BIO380: Biochemistry.Fall 2021

FALL 2021
UNION COLLEGE, SCHENECTADY, NY

Location and Meeting Time: Wold 128 MWF 11:45AM-12:50 PM
Laboratory: WOLD 201,  WEDNESDAY 1:50-4:40 PM or THURSDAY  1:55-4:50 PM

SYLLABUS OF STUDY

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of this course are to understand some of the fundamental concepts involved in the underlying biochemistry of a cell, and to learn how to think critically.  Emphasis will be placed on describing the functions and structure of lipids, nucleotides, and carbohydrates.  These include the role of lipids in cell membranes, the non-nucleic acid functions of nucleotides, and the role of glycosylation in protein function.  We will try and understand how structure is integrated with function, and the means by which the cell carries out these important processes.

1. TEXTBOOK (required)
   • Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Seventh Edition by David Nelson and Michael Cox (2017), published by WH Freeman or
   • Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Eighth Edition by David Nelson and Michael Cox (2021), published by WH Freeman
     • This textbook is required, as there will be assigned readings (please see lecture schedule) that will either complement or expand upon the material presented during lectures.  However, the lecture period remains the most important and efficient way of learning the material in the course.
   • The Double Helix by James Watson (1968 and 1996), published by Touchstone (Simon and Schuster) (ISBN for paperback version: 074321630X).
2. LECTURE PRESENTATIONS
   Presentations will make use of traditional teaching tools as well as assorted electronic resources.  I will rely heavily on Nexus to transmit files including supplemental readings and slides presented in class.  If you have any problems please let me know so I can find another way to get you the required files.
3. LABORATORY
   Students enrolled in the course will be required to attend lab as scheduled each week.  Labs will be held in the Wold Center Room 201 WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.  If you cannot make your scheduled lab period a particular week, you must coordinate with me to make it up at another time.  Failure to do so will result in a failing grade for the lab section of the course.
4. OTHER INFORMATION
   • Attendance
     • Attendance in lecture is expected, but not mandatory and failure to attend will not help you get classroom participation points.
     • It is strongly suggested that you attend all lectures; many exam questions will come from lecture material (hand-outs, discussions, etc.).  Topics discussed during class may also prove to be useful when writing your lab reports.
     • Laboratory attendance is mandatory; missing lab may result in failure in the course. You must watch the laboratory safety video and take the quiz before you can take the lab.  You can gain access to the video and quiz on the Nexus site.
   • Students Requiring Academic Accommodations
     • Union College facilitates the implementation of reasonable accommodations, including resources and services, for students with disabilities, chronic medical conditions and temporary disabilities resulting in difficulties accessing learning opportunities. All students needing services must first register with Accommodative Services located in Reamer 303. It is strongly recommended that accommodations be requested within first two weeks of the term. Last minute requests can be denied.
     • At the beginning of the term, please discuss with me the accommodations needed to facilitate your learning and test taking. Discussions will remain confidential. Appropriate documentation from the Dean of Students office and/or the Disability Services Office is required.
   • Academic Honesty
     • Union College recognizes the need to create an environment of mutual trust as part of its educational mission. Responsible participation in an academic community requires respect for and acknowledgement of the thoughts and work of others, whether expressed in the present or in some distant time and place.
     • Matriculation at the College is taken to signify implicit agreement with the Academic Honor Code, available at honorcode.union.edu. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that submitted work is his or her own and does not involve any form of academic misconduct. Students are expected to ask their course instructors for clarification regarding, but not limited to, collaboration, citations, and plagiarism. Ignorance is not an excuse for breaching academic integrity.
     • Students are also required to affix an Honor Code Affirmation on each item of coursework submitted for grading (either):
       • “As a student at Union College, I am part of a community that values intellectual effort, curiosity and discovery. I understand that in order to truly claim my educational and academic achievements, I am obligated to act with academic integrity. Therefore, I affirm that I will carry out my academic endeavors with full academic honesty, and I rely on my fellow students to do the same.” (Signed, afterwards), or:
       • “I affirm that I have carried out my academic endeavors with full academic honesty.” (Signed, afterwards).
     • Suspected breaches of the Honor Code (plagiarism, use of notes during exams, solicitation of help from other students during exams, providing assistance to other students during exams, theft or destruction of laboratory materials or other offenses not listed) will result in a minimum penalty of “0” for the assignment, and will automatically be reported to the Student Chair of the Honor Council and/ or the Dean of Studies.
5. GRADES
   1. Lecture-based term-tests/final exam, a final paper and in-class participation will account for 72% of your final grade as follows:
      

      Exam 1	12.5
      Exam 2	12.5
      Exam 3	12.5
      Exam 4 (during final period)	12.5
      BiochemTract (what’s that?)	15
      Other Assignments	4
      Instructor evaluation/class participation	3

   2. Lab-based grades will account for 28% of your final grade as follows:
      

      Lab report	12
      Mini lab reports (2)	12
      Other lab assignments	4

IMPORTANT DATES- updated 7/29/2021

TENTATIVE  BIOLOGY 380 LECTURE OUTLINE  (We may cover a greater or fewer number of topics, depending upon the time available)