• Semester Offered: Spring, Fall

Prerequisites:  

Organic Chemistry 01:160:209 or 01:160:307 or 01:160:315

Course Description:  This course is intended for Life Science majors or those with a strong background in the Biological Sciences and can be used to fulfill elective requirements of the Biological Sciences major. This class will provide a detailed overview of many biochemical topics with an emphasis on conceptual understanding of the underlying mechanisms and roles in biological systems as it applies to other fields of biology. This class is intended for non-majors and the learning goals will reflect this.

Topics include:

  • Amino Acids and Proteins
  • DNA
  • Hemoglobin
  • Enzyme Kinetics
  • Membranes
  • Signal Transduction
  • Metabolism
  • Carbohydrates
  • Glycolysis
  • Citric Acid Cycle
  • Mitochondria
  • Glycogen
  • Fatty Acid Metabolism
  • Biosynthesis of Amino Acids and Nucleotides
  • DNA Repair and Replication
  • RNA Metabolism
  • Protein Metabolism

Course URL:

Canvas

Course Satisfies Learning Goals:  

1. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge that is needed to begin biomedical research and that is required for post-graduate exams and studies.

2. Students should demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate information about specific biological systems or problems.

3. Students should demonstrate the ability to design experiments and critically analyze data.

Tentative Lecture Schedule:

Week

Topic

Reading

1

Biochemistry, Evolving Science

Ch. 1

Protein Composition & Structure

Ch. 2

2

Exploring Proteins & Proteomes

Ch. 3

DNA, RNA & Genetic Information

Ch. 4

3

Exploring Gene, Genomes, Evolution & Bioinformatics

Ch. 5, 6

Ch. 7

4

Enzymes

Ch. 8

Carbohydrates

Ch. 11

5

Exam 1

9/29

Lipids & Membranes

Ch 12

6

Channels, pumps

Ch 13

Signal Transduction

Ch. 14

7

Metabolism

Ch. 15

Glycolysis1

Ch. 16

8

Gluconeogenesis & regulation

Ch. 16

Exam 2

10/22

9

**SPRING BREAK**

 

**SPRING BREAK**

 

10

Citric Acid Cycle

Ch. 17

Electron Transport Chain

Ch. 18

11

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Ch. 18

Pentose Phosphate Pathway 

Ch. 20

12

Glycogen

Ch. 21

Fatty Acid Metabolism

Ch. 22

13

Exam 3

11/19

Protein Turnover & AA catabolism

Ch. 23

14

One Carbon Metabolism

Ch. 24, 25

DNA Replication & Repair

Ch. 28

15

RNA Synthesis and Processing

Ch. 29

Protein Synthesis

Ch. 30

 

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy:  
1. Exams (75%): 3 exams will be administered during the semester as well as a non-cumulative 4thexam during the university scheduled final exam period.  The exams will consist of multiple choice, fill in the blank, calculation and short answer questions.
2. Quizzes (20%): Quizzes which are meant to be completed alongside lectures.
3. Homework (5%): Homework for each chapter will be graded on completion.
4. Extra credit for submitting online course survey to CTAAR (+0.25%): Submit your anonymous course survey, also known as SIRS, during the last week of class and upload your receipt through Canvas to obtain extra credit. More information on how to obtain and submit the receipt will be provided when the survey opens.

All exams are closed book. All four examinations will be averaged and weighted equally in assigning final grades. In the rare case that you suspect an exam question has not been accurately graded, a request for re-grading will be considered WITHIN ONE WEEK AFTER EXAM PAPERS HAVE BEEN RETURNED. In such cases, the entire exam will be regraded so that points may be added or subtracted as appropriate.

Course Materials

Required:
Biochemistry, 8th edition, by Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer with Gatto, WH Freeman   eText ISBN: 9781319116361   Print ISBN: 9781464126109

Recommended:
Student Companion to Biochemistry, 8th edition, by Deis, Gerber, Gumport, and Koeppe, WH Freeman ISBN 1464188033

Course Closed?:  If the course is closed, contact Dr. Gabriel Villegas This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a special permission number. 

Faculty

Sections 01 and 02: Dr. Gabriel Villegas This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sections 03: Dr. Steven Brill This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

   

Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
(848) 932-7884 / 17 Senior Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901/ rhscaps.rutgers.edu/
CAPS is a University mental health support service that includes counseling, alcohol and other drug assistance, and psychiatric services staffed by a team of professional within Rutgers Health services to support students’ efforts to succeed at Rutgers University. CAPS offers a variety of services that include: individual therapy, group therapy and workshops, crisis intervention, referral to specialists in the community and consultation and collaboration with campus partners. 

Disability Services
(848) 445-6800 / Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145, Livingston Campus, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854
The Office of Disability Services works with students with a documented disability to determine the eligibility of reasonable accommodations, facilitates and coordinates those accommodations when applicable, and lastly engages with the Rutgers community at large to provide and connect students to appropriate resources.

Scarlet Listeners
(732) 247-5555
Free and confidential peer counseling and referral hotline, providing a comforting and supportive safe space.


** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.