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Biochemistry 440
Introduction to Protein Structure
and Intermediary Metabolism

Course Overview     Texts | Grading | Study Aids | Typical Week

This course teaches protein structure, enzyme kinetics, and intermediary metabolism to undergraduates in Molecular and Cellular, Biology, Biochemistry and to graduate students in related departments. 

Prerequisite: 2.5 in either BIOL 201 or BIOL 200; 2.5 in either CHEM 224, CHEM 239, or CHEM 337; 2.0 in either MATH 124, MATH 134 or MATH 144.

Evaluation and Grading     Overview | Texts | Study Aids | Typical Week | Top

• Exams: (420 total points) 
1. Two midterms and one final

a) Midterm 1: (110 points)
   (1) Wednesday, October 24 at 8:30am-9:20am
   (2) Covers material from Lectures 1-9; Homework #1-4
b) Midterm 2: (110 points)
   (1) Friday, November 18 at 8:30am-9:20am
   (2) Covers material from Lectures 10-19; Homework #5-7  
c) Final exam: (200 points)
   (1) Tuesday, December 13 at 8:30-10:20am
   (2) Two-thirds of exam will be on Lectures 20-26; Homework #8-9.
   (3) One-third will be comprehensive; Lectures #1-26, Homework #1-9.


• Quizzes: (50 total points; 6 quizzes, 10 points each)
1. Six quizzes will be given on line. Each quiz will be available for 27 hours. Actual quiz time is limited to 20 minutes.
   Top five scores will be recorded for each student, low score will be thrown out.
   Quizzes will be given on the following days, starting at 6am Friday and available until 9am Saturday.

a) Practice Quiz: (no points, ungraded)
   (1) 6am Friday, September 30th to 9am Saturday, October 1st
   (2) Covers pH Self quiz
b) Quiz 1: (10 points)
   (1) 6am Friday, October 7th to 9am Saturday, October 8th
   (2) Covers pH & buffers (Lecture #1-2; Homework #1)
c) Quiz 2: (10 points)
   (1) 6am Friday, October 14th to 9am Saturday, October 15th
   (2) Covers Amino acids & Protein Structure (Lecture #3-5; Homework #2)
d) Quiz 3: (10 points)
   (1) 6am Friday, November 4th to 9am Saturday, November 5th
   (2) Covers Enzymes (Lecture #11-13; Homework #5)
e) Quiz 4: (10 points)
   (1) 6am Friday, November 11th to 9am Saturday, November 12th
   (2) Covers Experimental Techniques and Thermodynamics, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis (Lectures #14-17; Homework #6)
f) Quiz 5: (10 points)
   (1) 6am Friday, December 2nd to 9am Saturday, December 3rd
   (2) Covers Citric Acid Cycle, Glyoxylate pathway, Fatty acid catabolism and Redox Reactions (Lecture #20-22; Homework #8)
g) Quiz 6: (10 points)
   (1) 6am Friday, December 9th to 9am Saturday, December 10th
   (2) Covers Electron Transport Chain, ATP Synthesis (Lecture #23-25; Homework #9)
  
• Grading for the course (470 total points possible):
1. Any student receiving greater than 94% of the points is guaranteed a 4.0. 
2. Mean grade will be 2.9 

Required Textbook     Overview | Grading | Study Aids | Typical Week | Top

• "Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry" Fifth Edition by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox;  published by Worth Publishing.  Textbook comes with a CD-ROM "UNDERSTAND! Biochemistry." Available as hardcopy textbook and Ebook available at: ebook.pfwpub.com
  
  
• Optional Study Guide:  "The Absolute, Ultimate Guide to Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry" by Marcy Osgood and Karen Ocorr;  published by Worth Publishing.

Study Aids     Overview | Grading | Texts | Typical Week | Top

• GoPost is a board for you to discuss questions with your classmates, get input from the TA's, form a study group, or share studying tips. Use this first if you have a question.
• Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry web page: interactive figures, self tests, etc. http://bcs.whfreeman.com/lehninger5e/
• Visit another TA section: you are welcome to drop in to any section
• Check out worksheets and other study aids from your TAs.

A Typical Week in Bioc440     Overview | Grading | Texts | Study Aids | Top

Lectures

• MWF 8:30-9:20 AM in GUG 220

TA sections

• A 50 minute review and practice session with your TA and classmates
• You are welcome to attend additional TA sections, provided there are sufficient seats within the classroom.
• In the past, there has been a statistically significant difference in the average final grades of the students who regularly attended TA sections verses those who did not.

Office hours

• Professors' Office hours: Wednesdays 9:30-10:20 in HST T478
• TAs' Office hours: Thursdays; Sept. 29: Oct. 6, 13, 20: Nov. 3, 10: Dec. 1, 8 : 5:00-6:00 PM in HST T478*

  *TAs will hold office hours on Thursday afternoons preceeding quiz Fridays and some midterms. If a quiz is not scheduled for a given week, your questions can still be addressed via GoPost or your TA section.

Homework

• Homework assignments will be posted under the Assignments tab
• Homework assignments are not turned in or graded directly. However, the quiz questions will be based on the homework questions
• A brief answer key will be available once the homework assignment has been published
• Full solutions to the homework will be posted following the quiz

Quizzes

• Online quizzes will be destributed via email on Thursdays.

  Important instructions on receiving quiz emails are found in Other Info

• The link for access to the quiz will be active for 27 hours: 6 AM Friday to 9 AM Saturday
• Links to the quiz are unique and the quiz can only be accessed once by each student
• Once started, the quiz must be completed within 20 minutes
• Quizzes are open note but NOT open neighbor. You must complete the quiz on your own without any discussion or "collaboration"

Exam Preparation

As midterms and the final approach, several study options will be available to you.

• Previous exams and solutions will be posted. Please note that each exam was tailored to a given year and may not exactly reflect the material that will be covered on the upcoming exam.
• The professors will hold additional office hours prior to the exam, dates and times TBD
• The TAs will also hold extended office hours the day before the exam

Need Technical Help? Check out Other Info