Instructor Dr. David A. Boyles, Room 319
PhD Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry; Minor: Natural Products Chemistry, Purdue University, 1988
Prerequisite Chem 328, Organic Chemistry II
Text Rodney Boyer, Concepts in Biochemistry, Third edition, Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 2004.
Purpose To address major topics of modern biochemistry with emphasis on (1) biomolecules, their structure, function, conformation, and self-assembly into higher order structures and systems, (2) metabolism and bioenergetics, including catabolism and anabolism of fundamental molecules, and (3) expression and transmission of genetic information. Mother nature is the greatest designer of all!
Pace of Course This is a college upper level course building on two semesters of freshman chemistry and two semesters of organic chemistry. Study and pace yourself for a science course at this level. University policy indicates two hours of outside study for each credit hour of class. Some students may, however, need to allot more time than this.
Course Structure
You must stay up with the reading assignments and the problems at the end of each chapter. This course is not a depth course but is a broad, one-semester introduction which covers the variety of topics found in the biochemical literature today.
Outcomes The student who has successfully completed this course will be able to perform the following as presented in the first semester material of this course:
1. Describe the structures and functions of organelles in the cell;
2. Describe the structures and functions of organic molecules found in living systems;
3. Describe the major metabolic pathways and cycles for anabolic and catabolic processes from the standpoint of the molecular level;
4. Understand the energy changes involved in biochemical systems;
5. Use technical terminology to discuss the integration of oxidative pathways related to energy storage and utilization;
6. Describe the events involved in replication, transcription, and translation from the standpoint of the molecular level;
7. Be able to think critically in terms of the material learned within the discipline.
Requirements Attendance is mandatory. Quizzes, homework, and/or examinations are due when assigned. No makeup quizzes or examinations will be given outside of school policy. I abide by University Policy to the letter in the case of school-sponsored absences. Two quizzes and no more will be discarded.
Grading Your grade is determined by points earned on exams, quizzes, and other assignments given during the semester.
Final grades will be calculated according to the following scale:
A 92-100 B- 80-81 D+ 69
A- 90-91 C+ 79 D 60-68
B+ 89 C 72-78 F 0-59
B 82-88 C- 70-71
I curve in favor of students but only after all points are in. No one receiving fewer than 50% of the points in the course will be passed, and I think long and hard about passing anyone with fewer than 60% of the points.
Office Hours These will be posted early in the semester. You do not need an appointment during office hours. Other times only by appointment; use the sign-up sheet by the door. At the current time my schedule looks like this. This is not a distance class. Requests are to be registered in person. I do not return phone calls except in the most extreme of circumstances and prefer not to honor impersonal hiding behind email when face-to-face is far preferable. Below is the class and exam schedule subject to modification. Genetic information is often moved to the end of the semester.
1 Introduction to biochemistry and DNA 1 1-35
2 Biomolecules in water, bonding 2 36-47
3 pH, pK, and buffers 2 48-62
4 Amino acids 3 63-74
5 Peptides, proteins, 1° structure 3 74-94
6 Proteins, 2° and 3° structure 4 95-111
7 Proteins, 4° structure, examples 4 112-130
8 EXAM I
9 Enzymes, intro, kinetics, reactions 5 131-145
10 Enzymes, mechanisms, inhibition 5 145-162
11 Enzymes, coenzymes, regulation 6 163-180
12 RNA and other biocatalysts 6 180-195
13 Carbohydrates, mono-, di- 7 196-212
14 Carbohydrates, poly-, glycoproteins 7 213-230
15 Lipids, structure, function 8 231-245
16 Lipids, steroids, membranes 8,9 245-266
17 Membrane transport 9 266-281
18 EXAM II
19 DNA, RNA, structure/function I 10 282-299
20 DNA, RNA, structure/function II 10 299-314
21 DNA replication and repair 11 315-336
22 Transcription 11 336-351
23 Translation 12 352-370
24 Post-translational processing, regulation 12 370-388
25 Recombinant DNA and biotechnology 13 389-416
26 EXAM III
27 Introduction to metabolism 14 417-434
28 Bioenergetics 14 434-448
29 Carbohydrate metabolism I 15 449-463
30 Carbo. metabolism II, PDHase 15,16 464-494
31 Citric acid cycle, NADH prod. 16 494-512
32 Electron transport 17 513-524
33 Oxidative phosphorylation 17 524-531
34 Photosynthesis 17 531-554
35 EXAM IV
36 Lipid metabolism I 18 555-576
37 Lipid metab. II, cholesterol 18 576-591
38 Nitrogen, amino acid metabolism 19 592-608
39 Amino acid metabolism, urea cycle 19 608-626
40 Integration of metabolism I 20 627-638
41 Integration of metabolism II, obesity 20 639-651
Freedom in Learning: Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance will be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students are free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment concerning what are matters of opinion, and they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinion or conduct which is unrelated to academic standards set forth for the class may contact the dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
Any alleged violations must be substantiated and documented and first discussed with the faculty member by the student as per published university grievance process. Whether malicioius or not, unsubstantiated, arbitrary, capricious, or false accusations by students are against the 9th Commandment: "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). Teach thyself to speak truth and learn that what thou doest say is not always truth.
Students who may require technical assistance in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act must contact the instructor and the campus ADA coordinator, Ms. Jolie McCoy, at 394-1924, at the earliest opportunity. I will discuss these matters only in person.
Electronic Devices Policy. Please turn off your cell phone before class starts. No use of electronic/computer media is allowed during class time in this class.