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| Spring 2002 | Syllabus | Office: SA470b |
| Office Hours: MW: 2; other times by appointment |
Phone: x 5719 Home: 822-1116 |
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| e-mail: rap1@axe |
Laboratory: See Biochemistry on my Web Page (http://www.humboldt.edu/~rap1)
Texts: Voet, Voet & Pratt. Fundamentals of Biochemistry
(1999).
Paselk. Biochemistry Pathway Diagrams. HUB
General: For those who need a review of organic chemistry, I have in my office: Rodwell, Organic Chemistry (A brief review). This is a good, very brief, review of most of what you should know about organic chemistry reactions prior to taking biochemistry.
Voet, Voet & Pratt is the "short" edition of Voet & Voet's major text. I had intended to use the long text, but they fell way behind in their publication schedule (now not due out till Spring), so I decided to try the "easy" book this time - I think you'll still find there is plenty of material to keep you busy! My attitude towards texts is that they are references to repeat, expand, clarify (or confuse!), and otherwise aid you in your endeavor to understand biochemistry. I do not "require" that you buy a text - you're an adult, you should know what you require to "get through" a course. It's your decision. However, I strongly recommend purchasing a book. Voet, Voet & Pratt will be the central text for most of this course. Voet, Voet & Pratt and I may sometimes disagree. In such cases of disagreement between a text and myself, I am the "ultimate authority" and you must "do it my way." This doesn't mean that I am right, but rather that we need a common, defined set of knowledge for effective communication.
This will be the first semester in which I will post a complete set of my lecture notes in the second semester of biochemistry. The notes will no doubt have errors, typos, etc.
Discussion: Each Friday will be a discussion period, actually a classical round-table seminar. The way it will work is like this: each week I will give a reading assignment which will generally include an article from the research literature and/or a case study. You are expected to read this article and to understand it sufficiently well to LEAD a discussion on it. I will randomly choose someone each time to start the discussion-so be prepared! Your participation will be graded. However, don't panic, what I will be monitoring mostly is the fact of your participation, not the brilliance or insightfulness of your comments. So be brave. In addition the material from the discussions will be fair game for the exams-here of course brilliance and insight will come into its own (I hope).
A Word About Exams: Note the in-class exams dates and be certain you can make them:
Exam I (Weeks 1-4): Friday, March 1
Exam II (Weeks 5-11): Friday, April 19
Take-home Exams (loosely asociatied with the midterms in timing)
Final Exam (Comprehensive): Monday, 5/13: 1240-1430
I have traditionally tried to emphasize thinking and problem solving in this course and intend to continue. Thus there will be exam questions with answers you haven't seen and there will be synthesis questions. You can pass the course without "getting" these questions, but you won't get an "A."
I do not generally give make-up exams, but can often make an accommodation if notified in advance. So if you think you can't make an exam, please call me in advance. If you can't reach me, leave a message with the Chemistry Department secretary or on my voice mail.
You will be given about a week to do take-home exams. Be aware that take-home problems sometimes require a great deal of time and thought. Some questions may require meditation or a period of "slow fermentation in back of your mind." It is best to start work on them immediately so you can figure out how to budget your time.
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Incompletes: Incompletes are generally reserved for students who are unable to complete the class for serious and compelling reasons which occur after the last drop period.
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Last modified 10 January 2002
