Course Syllabus

Office Hours

Mon-Wed-Fri,1:00 – 2:00PM

What does it mean? I will pretty much guarantee that I will be in my office during this time (unless I state otherwise in class) and you can stop by with no appointment. Some other times, please email to make an appointment with me. I will respond to e-mail within 24 hours, except on weekends or between 9pm-9am.

Office Location

Thomas Cole, RCST 4029B

Office Telephone

404-880-8438

Email

bcinar@cau.edu (this is the best way to contact with me)

Course

Number/Sect

Course Title

Credit

Hours

Semester

Time/Location

Level

(U/G)

CBIO 390

01

Introductory Biochemistry

3

Fall 2016

Mon-Wed-Fri: 1000 -1050

CMW 215

   U

Course Description

This is an introductory biochemistry course, emphasizing broad understanding of chemical and biological events happening in living systems. The course covers the biochemistry topics including the structure and functional relationship of biological molecules, including proteins, enzymes, carbo-hydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. In addition, this course provides an introduction to metabolic pathways and bioenergetics, including glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation, etc.

Prerequisite

CBIO 111, CBIO 112, CCHE 111, CCHE 112, CCHE 231 and CCHE 232

Learning Objectives: By the end of this course,

·         Students will learn to think critically about biochemistry and understand the basic principal and composition of micro-molecules.

·         Students will define and recognize major concepts and principles in biochemistry and think analytically about biological processes.

·         Students will understand metabolic pathways and bioenergetics including glycolysis and TCA cycle.

·         Student will demonstrate knowledge of simple changes in molecules and pathways can alter biochemical processes and cellular functions.

·         Students will communicate scientific knowledge effectively orally and in writing biochemical concepts, problems, and solutions.

·         Students will demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively.

·         Students will be become familiar with online learning resources such as the eBook, Canvas, etc.

·         Students will be confident in searching, retrieving, evaluating and analyzing data or information.

Learning outcome will be measure through clicker questions, quizzes, exams and assignments. The goal is everybody is successful through learning.

Class Format:

Active and cooperative learning are strongly encouraged. This means that each of you is responsible for your own learning method. I strongly encourage you to actively participate in class discussions and work in groups outside of classroom. During my lectures, I will try to facilitate ‘Q & A’ sessions to promote. In addition, I strongly suggest you to read chapters and to learn the text book assignments before each class.

RESPECT EVERYONE”S RIGHT TO LEARN. Meaning that students must turn off their cell phones, computers, and all other electronic devises before entering class and they must be remain off while class in session unless otherwise instructed by your Instructor. Disruptive individuals will not be tolerated and will be asked to leave the class. In addition, a late entrance to class will not be tolerated.

Teaching/Learning Tools: (lectures, videos, outside speakers, etc.):

I will provide several teaching and learning tools that help you learn and understand course content.

1. Textbook

·         Contains material that will be covered in the lecture plus a small amount of additional material.

·         Has your graded quizzes (more on this below).

·         Practice quizzes.

2. PowerPoints and Clicker Questions

·         I will be lecturing this class in the form of PowerPoint presentation. Also, I will provide my presentation in way that you can take notes. I will also utilize student response system (clickers).

3. Practice Exams.

·         I will provide problem solving, multiple choices, and matching questions. My suggestion on these is to wait until you are done studying and then take the practice exam without looking at your notes.

In addition, I will also use Canvas (https://mycanvas.cau.edu/), if necessary, to communicate with students outside of class. The student is expected to communicate using complete sentences and profanity and disrespect is strictly prohibited. You style of communication by any means will also evaluated academic success.

Note that I will communicate with you using email that is assigned to students in Banner Web. Thus, I strongly suggest you to use your CAU assigned student email.

Attendance:

Attendance to every class is strongly encouraged and will be a determining factor for your success in this class. If you miss a class, you will be held responsible for all material covered. Attendance to exams is absolutely mandatory.

Unexcused Absences: I am required to maintain attendance records and report any student who exceeds 3 unexcused absences.

Excused Absences: Obvious exceptions such as a death in the family, hospitalization and extreme illnesses will be accepted and dealt with appropriately. I must receive a note from the Dean of Students documenting any emergency to schedule a make-up exam. Make-up exams are usually more difficult than the original exam administered. For more details on what qualifies as an excuse, see your Student Handbook.

·         Please turn of all beepers and cell phones before entering class.

·         Please take off all caps, including wave caps, before entering class.

Grading and other Policies:

You will earn your grade in the course based on the degree to which you have mastered the course material, concepts, critical thinking, application, writing and problem solving skills. Please think critically, but not the memorize-Memorization alone will only get you a ‘C’ at best.

Here is how your grade will be determined. You are guaranteed at least those grades if you have those percentages.         

Grade              Percentage

A                      90-100%

B                      80-89%

C                      70-79%

D                      60-69%

F                      below 60%

Grade Breakdown:         

Assignment Points Counted                             Points/Credits

3 Exams (100 points each)                                  300

10 Quizzes (10 points each)                                 100

Attendance (recorded on attendance sheet)           50

Assigned project                                                  50

Final exam                                                          100

Total                                                                   600

Grade Calculation:   YOUR %SCORE = Total points earned x 100

                                                                            600

A MINIMUM of 50% attendance is required for student IN ORDER TO PASS THE CLASS. Student must attend 80% of class in order to claim attendance points/credits.

Note that I strongly recommend that you keep all your grades, worksheets, exams and quizzes until you receive your final course grades from the college.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit may be given at the discretion of the Instructor but is usually no more than 30 points.

Extra Credit 1: 10 points for doing Learning Curve Questions for each chapter prior to class

Extra Credit 2: 10 points for Clicker questions if you participate in 80% of Clicker questions

Extra Credit 3: 10 points; to be determined

End of the Semester:   

At the end of the semester, there will be a handful of people that need “just a few points” to get the grade they desire. The extra credit assignments listed above will be designated as THE mechanism to get these points. I WILL NOT NEGOTIATE GRADES AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER. It is my expectation that you will accept the grade assigned to you and take responsibility for YOUR work throughout the semester. Grade negotiation always leads to someone receiving special treatment and is a policy that I cannot abide as I desire to maintain an atmosphere of academic honesty and integrity. If you are concerned about your grade please come and talk to me DURING the semester when something can be done about it.

Learning Resources/Required Readings:

Textbook:

Biochemistry: A Short Course, 3rd Edition, by John L. Tymoczko, Jeremy M. Berg, Lubert Stryer; Published by W. H. Freeman and Company (www.whfreeman.com), published in 2015

Available through University Bookstore.

Also, I reserved the instructor copy of the book in Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library. You can find it in the following link: http://auctr.worldcat.org/coursereserves/course/fetch/2930387

LaunchPad:

Access: http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/tymoczko3e/3419762

My online course is open for student registration. Follow these steps to get started. If you need additional guidance, consult the student Quick Start guide, especially the system requirements which list recommended browsers. To sign up for it,

1. Go to http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/tymoczko3e/3419762
2. Bookmark the page to make it easy to return to.
3. Enroll in our course using one of the following options:

·         If you have an access code, select “I have a student access code,” enter the code exactly as it appears on the card, and click Submit.

·         If you don’t have an access code, either purchase a text package that includes one OR click “I want to purchase access” and follow the instructions.

·         If you need to start working but can’t purchase right away, select “I want temporary access” and follow the instructions.

If you have problems registering, purchasing, or logging in, please contact Customer Support. You can reach a representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• through the online form
• by chat

Or tech support representatives are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 am EST; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 3:00 am EST: by phone at (800) 936-6899

Temporary access may be available for student for certain time, which gives time to purchase Launchpad Access from the bookstore or our e-commerce site. Please check with the Launchpad provider.

Supplemental Readings/Additional Bibliography:

I will provide additional reading materials for each chapter prior to class if it is necessary.

Tips on studying:

1.     Read the assigned text prior to class meetings. The textbook does a nice job of explaining basic concepts.

2.     I strongly recommend visiting the eBook and other resources in Launchpad and working through the work problems, particularly the “Learning Curve” resource to prepare you for each chapter.

3.     If you are having trouble with a concept, there are probably other classmates that are having trouble, too. If you don’t ask questions, I assume that everything makes sense to you.

DATE

DAY

TOPIC

TEXT

QUIZ (Due date)

8/17

W

Introduction

Syllabus

8/19

F

Lecture 1: Biochemistry and the Unity of Life

Chapter 1

8/22

M

Lecture 2: Water, Weak Bonds, and the Generation of Order Out of Chaos

Chapter 2

8/24

W

Lecture 3: Amino acids

Chapter 3

Q1

8/26

F

Lecture 4: Protein Three-Dimensional Structure

Chapter 4

8/29

M

Lecture 5: Techniques in Protein Biochemistry

Chapter 5

8/31

W

Lecture 6: Basic Concepts of Enzyme Action

Chapter 6

Q2

9/2

F

Lecture 7: Enzyme Kinetics and regulation

Chapter 7

9/5

M

No Class: Labor Day Holiday

9/7

W

Lecture 8: Mechanisms and Inhibitors

Chapter 8

9/9

F

Lecture 9: Hemoglobin, an allosteric Proteins

Chapter 9

9/12

M

Lecture 10: Carbohydrates

Chapter 10

Q3

9/14

W

Lecture 11: Carbohydrates

Chapter 10

9/16

F

Lecture 12: Lipids

Chapter 11

9/19

M

Preparation for Exam 1

Q4

9/21

W

Exam 1 (Lecture 1-12)

9/23

F

Lecture 13: Membrane Structure and Functions

Chapter 12

9/26

M

Lecture 14: Signal Transduction Pathways

Chapter 13

9/28

W

Lecture 15: Signal Transduction Pathways

Chapter 13

9/30

F

Lecture 16: Digestions: Turning a Meal into Cellular Biochemicals

Chapter 14

Q5

10/3

M

Lecture 17: Metabolism Basic Concepts and Design

Chapter 15

10/5

W

Lecture 18: Glycolysis

Chapter 16

10/7

F

Lecture 19: Glycolysis

Chapter 16

10/10

M

Lecture 20: Glycolysis

Chapter 16

Q6

10/12

W

Lecture 21: Gluconeogenesis

Chapter 17

10/14

F

Lecture 22: Preparation for the Cycle

Chapter 18

10/17

M

Lecture 23: Harvesting Electrons from the Cycle

Chapter 19

10/19

W

Preparation for Exam 2

Q7

10/21

F

Exam 2 (Lecture 13-23)

10/24

M

Lecture 24: The Electron-Transport Chain

Chapter 20

10/26

W

Lecture 25: The Proton Motive Force

Chapter 21

10/28

F

Lecture 26: Glycogen Degradation

Chapter 24

Q8

10/31

M

Lecture 27: Glycogen Synthesis

Chapter 25

11/2

W

Lecture 28: The Pentose Phosphate Pathway

Chapter 26

11/4

F

Lecture 29: Fatty Acid Degradation

Chapter 27

11/7

M

Lecture 30: Fatty Acid Synthesis

Chapter 28

11/9

W

Lecture 30: Lipid Synthesis: Storage lipids, Phospholipids, and Cholesterol

Chapter 29

Q9

11/11

F

Lecture 31: Structure of DNA and RNA molecules

Chapter 33

11/14

M

Lecture 32: DNA Replication

Chapter 34

11/16

W

Lecture 33: DNA Repair and Recombination

Chapter 35

11/18

F

Lecture 34: RNA regulation

Chapter 36

Q10

11/21

M

Preparation for Exam 3

11/23

W

Exam 3 (Lecture 24-36)

11/24-11/25

Thanksgiving Holiday

11/28

M

Final Exam review

11/30

W

Final Exam review

12/1-12/2

Reading Period

12/5-12/9

Final Examination