Biochemistry 352 - Syllabus Fall 2009

• Text and Readings
• Paper Topics
• Quizzes and Grading
• Where to find me
• Useful Links
• Return to Biochemistry

Last Modified 6 Sept 2009

Legend: Numbers in bold are chapters in Berg et al.; numbers in parentheses refer to additional readings; * = Assignment dates; Q = Quiz; PS = Problem Set; P = Paper; C = Critique; A = Assigned; D = Date Due ;  Colored bands indicate assignment duration and are probably completely incomprehensible.

Text:

Biochemistry, 6 th ed.,. J. Berg, J. Tymoczko and L. Stryer. 2006, W. H. Freeman and Co.   Readings should be completed by the dates shown. Additional readings from the current literature also will be assigned.

Paper Topics

The topic for BCH352 this year will be diet. More precisely, why has obesity in America has increased at such an alarming rate over the last ten years? Currently, almost two thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and obesity will soon pass tobacco the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The National Institutes of Health has proposed that obesity be considered an epidemic. We will examine how our body mass is controlled, or not controlled, and what the various diet plans (Atkins, Long Beach, USDA-CNP, etc.) claim is wrong with the average diet, and how following their plan will correct the dietary imbalance that causes weight gain.

Paper 1; The lipostatic theory states that our BMI is set, i.e., that our body balances our metabolism and our food consumption to maintain a fixed BMI.   What evidence is there that supports this theory? Does the current obesity epidemic disprove this theory? Explain why or why not, supporting your position with evidence from the scientific literature.

Paper 2; Describe the function of one of the following molecules; Leptin, Thermogenin, Adiponectin and Ghrelin.   How does it affect metabolism? Could it (or its effect) be used to promote weight loss?   Explain why or why not, supporting your position with evidence from the scientific literature.

Paper 3; TBA when I have some idea what it will be.

Quizzes, Problem Sets and Class Problems:

Quizzes will be in class or on Moodle, and problem sets will be on Moodle. They are all open book and notes. I encourage you to work together on the problem sets, as these will be directed more toward the "big issues," and the questions will allow more speculative answers.   We will also consider problems in class, usually as small groups.   Problem sets are due one week after their assignment. Quiz questions will be more narrowly focused and require more precise answers.   Quizzes should take about 1 hour to complete, and must be done separately, without collaboration, and when on Moodle, within 24 hours of their posting.  

Grades:

Your grade will be based on the following:

1. 10% Class/group participation
2. 40% Quizzes (4)
3. 20% Problem Sets (4)
4. 30% Papers (3) (3~5 pages each)

Late work policy:

It is important that your time be spent on the topics we are studying.   After their due dates assignments become progressively less relevant, until finally they are simply distractions - providing lots of angst and guilt but having very little educational value. If a particular due date conflicts with other obligations, or if for other reasons you cannot turn in work by or before its due date, talk to me ( before the date the work is due), and we can try to make other arrangements. Late work (without a previous arrangement with me) will be penalized by (2 n)% of its total value, where "n" is the number of days late (including weekends and vacations). The objective of this rather complicated policy is to minimize the penalty for work that is only slightly late, but to increase the penalty as the work becomes more overdue, and less relevant to what we are studying at the time. Note that work turned in more than a week late will actually subtract from your grade!

Where to find me:

Office Hours:

Click on my schedule to see when I am where, but the relevant part is probably shown below;

Mon. 3:00 - 4:30, Wed. 11:00 - 12:00 (Or by appointment)

Useful Links:

Moodle - Quizzes, Problem Sets and Paper Topics http://moodon.smith.edu/

Biochemistry353( Lab) http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biochem/Biochem 353/default.htm

USDA dietary guidelines http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/report

Biochemistry http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biochem/index.html