Biochemistry (Biol 4211)

MWF 9:15 - 10:20, Sci 2200

Instructor: Dr. Timna Wyckoff

Office: Sci 1370 Phone: 589-6352 Email: wyckofft@morris.umn.edu

Office Hours: M 1:00-2:00, W 11:00-12:00, F 2:00-3:00, and by appointment

I have a 75% appointment. If I am not in my office during school hours, please feel free to try me at home (589-0402). However, before 9:00 am, after 5:00 pm and during the weekend, please call me at home ONLY with important messages (illness, family emergencies etc.).

Description: This course is designed as an introductory biochemistry course. Prerequisites for this course include cell and molecular biology and organic chemistry; a working knowledge of these topics will be assumed. We will cover the basic concepts of biochemistry, excluding concepts of molecular biology (nucleic acid structure, biosynthesis and function), as these are covered elsewhere in the UMM biology curriculum.

The class will be organized in three parts: macromolecular structure, macromolecular function, and metabolism. The first section will cover protein, lipid and carbohydrate structure, as well as techniques for studying these macromolecules. We will then explore the functions of non-enzyme proteins, enzymes, lipids and carbohydrates. Finally, we will study energy generation, storage and usage by looking at metabolic pathways.

Text: Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L. and Stryer, L. Biochemistry (6^th edition). 2007. W.H. Freeman and Company

Lecture, Homework and Exam Schedule (subject to change):

Aug. 26	INTRODUCTION
28	Acid/base	p. 14-17
31	Acid/base
Sept. 2	1° structure of proteins	Chapter 2
4	2° structure of proteins
7	LABOR DAY
9	3°, 4° structure of proteins Homework 1 due
11	Computer modeling of protein structure	Meet in Sci 2530!
14	Protein folding
16	Studying proteins	Chapter 3
18	Carbohydrate structure Lit. 1 draft due (optional)	Chapter 12.1-3
21	Carbohydrate/lipid structure Homework 2 due	Chapter 11.1-2
23	Lipid structure
25	EXAM I
28	Hemoglobin	Chapter 7
30	Hemoglobin

Oct. 2	Antibodies Lit. 1 due	Chapter 33.1-4
5	Immunological methods	Chapter 3
7	Introduction to enzymes	Chapter 8
9	no class - conference Homework 3 due
12	Kinetics
14	Kinetics
16	catch-up lecture
19	FALL BREAK
21	Catalytic Strategies	Chapter 9
23	Catalytic Strategies Homework 4 due
26	Enzyme Regulation	Chapter 10
28	Enzyme Regulation
30	EXAM II
Nov. 2	Introduction to metabolism	Chapter 15
4	Glycolysis	Chapter 16.1-2
6	Glycolysis Lit. 2 draft due (optional)
9	Glycolysis
11	Citric acid cycle	Chapter 17
13	Citric acid cycle Homework 5 due
16	Oxidative phosphorylation	Chapter 18
18	Oxidative phosphorylation
20	Other carbohydrate metabolism Lit. 2 due	Chapter 16.3-4, 21
23	Other carbohydrate metabolism
25	catch-up lecture
27	THANKSGIVING BREAK
30	Fatty acid metabolism	Chapter 22
Dec. 2	Fatty acid metabolism
4	EXAM III
7	Fatty acid metabolism
9	Integration of metabolism	Chapter 27
11	REVIEW Homework 6 due

Final Exam: Monday, 14 December 2009, 8:30–10:30 am

Exams and assignments

Exams I – III (100 points each) 300

Homeworks 1-6 (50 points each) 300

Lit. assignments 1-2 (100 points each) 200

Final Exam 150

950 points total

Exams will be based on material covered in class and will consist of definitions, short answers, problems, and essays. Keep in mind that partial credit can only be given if you SHOW YOUR WORK/REASONING! An exam can only be made-up if you miss it due to an officially excused absence and inform me BEFORE the exam is missed.

Homework assignments will consist of problems and essays. You may work on these in groups of up to three students. I will assume that all students named on a homework assignment contributed equally and all students named will receive the same grade.

Literature assignments will involve writing a summary of an article from the primary literature. Literature assignments will be done as individuals. Further details about these assignments will be given later in the semester.

Any assignment loses 10% of its value for every school day (or portion of a day) that it is late. Once a homework key is posted on my website, that assignment may no longer be turned in for credit.

Grading: The University grading policy can be found at the following website:

http://www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/senate/documents/policy/gradingpolicy.html

According to this policy, work on assignments or exams that “fulfills the requirements of the course” will receive a C. An A or a B requires you to demonstrate better than “satisfactory” work.

Also in accordance with this policy, an “Incomplete” will only be negotiated under extraordinary circumstances, such as in cases where an illness or family emergency causes a student who is passing the course to be unable to complete the work at the very end of the semester (last couple homework assignments, final exam).

I will NOT use the Academic Alert or Mid-term Alert systems. Assignments and exams will be graded and handed back promptly. You can determine your current grade at any time from this information. You should expect that 90-100 % = A, 80-90 % = B, 70-80 % = C, 60-70 % = D, and < 60 % = F. Cut-offs for +/- are 2.5% (e.g. 90-92.5 % = A-; 87.5-89.5 = B+). I will only “curve” in your favor, but curves are generally minor.

I am HAPPY to speak with you at any time about how you are doing in this course and EAGER to help you come up with strategies for improvement if needed.

Academic Dishonesty: CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If I suspect academic dishonesty of any kind, I will set up a meeting with the student(s) involved. The penalty for academic dishonesty in this course may range from a zero on the assignment or exam to an F for the course. University policy requires me to inform the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs of the offence and the penalty.

The University of Minnesota is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities.  Disability Services is the campus office that works with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations.  Students registered with Disability Services who have a letter requesting accommodations, are encouraged to contact the instructor early in the semester.  Students who have, or think they may have, a disability (e.g. psychiatric, attentional, learning, vision, hearing, physical, or systemic), are invited to contact Disability Services for a confidential discussion at 320-589-6163 or freyc@morris.umn.edu.  Additional information is available at the DS web site at www.morris.umn.edu/services/dsoaac/dso.