Biochemistry II
(Chem 4420) 10:10-11:08, N104

Dr. Koni Stone
Office: N358, 667-3570
Email: koni@chem.csustan.edu		 Office hours: 
F: 11:15-12:15,
R: 9:15-12:15
and by appointment
Text: Biochemistry by Nelson, Cox and Lehninger

Learning goals
Students will strive to:
Understand the chemical basis for processes in biological systems.
Be able to explain how biochemical pathways are regulated and integrated.
Be able to explain the inter-relationships between biological systems at the molecular level.

In addition, students will improve their oral and written communication skills.

 Assessment of Student Learning
Device Points  Dates*
3 Midterm Exams 100 each March 12, April 23, May 19
Final Exam (may replace two exams with final exam score) 200 Thurs; May 29th,8:30-10:30
Research report
1. Problem
2. 1st draft, list of references and copies of all literature papers
3. Manuscript
4. Anonymous Peer review exercise
5. Final version (on disk, ready for publication.)
 25
 50
100
 50
 25
February 28
March 21
April 18
April 30
May 21
Quizzes, assignments, case studies, group work, in class exercises
Group presentations
Attendance at seminars (1-2 page summary due the next day)


Oral presentation of research paper (optional)

Service Based Learning, paper summary (optional) 		 10 each
10
10

50

50 1st activity

 Throughout the semester





Oral presentations are the last week of class.


All service learning summaries are due on May 21

*The schedule may change as needed.

Note: Since this is a WP course, You must pass the writing assignments to pass the course. You must earn 70% of the possible points for the writing exercises, including the paper, in class writing exercises, and exam essay questions. Due dates will be enforced. Late papers will be downgraded 10% per day after the due date.

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Grades

Grade Points
A 630
B 560
C 490
D 420
F below 419

Exams will cover all information presented in class and all material in the required readings, unless otherwise noted. The final exam will be comprehensive.  Exams must be taken on the days and at times that are scheduled.  

Research report: Research and review the current (2004-2008) literature on the biochemical problem of your choice. Reports must include at least five current primary references from the literature, be from 8-12 pages in length and they must be generated using a word processing computer program. Please use double spacing and select a font that has 10-12 characters per inch. Both MacIntosh and IBM machines are available for your use in the computer labs in the Library building and in the science building. If you are in need of assistance, it is your responsibility to schedule a computer lesson with me.

The problem will be graded on originality and depth of thought. State the problem that you want to study, why you want to study this problem and what impact this problem has on the general population. Be very specific. Don't state that you want to study diabetes because it is the leading cause of blindness. Do some research and learn how diabetes causes blindness, what reactions are involved? What metabolic relationships are involved? Then state your problem including this information. All drafts of your manuscript will be graded on depth of research, organization, writing style, punctuation and grammar. The final draft will be submitted electronically and will be suitable for publication.  No quotes are allowed and paraphrasing should be avoided.  Use your own words to describe what you have learned from reading about your topic.  

The objectives of this assignment are to strengthen your literature research and writing skills. This will also give you the opportunity to learn about a biochemical problem in depth.

Case studies: Students will work in groups of two on case study projects. Your group will present the case, and answer the biochemical questions for the case.   Some assignments will require individual written synopses.

Group exercises:  Examples of group exercises can be found on the main web page.  

Class attendance:  Attendance is highly recommended.  Quizzes and group work assignments will occur at random.  There will be no opportunities for missed work. 

Service learning: Several opportunities will be presented.  You will be expected to contribute 12-15 hours of your time.  Options include: 



Reading list*:

Chapter Topic Chapter Top[ic
8 DNA 14 Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
9 DNA technology 15/23 Regulation of sugar metabolism/hormonal control
10 Lipids 16 Citric Acid Cycle
11 Biological Membranes 17 Fatty Acid Metabolism
12 Biosignalling 18 Urea cycle
13 Energetics! 19 Electron transport
*Other supplemental reading material may be assigned

Note: This syllabus is intended to be used as a guide, it is not a legal contract.
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