Course Description
1. This course explores the roles of biologically important molecules in cellular structure and function,
emphasizing an integrated understanding of the characteristics of the four major classes of
biological molecules and the chemical interactions that support living systems
2. Undergraduates who successfully complete this course will be awarded 3 hours of advanced credit
toward their degree. Undergraduate biology majors who take this class to fulfill the requirements of
their degree plan must earn a grade of C- or better, and those majors who choose this course to
fulfill the physiology requirement of their degree plan (i.e. BS/BA BIO general plan) must take both
BIO 4307 and BIO 4107. (BS/BA BIO PHC prehealthcare students are NOT required to enroll in
BIO 4107).
3. Graduate students taking BIO 4307 for graduate credit are required to complete an additional 50
point project. Please schedule an appointment via Canvas to discuss.
4. The intended audience for this course is junior or senior biology majors interested in careers in
research or healthcare. Students from other disciplines may also find the course helpful in
preparing for similar careers.
5. The prerequisites for BIO 4307 are successful completion of either BIO 1105, 1305 or BIO 1405;
AND either BIO 1106, 1306 or BIO 1406; AND CHE 3331. CHE 4341 is NOT a prerequisite for
BIO 4307. As would be expected, those who have already been exposed to biochemistry often find
the material less challenging upon second exposure; however, each semester, students without
prior exposure to the subject matter are among the highest scoring quartile of the class.
Conversely, those students who have already earned credit for CHE 4341 are encouraged to be
vigilant in their study of the material. The material is presented from the perspective of a biologist
for biologists. You will be asked to apply and extend knowledge of biochemistry to cellular and
organismal function; similar grades in CHE 4341 and BIO 4307 are not guaranteed.
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V.
Course Policies
1. As a faculty member, it is my duty to encourage standards of professionalism in my
students. Further, it is my duty to insure that your learning environment is free of
distractions. For these reasons, I will correct rude, dishonest, or unethical behavior. Rude
behaviors include internet surfing, studying other topics, entering/exiting the room in a distracting
manner during lecture, or talking while another person is talking. Computers are NOT permitted
due to the distraction they cause to neighboring students when misused in class. Be
assured that I will do my best to eliminate disruptive behaviors, which impede your ability to
focus during lecture. I will not hesitate to ask your classmates to leave if their behavior is
disruptive. I ask you to join me in maintaining classroom decorum by correcting your peers
in a discreet manner.
2. Office Hours: My office hours are by appointment only. Please utilize the Canvas appointment
scheduling tool to reserve a time to speak with me. I will not accept drop in meeting requests and
you must schedule the appointment at least 3 hours in advance. You are welcome and encouraged
to make a group appointment to speak with me.
3. Email: I encourage the use of email for simple notifications and requests. My goal is to answer
every email within 24 hours, and I am generally quite available via email. However, using email to
request accommodations on quizzes/exams/attendance requirements during the evening hours
before the event is unacceptable. It is often the case that responding to your request with
essentially no notice is impossible. Bottom Line: If you email me with accommodation requests in
the evening prior to an exam/etc, do not expect to have your request grantedthis is inadequate
notice for requests pertaining to events of the next day. I am in the business of preparing you for a
professional future, and this behavior is not to be tolerated.
4. Examination Policies: In-class examinations and the final exam will consist of multiple-choice
questions only. The final exam will be entirely comprehensive in nature. With regard to the three
in-class exams, there will be 1-2 early morning or weeknight meeting times during which we will
review the content of the exam at a specified time. Please come during those times, as exams will
not be made available at alternative times. Offering exam content review times is a courtesy I
extend, not a requirement. Only re-grade requests that address a blatant error in calculating your
grade will be addressed.
5. Required Use of Clickers: The Turning Technologies Student Response system will be used to
assess your attendance, participation and/or quiz performance during most lectures. Ability to utilize
this system during lecture is a requirement. You are NOT permitted to use the cellphone/computer
app; therefore, the Response Card RF-LCD by Turning Technologies is required. You can
purchase it (or rent it) at the bookstore. You can use this Clicker for any of your classes that
require this type of clicker.
6. Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices: The use of cell phones, tablets or computers during
class is prohibited. I am committed to insuring that you are able to concentrate in my class, and I
will not hesitate to ask your classmates to leave the classroom if this rule is not respected. I will
rely on you, as peers, to correct behavior in a more discreet manner as well.
7.
Policies on Missed Quizzes and Lectures: Make-up quizzes or participation points will not be
granted and no early quizzes will be granted. (Bear in mind that there will be a total of at least
8 quizzes, and only the top 5 grades will count.) The one exception to the no make-up rule is
multiple absences due to graduate/professional school interviews and/or MCAT/DAT/LSAT exams.
If you can provide documentation of your missing two prior quizzes for these reasons, I will allow
you to make up a quiz should you have a third interview, etc. that conflicts with the class schedule.
Do not expect a response to requests for other exceptions.
8. Policies on Missed Examinations: No early examinations will be granted under any circumstances.
If an exam is missed for a legitimate reason, contact me by email within 24 hours. You must
provide me with a) a doctors note stating that you were too ill to take the exam on the exam date or
b) adequate proof of missing the exam due to a graduate/professional school interview in order to
take a make-up exam. You will be docked 5% of your points for each day that you are late in
taking the exam. The make-up exam must be taken within 2 days of the missed exam.
***Important**** Exercise restraint in requesting a make-up exam, as a make-up exam may be
granted ONCE and once only during the semester. Two exceptions to this rule exist: proof of
your hospitalization or multiple missed exams due to multiple graduate/professional school
interviews. You may not combine one missed exam due to illness with one missed exam due to
interviews. Do not ask for further exceptions to these rules.
9. Drop Policy: Refer to University regulations regarding the drop policy.
10. Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated. Dishonest behavior will be punished to the
full extent allowed by the University, including an automatic zero on your exam/quiz as well as,
potentially, the exam/assignment from which you cheated. The seats in this room are
crowded. It is your job to insure that you leave NO DOUBT in my mind as to your integrity. If
I have to ask you to keep your eyes on your own paper, I will record your name. Should I have to
prompt you a second time, you WILL BE REPORTED to the honor council.
11. Exam Day: A calculator will be necessary during most examinations and several of the quizzes.
Only simple Ln/Log capable calculators (without a cover) will be allowed; no cell phones or other
devices wherein cheat sheets may be stored will be allowed. You may not borrow from a friend or
from me during the quizzes or examinations. No caps during exams, and backpacks will be placed
along the walls of the classroom. For all quizzes and exams, be seated in every other seat to the
extent possible, in straight columns. If you are forced to sit in a seat adjacent to your classmate,
move to the front of the room to do so.
VI.
Total Possible Points: 500
Those individuals who earn 450-500 points are guaranteed an A. To guarantee a B+ one
must earn 435-449 points. To guarantee a B, one must earn 400-434 points. To
guarantee a C+, one must earn 385-399 points. To guarantee at least a C, one must
earn 350-384 points. A D will be assigned to those earning, 300-349 points. A failing
grade will be assigned to those who earn fewer than 300 points.
2. Statement on Final Grade Assignment and Suggestions for Student Success: Your
performance in this course is your responsibility. Seniors expecting to graduate at the end of
the semester are strongly encouraged to avoid falling behind. Biochemistry is complex and detailoriented; cramming is not advisable. Use your study guide after each lecture. If you are
experiencing difficulties, visit my office or SI sessions before the situation is irreversible. No special
assignments, re-takes or extra points will be granted to individuals for grade improvement. All end
of semester grades are FINAL.
3. Graduate Students: Graduate students taking BIO 4307 for graduate credit are required to
complete an additional 50 point project (total 550 course points for graduate students). The project
due date is December 1. Please make an appointment during office hours to discuss.
VII.
September 22
September 24
September 29
October 1
October 6
October 8
Quiz 4 (Hemoglobin and Carbohydrates)
Nucleic Acids and the Nucleus
Selected Topics DNA replication and mRNA
Transcription
October 13
October 15
October 20
October 22
October 27
October 29
November 3
November 5
November 10
November 12
November 17
Chapter 17
Assigned Reading (TBA)
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Assigned Reading (TBA)
Chapter 21
Chapter 24
November 19
November 24
December 1
December 3
December 15
Chapter 25
Chapters 27 and 28
(selected topics)
Assigned Reading (TBA)
pp. 226-228, 243-244, 293294, 309, 443-445
4:30-6:30 PM in B110