Instructor:             Dr. PW Paré                             Class Location:      Chemistry 107               

Office:                   Chemistry 413-B                      Lecture Times:      Tues &Thur 12:30-1:50 PM

Phone:                  (806) 742-3062                       E-mail:                  Paul.Pare@TTU.edu 

Office Hours:         Tues & Thur 2:00–3:00 PM or by appointment

Required Textbook:  Essential Biochemistry by Pratt and Cornely, Wiley Press, 2004

Course:   This one-semester fundamental biochemistry course covers textbook Chapters 1-12.  Pre-requisites for the course are two successfully-completed semesters of organic chemistry.  The first day of class is Tues. August  26^th; the drop deadline is Mon. October 27^th; and the last day of class is Tues. Dec 2^nd.  Office hours will not be held the week of November 9^th.

Learning Outcomes: The fully successful student will know the structure and function of biological molecules including water, amino acids, lipids, and nucleic acids; the role of several model proteins including myosin, actin, keratin, collagen, myoglobin, hemoglobin and chymotrypsin.  The student will understand the role of phospholipids as structural elements in biological membranes and the properties of proteins associated with these membranes; be familiar with the chemical principles involved in the assembly, from simpler precursors, of biological macromolecules (e.g., oligo- and polysaccharides, DNA and proteins); understand the chemical principles involved in sequencing DNA and proteins;  the structure function and transport-across biological membranes; and the biochemical reactions of several aspects of primary metabolism including glycolysis, citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The student will also understand the mathematical principles used to analyze enzyme kinetics and be able to use enzyme kinetics to examine catalytic efficiency, enzyme-substrate affinity and the mechanism of enzyme inhibition.

Homework, Exams, and Schedule:  Homework problems assigned from each chapter include answers at the back of the textbook.  A portion of each exam will be taken directly from assigned homework questions.  Exams will also cover class material included in and supplementary to the textbook readings.  There will be three in-class exams on Tues. Sept 16^th (Chap. 1-4), Tues. Oct 21^st (Chap. 5-8), and Thur. Nov 13^th (Chap. 9-10) with scored exams returned the class period immediately following.  A cumulative final will be administered on Wed. December 10^th from 4:30 – 7:00 PM.  Please mark calendars in advance since make-up exams will not be provided. 

Grades:  The first three exams count 20% while the final counts 40% towards the class grade with scores based on a standard ten point spread for each letter grade.  The grading scale may be adjusted at the instructor’s discretion based on grade distributions.  Any student, who misses an exam with a valid, verifiable excuse, will have their grade calculated based on the other 3 exams.

Academic Honesty: It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity.  The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension.  

Special Conditions: Any student who, because of a disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to request necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services.  No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to completion of this approved university process.   A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should notify the instructor during the first week of classes; the student who requires missing a test in observance of the holy day will be given an alternative date to sit the exam.