MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY - BIO 99 - SPRING 2012
Tentative Lecture Schedule and Reading List

THIS SCHEDULE IS APPROXIMATE, AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

lecture date suggested chapters general topic(s) of discussion
Jan. 10 1 Introduction to biochemistry and molecular biology
12
 1,2
 Chemical interactions in aqueous environments; pH, pK, buffers
17
 2,3 Overview of biomolecules; protein structure and function
19
 3 Exploring proteins; analysis techniques
24
 8 Thermodynamics, biochemical equilibria; reaction kinetics
26
 9 Enzyme structure and function
31
 7,9 Oxygen transport proteins, hemoglobin & myoglobin: a case study
Feb. 2
 10 Enzyme regulatory mechanisms
7
EXAM I
9
 10
 Enzyme regulatory mechanisms
14
 15,27 Metabolism - basic pathways; energetics
14
LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT  "W"
16
 11,12 Carbohydrates, lipids
21
 16 Glycolysis
23
 17 Citric acid cycle - TCA
28
 18 Oxidative phosphorylation
Mar 1 16,20
 Pentose phosphate pathway; gluconeogenesis
6
 19, 21
 Glycogen metabolism, photosynthesis
8
EXAM II
20
 22
 Fatty acid metabolism
22
 12,26
 Lipids and lipid metabolism
27
 23, 24 Amino acid degradation; urea cycle
29
 4, 28 DNA, RNA structure; Information Flow: Transcription; Translation
Apr 3
 5
 Regulation of gene expression; analysis techniques
5
 5
 Exploring genes - recombinant DNA technology
5
LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A  "W"
10
EXAM III
12
 6 Bioinformatics:  exploring biomolecules
17
 29 Transcription, RNA splicing and processing
19
 30 Translation; regulation; protein targeting
24 31 Regulation of gene expression - prokaryotes
26
 32 Regulation of gene expression - eukaryotes
May 1 5, 6
 Exploring genes - recombinant DNA technology
3 34 Molecular evolution: case studies - antibodies and T-cell receptors
8 5,6 Molecular evolution and cladstics
15
catch-up



17

FINAL EXAM: regular class time:  8 a.m.

NOTE: IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP A COURSE OFFICIALLY IF THE STUDENT WISHES TO AVOID AN "F". THE INSTRUCTOR MAY DROP STUDENTS FOR NON-ATTENDANCE, BUT THIS IS DISCRETIONARY. STUDENTS WHO DO NOT DROP, BUT DO NOT COMPLETE THE WORK WILL RECIEVE "F".

REQUIRED TEXT: Berg, Tymoczko, & Stryer, Biochemistry, 7th edition. 2012.

Instructor: Dr. Katherine T. Schmeidler                                              Office: A 227

Phone: ext. 5493 =  (949) 451-5493                                                      email: kschmeidler@ivc.edu

       Please note that our discussion board is up & running in BlackBoard if you wish to participate;
 also you might want to visit the
    Cell Biology and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry webpages (via schedules or the Department's web page)


Office Hours:   T/Th 7-8 a.m. and 10-11 p.m*.; T  11:00 a.m. - noon; &  by appointment
          Office hours may be in A408 or A227 --  be sure to check both these places!

Molecular biology and biochemistry are rapidly growing fields which encompass many domains of science.   Biochemistry  is the chemistry of biological molecules and systems, including how energy is stored and used, how molecules interact, and how molecular structure affects function.  Molecular biology is a diverse field which devoted to understanding molecular interactions in the context of cell structure and function.  Clearly there is a great deal of overlap between these fields; often the distinction is more about why or how a question is posed than about the information itself.  There is a great deal of information in this course, as well as important concepts and theory relating parts of this course material to each other and to other areas of biology and chemistry.  All of  these fields are changing and expanding rapidly.  Therefore we will discuss the basics of biochemistry and molecular biology, with emphasis on understanding concepts, and developing the ability to apply this knowledge to current problems and other fields.  Further details of this course, including learning objectives, are posted on the “details page” of the on-line schedule”.

This course will have three midterm exams and a final.  These exams will include problems, short answer and multiple-choice questions, and open-ended essays.  Each exam will be based primarily on the unit(s) covered since the last exam.  However, the nature of this class, and the disciplines we cover is hierarchical and interdependent.  Thus, to some extent, each exam is also cumulative.  Not all quizzes are announced.

The (tentative) class schedule includes suggested reading for each class session.  This reading assignment is not exclusive, but is intended as a guide ONLY.  Relevant material may be found throughout the text, and some outside reading may also be assigned.  On this web-site, there are numerous opportunities to guide your study. Students are responsible for material included in assigned reading and all topics covered in class.  Failure to complete any assignment (or arranged substitute assignment) will result in a failing grade for the course.

GRADING SYSTEM:

3 midterm exams @ 100 pts each                                                               300
comprehensive final exam @ 150 pts                                                          150
quizzes (usually @ 10 pts each), homework assignments & participation      200
  Total                                                                                                     = 650

Final letter grades are tentatively assigned:

>90% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; <60% = F

If you miss a lecture exam, a make-up exam will be arranged, probably during final exam week. Be warned, this exam may be more difficult than the class exam. You may only make up one exam!

Students assessed as requiring accommodation must follow College procedures and notify the instructor accordingly.

NOTE: all papers including exams will be returned to student if possible. IVC regulations state that paperwork will be held for 3 months after the end of a semester. After that period, all uncollected work will be discarded. Please note that it is your responsibility to retain all of your records. No reconsideration of any grade is possible without evidence, and it is the student's responsibility to demonstrate the basis of any grade change. IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOVER THESE MATERIALS!!

ACADEMIC HONESTY: IVC Regulations and guidelines regarding academic honesty will be followed and enforced. Cheating or plagiarism may result in an F on the assignment involved, the entire course, or, in even more serious cases, College disciplinary action may be taken. If you have any questions or confusion about what is considered honest (and what is not) be sure to clarify these definitions right away! There are no "second chances".

All IVC and SOCCCD regulations and guidelines will be followed and enforced.  See the IVC Catalog  and MySite for details.