BCH400/600 Introductory Biochemistry Spring 2007
Instructor: Dr.
David Shintani
Phone:
(775)-784-4631
E-mail:
shintani@unr.edu
Class
Times: M, T, W, Th (10:00-10:50 AM),
Location:
Text: Horton,
H.R., Moran, L.A., Scrimgeour, K.G., Perry, M.D., Rawn, J.D., (2006) Principles of Biochemistry, 4th
Edition, Prentice Hall,. The text book is not required, but it is recommended as
a study resource. Copies of the 3rd and 4th editions of
the text are available at the Reserve desk at the Main Library and the Health and
Life Sciences Library. Either edition should suffice to supplement the lectures.
However some materials present in the lectures may not be present in either textbook.
Office
hours: Tuesday 2:00 PM -
3:00 PM. I can be available other times by appointment. Please contact me by
phone or E-mail (E-mail is the BEST way
to get hold of me) to set up an appointment.
Course
Prerequisites: For BCH
400: BIOL 190, CHEM 102, either CHEM 220a or CHEM 241 or CHEM 341. For BCH 600:
BIOL 190, CHEM 102, CHEM 341 and CHEM 342.
Objectives: The objective of this course is to
provide students with a comprehensive overview of the three major areas in
Biochemistry: Structure/Function of Biomolecules,
Metabolism, and Molecular Biology. The information provided in this course will
also provide the necessary foundations for students planning to take advanced
Biochemistry course including, BCH 405/605 (Molecular Biology), BCH 417/617
(Metabolic Regulation) and BCH 413/613 (Molecular Biophysics).
Clicker Extra Credit System: I have implemented the PRS Interwrite Clicker System to increase student participation
in the learning process. Students will benefit from the use of the clickers in
two ways. 1) The clicker questions will reflect actual questions that will
appear on future exams. 2) Participation will earn each student 20 extra credit
points that will be added to their total exam points for the course. Clicker extra
credit will be given for participation and students will not be penalized for
answering questions incorrectly. To be awarded the extra credit points at the
end of the semester, students must have attempted to answer at least 50% of the
questions. If you forget to bring your clicker to class you will not be given credit
for that clicker session (NO EXCEPTIONS).
If a student is caught answering questions for students not physically present,
all students involved will receive a failing grade on the next exam.
Exams:
“Midterm” exams will be
given approximately every three weeks. The “midterm” exams and final exam will
be comprised of half multiple choice, true/false, short answer and half problem
solving type questions. The exam questions will be based primarily on
information presented in lecture. The suggested readings from the textbook are
to supplement and clarify information presented in lecture. Review sessions
will be held on the evening prior to each “midterm” exam at a time and place to
be determined.
If you must miss an exam, YOU MUST CALL ME OR E-MAIL ME BEFORE THE SCHEDULED EXAM. The make-up exam needs to be taken within a week of the scheduled exam, unless other arrangements are made. Make-up exams will consist of 5-20 short answer, calculations, and essay questions. You will only be able to take the exam late if you experience an illness, a death in the family, or must participate in an official university function (NCAA event). A note on letterhead from a responsible party (i.e. doctor, etc…) is mandatory in order to waive the exam. The responsible party cannot be a parent or close relative.
Course
Grading: A through F (+
and -).
The
final course grade will be based on scores obtained from the best 4 out of 5
“midterm” exams (worth 100 points each) and a mandatory final exam that will
contain 2/3 new material and 1/3 comprehensive material from the entire course
(worth 150 points). Final grades will be calculated from a total of 550 exam points
plus 20 extra credit points if the student participated in the clicker program.
BCH 600 students will be required to present journal club type presentation on
topic agreed upon by the instructor. The presentation will be worth 20% of the
total grade (i.e. 137.5 points). If the mean of the class total points is >
70% of the total points, final grades will be based on a straight 10 point
scale with 100-90 = A, 89-80 =B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, <59 = F. If the class mean total
score is lower than 70%, the grade scale will be adjusted appropriately.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: Academic dishonesty is against university as well as the system community standards. Academic dishonesty is defined as: cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses. Plagiarism is defined as submitting the language, ideas, thoughts or work of another as one's own; or assisting in the act of plagiarism by allowing one's work to be used in this fashion. Cheating is defined as (l) obtaining or providing unauthorized information during an examination through verbal, visual or unauthorized use of books, notes, text and other materials; (2) obtaining or providing information concerning all or part of an examination prior to that examination; (3) taking an examination for another student, or arranging for another person to take an exam in one's place; (4) altering or changing test answers after submittal for grading, grades after grades have been awarded, or other academic records once these are official.
Disciplinary procedures for incidents of academic dishonesty may involve both academic action and administrative action for behavior against the campus regulations for student conduct. The procedures involve the determination by the faculty member pursuing concerns over alleged cheating or plagiarism as to whether administrative action is warranted, in addition to making a determination as to any academic consequence. Academic action may include: (1) cancelling the student's enrollment in the class without a grade; (2) filing a final grade of "F"; (3) awarding a failing mark on the test or paper in question; (4) requiring the student to retake the test or resubmit the paper.
Physical
and Learning Disabilities:
UNR is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students. It is the
responsibility of students with documented learning and/or physical
disabilities to contact instructors during the first week of semester to
discuss appropriate accommodations. I will gladly meet with the student and
staff members of the