Syllabus

UNE Summer Session

CHEM 1005: Medical Biochemistry – Summer Session – 6 Weeks

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

Textbooks

This course is aligned to four texts; students may CHOOSE which text to use. All texts and readings are freely available online or from the UNE library and are linked in the course materials in D2L Brightspace. 

  • Rodwell VW, Bender DA, Botham KM, Kennelly PJ, Weil PA. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry. 31st ed. McGraw-Hill Education LLC; 2018.  (UNE Library Access)
  • Lieberman M, Peet A, Marks AD. Marks’ Basic Medical Biochemistry: A Clinical Approach. Fifth ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2018. (UNE Library Access)
  • Ferrier, D. Lippincott’s illustrated reviews: Biochemistry. 7th ed. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2017. (UNE Library Access)
  • LeClair RJ. Cell Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry for Pre-Clinical Students. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; 2021. (OER Online Edition from Pressbooks or LibreTexts.)

Webcam and Whiteboard

An external webcam is required for proctored exams. If you do not have one, you may order one here: External Webcam and Whiteboard.

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

CategoryPoints
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 Draft20
Integrated Case Study Final80
Final Exam140
Total441

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

Course Schedule

Week  Modules Due Dates
1

Module 1: Basics of Enzymes and Clinical Uses

Module 2: Enzyme Kinetics and Regulation

Module 3: Free Energy and the Electron Transport Chain

Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM EST

2

Module 4: Overview of Metabolism and Hormone Signaling

Module 5: Glycolysis and the TCA

Module 6: Glycogen Synthesis, Degradation and Gluconeogenesis

Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM 

3

Module 7: Pentose Phosphate Pathway, Galactose and Fructose Metabolism

Module 9: β-Oxidation and Ketogenesis

Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM

4

Module 10: Fatty Acid Synthesis

Module 11: Lipoprotein Metabolism

Assignments Sunday by 11:59 PM EST

5

Module 12: Cholesterol Synthesis and Regulation

Module 13: Protein Turnover and the Urea Cycle

Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM 
6

Module 14: Special Products from Amino Acids

Module 15: Purine and Pyrimidine Synthesis

Final Exam

Integrated Case Study Final

Assignments Due Friday by 11:59 PM 

Student Resources

Summer Session 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: summersessiononline@une.edu.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student support specialist 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.

To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.

If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.

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.

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

Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the Student Summer Session Manual for full details.

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, if the course has proctored exams, 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 12 weeks.

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar.
  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 summersessiononline@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.

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.

To view your unofficial UNE student transcript:

  1. Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Student Records
  4. Select Academic Transcript

To request your official UNE student transcript:

Please review your Unofficial Transcript prior to requesting an Official Transcript.

  1. Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Student Records
  4. Select Request Printed/Official Transcript
  5. Follow the prompts

After you click Submit Request, your official transcript will be put into the queue to be processed in the Registrar's Office.

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 College. 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.

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.

To view your unofficial UNE student transcript:

  1. Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Student Records
  4. Select Academic Transcript

To request your official UNE student transcript:

Please review your Unofficial Transcript prior to requesting an Official Transcript.

  1. Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Student Records
  4. Select Request Printed/Official Transcript
  5. Follow the prompts

After you click Submit Request, your official transcript will be put into the queue to be printed in the Registrar's Office.

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.