Fall 2013
USC-Aiken
BIOL 541
Principles of Biochemistry Syllabus
PROFESSOR:
Dr. C. Nathan Hancock
OFFICE:
Room 205, Science Building
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
COURSE CREDIT:
3 Credit Hours
PREREQUISITES:
ACHM 332 and ABIO 121 or consent of instructor
CLASS TIME:
(200 SCI BLDG) M/W 2:30 to 3:45
CONTACT:
803-641-3390 nathanh@usca.edu
TEXT: Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level, 4th Edition
Available as an e-book, loose leaf, or hardback
3rd edition may also be acceptable
Please read this syllabus carefully and refer to it when you have questions about the course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:
A survey of the fundamental principles of biochemistry. The topics covered include: cellular chemistry,
amino acid structure and chemistry, protein structure, carbohydrate chemistry, nucleic acid chemistry,
enzyme kinetics and enzyme inhibition.
Objectives:
Describe the basic role of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins
Understand the relationship between chemical structure and biological function
Explore the chemistry behind reactions occurring in living systems
GRADE COMPONENTS:
Lecture Participation
Two Midterm Exams
Quizzes and assignments
Enzyme Report
Final exam
100 pts
200 pts each
200 pts
100 pts
200 pts
(10%)
(40% total)
(20%)
(10%)
(20%)
GRADING SCALE:
100-90% = A; 89-85% = B+; 84-80% = B; 79-75% = C+; 74-70% = C; 69-65% = D+; 64-60% = D; 59-0% = F.
GRADING:
The exams, in class assignments, and laboratory notebooks will require hand written answers. Answers
will only be accepted if they are clearly legible.
Late assignments will receive an automatic reduction in score (up to 50% of the possible points).
Assignments due at the start of class are considered late 5 minutes after the indicated course time.
Assignments can be turned in early if needed.
Graded materials will be returned in a reasonable time period.
Fall 2013
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE Fall 2013
Date
Topic
26 Aug
Introduction
28 Aug
Water
3 Sept
Labor Day
4 Sep
Water
9 Sep
Nucleotides, Nucleic Acids, and Genetic Information
11 Sep
Nucleotides, Nucleic Acids, and Genetic Information
16 Sep
Carbohydrates
18 Sep
Carbohydrates
23 Sep
Lipids and Biological Membranes
25 Sep
Lipids and Biological Membranes
30 Sep
Review
2 Oct
1st Exam
7 Oct
Amino Acids
9 Oct
Amino Acids (12 Oct - last day to withdraw without WF)
14 Oct
Proteins: Primary Structure
16 Oct
Proteins: Primary Structure
21 Oct
Proteins: Three-Dimensional Structure
23 Oct
Proteins: Three-Dimensional Structure
28 Oct
Protein Function:
30 Oct
Protein Function:
4 Nov
Review
6 Nov
2nd Exam
11 Nov
Enzyme Catalysis
13 Nov
Enzyme Catalysis
18 Nov
Enzyme Kinetics, Inhibition, and Control
20 Nov
Enzyme Kinetics, Inhibition, and Control
25 Nov
Biochemical Signaling
27 Nov
Thanksgiving
2 Dec
Biochemical Signaling
4 Dec
Review
11 Dec
Final Exam (2pm)
USC-Aiken
BIOL 541
Chapter
1
2
2
3
3
8
8
9
9
1-3, 8-9
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
4-7
11
11
12
12
13
13
11-13
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
“When students enroll in a particular course, they obligate themselves for all the work which may be
assigned. Punctual and regular attendance is vital to the discharge of this obligation.”
Though attendance will not be taken, you must be present to receive credit for in class assignments, and
quizzes.
There are also no make-up exams. Should you miss an exam for a documented excusable reason (i.e.
sickness or required university event); an alternate exam may be arranged. Only one exam will be
treated in this manner; any other missed exams will be counted as a zero.
Fall 2013
USC-Aiken
BIOL 541
CLASSROOM BEHAVOIR AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
It is the instructor’s right to remove any student who disrupts or disturbs the proceedings of the class.
In extreme cases the professor can request assistance from the University police. If the student who has
been ejected causes similar disturbances in subsequent meetings of the class, he/she may be denied
admittance to the class for the remainder of the semester and assigned a grade of “F”.
The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, MP3 players, iPods, etc., during
class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student from the instructor
or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be
turned off and stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device
during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your performance in this
class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as possible. The
Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
WRITING CENTER:
USCA provides a writing center located on room 201 of the H&SS building. If you need extra assistance
on any writing assignment for this or any other class that you are taking, please try the writing center.
HONOR CODE:
Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as described in the Student
Handbook. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated. The following
honor pledge is to be written, signed, and dated by the student on all exams and assignments turned
into the instructor.
“On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither
given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/ examination. To the
best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty.”
TEST PROCEDURES:
Students will not be allowed to sit in adjacent seats during the exams. If a student must leave during an
exam, they forfeit their right to finish the exam. Calculators will only be allowed at the teacher’s
discretion.