BIOCHEM 107 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY
GENERAL INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE OF INSTRUCTION
FALL, 2010
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Biochem 107 is the first of a 2-semester series of survey
biochemistry courses with emphasis on human and clinical relevance, designed to meet
the needs of pre-nursing and pre-dental hygiene students, students entering the allied
health sciences, and other students who desire a background in biochemistry as it
relates to the human body. Biochem 107 begins with a brief but intense survey of the
principles of inorganic and organic chemistry (first half of semester); this is followed
by a comprehensive survey of biochemistry, including both basic and clinical aspects.
Biochemical topics during the first semester include protein structure and function,
enzymes, and intermediary metabolism. A 5-6 page research paper is required. The
required weekly 2-hour lab (Biochem 107L) consists of dry-lab experiments,
demonstrations, problem sets, workshops, and clinical case conference discussions,
integrated with lecture material and dealing with topics ranging from basic chemistry to
the biochemistry and molecular biology of human diseases. Written lab reports are
required for most of the lab exercises. There is no separate grade given for Biochem
107L – lab work is included in your Biochem 107 grade.
Biochem 108/108L is a direct continuation of 107/107L. Topics include lipid
metabolism, protein metabolism, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry of
cancer, viruses, and AIDS, and clinical biochemistry and nutrition.
Students can take only Biochem 107, or only Biochem 108 (if they work very hard to do
well), but you won’t get the comprehensive survey of biochemistry you’ll have if you take
both semesters.
PREREQUISITES: Students are expected to have completed at least one year of high
school chemistry. Students who do not meet this requirement should contact Dr. Toews
as soon as possible.
LECTURERS: (in order of appearance)
Dr. Arrel Toews
(course director)
3023 Genetic Medicine Building
phone: 843-8727
atoews@med.unc.edu
Elizabeth Pollom
22-062 Lineberger Cancer Center
phone: 317- 730-3794
epollom@med.unc.edu
TEXTBOOK: General, Organic, and Biochemistry, 6th edition (2008) by Denniston,
Topping, and Caret. This textbook is available in the UNC Student Stores on the main
campus, at downtown bookstores, and on the web. An electronic E-book version is also
available.
We also prepare detailed sets of lecture notes and PowerPoint slide sets for each topic.
All course materials are available on our course website “INTRO TO BIOCHEM” on
Biochem 107
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BlackBoard (http://blackboard.unc.edu). You should be able to access this site if you’re
registered for the course. Read any announcements, then go to “Course Documents” to
view this and all other course materials. You will be responsible for downloading this
material to your laptop and/or printing it out – we will NOT provide hard copies of
any materials. Be sure you have copies of all course materials, including lecture notes
and slides, and bring them to each lecture.
LABORATORY: Required for this course. Be sure you are registered for a section (401
OR 402) of Biochem 107L. Section 1 meets at 1 PM in 209 Carrington Hall (Nursing
School), and Section 2 at 3 PM in the same room each Thursday afternoon. We will go
over general lab information during our first lab on Thursday, August 26. This is a
real lab session – make sure you show up for it!
All lab material is also online (look in the “LABSTUFF” folder under “Course
Documents”), and you will be responsible for downloading/ printing off the lab
syllabus and each lab exercise before class. Be sure to bring this material to lab.
Dr. Arrel Toews is also the lab director, and all questions regarding the lab portion of
the course should be directed to him or to the lab TAs.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend all lectures and labs. Absences
from lecture or lab sessions are authorized only in the following cases: (1) the student's
name appears on the University Infirmary List or the student has a written excuse from
her/his doctor stating that the student was indisposed on that date; (2) the student is
taking part in a regularly organized and authorized University activity; (3) a death in the
family or similar emergency, at the discretion of the Instructor or Course Director.
It is the responsibility of the student to inform the Instructor or Course Director
when these exceptions apply, preferably before the absence, otherwise immediately
upon the student's return to class.
Roll will be taken approximately once a week during lecture. We do not deduct points
for absences from lecture. However, at the end of the semester, students who are on
the borderline between two different course grades and who have consistently attended
class usually receive the higher grade. See below for an even better reason to regularly
attend lectures. Attendance for all lab exercises is mandatory – they cannot be
made up at a later date. Unexcused absences from lab result in a grade of zero
for that week's labwork.
EXAMS AND GRADING: There will be 4 scheduled 50-minute lecture exams during the
semester. The dates of these exams are shown on the attached schedule. Each exam
will consist of approximately 35-45 questions, and will cover material from the lectures,
lecture notes, and any assigned reading. Exams may contain multiple choice, matching,
true/false, and short answer questions, but questions are usually multiple choice.
Biochem 107
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Most of the exam answers are computer-graded, so be sure to bring a least two #2
pencils and a good eraser to each exam. We will provide scantron answer sheets – do
NOT bring your own answer sheets. Most (perhaps all) of the exams will contain
questions on pH, buffers, and biochemical calculations, so bring along a calculator capable
of handling logarithms and scientific notation (you'll need this for lab as well).
Lab exams will be given during lab sessions, and details about them are in the lab manual.
Final Exam: Saturday, December 11, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, in Carrington Hall (room to be
determined). The final exam is COMPREHENSIVE, i.e., it covers material from the
ENTIRE COURSE. It will consist of 100 questions, 80 from the lectures and 20
from lab. Questions will be in the same format as for the 50-minute exams. You will for
sure need your calculator for the final. This is very early in the final exam schedule
this semester – the time to start preparing for this exam is right now.
Absences from exams: An absence from an exam is excused only under circumstances
described above for excused absences from class. Students who miss an exam because
they are participating in an authorized university activity must notify the Instructor or
Course Director prior to the scheduled exam date. Students who miss an exam due to
illness should contact the Instructor or Course Director preferably before (but if not,
immediately following) the exam; they will usually be asked to make up the exam within 12 days of the originally scheduled date. For students who do not make arrangements to
take the make-up exam, their Final Exam grade will be substituted for the missed exam.
Students with more than one unexcused absence from an exam will receive a grade
of zero for each missed exam except under exceptional circumstances.
The final course grade is calculated as shown below:
Four 50-minute midterm exams (15% each)
Lab reports, quizzes, and lab exams
Research paper
Final exam* (including lab component)
60% of total grade
20% of total grade
5% of total grade
15% of total grade
100%
* Final exam is comprehensive (covers entire course) and has 100 questions, with 20%
from lab.
Letter grades and grade points will be assigned with the assistance of a
"standardized scoring template." This grading method takes into account the fact that
different exams in a course have different averages and standard deviations
(variations). This program normalizes the results of all the exams so they each have the
same mean and standard deviation; it then recalculates raw test scores to yield
equivalent scores (called T-scores) for each student. T-scores for each exam have
Biochem 107
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means of 50 and standard deviations of 10. Grades and grade points are assigned based
on these normalized T-scores (how many standard deviations above or below the mean a
given exam score is). This is a fairer and more impartial way of "curving" grades
than is arbitrary curving by the instructor. If you would like more explanation about
all this, see Dr. Toews.
NOTE: Everyone occasionally has a bad day. In recognition of this, we will substitute
the score (actually the normalized “T-score”) from your final exam for your lowest
50-minute exam grade if (and only if) doing so will improve your overall average.
SOME WORDS TO THE WISE: If you want to get a good grade in this course, you will
need to come to lecture, pay attention to what is said, take good notes, study your notes,
the textbook, and lecture handouts, and apply yourself in lab. Make sure you don't fall
behind. Each lecture builds upon material presented in earlier lectures. Keeping up with
the material as it is presented is probably the most important thing you can do to ensure
a decent grade. You should plan on devoting 2-4 hours of study time outside of class for
each hour of lecture (6-12 hours of studying/week for this course). If you feel yourself
falling behind in this course, you'll need to work even harder to catch up before it's too
late. Make sure you contact Dr. Toews, your current lecturer, or our other helpers (see
below) as soon as you sense yourself getting into trouble – or even if you just have
questions. Don’t be shy about asking for help at any time!
We have a number of different types of “help” available, and we
encourage you to use them regularly. They are described briefly below.
PEER TUTORS for Biochem 107: We have five peer tutors available to help you. They
were excellent students in this course last year, so they are excellent sources of help for
you this year. Peer tutoring involves drop-in one-on-one assistance with any specific
questions/problems (no appointment needed – just stop by). Peer tutoring is FREE – there
is no charge for this help!! You can find Biochem 107 peer tutors on Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings from 6-9 PM in 206 Dey Hall (on the main campus near Wilson
Library). These sessions will begin on September 7/8. The full schedule, including any
changes in room numbers is online at The Learning Center.
Peer tutors are listed below:
Tuesday nights
Rachel Stowe stower@email.unc.edu
Laura Borders lborders@email.unc.edu
Wednesday nights
Rebecca Kabatchnik becca10@email.unc.edu
Jane Held mheld@email.unc.edu
Kelsey Knight knightkm@email.unc.edu
There will also be "help sessions" with the lab TAs immediately following each lab
session. A TA will be on hand to answer any of your questions from lab.
Biochem 107
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Dr. Toews will also hold informal review/help sessions on Tuesday afternoons (beginning
at 2 PM) in Carrington Hall (room to be determined). These sessions are studentdriven and unstructured – anything from either lecture or lab is fair game, and we usually
stay as long as needed to get things cleared up. This is a group effort where we help
each other understand things.
Don't even think about trying to learn everything just before an exam. It cannot be
done. Because of the highly integrated complex nature of biochemistry, you’ll do best if
you have a good overall understanding of what is going on. Attempting to "cram" your
brain with individual specific biochemical facts just before an exam is especially futile
and dangerous.
Students who find themselves in difficulty in the course at any time should contact Dr.
Toews (or Liz Pollom) to set up a friendly chat. Don’t forget about all the other
resources we have to help you as well. We will do all we can to help you along, but in the
end, it is all up to you. Lots of time and hard work will be required, but in the end, it will
all (hopefully) be worth it.
THE UNIVERSITY'S HONOR SYSTEM AND HONOR CODE: You are reminded that the
Honor Code, which prohibits things like lying, cheating, stealing, and interfering with the
welfare and educational opportunities of others, must be strictly observed. Remember
that we are all on our honor to be good citizens of the University community. This
is the correct way to live your life in general anyway, so be sure you do that. See
your instructor or the Undergraduate Bulletin if you are unsure of how these codes
apply.
RESEARCH PAPER: A research paper is required and it will account for 5% of total
course grade. This 5-6 page paper will require a good bit of thought, preparation,
organization, and good writing. It will be graded rigorously in a number of categories,
including quality of content (scientific and otherwise), information searching and
retrieval, quality and appropriateness of illustrative materials, general organization and
overall thought, composition (grammar, syntax, flow), and quality of references (at least
2 from the internet, with an appraisal of their value/reliability, and at least 2 from
printed books/journals). We will post a list of general topic areas, as well as some
specific suggestions within them, but finding your own unique topic (within the general
topic areas) is even better. You will need to get your specific topic approved by
either Dr. Toews or Liz Pollom, who will both be happy to assist you in coming up with a
suitable topic. You will be given more specific information on these papers soon after
class begins. We will also devote part of a lab exercise to online searching strategies
for web and printed reference sources.
This paper will be due on Monday, November 15 at 5 PM. Handing your paper in early
is a very good strategy that will be much appreciated by those grading it.
Biochem 107
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A word to the wise: Don’t put this off until the last minute (or last day or even last
week). Think carefully, choose a good topic, start your research and writing activities
early, put real effort into them, go through several drafts, and be sure the final product
is something you (and Dr. Toews!) will be proud of.
These reports will be graded rigorously and you will do well to put some genuine
effort into them. The 5% of your grade accounted for by this paper might end up
playing a very important role in your final course grade.
BIOCHEM 107 LECTURE AND LAB SCHEDULE - FALL, 2010
Dr. Arrel Toews, Course Director – atoews@med.unc.edu; 843-8727
All lectures in Carrington Hall, Auditorium #9; 9:00-9:50 AM.
DATE
Day
Lecture #
Topic
Lecturer
Aug. 25
Aug. 26
Aug. 27
W
Th
F
1
Lab 1
2
Orientation/Matter and Energy
Orientation; Units, Basic Calculations
Elements and the Periodic Table
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Aug. 30
Sept. 1
Sept. 2
Sept. 3
M
W
Th
F
3
4
Lab 2
5
Compounds and Chemical Bonds
Water, Solutions, and Gases
Online and library searching; Graphing
Chemical Reactions and Kinetics
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Sept. 6
Sept. 8
Sept. 9
Sept. 10
M
W
Th
F
6
Lab 3
Labor Day Holiday (no class)
Chemical Equilibria
Biochemical Calculations; Solutions
Review (# 1-6)
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Sept. 13
Sept. 15
Sept. 16
Sept. 17
M
W
Th
F
7
Lab 4
8
EXAM 1 (# 1-6)
Acids, Bases, and Salts
Acid, base, & pH workshop
Buffers
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Sept. 20
Sept. 22
Sept. 23
Sept. 24
M
W
Th
F
9
10
Lab 5
11
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Workshop on Functional Groups; Models
Organic Chemistry III
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Sept. 27
Sept. 29
Sept. 30
Oct. 1
M
W
Th
F
12
13
Lab 6
Chemistry of Life I
Chemistry of Life II
Bio-macromolecules; Basic biochemical Rx
Review (# 7-13)
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews)
Dr. Toews
Biochem 107
page 7
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
4
6
7
8
M
W
Th
F
14
Lab 7
15
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
11
13
14
15
M
W
Th
F
16
17
Lab 8
18
Oct. 18
*Oct. 20
M
W
Oct. 21
Oct. 22
Th
F
Oct. 25
M
19
20
21
EXAM 2 (# 7-13)
Amino Acids and Peptides
Spectrophotometry
Protein Structure and Function
(Dr. Toews)
Dr. Toews
(Dr. Toews)
Dr. Toews
Enzymes: How they work
Regulation of Enzyme Activity
LAB MIDTERM EXAM
Clinical Applications of Enzymes
Mini-Case Conference
Liz Pollom
Liz Pollom
(Dr. Toews)
Liz Pollom
Nucleotide Metabolism I: Folate and
1-C Metabolism
Nucleotide Metabolism II: nucleotide
synthesis & chemotherapy
FALL BREAK
FALL BREAK
Nucleotide Metabolism III: nucleotide
degradation and its associated diseases
Review (# 14-21)
Liz Pollom
Liz Pollom *
Liz Pollom
Dr. Toews
& Liz Pollom
Liz Pollom
Dr. Toews
& Liz Pollom
Oct. 27
W
Oct. 28
Oct. 29
Th
F
Lab 9
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
1
3
4
5
M
W
Th
F
22
23
Lab 10
24
Overview of Metabolism & Bioenergetics
Carbohydrate Structure & Chemistry
Enzymes & Disease Case Conference
Digestion, Absorption, & Blood Glucose
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr Toews
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
8
10
11
12
M
W
Th
F
25
26
Lab 11
27
Insulin, Glucagon, & Diabetes
Glycogen Metabolism
Serum Glucose Assay
Glycolysis
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Citric Acid (Krebs) Cycle
RESEARCH PAPER DUE BY 5 PM
Oxidative Phosphorylation; ETS
Diabetes Case Conference
* Gluconeogenesis; PPP; Overall
Integration of Metabolism
Dr. Toews
Nov. 15
M
Nov. 17
Nov. 18
Nov. 19
W
Th
F
28
29
Lab 12
30
Cancer Chemotherapy Case Conference
EXAM 3 (# 14-21)
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Biochem 107
page 8
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
22
24
25
26
M
W
Th
F
Review (# 22-29)
NO CLASS
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Dr. Toews
Nov. 29
Dec. 1
M
W
31
Dec. 2
Dec. 3
Th
F
Lab 13
32
EXAM 4 (# 22-29)
* Amino Acid Metabolism I: Overview,
Protein dig’n; Catabolism of C-skeletons
Amino Aciduria (PKU) Case Conference
* Amino Acid Metabolism II: N-elimination;
Urea cycle; non-protein AA uses
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
6
8
9
11
M
W
Th
SAT
Dr. Toews
Course Review
Dr. Toews
Course Review
Dr. Toews & Liz Pollom
Optional Review/Help Session
Dr. Toews
FINAL EXAM (8:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
* This lecture, just before Fall Break, covers important topics that will not be
covered again. Cut out early at your own risk!! And yes, a good day to take roll.
* These two lectures are not covered by a mid-term exam, so there will be some added
emphasis on these topics on your final exam (more questions/topic than for the others).
NOTE: The final exam is comprehensive, and covers material from both lecture and lab.
Biochem 107
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COURSE RESOURCES
Material on Blackboard – http://blackboard.unc.edu
All course materials are available online on our “INTRO TO BIOCHEM” course
website on BlackBoard. Look under “Course Documents” for folders for each
unit/lecturer and for lab (LABSTUFF). We will NOT be providing paper copies of
any course materials – you will need to download these files to your laptop (and
print them if you like). Be sure to bring them and/or your laptop to class and
lab. Most of the .ppt slide sets are animated, and so best viewed in the
“SlideShow” mode on your computer. It’s also a good idea to print out the .ppt
slide sets – in PowerPoint, go to File/Print/Handouts/4 per page/scale to fit.
Wireless access in NOT guaranteed in Carrington Hall, so I strongly suggest you
download all required files onto your laptop before coming to class/lab.
2009 Exams from both lecture and lab are also available on this website. Look in the
“EXAMS” folder (or the LABSTUFF folder for lab exams). These exams are very
useful review/study tools, and you are urged to make use of them.
Answer keys to our 2010 midterm exams will also be posted at this site.
Material on Reserve – Health Sciences Library: (ask at the front desk)
“An Introduction to Chemistry for Biology Students” by Sackheim – A very simple,
programmed-learning book potentially useful as a primer for those rusty on their
general and organic chemistry. Also available for optional purchase (but 4 copies on
reserve). Older (used) editions are just a good as the latest version.
“Essentials of Chemistry” by Burns - A simplified introduction to college chemistry with
some nice figures and diagrams – maybe useful to look through if you’re intimidated or
scared about chemistry in general.
“General, Organic, and Biochemistry, 5th ed. by Denniston, Topping, & Caret”
(previous edition of our textbook). The Student Study Guide/Solutions Manual from
the 5th edition is also on reserve – it has some useful chapter outlines, problems, and
solutions to exercises.
Biochem 107
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Where’s Arrel?? How to find Biochem 107/108 Faculty
To find Dr. Toews: My office is in the new Genetic Medicine Building (3023; 3rd floor).
This building is south of Mason Farm Road, near the Ambulatory Care Center of UNC
Hospitals (a bit southwest of the big Hospital Parking Decks). In most instances, it will be
easier for us to meet in the coffee shop in the Health Sciences Library (much closer to
Carrington Hall than the GM building, plus I’m usually good for a free latte or ice-cold
Pepsi-Cola!). Just see me before/after class, send an email (atoews@med.unc.edu) or call
(843-8727) so we can work things out.
Dr. Fried (Biochem 108) is also on the 3rd

floor of the Genetic Medicine Building.
Liz Pollom (Biochem 107 & 108) lives in the
Lineberger Cancer Center (22-062).
A searchable campus map can be found online
at: http://www.maps.unc.edu/MapBook/Index.asp
A section of that map is shown at right – it
shows most of the relevant locations.
Carrington Hall () is also shown in this
panel. The Health Sciences Library is also
*
worth noting.
The Genetic Medicine Building ( * ) is south
of the Lineberger Cancer Center ( * ). If you
want to come and see me in the GM Building, I
will be happy to give you more specific
directions as well – it is not a bad walk from
South Campus.
\NURSES\107\2010\SYLL-BIOC 107-2010.doc
*