Humboldt State University ® Department of Chemistry

Chem 438
Introductory Biochemistry

MWF 1300-1350 SA 564

Discussion: Section 11, F 1200–1250, SA 460; Section 12, F 1400–1450, SA 460

Syllabus - Spring 2012

Instructor - Richard A. Paselk

Catalog Description

CHEM 438. Introductory Biochemistry (4). Brief course. [Prereq: CHEM 322 (may be concurrent - RAP, Sp 2012) or 328 with C- or higher. Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 1 hr disc.]

Lecture Schedule

See Biochemistry on my Web Page (http://www.humboldt.edu/~rap1)

Texts and Learning Aids

• McKee, Trudy and James R. McKee. Biochemistry, the Molecular Basis of Life. 5th ed. Oxford University Press, NY & Oxford (2012).
• Sapling Learning Online Homework System
• Paselk. Biochemistry Pathway Diagrams. Download from Moodle - Course Documents, Biochemical Diagrams

General

For those who need a review of organic chemistry, I have posted a brief review on Moodle (see Course Documents, Quick OChem ...). This is a good, very brief, review of most of what you should know about organic chemistry reactions prior to taking biochemistry.

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. McKee will be the central text for most of this course. The text and I may sometimes disagree. If you discover such a disagreement let's discuss it - I may decide to go along with McKee agree to disagree and accept both points of view, or try to convince you as to why I'm correct (perhaps newer literature has moved the field, etc.).

I have traditionally tried to emphasize thinking and problem solving in this course and intend to continue. Thus there may 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."

Notes

I have been posting my notes online for some time. They are not perfect. Old errors may still exist, and new errors are introduced as new material is added and old material is updated. My students are my only editors-I rely on you to help me find mistakes! If you use the notes and think you've found an error please tell me via e-mail. My lecture notes from Spring 2011 are also available to you in my Course Archive with this caveat - I am using a new text and there will be differences in what is covered, when it is covered, and of fact. However if you wish to use them, along with the schedule, to "preview" what is likely to be covered next, please feel free.

Discussion

Other than exam weeks there will be a discussions each week. Attendance is mandatory for these discussions! The Discussion is graded on participation and evidence you have done the reading, not brilliance or cleverness (you won't lose points for foolish or ignorant responses). Brilliance and understanding will be tested on exams.

There will be a specific reading or/and computer assignment for each discussion (Case-study, journal article, etc.) which you are expected to read. I intend to provide these readings by the previous Friday on the Discussion schedule on the web, however, I am somewhat forgetful, so if you haven't found it by the weekend before the discussion, e-mail me please!

You will be given about a week to work on discussion problems. Be aware that discussion 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.

Discussion Summaries

• For each Discussion topic one group member is responsible to write up a summary of the group's work and deposit it before 2355 on the Monday due date in the DropBox on Moodle.
• The write up responsibility rotates through the group's members alphabetically, beginning with the first student listed on the group membership list on Moodle, unless the group decides on a different order and submits the order in writing to the dropbox.
• Discussion topics and Forums will be on the class Moodle site.
  • Students should read the HSU "Guidelines for Student Participation in Online Discussion Forums" (http://users.humboldt.edu/joan/instructions/discussions/)

Online Homework (Sapling Learning)

• Student instructions for Sapling are available on my Moodle site.
• Sapling homework will be due each week on Sunday before 2355.
  • The Due Date for Chapter 1 will be delayed to January 29 to accomodate students who did not recieve the text and Sapling tdue to backorders.
• One-sixth of the points for this course will be given for doing the homework assigned in Sapling. It is my intention that any student who puts in the time to do the homework will get 100% of these points, and gain a better understanding/knowledge of the material.

Exams & Grading

Note the in-class exams dates and be certain you can make them:

Exam I (Weeks 1-6) -Friday, March 2, 1300-1350

Exam II (Weeks 7-12) -Friday, April 6, 1300-1350

Final Exam (Comprehensive): Monday, May 7, 1240-1430

I do not generally give make-up exams, but can sometimes 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 directly, leave a message on my voice mail or email. DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING UNTIL YOU HAVE RECIEVED A RESPONSE FROM ME! Grading:

Samples of Exam 1 and Exam 2 with keys from last spring are available on the class Moodle site, however, I plan to utilize the text/Sapling test bank at least in part to generate the exams.

Grading Rubric

Withdrawal/Drop Policy (from HSU Academic Senate)

You may drop this course for any reason without record up through the fourth week. After the 4th weekand until the 13th week withdrawal requires a "serious and compelling reason (see below) and will be recorded as a "W." After the 13th week only catastrophic withdrawals (see below) will be given - a grade of "WC" will be recorded.

• "Serious and compelling" reason for withdrawal: Examples include psychological problems, loss of care for dependents, inappropriate behavior of someone else in the classroom, and serious reversal in the student's financial situation. Documentation must be provided. (Note: reasons such as doing poorly in a class, taking too many units, being too busy to do the work, not liking the class, not knowing how or when to drop are not considered to be “serious and compelling.”) In considering serious and compelling reasons, faculty and department chairs should give careful consideration to a student’s extenuating circumstances while also following this rigorous definition of “serious and compelling.”
• Catastrophic Withdrawal (WC): Disenrollment from a course or from the campus after the census date due to catastrophic events clearly beyond a student's control, such as severe illness or injury, being called to military service, consequences of the death of a close family member. Formal documentation of the event must be provided, and requests must be approved by the faculty member teaching the course, the department chair, and the appropriate college Dean or designee. If granted, a grade of "WC" appears on the student's transcript. Catastrophic Withdrawals do not count toward the 18-unit limit for withdrawals. This is the only category of disenrollment permitted during the last 20% of instruction (the beginning of the 13th week of classes in the regular semester).

When contemplating a Withdrawal, you should also be aware of the new CSU policies (Executive Order 1037; August 1, 2009) that place significant new restrictions on course repeats and withdrawals for undergraduate students. As a summary:

1. Students may withdraw from no more than 18 semester-units (between census and the final 20% of instruction, with a serious and compelling reason).
   
2. Students may repeat courses only if they earned grades lower than a C.
   
3. Students may repeat up to 16 semester-units with grade forgiveness.
   
4. Students may repeat up to an additional 12 semester-units with grades averaged.

Incompletes (from CSU Executive Order 1037)

"The “I” symbol shall be used only when the faculty member concludes that a clearly identifiable portion of course requirements cannot be met within the academic term for unforeseen reasons. An Incomplete shall not be assigned when it is necessary for the student to attend a major portion of the class when it is next offered."

"A student may not re-enroll in a course for which he or she has received an “I” until that “I” has been converted to a grade other than “I”; e.g., A-F, IC."

Campus Resources for Students

Students with Disabilities

Student Support organizations

• The Indian Natural Resource, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP) is a student support program designed for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students pursuing degrees in the natural resource and science disciplines under the College of Natural Resources and Sciences (CNRS) at Humboldt State University (HSU). <http://www.humboldt.edu/inrsep/>

HSU Add/Drop Policy

Emergency Evacuation

Academic Honesty

Attendance and Disruptive Behavior

Lecture Notes

C438 Home

Schedule

Last modified 22 January 2012