Biochemistry 452

MW 11:00-12:45PM

Instructor:      Dr. Noel Sturm

                        (310) 243-3383

                        noel@chemistry.csudh.edu

Office Hours: MW 4:00-6:00PM, T 6:00-8:00PM "Virtual" or by appointment in NSM D-323.

Course Organization and Policies:

1. Prerequisite: Passing Grade in CHE 450, Biochemistry I.

2. Suggested Text: "Harper's Biochemistry", Murray; Granner; Mayes; Rodwell; Appleton & Lange; twenty-sixth edition, 2003. ISBN: 0071389016

3. Lecture Notes: The lecture notes are available on-line, arranged via lecture topic, at:http://www.gravitywaves.com/chemistry.  It is suggested that you bring a printed copy of the lecture notes with you to class to facilitate learning  Examination questions will be derived directly from lecture material so class attendance is essential to do well in this course.

4. Team Learning: As an adjunct to the lectures we will be engaged in a series of team learning activities, based on important pedagogical research described in Pedagogies of Engagement: Classroom-Based Practices. The major purpose of these team learning activities is to increase your mastery of course concepts as well as to provide you with an opportunity to practice developing collaborative skills that will be required for graduate and professional school.

Generally there will be 20-30 minutes of lecture at a time then each Learning Team will work on a set of objective based problems. Most of the team learning time should be spent in verbalizing solutions to problems and engaging in a dialogue designed to ensure that all team members understand not just the solutions to the problems but also the rationale and logic of each solution.

You must be present for 100% of the time that your group meets.

Everyone must contribute-no sandbaggers or dominators allowed.

You are responsible for one another-help each other out.

You can criticize an idea but not a person.

5. Daily Quizzes: There will be a 10 minute daily quiz beginning Wednesday, January 25, 2006.  There will be a total of 22 quizzes each worth 5 pts.  The scores from 20 of these quizzes (100 pts) will be used in the calculation of your final grade.

6. Examinations: There will be three examinations (see syllabus for specific dates) each worth 100 points (300 total).

7. Presentations: Each Learning Team will give a 10-15 minute oral presentation on a current topic in biochemistry worth 100 points.  Presentations will be scheduled during the week of May 1^st and 8^th, they will take place during the regularly scheduled class periods.  More information will follow.

8. Grading Criteria: Letter grades are based on the following point distribution. Grades are criterion-referenced not norm-referenced; each student has an equal opportunity meet the criteria charted below:

Daily Quizzes=100 pts

Three Exams @100 pts=300 pts

Presentation=100 pts

© Dr. Noel Sturm 2006