Molecular Biochemistry (CHEM 3310) Spring, 2013

Instructor:        Dr. PW Paré                                                      Class Location:  Chemistry 049               

Office:             Chemistry 413-B                                               Lecture Times:    Tues and Thurs 12:30-1:50 PM

Phone:             (806) 742-3062                                                 E-mail:                Paul.Pare@TTU.edu 

Office Hours:   Tues and Thurs 2:00–3:00 PM or by appointment

Required Texts: Biochemistry: A Short Course 2^nd ed. by Tymoczko, Berg & Stryer, Freeman Press, 2013 and Foundations of Biochemistry 3^rd Ed. by Loertscher and Minderhout, Pacific Crest, 2011

Course Outline: This one-semester fundamental biochemistry course.  The first 11 weeks of the course will cover the structure and function of biomolecules (textbook Chapters 1-12) and the final 4 weeks will cover metabolism (textbook Chapters 15-21). Pre-requisites for the course are two successfully-completed semesters of organic chemistry and one-semester general biology. The first day of class is Thur. Jan. 17^th; the drop deadline is Wed. March 27^th; and the last day of class will be Tues. May 7^th.

Learning Outcomes: The fully successful student will know the structure and function of biological molecules including water, amino acids, lipids, and nucleic acids; the role of several model proteins including myosin, actin, keratin, collagen, myoglobin, hemoglobin and chymotrypsin. The student will understand the role of phospholipids as structural elements in biological membranes and properties of proteins associated with membranes; know the chemical principles involved in the assembly, from simpler precursors, of biological macromolecules (e.g., oligo- and polysaccharides, DNA and proteins); understand the chemical principles involved in sequencing DNA and proteins; the structure function and transport-across biological membranes; and the biochemical reactions of several aspects of primary metabolism including glycolysis, citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The student will also understand the mathematical principles used to analyze enzyme kinetics and be able to use enzyme kinetics to examine catalytic efficiency, enzyme-substrate affinity and the mechanism of enzyme inhibition.

Methods for Accessing Learning Outcomes: Graded homeworks which will be assigned from the Foundations of Biochemistry text. Assignments will be due at the start of class for the day specified.   Exams will also cover class material included in and supplementary to the textbook readings. A portion of each exam will be based on assigned homework questions from the textbook as well as the workbook. There will be three in-class exams on Thur. Feb 7^th, Thur. March 7^th and Tues. Apr 9^th.  After finishing each in-class exam individually, students will have the opportunity to work in pre-assigned teams to re-take the exam as a group.  Scores will be based on a weighted average of the individual and team score.  A cumulative final will be given on Tues. May 14^th (1:30 – 4:00 PM). Please mark your calendar in advance as make-up exams will not be provided.

Criteria for Grade Determination: Each in-class exam counts 20%, workbook assignments 20%, and the comprehensive final 20% towards the class grade with scoring based on a standard ten point spread for each letter grade. The grading scale may be adjusted at the instructor’s discretion based on grade distributions.  Any student, who misses an exam with a valid, verifiable excuse, will have their grade based on the other 3 exams.

Academic Honesty: It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension.

Special Conditions: Any student because of a disability requires special arrangements to meet course requirements should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services to Dr. Paré to request necessary accommodations. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should notify the instructor before the second class meeting; the student who requires missing a test in observance of the holy day will be given an alternative date to sit the exam.