Syllabus

Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Health

CHEM 1050: Biochemistry – Accelerated – 8 weeks – Fall B 2024

Credits - 4

Description

This online course serves as an introduction to the fundamental principles of biochemistry, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the chemical processes that occur within living organisms.  Students will explore the structure, function, and regulation of biological molecules, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.  This course will cover topics including metabolic pathways, enzymology, metabolism, and the integration of biochemical processes in cellular functions. 

Topics Covered:

  1. Structure and functions of proteins and enzymes.
  2. Enzymes: kinetics, mechanism, and regulation
  3. Bioenergetics
  4. Metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids

Materials

Rodwell VW, Bender DA, Botham KM, Kennelly PJ, Weil PA. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry. 32nd ed. McGraw-Hill Education LLC; 2023.  (UNE Library Access)

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

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

  • Appreciate the scope of biochemistry and its central role in the life sciences.
  • Explain the physical properties of water.
  • Define and apply pH, pKa, pI, and K.
  • Provide examples of how each type of R group of the amino acids contributes to their chemical properties.
  • 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.
  • Assess 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.
  • Interpret the role and regulation of the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in normal physiological conditions and the changes that may occur.

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 Practice Evaluations

Each week has 1-3 chapter evaluations. 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. The quizzes will be taken online through the Brightspace course site. These quizzes do not contribute to your final overall grade, but they must be completed. The questions for these assessments are pulled from a pool of questions used for the formative Unit exams.  Doing well on the quizzes will help prepare you for the formative Unit exams. You can only take each weekly quiz once, and these assessments can be reviewed through Class Progress after completion.

Unit Exams

There are four non-proctored exams after Units 1 – 4. These exams consist of 15-20 questions and will be taken through Brightspace. These exams consist of material restricted to a single unit and contain questions very similar to the weekly quizzes. You will have up to 45 minutes to complete these exams and once started you must complete the assessment. Exams should be taken closed notes, closed books and in accordance with the academic integrity agreement. You can only take these once and these can be reviewed through Class Progress after completion.

Discussion Board Posts

There are three required discussion board posts. Please see Brightspace for a full description of the assignment. This assessment is designed to help with critical thinking skills and to identify any key misconceptions you may have over the material.

Final Project

The biochemistry course will cover chapters 1 – 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 – 20, 22, 23, 25, and 26 in Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry textbook. For the final project, you will choose one of the remaining chapters to create a video presentation. For this presentation, you will become the teacher and present the chapter to your classmates in a video format presentation. You will then upload your video to YouTube.

It will be a 4 step Final Project.  

  • Step 1 – due in Unit 1 is the chapter selection submission.
  • Step 2 – due in Unit 2 is the outline submission.
  • Step 3 – due in Unit 3 is the rough draft presentation submission.
  • Step 4 – due in Unit 4 is the 10-minute video presentation submission.

Grading Policy

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

Grade Breakdown

CategoryPoints
Practice Evaluation Quizzes (14 required 8-question practice quizzes) 0
Unit 1 Exam 12.5
Unit 2 Exam 12.5
Unit 3 Exam 12.5
Unit 4 Exam 12.5
Discussions: 3 x 10 points 30
Final Project Unit 1: Chapter 0.5
Final Project Unit 2: Outline 0.5
Final Project Unit 3: Visuals 1
Final Project Unit 4: Video 18
Total 100

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

Schedule

Week 1: Oct 30 – Nov 5
Week 2: Nov 6 – Nov 12
Week 3: Nov 13 – Nov 19
Week 4: Nov 20 – Nov 26
Week 5: Nov 27 – Dec 3
Week 6: Dec 4 – Dec 10
Week 7: Dec 11 – Dec 17
Week 8: Dec 18 – Dec 24

Below is a general overview of the Units. For more a detailed outline please follow the weekly instructions within Brightspace.

UNIT 1 (Weeks 1 – 2)

Unit 1 Assessments

Weekly Practice Evaluations

Discussion Introduction and Video Practice

Final Project Assignment for Unit 1

Unit 1 Exam

Weeks

Readings

Week 1:

Biochemistry & Water

Amino Acids & Primary Structure Determination

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 31st Ed.

  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4

Week 2: 

Proteins: Higher Orders of Structure

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 31st Ed.

  • Chapter 5 SECTION: Four Orders of Protein Structure Secondary Structur

UNIT 2  (Weeks 3 – 4)

Unit 2 Assessments

Weekly Practice Evaluations

Discussion: Venn Diagram

Final Project Assignment for Unit 2

Unit 2 Exam

Week 3:

Basics of Enzymes and Clinical Uses

Enzyme Kinetics & Regulation

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 31st edition

  • Chapter SECTION: The Allosteric Properties of Hemoglobins Result from their Quaternary Structures, 
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9

Week 4: 

Free Energy & the Electron Transport Chain

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 31st edition

  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 13

UNIT 3 (Weeks 5 – 16)

Unit 3 Assessments

Weekly Practice Evaluations

Discussion: Crossword Puzzle

Final Project Assignment for Unit 3

Unit 3 Exam 

Week 5:

Overview of Metabolism and Hormone Signaling

Glycolysis and the TCA

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 31st edition

  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 42
  • Chapter 16
  • Chapter 17

Week 6:

Glycolysis and the TCA

Pentose Phosphate Pathway, Galactose & Fructose Metabolism

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 31st edition

  • Chapter 18
  • Chapter 19
  • Chapter 20

UNIT 4 (Weeks 7 – 8)

Unit 4 Assessments

Weekly Practice Evaluations

Final Project Submission

Unit 4 Exam

Week 7:

β-Oxidation and Ketogenesis

Fatty Acid Synthesis

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 31st edition

  • Chapter 22
  • Chapter 25 – SECTION: Adipose Tissue is the Main Store of Triacylglycerol in the Body
  • Chapter 23

Week 8:

Lipoprotein Metabolism

Cholesterol Synthesis & Regulation

Final Project

Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 31st edition

  • Chapter 25
  • Chapter 26

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.

Policies

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Assignments

Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Proctored Examinations

The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. This system provides a simple, no cost to the student, secure, online proctor for exams and allows the student to take all the exams at home and on their own schedule.

Upon enrollment into the course, each student will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give the student access to all of ProctorU's services. When ready, students will schedule each of their proctored exams with ProctorU. Exams must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance to avoid fees. Prior to taking their exams, students must be sure that they have downloaded the ProctorU Chrome or Firefox extension and are using the most current version of Chrome or Firefox. They must also be sure their testing site's connection meets the minimum requirements by using ProctorU's "Test It Out" utility.

Upon the exam day and hour, students will log in to ProctorU and click on "exams". After following the procedures outlined at ProctorU's website, the student will log in to Brightspace and locate their correct exam. The proctor will then allow student access to that exam.

Students must use ProctorU and must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited.

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.