CHEM 464 Biochemistry I (3 Credits), Spring 2015
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University
Instructor: Surtaj H. Iram, PhD
E-mail: surtaj.iram@sdstate.edu
Office Hours: M, F: 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Office: SAV 369
Texts: Required: “Principles of Biochemistry” Lehninger, Nelson, Cox (Sixth Edition).
Course Website: CHEM 464 on D2L
Prerequisite: CHEM 326, CHEM 328 (or equivalent)
Lectures: 9:00-9:50 am, MWF, Avera Health & Science Center, Room SAV-382
Description: Introduction to Biochemistry. Biochemistry can be organized in four parts:
• Structural Biochemistry. Structure and properties of biomacromolecules.
• Function and Regulation. Protein function, enzyme kinetics, biosignaling.
• Metabolism. Energetics, redox chemistry.
• Gene expression. Replication, transcription, translation, post-translational modifications.
This class will cover three (3) of the four topic areas---structural biochemisty, function and regulation, and gene
expression---in this order. Biochemistry II (CHEM 465) will cover metabolism and regulation in greater depth.
Attendance: Attendance is strongly encouraged. You should focus your learning on the topics and material that
I cover in class. Use the book to review those topics. Sometimes I will give examples that you will not find in
the text book, therefore if you miss class, I suggest that you find a friend who takes good notes. If you miss
class, you are probably putting yourself at a disadvantage.
Honesty: Work submitted is to be the effort of the individual, unless otherwise advised. No aids may be used
during the examinations unless approved by the instructor. Anyone participating in an act of dishonesty will
receive a failing grade for the course and may be referred through appropriate university procedures for further
disciplinary action.
Make-up Policy: All exams must be taken as scheduled. If you have a legitimate reason for missing the exam
you must notify the instructor within 24 hrs and the make-up will be scheduled at the earliest convenience.
There is no makeup for the final exam.
Classroom Etiquette:
 No use of cell phones, PDAs, or similar devices - any student using such a device will be asked to leave
the classroom for the remainder of the lecture.
 No computer or internet usage - lecture slides may be available on D2L after the lecture
 Students are expected to attend each lecture, lectures are not repeated
Grading: Two exams, a midterm and final each worth 100 pts will be given. Midterm exam counts for 40%
and final exam counts for 45% of your grade. The final exam is not comprehensive. Each student will be asked
to choose a recently published scientific journal in biochemistry and give a 35 min. class presentation. You have
to get this paper approved by the instructor at least 3 weeks before your presentation date. You will be assigned
to a small group to discuss the paper and prepare for your presentation. This project will count 15% of your
grade (5%, peer review by your group members based on the engagement and contribution in the group activity
and 10% by the instructor based on quality and effort of your presentation). Curve will be applied if necessary.
A  90% > B  80 > C  70 > D  60 >F
Course Learning Goals and Objectives: This course addresses the student learning outcomes as set forth in
System General Education (SGE) Goal #6 by the South Dakota Board of Regents: “Students will understand the
fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural
world.”
 Gain factual knowledge ( terminology, classifications, methods, trends).
 Learn fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories
 Develop specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in the field most closely
related to this course
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of successfully completing CHEM 464, students will:
 Know the structures and properties of biomacromolecules, including DNA, RNA, proteins, carbohydrates
and lipids.
 Understand the molecular details of the central dogma of molecular biology
(DNA
RNA
protein)
 Understand the protein folding, assembly and post-translational protein modifications.
 Understand the molecular signaling mechanisms that living organisms use to regulate DNA, RNA, and
proteins.
 Understand and apply core concepts in structural biochemistry, enzyme kinetics, and molecular genetics.
Student Learning outcomes will be assessed through two exams and student presentations.
Instructional Methods: Class lectures, Power Point presentations, class discussion, student group discussions
and presentations.
Freedom in learning: Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be
evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to
reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of
study for which they are enrolled. Student who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or
capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should first contact the
instructor of the course to initiate a review of the evaluation. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may
contact the department head and/ or dean of the college that offers the class to initiate a review of the
evaluation.
Accommodations: SDSU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students who have a
documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, or systemic) that may affect their
ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Students are encouraged to contact
Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Coordinator of Disability Services for a confidential discussion of their individual
needs for academic accommodations. The Office of Disability Services is located in 125 Wintrode. Staff can be
reached by calling 605.688.4504 or emailing Nancy.Crooks@sdstate.edu.
Course Evaluation: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry uses the e-IDEA survey to collect student
opinion about a course, including content and instruction. You are strongly encouraged to participate in this
survey. Also, I would like 2 students to volunteer to meet with me monthly about how they feel the class is
going. The job of these 2 students is to meet with the other students in the class and give me collective
feedback.
Late to Class statement: All members of the class should make every effort to arrive on time. In the event that
I am going to be late, due to circumstances beyond my control, I will, if possible, notify the department and
request that someone be sent to apprise you of the situation. If such notification is not possible, please remain in
the class for 15 minutes beyond the scheduled start time. If I have not yet arrived, and if no emissary of the
department has informed you otherwise, class will be cancelled and you will be free to leave. However you are
encouraged to work on the assignments or utilize the web resources covered in the lectures.
Use of D2L: Students are strongly encouraged to be familiar accessing and utilizing D2L (desire to learn). The
instructor, for announcements, may use D2L email occasionally, however D2L email should not be used to
reach the instructor. He is accessible with the above contact e-mail.
Course Schedule
Week
Lecture
Date
Topic
1
1
1/12 (Mon)
Introduction
1
2
1/14 (Wed)
Amino acids and Peptides
3
1
3
1/16 (Fri)
Structure of Proteins
4
1/19 (Mon)
No Class- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
2
Chapter
2
4
1/21 (Wed)
Structure of Proteins
4
2
5
1/23 (Fri)
Protein Purification
3
3
6
1/26 (Mon)
Protein Sequencing
3
3
7
1/28 (Wed)
Protein Structure Determination
4
3
8
1/30 (Fri)
Protein Function
5
4
9
2/2 (Mon)
Review
4
10
2/4 (Wed)
Enzymes
6
4
11
2/6 (Fri)
Biological Membranes
11
5
12
2/9 (Mon)
Biological Membranes
11
5
13
2/11 (Wed)
Biosignaling
12
5
14
2/13 (Fri)
Biosignaling
12
2/16 (Mon)
No Class- President’s Day Holiday
6
6
15
2/18 (Wed)
Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
8
6
16
2/20 (Fri)
DNA-Based Information Technology
9
Week
Lecture
Date
Topic
Chapter
7
17
2/23 (Mon)
Genes and Chromosomes
24
7
18
2/25 (Wed)
Review
2/27 (Fri)
Midterm Exam
7
8
19
3/2 (Mon)
DNA Replication
25
8
20
3/4 (Wed)
Transcription
26
8
21
3/6 (Fri)
Translation
27
9
3/9 (Mon)
Spring Break
9
3/11 (Wed)
Spring Break
9
3/13 (Fri)
Spring Break
10
22
3/16 (Mon)
Regulation of Gene Expression
28
10
23
3/18 (Wed)
Regulation of Gene Expression
28
10
24
3/20 (Fri)
Regulation of Gene Expression
28
11
25
3/23 (Mon)
Regulation of Gene Expression
28
11
26
3/25 (Wed)
Methods in Biochemistry
11
27
3/27 (Fri)
Methods in Biochemistry
12
28
3/30 (Mon)
Review
12
29
4/1 (Wed)
Student Presentation
4/3 (Fri)
No Class- Easter Recess
12
13
30
4/6 (Mon)
Student Presentation
13
31
4/8 (Wed)
Student Presentation
13
32
4/10 (Fri)
Student Presentation
Week
Lecture Date
14
33
4/13 (Mon)
Student Presentation
14
34
4/15 (Wed)
Student Presentation
14
35
4/17 (Fri)
Student Presentation
15
36
4/20 (Mon)
Student Presentation
15
37
4/22 (Wed)
Student Presentation
15
38
4/24 (Fri)
Student Presentation
16
39
4/27 (Mon)
Student Presentation
16
40
4/29 (Wed)
Student Presentation
16
41
5/1 (Fri)
5/6 (Wed)
Topic
Chapter
Review
Final Exam