BIOCHEMISTRY 4449

Spring 2008

 

I.          COURSE INFORMATION

 

A.        Course Name

CHE 4449 – Biochemistry II

Lecture time: MWF   11:00 – 11:50 a.m.

Lab time:        T          01:00 - 05:00 p.m.   

 

B.        Major Text

Berg, J. M., et. al., Biochemistry, 6th ed., 2007

 

C.        Instructor

Dr. Pam Bryant

                        Office:                        W-104

                        Phone:           646-2502 ext 5408 (office)

                                                325 752 1445 (res)

                                                432 413 4303 (cell)

Office Hrs:     MTh 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.;

 E-mail:          pbryant@hputx.edu

           D.  Course Prerequisite

CHE 2341 Organic Chemistry II

 

  II.  GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 

            This course is intended for the student who is in a pre-professional curriculum or is majoring in chemistry or biology.  It is designed to acquaint the student with the major classes of compounds which are important biochemically.  After a careful consideration of their structure, physical properties, and chemical properties,        their role in living systems will be studied.  The course will emphasize human biochemistry.  Thus, the goals of the course are:

 

                        1.         To become intimately familiar with the composition, structure, physical properties, and chemical characteristics of the major classes of biochemical compounds (i. e., carbohydrates lipids, proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids).

 

                        2.         To be able to relate the information and concepts described in the above objective to biochemical processes-metabolism, photosynthesis, biosyntesis, etc.

 

                        3.         To become proficient in simple laboratory techniques used to study biochemical systems.

 


                        4.         To develop the ability to design experiments which will yield answers to critical questions that must be answered in order to understand the sacred quality known as life.

 

III.  ASSESSMENT

          

            This course will be assessed using an end of course standardized exam published by the American Chemical Society at the end of the second semester.

 

 

 IV.  TOPICAL OUTLINE

 

            1.  Carbohydrates and lipids

                          A.   Chapter 11 – Carbohydrates

                          B.   Chapter 12 – Lipids

                          C.   Chapter 13 Membrane Channels and Pumps

                                   

 

2.  Generation and Storage of Metabolic Energy

 A.  Chapter 15 - Metabolism

 B.  Chapter 16 - Glycolysis

 C.  Chapter 17 - Citric Acid Cycle

 D.  Chapter 18 - Oxidative Phosphorylation

 E.  Chapter 21 – Glycogen Metabolism

 F.  Chapter 22 – Fatty Acid Metabolism

 G. Chapter 23 – Biosysthesis of Amino Acids

 

            Exams are to be given with one week’s notice during the first 120 minutes of the laboratory session.  

 

   V.     METHODS AND PROCEDURES:

 

The course will be taught in the main by the lecture technique.  The lecture style will call for heavy class participation and feed back.  The lab will consist of a research project to utilize specific biochemical techniques in attempting to find answers and the typical basic lab techniques in a biochemistry laboratory.

  VI.     EVALUATION TECHNIQUES AND GRADING SYSTEM

 

Four 120 minute exams and a final exam will be given.  Since lab will be an integral part of the course, it will count twenty percent of the grade. 

The Journal article poster presentation.   You will prepare, display and explain via a scientific poster presentation a scientific journal article.  You should be able to display and explain a primary journal article from the current literature (within the past 12 months).  Articles chosen should address an issue of biochemical importance relevant to the focus of the class this semester. Paper choices must be cleared by me no later than January 31 (remember, if I don’t approve your choice you will have to find another, so don’t put this off until the last moment), and copies of the paper

provided to me. A typed synopsis of the paper is due February 13, and visual displays are due March 6. Late assignments will be marked down 5% per day. Choose from the following journals:

Science  

Nature

Biochemistry

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Journal of Biological Chemistry

Chemistry and Biology

 

 

            The possible points for the course are shown below:  

                                    4-90 minute exams                                                             30%

                                    final                                                                           25%

                        worksheets, quizzes and attendance                              15%

                                    Journal Article poster presentation                                   10%

                                    Lab                                                                                         20%

                                                       

        The final course grade will be assigned utilizing the following scale:

 

                    Total Points                               Grade

                        90-100%                                A

                        80-89%                                  B

                        70-79%                                  C

                        60-69%                                  D

                        Below 60%                            F