

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.

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