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Fall 2010
Unique number: 51765
Course number: CH 369
Description: This course is a one semester survey course
designed for life science majors requiring only one semester of
biochemistry. We will cover basic concepts about pH, biological
buffers, bioenergetics, nucleotides, amino acids, proteins, enzymes,
carbohydrates, lipids, intermediary metabolism, and molecular biology.
Prerequisite: 3 hours of organic chemistry with a grade of C or better.
Meeting time and location
Days: TTh
Time: 3:30-5:00
Place: Welch 2.224
Instructor
Name: Dr. Karen Browning
Office: Welch 5.256B
Office hours: go to Blackboard
Phone: 471-4562
E-mail: Go to
Blackboard for email addresses. Only use this email otherwise
I will not respond. My email is also scanned by a spam/virus filter
at the server level, if you use a commercial account, it may be
screened out and not received. It is best to use a mail.utexas.edu
address.
Teaching Assistants
See Blackboard for TA information
PLUS (peer-led undergraduate studying) Sessions(information
on this program or to apply to be a peer mentor )
Go to Bb for times/places
Textbook, Online Homework and Clickers
- Essential Biochemistry, 2nd Edition; Pratt and
Cornely--available as new softcover at Coop; the new 2nd edition is very similar to the 1st edition, but the order of the chapters is changed, some are merged, some are separated. If you want to use the first edition it is fine, but be aware of the differences and you will have to pay closer attention in class to catch anything not in the first edition (there is a chapter conversion table in BB).
- Sapling Learning, details in BB, cost ~$25
- I will use Clickers in class for various purposes and extra credit
Exams --Exams WILL NOT
be rescheduled or postponed except for documented medical reasons.
Make up exams are not eligible for any curve the class may receive.
Exams will be during the scheduled class period 3:30-5 pm.
Assigned seating will be used
during exams. Please check Bb for your assignment the day before the exam.
Thurs, Sept. 16, Chapters 1-5
Thurs, Oct. 7, Chapters 6-10
Thurs, Oct. 28, Chapters 11-15
Thurs, Nov. 18, Chapters 16-19
Final: Dec. 11, 2-5 pm (comprehensive chapters 1-22)
Rules for
exams:
- seating will be assigned for each exam and final
- backpacks, notebooks,
books, papers, etc. will be placed in the front of the room
- students will not
talk during the exam except to the instructor or TAs
- remove hats
and caps during the exam--5 pts will be deducted for wearing one
- no graphing
calculators or programmable hand helds or any electronic equipment
of any sort (e.g. Palm Pilots, phones, cameras, computers, scanners etc)--use
of one will result in confiscation and a loss of 30 points on
the exam
- you may use a simple scientific calculator, e.g., TI-36S Solar Calculator (~$15) or learn to use the log tables for pH and buffer problems
- no cell phones or
pagers or any other electronic equipment--turn them off and place at front of room!
Grading system--
- Graded homework for
each chapter will be assigned through Sapling Learning for a total
of 60 pts (4 pts each, highest 15 will be counted).
- 4 exams
(100 pt each), the lowest exam will be dropped.
No make up exams given for interviews, weddings, personal events of any kind. In the case of a documented illness, a make up exam may be considered.
- The comprehensive final will be worth 140 pts. Be sure to check your calendars NOW for any conflicts. There will be no early finals due to interviews, weddings, early flights, etc.. Drop the class if you cannot take the final.
- A=450-500 pts; B=400-449
pts; C=350-399 pts; D=300-349 pts; F= 299 and below. Course grade totals are NOT curved, your total is your course grade. Grades are NOT determined by percentage, your total points determine your grade. A total of 449 points is a B. I do round up to the nearest whole number, eg. 449.5 or above will be rounded to 450.
- Plus/minus will NOT be used.
- Several types of extra
credit (including random online quizzes), calling on in class, clicker points, etc. up to 8 pts maximum
for the semester may be offered at various times
during the semester. You should consider this an "earned" course curve. If you have 449 points from your exams and homework, then the 8 pts you earned as extra credit will make a difference in your course grade.
Note about grades for this class. It has been observed that if you score well below 50 on the first exam it is highly unlikely that you will score better on subsequent exams. This generally means you have too heavy a course load or are distracted by something in your personal life and do not have the time necessary to keep up with the material. Please pay careful attention to the drop dates and should illness or personal issues cause you to fall behind, immediately contact a College of Natural Sciences counselor (471-4536, WCH 1.106) and let me know. Generally these kinds of issues affect more than one class and the counselors can help you figure out which classes to drop. It is much better to drop the class than end up in trouble at the end of the semester.
Attendance and Attention Policy
Regular attendance is expected at all class meetings. Random
attendance will be taken throughout the semester by various means. Your attention in class is also required. If you come to class only to text, check your email, read the paper, watch You-Tube, sleep, etc. (all behaviours observed) just do not bother to come to class. Your bad behavior is distracting to other students who do want to be in class.
Scholastic dishonesty policy
Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty
are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility
of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since
such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity
of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly
enforced. For further information, see the Student
Judicial Services website. |
