Offered
This is a lecture course which is offered each Fall, Spring and Summer semester.
Prerequisites and Registration Restrictions
Elementary Organic Chemistry or Equivalent
- 01:160:209 Elementary Organic Chemistry or
- 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry or
- 01:160:315 Honors Organic Chemistry or
- 21:160:335 Organic Chemistry I
For Pre-requisite overrides or Special Permission e-mail Nalini Kaul at nalinik@sebs.rutgers.edu
Format
The table below provides an explanation of the varied formats the course is offered in and how the course runs.
Section Type |
Term(s) Potentially Offered |
Lecture Material Format |
Office Hour Support |
Support Provided by Professor |
Exam Time & Proctoring |
In-person |
fall & spring |
1:20hr live lectures during scheduled meeting place & times with asynchronous readings and assignments |
Live office hour scheduled by professor each term. |
After class or during live office hours |
Live proctored by professor(s) and/or TA(s) in classroom during class meeting times |
Online |
fall & spring |
1:20hr pre-recorded lectures on LMS with asynchronous readings and assignments |
Group Webcam office hours scheduled by professor each term |
During office hours and asynchronous discussion posts |
Webcam and microphone recorded computer proctoring via student’s computer |
Hybrid |
summer |
Four hours in-person course meetings spread over a 6 weeks period with asynchronous readings and assignments |
Live office hour scheduled by professor each term. |
After class or during live office hours |
Live proctored by professor(s) and/or TA(s) in classroom during class meeting times |
Online |
Summer |
1:20hr pre-recorded lectures on LMS with asynchronous readings and assignments |
Group Webcam office hours scheduled by professor each term |
During office hours and asynchronous discussion posts |
Webcam and microphone recorded computer proctoring via student’s computer |
Description
This is a one semester survey course of biochemistry and will focus on an introduction to proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and the lipid family of biological molecules. In addition, we will discuss metabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids and nitrogen in the body as well as the signaling that controls them. In order to appreciate these, students will be taught the basic structure of molecules and the biochemical reactions that allow them to form more advanced macromolecules in the organism. The overall goal is for students to understand that many of these reactions or metabolic pathways relate to each other in the organism.
Topics Covered
Water in Biological Systems, Proteins and Enzymes, Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acids, Lipids and Energy and Metabolism
Course Book
Biochemistry: Concepts and Connections Dean R. Appling, Spencer J. Anthony-Cahill and Christopher K. Mathews with a subscription to Modified Mastering Chemistry/Biochemistry by Pearson
Learning Goals
By the end of this course, students should successfully be able to:
- explain and apply core concepts of matter and energy transformation, including thermodynamic calculations, enzyme catalysis and the coupling of exergonic and endergonic reactions in biochemical systems.
- explain and examine core concepts of homeostasis, the organization of chemical processes, and the regulation of biological molecules in the cell.
- describe and analyze macromolecular structure and function, including the nature of biological macromolecules, their interaction with water, the relationship between structure and function, and mechanisms for regulating their function.
- explain and apply core concepts of biological information focusing on the manner in which information is encoded, transcribed and translated, and the mechanisms by which information is transmitted and maintained across generations.
- analyze and evaluate peer-reviewed literature in order to formulate hypotheses that will further biochemical research required for post-graduate exams and studies.
Examinations
The course contains the following graded assignments: Mastering Chemistry Homework, End of Module Quizzes and Proctored Exams. Online proctoring is an expectation of fully online courses.
Other Requirements
In-person and hybrid sections of course:
- Basic computer and web-browsing skills
- Computer: current Mac (OS X) or PC (Windows 7+) with a reliable internet connection
- Ability to navigate Canvas LMS
Fully online sections of course:
- Basic computer and web-browsing skills
- Ability to navigate Canvas LMS
- Live web conferencing using Zoom, Webex or Canvas for office hours and any required meetings.
- Use of webcam and microphone to facilitate online proctoring system.
- Computer: current Mac (OS X) or PC (Windows 7+) with a reliable high-speed internet connection
- Webcam: built-in or external webcam, fully installed
- Microphone: built-in laptop or tablet mic or external microphone
- (highly suggested, but not required) A pair of headphones for listening to videos and office hours
- A non-memory calculator like a TI-30X or equivalent (no graphing calculators)
- Access to Microsoft Word or equivalent
- Access to Microsoft PowerPoint or equivalent
- Google Chrome web browser ONLY for course materials.
- The use of online proctoring systems during exams and any requests for student identity verification related to online proctoring
Syllabus
A specific and detailed syllabus will be available during the first class meeting and will be contained within the Learning Management System for that specific term.