BIOCHEMISTRY 108 – INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY
GENERAL INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE OF INSTRUCTION
SPRING, 2010
PREREQUISITES: Students are expected to have completed Biochem 107. Students who
do not meet this requirement will need to work hard, but will do just fine if they do that.
LECTURERS: (in order of appearance)
Dr. Arrel Toews
3023C Genetic Medicine Building
(course director)
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 Student Stores Bookstore, located
on the main campus, and possibly also at downtown bookstores. This is the same
textbook we used last semester in 107. If you’re new to Biochem 108 and don’t
already own it, it isn’t worth buying – we will not use it much at all this semester. An
alternative Biochemistry book for anyone who wants to keep it as a resource (this applies
to former Biochem 107 students too) is “Lippincott’s Illustrated Review of
Biochemistry, 4th ed,” by Champe and Harvey (paperback; about $55, probably less on
www.amazon.com or elsewhere online) – it has great illustrations/diagrams and condensed
explanations at about the right level of complexity for someone interested in a career in
the health sciences. There may be some used copies in the UNC Bookstore or elsewhere.
The lecture section meets at 9 AM M/W/F in Room 9, Carrington Hall.
We prepare detailed sets of lecture notes and PowerPoint slide sets for each topic. This
material is available on our course website “Spring 2010 Introduction to Biochemistry” on
BlackBoard (http://blackboard.unc.edu). You should be able to access this site if you’re
registered for the course. Go to “Course Documents” to view this and all other related
course materials. There will be folders for each lecture unit and for the lab. You will be
responsible for printing this material and/or downloading it to your laptop – we will
NOT provide hard copies of any materials. Be sure to bring copies of all lecture
notes and slides to each lecture.
Note: Wireless access is not dependable in Room 9, Carrington Hall, so be sure to download
the relevant files before coming to class if you will be using your laptop to follow the
lectures.
There will be a 5-6 page research paper required for this course. More information on
this later in this syllabus as well as on our course website on BlackBoard.
Biochem 108
page 2
LABORATORY: Required for this course. Be sure you are registered for a section (401
or 402) of Biochem 108. Lab sections meet at 1 or 3 PM on Thursdays in Room 208,
Carrington Hall. We will go over general lab information during our first lab session on
Thursday, January 14, and we will do the first lab exercise as well (yes, we will have
a real quiz too!).
The lab manual and all other lab materials are available online in the “LABSTUFF”
folder of our course website on BlackBoard. Be sure to print out and/or download the
lab exercises and bring them to class each week.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend all lectures and you must attend all
lab sessions. 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, your consistent attendance, work efforts, and general
attitude may (or may not) be a factor in determining your final course grade. Unexcused
absences from lab result in a grade of zero for that day's lab work.
EXAMS AND GRADING: There will be 4 scheduled 50-minute lecture exams during the
semester. The dates of these exams are shown in the lecture schedule in this document.
Each exam consists of approximately 45 questions, and covers material from the lectures
and any assigned reading. The format may consist of multiple choice, matching,
true/false, and short answer questions, but most questions are multiple choice.
The exam answers are computer-graded, so be sure to bring a least two #2 pencils and a
good eraser to each exam. We provide answer sheets – do NOT bring your own!
FINAL EXAM: Friday, April 30, 8:00 – 11:00 AM, Rooms 207 & 208, Carrington
Hall. The final exam is a comprehensive exam, i.e., it covers material from the entire
course. It consists of 100 questions, 80 from the lectures and 20 from the lab.
Questions will be in the same format as for the 50-minute exams. This is a very
challenging exam - right now is a good time to begin preparing for it.
Biochem 108
page 3
Absences from exams: Absence from an exam is excused only under the 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 immediately following the exam;
they will usually be asked to make up the exam within one week 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 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
* Final exam is comprehensive (covers entire course), with 20% from lab
Letter grades and grade points will be assigned based on a "standardized scoring
template" recommended by the College of Arts and Sciences. This grading method takes
into account the fact that different exams in a course will 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 (50  10); it then recalculates raw
test scores to yield equivalent scores (called T-scores) for each student. The class
average defines the line between a C and a C+, and grades and grade points are
assigned based on these normalized T-scores (basically, how many standard deviations
your score is above/below the mean; T-score of 65 or greater = A; 62 = A-, &c). This is a
fairer and more impartial way of "curving" grades than is arbitrary curving by the
instructor, although there are usually also some additional adjustments (for the better)
by Dr. Toews as well. See Dr. Toews if you want more information on this.
NOTE: Everyone occasionally has a bad day. In recognition of this, we will substitute
the score (normalized “T-“ score) from your final exam for your lowest mid-term exam
grade if doing so will improve your overall average. This means your final exam grade will
replace your worst midterm grade if that helps you.
SOME WORDS TO THE WISE: If you want to get a good grade in this course, you will
need to come to lecture every day and pay attention to what is said, take good notes and
then study your notes and the lecture handouts and slides, and apply yourself in lab. Make
sure you don't fall behind. Each lecture in a given series 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
Biochem 108
page 4
hours of study time outside of class for each hour of lecture (6-12 hours of
studying/week for this course). Because of the highly integrated nature of biochemistry,
trying to "cram" your brain with individual biochemical facts just before an exam is
especially futile and dangerous – you decide.
We have a number of different types of “help” available, and we
encourage you to use them regularly. They are described briefly below.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI) STUDY GROUPS for Biochem 108: SI is a valuable
academic assistance program supported by The Learning Center and The School of Nursing.
It is structured to provide regularly scheduled, out-of-class, peer-facilitated help/learning
sessions independent of actual class activities. There is an SI group leader present to
facilitate these small group study sessions. These SI sessions are great opportunities to
work in small groups with your fellow students to better understand our often difficult and
challenging material. Everyone will benefit from these sessions, not just those students
having difficulty, and we encourage you all to utilize this valuable course resource on a
regular basis (they are most effective if you attend regularly). SI groups usually meet
twice a week – more details about when and where when the course begins. We have an
excellent SI group leader again this semester; her contact information is given below:
Desireé Lagrappe
email: ldesiree@email.unc.edu
Desiree is a former star of Biochem 108, so you’ll be in very good hands with her! She was
the SI group leader last semester in Biochem 107 as well.
SI sessions are free!
PEER TUTORS for Biochem 107: We also have peer tutors available to help you. They
were excellent students in this course last year, so they are also excellent sources of help.
Peer tutoring involves drop-in one-on-one assistance with specific questions/problems (as
opposed to the SI group study sessions with a leader). 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 on the second floor of Dey Hall (on the main campus near Wilson
Library). These sessions will begin on January 26/27. The full schedule, including any
changes in room numbers is online at The Learning Center.
Peer tutors are listed below:
Tuesday nights
Elizabeth Wormald
wormald@email.unc.edu
208 Dey Hall
Wednesday nights
Liz Stocksdale
estocksd@email.unc.edu
206 Dey Hall
Biochem 108
page 5
Dr. Toews will also hold informal review/help sessions on Tuesday afternoons (beginning
at 2 PM) in Room 522 Carrington Hall. These sessions are student-driven 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 try to help each
other understand things.
THE UNIVERSITY'S HONOR CODE AND CAMPUS CODE: You are reminded that the
Honor Code (which prohibits things like lying, cheating, and stealing) and the Campus Code
(which prohibits your interfering with the welfare and educational opportunities of
others) must be observed. See your instructor or the Undergraduate Bulletin if you are
unsure of how these codes apply to you.
RESEARCH PAPERS: A 5-6 page research paper will be required, and it will account for
5% of total course grade. The goal of these papers is to give you some practical
experience in writing about scientific subjects, and to help relate things we will discuss
during the course to the real world around you. They must have some real biochemical
content that is directly related to subjects we will cover this semester. You will be given
more specific information on these papers soon after class begins – be sure to follow
the instructions carefully.
These 5-6 page papers will require a good bit of thought, preparation, organization, and good
writing. They will be graded rigorously in a number of categories, including quality of
content (scientific and otherwise), information searching and retrieval, organization and
thought, composition (grammar, syntax, flow), quality of illustrative materials, and the
quality of references (at least 2 from the internet, with an appraisal of their
value/reliability, and at least 2 from printed books). There will be 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. Your topic must be related in some way
to material we are covering this semester, although you have considerable latitude
within that constraint. 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
(points will be deducted if you do not obtain prior approval). You will be given more
specific information on these papers early in the semester.
This paper will either be due before Spring Break (which starts Fri., Mar 5 at 5 PM), or
by 5 PM on Monday, April 13 (about 2 weeks before classes end and 2 days before our
4th midterm). You get to decide when to turn in your paper – there are advantages and
disadvantages to both choices, so give that some careful thought. You can actually turn
your paper in anytime before the deadline – getting it done early has definite advantages
for both yourself and Dr. Toews (who will be grading them), so keep that in mind as well.
Biochem 108
page 6
A word to the wise: Don’t put these off until the last minute (or last day or even last
week). Think carefully and 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 will be proud of (and that Dr. Toews will be proud of as well!).
These reports will be graded rigorously. Some specific information on what we will be
looking for and how we will assign scores for these papers will be provided soon. The 5%
of your grade accounted for by these papers might end up playing a very important role in
your final course grade.
COURSE RESOURCES
Material on Blackboard – http://blackboard.unc.edu
All course materials are available online on our “Spring 2010 Introduction to
Biochemistry” course website on BlackBoard. Read any announcements, then look
under “Course Documents” for general information (Syllabus, SI information, &c)
and in folders for each unit/lecturer and for lab (LABSTUFF).
2009 Exams – look in the “EXAMS” folder (or the LABSTUFF folder for lab exams).
These exams are very important review/study tools, and you are urged to make good
use of them. Current-year midterm exam answer keys will also be posted in the
EXAMS folder, usually a few days after the exam is given.
Material on Reserve – Health Sciences Library: (ask at the front desk)
A copy of our textbook. Some of the lectures are loosely keyed to this text, but we won’t
use it much. Still good to look at though. If you haven’t already purchased the
textbook for Biochem 107, don’t bother. You can always consult the copy on reserve in
the HSL.
A copy of the biology textbook, “The Nature of Life,” by Hopson and Postlethwait.
Some of Dr. Toews’ lectures are loosely keyed to this book, but it’s not worth making
everyone buy a copy. Look it over if you want more information on various topics.
Material for students that haven’t taken Biochem 107:
“An Introduction to Chemistry for Biology Students,” by Sackheim. This is a short
paperback programmed-learning book about chemistry as it relates to biology. It has a
very brief primer on biochemistry at the end as well. Very good little book. Some
copies are available for purchase in the Health Affairs Bookstore too.
“Essentials of Chemistry” by Burns - A simplified introduction to college chemistry. May
be useful to look through if you’re intimidated or scared about chemistry in general and
our textbook in particular. Some nice figures and diagrams.
Biochem 108
page 7
BIOCHEM 108 - LECTURE AND LAB SCHEDULE - SPRING, 2010
(DR. ARREL TOEWS, COURSE DIRECTOR – 843-8727)
ALL LECTURES ARE IN CARRINGTON HALL, Auditorium 9; 9:00-9:50 AM.
DATE
Day
Lecture #
Jan. 11
Jan. 13
Jan. 14
Jan. 15
M
W
Th
F
1
2
Lab 1
3
Jan. 18
Jan. 20
M
W
4
Jan. 21
Jan. 22
Th
F
Lab 2
5
Jan. 25
Jan. 27
Jan. 28
Jan. 29
M
W
Th
F
6
7
Lab 3
8
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
1
3
4
5
M
W
Th
F
Feb. 8
Feb. 10
Feb. 11
Feb. 12
Topic
Lipid structure & chemistry
Complex lipids; Biological membranes
Serum Protein Electrophoresis & Disease
Lipid metabolism at the cellular level
(-oxidation of fatty acids)
NO CLASS - Martin Luther King B-Day
Lipid metabolism at the cellular level
(fatty acid synthesis)
Dietary lipids in health and disease
Metabolism of complex lipids /
Whole body fat metabolism
Lecturer
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Carbohydrates and lipid metabolism
Cholesterol and lipoproteins
Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins
Bile salts, digestion and absorption/
Lipids as second messengers/aspirin
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Lab 4
9
REVIEW
EXAM 1
Atherosclerosis / CHD Case Conference
DNA Structure & Replication
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
M
W
Th
F
10
11
Lab 5
12
DNA damage & repair; RNA
Translation (Protein Synthesis)
DNA damage and repair Case Conference
Regulation of Gene Expression
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Feb. 15
Feb. 17
M
W
13
14
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Feb. 18
Th
Lab 6
Feb. 19
F
Recombinant DNA Technology
Modern Tools of Molecular Biology
(microarrays, applications, &c)
Molecular Biology demo/workshop
Arrel’s Plasmid Playhouse
Genetic Disorders I: autosomal recessive,
dominant, and X-Linked disorders
15
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Biochem 108
page 8
Biochem 108 Lecture and Lab Schedule (continued)
DATE
Day
Lecture #
Feb. 22
M
Feb. 24
Feb. 25
W
Th
Feb. 26
F
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
1
3
4
5
M
W
Th
F
Mar. 8
Mar. 10
Mar. 11
Mar. 12
M
W
Th
F
Mar. 15
Mar. 17
Mar. 18
Mar. 19
M
W
Th
F
Mar. 22
Mar. 24
Mar. 25
Mar. 26
M
W
Th
F
22
Lab 9
23
Mar. 29
Mar. 30
M
W
24
25
Apr. 1
Apr. 2
Th
F
Lab 10
26
16
Lab 7
17
18
Lab
19
Topic
Genetic Disorders II: detection,
and treatment
REVIEW
Molecular Biology Workshop
(gene sequencing and mutations)
EXAM 2
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Cell cycle; overview of cancer
Liz Pollom
Signal transduction; oncogenes
Liz Pollom
LAB MIDTERM EXAM (covers topics 1-7)
Tumor suppressor genes; cancer progression Liz Pollom
RESEARCH PAPER DUE BY 5 PM* (or not)
NO
NO
NO
NO
20
21
Lab 8
Lecturer
CLASS
CLASS
LAB
CLASS
SPRING
SPRING
SPRING
SPRING
BREAK
BREAK
BREAK
BREAK
Overview of viruses (RNA & DNA)
AIDS
Molecular Analyses of Cancer
REVIEW
Liz Pollom
Liz Pollom
Dr. Toews
Liz Pollom
EXAM 3
Blood: An Overview
Sickle Cell Anemia Case Conference
Blood clotting
Liz Pollom
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Antibodies and Immunity
Hemoglobin; O2/CO2 transport
Chemistry of Respiration
Jaundice Case Conference
NO CLASS
GOOD FRIDAY
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Biochem 108
page 9
Biochem 108 Lecture and Lab Schedule (continued)
DATE
Day
Lecture #
Apr. 5
Apr. 7
Apr. 8
M
W
Th
27
28
Lab 11
Apr. 9
F
29
Apr. 12
M
30
Apr. 14
Apr. 15
W
Th
31
Lab 12
Apr. 16
F
Apr. 19
Apr. 21
Apr. 22
Apr 23
M
W
Th
F
Apr. 26
Apr. 28
M
W
Apr. 29
Th
Apr. 30
FRI
32
Lab 13
33
Lab
Topic
Lecturer
Physiological Acid-Base Balance
Hormones & Neurotransmitters
Acid-Base Balance Workshop
(problems and clinical cases)
Nutrition I
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Nutrition II – Diet & Obesity
RESEARCH PAPER DUE BY 5 PM*
Nutrition III – Vitamins & Minerals
Clinical Chemistry:
Diagnosis from Clinical Lab Data
Integration & Control of Metabolism
Dr. Toews
REVIEW
EXAM 4
Case Studies in Metabolic Diseases
Tour of the Human Genome;
Molecular medicine
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
FINAL EXAM REVIEW
FINAL EXAM REVIEW
(last day of classes)
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews &
Liz Pollom
Optional Final Exam Review
Dr. Toews
FINAL EXAM
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
Dr. Toews
(8:00 - 11:00 AM)
*your research paper may be turned in on either March 5 or April 12 (or anytime
before too!)
Biochem 108
page 10
Where’s Arrel?? How to find Biochem 107/108 Faculty
To find Dr. Toews: My office is in the new Genetic Medicine Building (Room 3023C – NE
corner of 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!).
Just see me before/after class, send an email (atoews@med.unc.edu) or call (843-8727) so
we can work things out.

Liz Pollom (Biochem 107 & 108) is 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\108\2010\SYLL-BIOC 108-2010.doc
*