CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
CHM 371: Biochemistry of Metabolism
11:30-12:20 p.m., M-W-F
Hixson Lied Science Building, Room 188
Spring, 2010
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Juliane Soukup
Rigge 233, Phone 280-3265
Email:
Website: (you will find all the class notes, learning objectives, suggested readings/problems on my website)
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Biochemistry! In this semester you will be introduced to the important topics in biochemistry. You will gain an appreciation for the biomolecules and chemical reactions that are essential to the structure and function of living organisms. You will learn to think critically about biochemical and biophysical processes and be required to solve problems related to biochemical systems.
This syllabus contains course information you will use throughout the semester. Please take a few minutes before the second class to familiarize yourself with its contents. If you have questions regarding course organization or policies, please ask.
As your professor I wish you success in this course, and I am here to help you whenever you need it. My best advice is to stay on schedule! Set aside an hour or two everyday for reading. Catching up is difficult and never as effective as staying on top from the start. It is important that you stay current with the assigned chapter readings since each new topic will build on those we have discussed previously. Remember that cramming for exams never works as well as you hope!!
COURSE GOALS
You will be introduced to the fundamental principles of biochemistry. You will to be able to define and describe biochemical processes, enzymatic reactions, the major classes of biomolecules, biosignaling, hormonal regulation, DNA metabolism, RNA metabolism, and current aspects of biotechnology. You will use this knowledge to analyze biochemical problems, design biochemical experiments and integrate each individual topic into the larger processes in the body.
ATTENDANCE
Teachers often say that attendance is the single greatest predictor of success in their courses. This is especially true in biochemistry, where one class builds upon material from the previous class. I strongly encourage you to come to class every day! It is the easiest way to keep up-to-date and the most efficient way of learning material for exams and quizzes. I will not accept daily activities (quizzes, 1-minute papers or question sets) turned in late. No exceptions. A missed activity will be recorded as a zero!
REQUIRED TEXT AND ACCESSORIES
TEXT: D.L. Nelson and M.M. Cox, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 5th edition. Chapters we will focus on are listed on the attached tentative lecture schedule.
There will also be required reading of Scientific American articles that will be available on my website.
CALCULATOR: NON-PROGRAMMABLE scientific calculator. No programmable calculators will be permitted to be used for any exam or quiz.
OFFICE HOURS
The times I will be in my office are listed below. Other times are available by appointment.
Monday: 1:30-2:30Tuesday: 11:30-12:30Thursday: 9:30-10:30
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Periodically during the semester, you will be required to perform "activities" inside or outside of the classroom. These could include question sets or writing 1 minute papers, each worth 3 points.
1 Minute Papers
You will not be able to use your notes or book to write your 1 minute papers. In the assignment you will describe the main points of that day’s lecture along with questions you may have about the current topic. 1 minute papers will not be accepted at any other time than during class. If you miss class a grade of zero will be recorded.
Question sets
These question sets may be assigned outside of class or performed during class and will address topics that were discussed that day in class. Question sets will not be accepted at any other time than during class. If you miss class a grade of zero will be recorded.
GROUP SOLVING
Group Solving will allow you to engage in problem-solving and experimental design. The group solving will be graded. You will be given a biochemistry problem/scenario. You will have to identify the problem and provide a written and/or oral answer. A more detailed description of the grading criteria for group solving will be given to you before this activity occurs.
QUIZZES
There will be 7 quizzes throughout the semester, of which 5 will be counted. Your 2 lowest quiz scores will be dropped. Each quiz will be worth 10 points, for a total of 50 points. Quizzes will be closed book, closed notes. The quizzes cannot be taken at any time other than when they are given in class. If you must miss class on the day of a quiz, you must notify me beforehand in order for your grade of zero for that quiz to count as one of your dropped quizzes. NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN – NO EXCEPTIONS! Quizzes will have 3-4 questions that will be multiple choice or short answer.
EXAMS
There are three hourly exams scheduled for the semester. Exams are closed book, closed notes. The format of the hour exams may include multiple choice, problem solving, matching, true/false and short essay. The dates for the hour exams are tentatively scheduled on the calendar. The hour exams are each worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points.
An official document (physician’s certificate, etc.) is necessary in cases where it is physically impossible for you to attend an exam. You must notify me beforehand to take an exam at any other time than when scheduled. The alternate exam will be different, more difficult, and may be given in a written or oral format. Regardless of circumstances, only one exam may be made up. You must take a makeup within three days of the time originally scheduled.
There will be a one week limit, from the day the exams are returned, for regrading. Your concerns must be submitted in writing and in addition, the entire exam will be regraded, not just the answer in question.
The final exam is comprehensive and mandatory. It is currently scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, at 10:00 a.m.
ELECTRONIC ITEMS IN CLASS
You are expected to turn off all items that emit sounds and noises that may interrupt class (cell phone, pager, watch alarm, iPod, etc.).
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Please reference the academic honesty procedures on Creighton's website.
The academic misconduct code includes “representing the work of others to be one’s own (cheating on an exam, plagiarizing papers, etc.), tampering with the experiments of others, defacing or tampering with library or student materials or facilitating dishonesty on an exam.” Misconduct also includes using unauthorized materials in academic exercises, falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation, and all other actions that may improperly affect the evaluation of a student’s academic performance. This includes situations in which you notice or are aware of cheating by someone else and do not report it immediately. A zero will be recorded for the exam/quiz/group solving/activity. Please do not abuse the trust I have in you.
WEATHER & CLASS CANCELLATION
If the University is closed due to severe weather we will not have class. If class has to be canceled for any other reason I will contact you using your official Creighton email account (blueline). If a canceled class falls on a day that an assignment is due/a literature discussion is planned/an exam is scheduled I will contact you by email to let you know how the class schedule will be altered.
GRADING
Hourly exams: (3 @ 100 points each)300 points
Quizzes: (5 @ 10 points each)50 points
Group solving (2 @ 25 points each)50 points
Classroom activities (10 @ 5 points each)50 points
Final exam: (cumulative)120 points
TOTAL570 points
GRADING SCALE
92.0%-100%A
87.0%-91.9%B+
80.0%-86.9%B
75.0%-79.9%C+
68%-74.9%C
59%-67.9%D
<59%F
Tentative CHM 371 lecture schedule – Spring, 2010
Every effort will be made to maintain the course schedule, however there is no guarantee that all material will be discussed or that all dates are certain. If a topic proves more difficult than I expected, we may spend more time on it than I allotted to it. If that happens, the content of the exams will be adjusted accordingly.
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