CHY 361: Biochemistry I

Fall Semester, 2001

Syllabus

PLEASE DON'T SELL YOUR ORGANIC CHEMISTRY TEXT -- YOU'LL NEED IT!!

Students: Pick up your free copy of
"Prelude to Biochemistry:
A Review of Important Concepts from Organic Chemistry"
now outside my office door.

Topics

Calendar
First, read this.

This course happens when you work the problems.

Instructor

Gale Rhodes
rhodes@usm.maine.edu
Office in Science 366 -- New office -- same great service.
Phone 780-4734
Office Hours

Meetings

10:30-11:20 AM, MWF
Science 362

Prerequisites

1) Two semesters of general chemistry AND
2) Two semesters of organic chemistry

WARNING: If you have not completed a full year (6-8 semester hours) of organic chemistry for chemistry and biology majors, with a grade of C or better, you are not qualified for this course. To my knowledge, no one lacking this prerequisite has ever earned a C or better in CHY 361. USM does not permit me to block registration by those lacking prerequisites, so all I can do is advise:

I strongly urge you not to waste your time and money by taking this class if you have not completed the prerequisites.

Texts/
Required
Materials

1) Voet, Voet, and Pratt, Fundamentals of Biochemistry, John Wiley and Sons, UPGRADE EDITION, 2002.
BRING THIS BOOK TO EVERY CLASS.

TABLE 4.1 IN THIS TEXT IS MESSED UP. CLICK HERE FOR A CORRECTED VERSION (pdf file -- requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

2) Uzman, Eichberg, Widger, Voet, Voet, and Pratt, Student's Companion to Fundamentals of Biochemistry, John Wiley and Sons.

NOTE: The publisher provides item 2 free with a new copy of item 1. This package is available at the USM bookstore and is probably the cheapest way for you to get both books.

3) A USM student computer account. If you do not already have one, go to Academic Computing Services in Luther Bonney Hall and ask to set up this account.

Texts are available at USM Bookstore, Portland, and the Campus Bookstore on Forest Avenue.

You will also need your organic chemistry text.

Evaluation

1) Three exams, 100 points each
All exams are comprehensive. Exam dates are on the schedule.

2) Final Exam, 200 points

3) Molecular Modeling Project, 100 points

4) Quizzes, 10 points each
At least five ten-minute announced quizzes on required memory work.
For more information, see Learning Strategies.

For details on computation of your final grade, see Grading Policy.

Exams

Room 366 Science!!
  • Exam #1, Friday, September 28
  • Exam #2, Friday, October 26
  • Exam #3, Friday, November 30
  • Final Exam: TBA

NOTE: All exams are two hours with a flexible schedule.
ON EXAM DAY, COME TO MY OFFICE (SCIENCE 366)
to begin the exam any time between 7:30 and 10:30 AM.
You will have two hours from the time of your arrival.

Notice to Disabled Students

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please inform me during the first week of the semester, after consulting with the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities, 237 Luther Bonney (780-4706). For problems with writing or study skills, make an appointment at the Learning Center, 253 Luther Bonney (780-4228) or the Counseling Center, 106 Payson Smith (780-4050).

First Assignment!! (due by noon Friday, September 7)

Subscribe to your Biochemistry Discussion Group by following these instructions:

Send email to
LISTSERV@USM.MAINE.EDU
with only the following line in the body of your message
SUBSCRIBE CHY361

NOTE: There is a space between "subscribe" and "CHY361". There are no spaces in "CHY361".

  • If you do not have a computer and internet access, USM can provide it. Go to the USM Computer Center and open an account.
  • If you have more than one email account, subscribe from the account you use most.

You will receive an acknowledgement, with instructions for participating in the discussion list. If you receive a reply "no such list", then the service has not yet been set up. It should be ready by 9/1.

I will use this discussion list to send you reminders and announcements concerning the class. You are responsible for announcements list in this manner, so check your e-mail regularly.

I invite you to use the list for discussion of biochemical topics with all class members and me. Any message you send to the list (CHY361@USM.MAINE.EDU) will go to all members of the class (and to me).

If you have specific questions to ask me, please do not send them to the discussion list. Send them directly to me: rhodes@usm.maine.edu.

Surviving Biochemistry

Secrets of success in a course that introduces you to a complex, massive, and fast-moving field. How to study, get the most out of class, and be ready for exams.

Topics and Assignments

Complete topics list for the full year of biochemistry, with links to Learning Strategies, Essential Skills, and Graphics Exercises. I may revise this table of assignments as the course proceeds. I will inform you when I make changes.

Calendar

A very tentative, and probably overly optimistic, schedule. Exam dates are reliable, but all else is guesswork.

Molecular Modeling Project

Learn to view, study, and analyze the structures of biological molecules with a powerful, free modeling program that runs on PowerMacs or PCs. Show me you skills by studying your own personal proteins and preparing revealing pictures.

The Fine Print

Make sure you get full credit for your work. See this statement of policies, practices, and penalties.

Biochemistry Resources

Your biochemistry home on the World Wide Web. Look here to links to Graphics Exercises, Learning Strategies (with quiz assignments), tutorials, handouts, and supplementary readings.

Advice To Premedical Students

Make the most of your preparation for medical school.

Need a Letter of Recommendation?

Then I need more information about you.

I will appreciate your advice and criticism as the course proceeds.

Biochemistry Resources

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