BIOL 440 / CHEM 440 - Biochemistry I (Fall 2009)

(updated 4-Sept-2009)

Lectures: 9:00-9:50 am, MWF in 001 Paccar (CRN 10993).
Instructor: Jeff D Cronk E-mail: cronk@gonzaga.edu Phone: 313-6627 (lab - 5935)
Office: Hughes 234. Office Hours: (Fall 2009) MWF 10-11 am; Tue noon-1 pm; also by appt.
Text: Biochemistry (6th edition) Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer (BTS6)
Course website: http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/cronk/CHEM440-index.html
Course synopsis: In this course, we explore the chemical basis of living systems and our goal is to gain an understanding of life from the point of view of molecular structure, thermodynamics, and kinetics. We will begin with an introduction to the macromolecules of biological systems and their building blocks, emphasizing proteins and amino acids. We then take up the structural foundations of protein function, particularly enzymatic catalysis and regulation. Finally, we begin to examine the central pathways of metabolism, which illustrate energetic, mechanistic, and regulatory principles.

Additional Links: [ Blog ] [ Biochemistry dictionary ] [ GenChem Resources ] [ NCBI ] [ PDB ]
   
  Class schedule
(Tentative) 		MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY
 

WEEK 1
2, 4 September
( Lectures 1, 2 )

  

2 September.
Introduction
CHAPTER 1

4 September.
Chemical concepts
CHAPTER 1
WEEK 2
9, 11 September
( Lectures 3, 4 ) 		7 September
GU Labor Day

9 September.
Biomolecules
CHAPTERS 4, 12

11 September.
Amino acids
CHAPTER 2
WEEK 3
14, 16, 18 September
( Lectures 5, 6, 7) 		14 September.
Polypeptides
CHAPTER 2		 16 September.
Protein structure
CHAPTER 2		 18 September.
Stability & folding
CHAPTER 2
WEEK 4
21, 23, 25 September
( Lecture 8, 9 ) 		21 September.
Protein methods
CHAPTER 3		 23 September.
Protein methods
CHAPTERS 3, 6

25 September
EXAM 1
WEEK 5
28, 30 September; 2 Oct.
( Lectures 10, 11, 12 ) 		28 September.
Bioinformatics
CHAPTER 6
30 September.
Enzymology intro
CHAPTER 8
2 October.
Enzyme kinetics
CHAPTER 8
WEEK 6
5 & 9 October
( Lectures 13, 14 )
5 October.
Kinetics & inhibition
CHAPTER 8
 7 October
Learning Outcomes Day		 9 October.
Enzyme mechanisms
CHAPTER 9
WEEK 7
12, 14, 16 October
( Lecture 15, 16, 17 ) 		12 October.
Enzyme mechanisms
CHAPTER 9		 14 October.
Enzyme mechanisms
CHAPTER 9		 16 October.
Enzyme regulation
CHAPTERS 9, 10
WEEK 8
21, 23 October
( Lecture 18 ) 		19 October
Founder's Day Holiday		 21 October.
Allosteric proteins
CHAPTER 10		 23 October
EXAM 2
  MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY
WEEK 9
26, 28, 30 October
( Lectures 19, 20) 		26 October.
Hemoglobin
CHAPTER 7		 28 October.
Hemoglobin & allostery
CHAPTER 7		 30 October
Murdock Conference
WEEK 10
2, 4, 6 November
( Lectures 21, 22, 23) 		2 November.
Regulatory strategies
CHAPTER 10		 4 November.
Regulatory strategies
CHAPTER 10

6 November.
Metabolism intro
CHAPTERS 11, 15
WEEK 11
9, 11, 13 November
( Lectures 24, 25, 26 ) 		9 November.
Metabolism intro
CHAPTER 15		 11 November.
Metabolism intro
CHAPTER 15		 13 November.
Glucose catabolism
CHAPTER 16
WEEK 12
16, 18 November
( Lectures 27, 28 )		 16 November.
Glycolytic pathway
CHAPTER 16		 18 November.
Control of glycolysis
CHAPTER 16

20 November
EXAM 3
WEEK 13
23 November
( Lecture 29 )
 23 November.
Oxidative decarboxylation
CHAPTER 17		 25-27 November
Thanksgiving Holiday
WEEK 14
30 Nov; 2, 4 Dec
( Lectures 30, 31, 32 ) 		30 November.
Citric acid cycle
CHAPTER 17
 2 December.
Citric acid cycle
CHAPTER 17		 4 December.
Bioenergetic principles
CHAPTER 18
WEEK 15
7, 9, 11 December
( Lectures 33, 34, 35 )

7 December.
Electron transport chain
CHAPTER 18

 9 December.
Oxidative phosphorylation
CHAPTER 18		 11 December.
Oxidative phosphorylation
CHAPTER 18
FINAL EXAM (Fall 2009) - Tuesday 15 December, 8 - 10 AM.
 

Grading is based on an absolute scale, with a course total of 500 points. Scores in three in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam are the principal means of accumulating points. Points can be earned in outside of class activities as well (e.g. homework) at instructor discretion. Instructor has the right to deduct points for missed exams, late work, disruptive classroom behavior, or lack of effort or participation. Grades are assigned according to percentage of possible points earned. It is the responsibility of every student to be familiar with and abide by GU's Academic Honesty Policy

Missed exams: Make-up exams are permitted only for students with a legitimate, urgent, verifiable excuse who have contacted the instructor prior to the exam. Scheduling and administration of make-up exams are solely at the discretion of the instructor.

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