BIOC 107/107L & 108/108L COURSE DESCRIPTION
Biochem 107 (Introduction to Biochemistry; 4 hours credit) is the first of a 2semester 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 any other students who desire a
background in biochemistry as it relates to the human body. The typical student in
this class is an entering freshman (or sophomore) on the pre-nursing track, although
we welcome all interested students. It is team-taught by faculty from the
Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics of the UNC School of Medicine. Biochem
107 begins with a brief but intense survey of the principles of inorganic and organic
chemistry (about half the 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 (carbohydrate metabolism and metabolic energy production, amino acid
metabolism, nucleotide metabolism). The required weekly 2-hour lab (Biochem 107L)
consists of dry-lab experiments, demonstrations, problem sets, workshops, and clinical
case conferences, integrated with lecture material and dealing with topics ranging
from basic chemistry to the biochemistry and molecular biology of human diseases.
There will also be a required research paper – on a subject of the student’s choosing,
but relevant to topics covered in lecture and lab. These are designed to help polish
and improve student competency in thinking, research, information retrieval and
processing, and expressing their thoughts in written form.
Biochem 108/108L (4 hours credit) is a direct continuation of 107/107L and completes
the survey of human biochemistry. Topics include lipid chemistry and metabolism,
molecular and cellular biology (including DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and genetic
diseases), biochemistry of cancer, viruses, and AIDS, and various aspects of clinicallyrelated biochemistry and nutrition. Students can take only Biochem 107/107L (or
only Biochem 108/108L if they work hard), but they will not get the
comprehensive survey we strive for in our 2-semester series.
Upper-level and continuing education students considering enrolling in Biochem
107/107L and/or 108/108L should also be aware of Chem 430 (Introduction to
Biological Chemistry), taught through the Chemistry Department. This is a 1semester course without a required lab (perhaps an advantage for you). It is more
chemically oriented (structure-function relationships, kinetics, molecular mechanisms
of reactions, stuff like that), as opposed to our more clinical or human-oriented
approach, but it does have a higher course number (430 vs 107/108), usually a plus on
med, dental, or PA school applications. Pre-professional students should check
carefully to see if there are specific prerequisite requirements for their
applications. For many upper-level students, Chem 430 may be the more
appropriate course.
If you need further information about Biochem 107/108, contact the course director,
Dr. Arrel Toews (atoews@med.unc.edu or phone 843-8727 – email preferred).