Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR Introductory Biochemistry

 

Term:  Spring, 2002 (Jan. 11 – April 20)                                                   

Course Number: Chem. 226—Introductory Biochemistry, Directed Study for Shayla Dowell

Instructor:   Dr. Stephen Vogel

Office:  (N/A)

Office Phone:  (312) 355-0252

E-mail:  vogel@uic.edu

Home Phone: (219) 763-6884

Office Hours:  (N/A)

 

Instructor Background: B.S., Cornell University (1972); Ph.D. in Physiology, University of Virginia (1980); current position is Assistant Prof. of Pharmacology at University of Illinois College of Medicine (Chicago).

 

Course Time: 9:00 pm, Friday evenings

Course Description:  This course surveys the principles of organic and biochemistry, and its relationship to living cells, and to medicine and nutrition. Bio-ethical issues and application concepts to daily activities and dilemmas are addressed and discussed between student and Instructor. Through these activities, it is the goal of this course that the student leave with a basic understanding of how organic and biochemistry impacts human biology and health. We are often called upon to be responsible for making decisions related to our own bodies’ health and the health of the environment that we live in. It is our responsibility to take responsibility for our health, education and careers.

 

 

Prerequisites:  (None)

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

 

·          design a test of a scientific hypothesis

·          critically evaluate scientific data

·          thoroughly understand and use the scientific method

·          learn basic concepts in organic and biochemistry and their relationship to human health

·          to develop and execute a laboratory strategy for organic synthesis

·          to debate important bioethical issues on an informed basis

 

Textbooks: Joesten & Wood, World of Chemistry Essentials, 2nd Edition (Saunders College Publishing); Denniston, Topping, Caret, General, Organic, and Biochemistry, 3rd Edition, (McGraw-Hill).

 

Learning Strategies: (Group Discussions, Team Projects, Collaborative Learning, Lecturing…etc.)

The learning strategy is (1) in-class discussions; (2) oral presentation; (3) a term-essay.  Text material must be mastered prior to lectures.

 

Assessment:  Assessment is based on evaluation of 4 oral presentations and the term essay.  The topic chosen for term-essay must be approved by the instructor.

 

Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes)                                                     _______% of grade

Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments       _______% of grade

Class presentation and assessment instruments                         _______% of grade

 

 

Class Policy for Assignments:  Term essay can be handed in at any time up to and including the last day of class.

 

 

 

Grading Scale:

 

A: 92-100                A-: 90-91               B+:  88-89     B: 82-87         B-:  80-81    C+: 78-79

C: 72-77                 C-: 70-71              D+:  68-69     D: 62-67         D-:  60-61    F:  59 & below

 

Class Policy on Attendance: Three unexcused absences will result in a student being dropped from this course.  Excused absences are strictly emergency situations of which I should be informed in advance (if possible) and will require a signed and verifiable excuse from physician, employer, etc., as the case may be.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: (Optional)(Cell phones, Beeper, Pagers…etc.)

 

Observe common courtesy to avoid disruption of the class.

 

Course Outline:

1.       Classes on introductory biochemical concepts will include: nature and composition of  carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, protein structure and their functions in biological cells; nucleic acids and genetic material; transcription and translation of DNA

2.       The section on intermediary metabolism will cover:  definition of terms; glycolysis and Krebs’ cycle

3.       The section on biochemistry and nutrition will explore:  digestion of food; use and storage of energy from food; sugars and polysaccharides; lipids; proteins and amino acids; vitamins and food additives.

4.       Some of the medical applications of organic chemicals will be considered, including prescription drugs, antibiotics, drugs used in the treatment of AIDS, steroids, and certain anticancer drugs.

 

 

Class Dates:       Fridays evenings through April 20, 2002.      

                                                                               

Topics/Assignments:  Term essay: assignment to be detailed in class.

 

 

 

Class Participation:  My courses depend heavily on class participation, as I employ the Socratic teaching method deigned to engage students in thought-provoking discussions of the material.  The important elements of class participation are to complete assigned readings and to participate (i.e.,  by speaking and listening) in class discussions.

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).