BCH 3053, Introductory Biochemistry

BCH 3053: Introductory Biochemistry

Chemistry Department
College of Arts & Sciences, University of South Florida
COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
e-mail:

Dr. Ioannis Gelis

SCA 430/434
813-974-7518
igelis@usf.edu

Term:
Class Meeting Days:
Class Meeting Hours:
Class Location:
Recitations:

Website:
Office Hours:
TA:
e-mail:

http://chemistry.usf.edu/faculty/igelis/
Tuesday & Thursday, 2:15 - 3:15 pm, SCA 430/434
Justin White
justin.justinwhite@gmail.com

Final Exam:

I.

Spring 2015
Tuesday & Thursday
12:30 - 13:45
BSF 100
Fridays, 17:15 - 18:45
at FAH101
TBA

Textbook
th

Campbell, Mary K. and Farrell, Shawn O. Biochemistry, 8 Edition

II.

Course Objectives
The main objective of this course is to introduce students to the basics of biochemistry through lecture and problem
solving. Students will examine among different topics the basic chemical building blocks of cell, including amino
acids; proteins and their structure; enzyme behavior; kinetics of enzymes; structure and function of biological
membranes; DNA; RNA; transcription / translation; and metabolism.

III.

Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to recognize and name amino acids and describe their behavior in acidic, basic and neutral
media. The student will be able to recognize the factors influencing the primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary
structure of proteins. The student will be able to describe models for enzyme behavior and use kinetics to model
that behavior. The student will be able to define the function and structure of biological membranes. The student
will be able to describe DNA, the different types of RNA and the function of these macromolecules. The student will
be able to describe in some detail the process of transcription. The student will be able to describe in some detail
protein synthesis (translation). The student will become familiar with basic genetic engineering techniques.

BCH 3053, Introductory Biochemistry

IV.

Exam Schedule
Exam
1
2
3
4
5
Make-up
Final Exam

Date
Friday,
Friday,
Friday,
Friday,
Friday,
TBA
TBA

01/23/15
02/13/15
03/13/15
04/03/15
04/17/15

Chap 1- 4
Chap 5-8
Chap 9-12
Chap 13,15,17,18
Chap 19-21

When time-of-class final examinations conflict, the course with the higher number will take priority. You are
responsible for informing your instructor by 03/23, 2015 if you have a final exam conflict. If you do not inform your
instructor by 03/23/15, no accommodation will be made for you.

V.

Important Dates
Key Dates, Holidays, and Breaks
th
First day of classes:
January 6
nd th
Spring Brake:
March 2 -7
rd
Last Day of Classes:
April 23
Academic Calendar: http://www.registrar.usf.edu/enroll/regist/calendt.php

VI.

Basis for Final Grade

5 Non-cumulative exams will be administered. The final exam is compulsory. The lowest grade will be dropped and
the four remaining grades plus the final exam grade will determine the letter grade for the course.
4 in Class Exams (100 points each)
Final Exam at 100 points
Total of Exam 1 + Exam 2 + Exam 3 + Exam 4 + Final

400 points
100 points
500 points

THE LETTER GRADE FOR THE COURSE WILL BE DETERMINED FROM YOUR FINAL TOTAL ACCORDING TO:
Letter-Score
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D

Percentage-Score
97%
93.0% to 96.8%
88.0% to 92.8%
82.0% to 87.8%
78.0 % to 81.8%
73.0% to 77.8%
67.0% to 72.8%
54.0% to 66.8%
40.0% to 53.8%

500-points based score

485
465 - 484
440 - 464
410 - 439
390 - 409
365 - 389
335 - 364
270 - 334
200 - 269

BCH 3053, Introductory Biochemistry

The instructor reserves the right to revise this table. The revisions will not be made to make it harder for you to get
any particular letter grade. The USF policies regarding the plus/minus grading system can be found at:
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0001/GRADETC.HTM.
No S/U grades will be assigned in this course. An incomplete grade will only be granted when, due to circumstances
beyond the control of the student, a small portion of the required work remains undone and the student is otherwise
passing the course.

VII.

Exam Policies
A calculator is highly recommended. Any type of calculator is acceptable; however, you may not use a cell phone
as a calculator.
Bring a picture ID. We will check that you are actually taking your exam
You cannot use Blue Tooth or a laptop during the exam.
Cell phones must be turned off.
All formulas will be provided on the exam cover sheet.

ANYONE CAUGHT CHEATING WILL BE GIVEN AN FF GRADE.

See the current Undergraduate Catalog, http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0506/adadap.htm, and the pertinent
posting on Canvas. NOTE: Cheating earns a double F (FF).

VIII. Extra Credit Policy

Instructors reserve the right to put an extra credit question on the exams

IX.

New Make Up Exam Policy

Instructors should accommodate a small number of absences when students have a valid excuse. Reasons for
excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the immediate family and other documented crises, call to
active military duty, court-imposed legal obligations (e.g., jury duty and subpoenas), religious days, special
requirements of other courses and university sponsored events (e.g., performances, games/meets, judging trips,
field trips), and severe weather conditions. Employment schedules and athletic training/practice schedules of
students do not comprise a valid excuse for absences. The University, through its faculty, will make every attempt to
schedule required classes and examinations in view of customarily observed religious holidays of those religious
groups or communities comprising the Universitys constituency. No student shall be compelled to attend class or sit
for an examination at a day or time prohibited by his or her religious belief. Any student who believes that he or she
has been treated unfairly with regard to the above may seek review of a complaint through established Student
Academic Grievance Procedures (found in the Graduate and Undergraduate catalogs) and those provided by the
Universitys Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

X.

Procedures for Excused Absences and Make-up Exam

Students are expected to notify their instructors at the beginning of each academic term if they intend to be absent
from a class or announced examination for the approved reason as noted above in accordance with this policy. In the
event that a student is absent for one of these noted reasons on a day when the instructor collects work for
purposes of grading (homework, quiz, etc.), the student shall be given a reasonable opportunity to make up such
work or shall not have that work averaged into the students grade, at the discretion of the instructor. If excused for
an absence, the student is responsible for completing all academic work, examinations, assignments, and labs within
a period of time and in a manner deemed appropriate by the instructor. The manner for accommodating excused
absences appropriately is in the hands of the instructor, but a student who is absent for an excused reason should

BCH 3053, Introductory Biochemistry

not be at a disadvantage when compared to other students. The approved reasons for excused absences apply even
if a student in a course has the option of dropping an assignment grade (e.g., dropping the lowest quiz score).
Excused absences for other reasons may be allowed or declined entirely at the discretion of the instructor. Even if
individual absences are excused, excessive absences may threaten a students satisfactory completion of a course.
Absences may count from the first class meeting, including for students who hope to add the class after the first day.

XI.

Attendance
Only First Day Attendance is mandatory. You will be dropped from the course if you are not at the first
class. Attendance is not mandatory for the rest of the lectures but is highly encouraged.

XII.

Religious Observances
Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious holiday
must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, at least two weeks in advance.

XIII. Students with Disabilities

Students in need of academic accommodations for a disability may consult with the office of Students with
Disabilities Services to arrange appropriate accommodations. Students are required to give reasonable notice prior
to requesting an accommodation. Contact SDS at 974-4309 or www.sds.usf.edu.

XIV. Recording Policy

Lectures may be audio recorded with the instructors permission; however, audio files and notes for this course may
NOT be sold or posted on the Internet without explicit written permission from your instructor. Cell phones and
other electronic communication devices are NOT allowed in class.

XV.

University-Wide Emergency Procedures:

In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may
opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to Canvas, Elluminate,
Skype, and e-mail messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of each student to monitor the
Canvas site for each of his or her classes for course-specific communication, as well as check the main USF, College,
and department Web sites, e-mails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

BCH 3053, Introductory Biochemistry

Day
01/06/15
01/08/15
01/13/15
01/15/15
01/20/15
01/22/15
01/23/15
01/27/15
01/29/15
02/03/15
02/05/15
02/10/15

02/12/15
02/17/15
02/19/15
02/20/15
02/24/15
02/26/15
03/10/15
03/12/15
03/17/15

COUSRSE OUTLINE
Subject
Biochemistry
Water as a Solvent
Biochemistry
Water as a Solvent
Amino Acids and Peptides
Amino Acids and Peptides
3-Dimensional Structure of
Proteins
3-Dimensional Structure of
Proteins
Exam 1
Protein Characterization
Techniques
Protein Characterization
Techniques
Behavior of Proteins:
Enzymes
Behavior of Proteins:
Enzymes
Behavior of Proteins:
Enzymes, Mechanisms and
Control
Lipids and Membranes
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic Acids: Replication
Exam 2
Nucleic Acids: Transcription
Nucleic Acids: Transcription
Nucleic Acids: Translation
Nucleic Acids: Translation
Nucleic acid Biotechnology
Techniques

Chapter
1,2
1,2
3
3
4
4
Chapters 1-4
5
5
6
6
7

8
9
10
Chapters 5-8
11
11
12
12
13

BCH 3053, Introductory Biochemistry

03/19/15
03/20/15
03/24/15
03/26/15
03/31/15
04/02/15
04/07/15
04/09/15

Energy and Electron Transfer

04/10/15
04/14/15
04/16/15
04/17/15
04/21/15
04/23/15

Exam 3
Glycolysis
Glycolysis
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Citric Acid Cycle
Electron Transport and
Oxidative Phosphorylation
Exam 4
Lipid Metabolism
Review 1
Exam 5
Review 2
Review 3

04/25/15
TBA

Final Exam
Make-Up Exam

15
Chapters 9-12
17
17
18
18
19
20
Chapters 13, 15, 17, 18
21
Chapters 19-21

12:30 14:30
Cumulative