Chemistry 662
Biochemistry I

Syllabus -- Fall Semester 2003

Table of Contents

  1. Instructor
  2. Time and Location
  3. Office Hours
  4. Course Description
  5. Prerequisite
  6. Course Objectives
  7. Textbooks and Materials
  8. Reading Assignments
  9. Teaching Methods
  10. Exams
  11. Grades
  12. Class Evaluation
  13. Appendix I. Suggested Biochemistry Readings
  14. Appendix II: Journals carried by Forsythe Library that carry biochemistry papers
Please send your comments and suggestions to: twiese@fhsu.edu

Instructor:

Dr. Thomas Wiese, Tomanek 351, Phone 628-4505, twiese@fhsu.edu

Time and Location:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 AM to 9:20 AM in Tomanek 339

Office Hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30-10:30 and 1:30-2:20 Tuesday and Thursday. Please drop by any other time you have questions. Call in advance to make sure I am available.

Description:

Chem 662 is a study of the chemical and physical properties of biologically important molecules.

We cannot and will not cover every area of biochemistry.

A list of topics to be taught is included in this syllabus for your reference. Included at the end of the syllabus are a list of reference books and a list of journals where contemporary research on all fields of biochemistry is published. You are encouraged to pursue whatever subject that may interest you from these sources.

Prerequisite:

Prerequisite: Chemistry 342.

Corequisite: Chemistry 662L.

Most of the discussions in the class rely heavily on the fundamentals of pH, basic cell structure and chemical bonding. If you feel deficient in these areas, I suggest you review freshman chemistry or biology materials on these topics.

Course Objectives:

  1. To provide the background for further study in biochemistry, biological sciences and some of the health-related sciences.
  2. To develop an understanding of the composition and structure of complex biological molecules.
  3. To comprehend the relationship between composition, structure and function of biological molecules.
  4. To gain experience in the handling and manipulation of biochemicals and instrumentation that is applicable to biochemistry.

Textbooks and Materials:

Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, Third Edition, is required.  You are also encouraged to browse through the current literature on the course-related subjects. If you find a research article that may have a general appeal to the class, please prepare a short (5-10 minutes) presentation for the class. Extra credit will be given for such initiatives.

Reading Assignments:

As mentioned earlier, it is impossible to cover every area of biochemistry research during the formal lectures. Additional materials may be assigned as class readings to complement the lectures.

Teaching Methods:

Teaching methods include lectures, discussions, assigned readings, class assignments and exams. Lectures are generally based on the class readings. I strongly encourage class discussions to extend and clarify the lectures and readings. Teaching as well as learning is an interactive process.

Self study is an important part of the class. As a rule of thumb, you are expected to spend at least three additional hours for every hour of lectures. Any questions raised during the self study can be discussed in the class or in my office.

Exams:

There will be three exams and a comprehensive final. Questions may come from lectures, assigned readings, and discussions. Questions include definitions, short answer short essay and multiple choice.

Each exam will be graded and discussed the period following the exam. Any questions or unjustified grades can either be discussed during the period or in the office hours. Should you miss one or more exams due to illness or University-related activities, inform the instructor in advance. It is your responsibility to schedule an alternative exam date as soon as possible.

Students are encouraged to share intellectual views and discuss freely the principles and applications of the course materials. However, exams and other graded assignments must be accomplished independently, except as noted by the instructor.

Grades:

Student are evaluated on their performance on:
          Four Midterm Exams                              100 points each
          Quiz Average (best ~10 of ~14 quizzes)     100 points
          Final Exam                                               200 points
          Two Laboratory Exams                              50 points
          Eight Laboratory Reports                      20-60 points each
The same grade is assigned for both lecture and lab. The lecture portion counts for 60% of the final grade and the lab for 40%.  The final grade is assigned based on approximate scale of:
         >90                 A
         >80                 B
         >70                 C
         >60                 D
I reserve the right to adjust the scale if appropriate.  I may adjust the scale downward but I will not adjust it upward.

Class Evaluation:

In addition to completing the formal course rating materials at the end of the semester, I would appreciate any informal suggestions and comments.


Appendix I. Additional Biochemistry Readings:

Lehninger is to most biochemists synonymous with THE biochemistry text.  You should, therefore, not need additional information, but may need some more elementary information at the beginning of the course.  You will probably find Stryer's Biochemistry to be useful and easy to read. 

Appendix II: Journals carried by Forsythe Library that contain biochemistry papers:
Advances in carbohydrate chemistry.
     General Collection - Top Floor QD321 .A2
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
     Periodical Reading Room (main floor) 1994 -  RC584 .A5
     v.3 (1955)-   older volumes located in Basement, in title order
Analytical Biochemistry
     Periodical Reading Room (main floor) 1994 -  QP501 .A64
     v.92 (1979)- older volumes located in Basement, in title order
Annual Review of Biochemistry
     General Collection - Top Floor QP501 .A7
Biochemistry
        v.1 (1962)-v.22 (1983)    Basement QP501 .B525
      v.23 (1984)- Microfilm-Periodicals Reading Area - Main Floor MF 574.05 B615c
Canadian Journal of Plant Science
     Periodical Reading Room (main floor) 1994 -  SB1 .C28 Cell
     v.37 (1957)-  older volumes located in Basement, in title order
Cell
     Periodical Reading Room (main floor) 1994 -  QH573 .C38
     v.84 (1996)-
Endocrinology
     Periodical Reading Room (main floor) 1994 -  QP187 .A25
     v.137 (1996)-
Hospital Practice (has occasional good review articles)
     v.1 (1966)-v.36 (2001) older volumes located in Basement, in title order
     1994 - Periodical Reading Room (main floor) R11 .H62
    Title suspended with September 2001 issue
Journal of Bacteriology
     v.1 (1916)-v.58 (1949) Microfilm:  Periodicals Reading Area Main Floor  MF 589.905 J86
     v.59 (1950)-
     1994 - Periodical Reading Room (main floor) QR1 .J6  MISSING:v.171:no.3
     older volumes located in 2nd Sec, in title order
Journal of Biological Chemistry
     v.259 (1984)- Microfilm:  Periodicals Reading Area Main Floor  MF 612.01505 J86
      v.41 (1920)    Basement QP501 .J7
Journal of cellular physiology
     Periodical Reading Room (main floor) 1994 -  QP1 .W533
      v.77 (1971)-v.158:no.1 (1994)  older volumes located in Basement, in title order
Journal of Chemical Education
     v.2 (1925)-              MISSING:v.13:no.5;v.13:no.8    older volumes located in Basement, in title order
     1994 - Periodical Reading Room QD1 .J93
Journal of lipid research
      v.10 (1969)-v.24 (1983) Basement QP751 .J65
      v.25 (1984)-          Microfilm:  Periodicals Reading Area Main Floor  MF 612.015 J86
Journal of Parisitology
      v.18 (1931/1932)-Basement, in title order
     1994 -Periodical Reading Room  QL757 .J68
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR.
     v.1 (1937)- older volumes located in Basement, in title order
     1994 -    Periodical Reading Room (main floor) QR1 .B25
Nature
     v.185 (1960)-v.366 (1993) Microfilm-Periodicals Reading Area  MF 574.05 N285n
     v.367 (1994)-   Q1 .N2 older volumes located in Basement, in title order
Science

Scientific American