Syllabus

UNE Summer Session

CHEM 1005: Medical Biochemistry – Summer Session 2024

Credits - 4

Description

This online course is designed for Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Medical, and other students who are entering a medical profession. This course differs from most traditional biochemistry courses in several ways. The focus is human medical biochemistry. The course is limited to what is known about humans and disregards plant and most microbial systems. It emphasizes human metabolism. Students develop an appreciation of metabolism during the fed, fasting, and starved state. A substantial number of medical cases are included to demonstrate the relevance of biochemistry to health and disease. The goal of this course is to learn the core concepts of biochemistry that apply to human health and disease and to cite specific examples of their application. The student will be able to analyze and evaluate the most common biochemistry cited in medical literature. Furthermore, these basics will facilitate further learning in biochemistry and the health sciences.

Course pre-req: one semester of college biology and one year of college chemistry that includes one semester of organic chemistry.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives

Upon the completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Evaluate how enzymes facilitate chemical reactions and the necessity of metabolic cofactors or vitamins in these reactions; relate how enzyme activities and concentrations may be used in clinical diagnosis.
• Evaluate the different mechanisms by which hormones signal and influence metabolic pathways allowing for homeostasis within the body.
• Describe the metabolism of carbohydrates (glucose, galactose and fructose) and their role in generating ATP for the cell.
• Demonstrate an understanding of lipid metabolism, transport and storage in the fed and fasted conditions.
• Relate how amino acids are used in the processes of protein synthesis, precursors for synthesis of necessary compounds and as substrates for glucose production; determine the role of the urea cycle in coordinating amino acid catabolism and nitrogen disposal.
• Describe the synthesis of nucleotides from carbon donors and how this process is coupled with DNA synthesis and nitrogen metabolism.
• Interpret the role and regulation of the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids in normal physiological conditions and the changes that occur in disease processes.

Assignments

*Please Review the academic integrity agreement below before completing any assignments to ensure they are completed in accordance with this policy and the requirements of each assessment outlined below.

Weekly Quizzes

 These are in the form of an 8-question multiple-choice quiz. These quizzes are timed, non-proctored and are closed book and closed notes. You will have 15 minutes to complete each quiz. Doing well on the quizzes will help prepare you for both the non-proctored formative exams and the proctored summative exams.

Final exam

You must purchase the UNE-compliant External Webcam to take your proctored examination. Remember to order your webcam at least three weeks prior to scheduling your first proctored exam.

The final exam is closed book and closed notes. You may use a UNE-authorized whiteboard during the exam. A calculator is not necessary for this or any of the course assessments. If using the UNE-authorized whiteboard, you must first show your proctor that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session. You must also erase your whiteboard in front of the proctor before disconnecting from your session. If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited. You will not have access to any material saved on your or any other computer. No access to the internet or other communication devices are allowed during these exams. 

Final Exam

You will have two attempts for the Final Exam. 

Discussion Board Posts (Introduction and Pathway Responses)

There are three required discussion board posts. 

Case Connections

There are four required application exercises – called “Case Connections.” The Case Connections assignments are written assignments.  In all cases, assignments should be original work. The problems for these assessments require the application of knowledge gained in the course, and you can utilize resources to help address the questions asked. You will be assessed for both the correct answer as well as for the quality of your rationale for choosing or not choosing an answer.  Do not use these connection questions as part of your discussion board posts. Your course allows for a possible second attempt with quizzes and/or assignments. Please contact your course instructor if you wish to use another attempt. Further details about these assignments can be found within the course.

Integrated Case Activity

There is one Integrated Case Activity, a clinical presentation that requires the application and integration of content across units.  These assessments should be original work that utilizes additional resources to help address the questions asked. Further details about these assignments can be found within the course.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Category	Points
Quizzes (6 at 6 points each)	36
Course Discussions (3 at 5 points each)	15
Case Connections (3 at 50 points each)	150
Integrated Case Study Draft	20
Integrated Case Study Final	80
Final Exam	140
Total	441

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00