Course Descriptions

INTRODUCTORY BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (01:694:301)

This course is intended for Life Science majors or those with a strong background in the Biological Sciences.

This course may be used to fulfill the MBB elective requirements of the Biological Sciences major.  MBB Majors should take 694:407 (Fall Semester) instead of this course.  

Offered:   Fall 2023

Credits:  3

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 to be covered in this course include

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 Site

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:

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy:  
1. Exams (70%): 3 exams will be administered during the semester as well as a non-cumulative 4^thexam during the university scheduled final exam period. The non-cumulative "fourth exam" will be  the same format as the other in-class exams.  The exams will consist of multiple choice, fill in the blank, calculation and short answer questions.
2. Quizzes (15%): Quizzes which are meant to be completed alongside lectures. The purpose of the quizzes is to ensure that students are keeping pace with the course. As such, students are able to take quizzes multiple times. The initial attempt gives students an opportunity to see what areas they need to revisit. Subsequent attempts give students feedback on how well they have addressed these areas.
3. Homework (15%): Homework for each chapter is administered via Macmillan achieve. The purpose of homework assignments in this course is to reinforce class material. As such, student have the opportunity to redo homework assignments at no penalty in order to encourage mastery of the material

All four exams 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 GRADED. In such cases, the entire exam will be regraded so that points may be added or subtracted as appropriate.

Course Materials

Required:
Biochemistry, 9th edition, by Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer with Gatto, WH Freeman   eText ISBN: 9781319234362    Print ISBN: 9781319114671.

Materials are available through the Rutgers First Day program.

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

Section 02: 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.