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Chemistry (CHEM) 301
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Introduction to Biochemistry (Revision 5)
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study
online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Science
Prerequisite: CHEM 350 and CHEM 360
or equivalent undergraduate courses
taken at an accredited post-secondary
institution.
Faculty: Faculty of Science & Technology
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CHEM 301 has a Challenge for Credit
option.
check availability
Overview
As a natural science, biochemical principles influence metabolic and developmental biological processes. This
course explores the basic principles of biochemistry in relation to the appreciation and understanding of
biological networks.
CHEM 301 focuses on the understanding of biochemical processes in the context of chemical principles; and the
importance of research design and application to investigate questions in biochemistry. Because the field of
biochemistry is continually evolving and touches many areas of cell biology, this course also includes an
elementary introduction to the study of molecular biology.
Outline
Part I: Biomolecules
Unit 1: The Molecules and Chemical Reactions of Life
Unit 2: Amino Acids and Proteins
Unit 3: Simple and Complex Carbohydrates
Unit 4: Lipids and Membranes
Unit 5: Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
Unit 6: Vitamins and Cofactors
Part II: Biochemical Reactions
Unit 7: Enzymes
Unit 8: Metabolic Pathways
Unit 9: Carbohydrate Metabolism
Unit 10: Lipid Metabolism
Unit 11: Amino Acid Metabolism
Part III: Molecular Genetics
Unit 12: DNA and RNA
Unit 13: Translation and the Genetic Code
Evaluation
To receive credit for CHEM 301, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent) and a
grade of at least 50 percent on each of the assignments and examinations. The weighting of the composite grade
is as follows:
ASSIGNMENT 1
MIDTERM EXAM
ASSIGNMENT 2
FINAL EXAM
TOTAL
20%
25%
20%
35%
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Voet, Donald, Judith G. Voet, and Charlotte W. Pratt. Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level, 4th
ed. New York: Wiley, 2013.
Students will also receive WileyPLUS eText and access to the textbook website.
Other materials
Online course materials include a study guide and student manual.
Special Course Features
Students will have access to electronic communication, additional biochemistry online resources, and access to
the AU Landing for discussion, study buddy activities, and additional online resources.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the
general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university
level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the CHEM 301 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least “D” (50
percent) on the examination.
Paper Exam
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Challenge for Credit Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by
other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 5, March 11, 2013.
View previous syllabus
Updated July 07 2014
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