Chemistry 212: Chemistry of Biomolecules
Fall 2007

My intention is that this class will be a fun and fascinating exploration of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules from a primarily chemical perspective, casting new light on topics you may have learned in earlier classes. In addition to working from a text, we will delve into the modern scientific literature and practice our skills in writing and speaking about scientific topics.

Office & Hours: My office is in Carr room G02-D. My email is menunez and my extension is 2449. Office hours will be Mon 1-2 ; Wed 3-4; Thurs 11-12. My schedule is posted at http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~menunez/index.shtml; please make an appointment to meet with me at other times.

Class Readings: The required text for this class will be Campbell and Farrell’s Biochemistry (5th edition). As a reference, you may also find Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry a useful though more challenging resource. Other readings, review articles, and papers from the primary scientific literature will be made available to you as reserve readings or class handouts. I expect you to do the assigned reading carefully before the relevant lecture; material from the readings will appear on the exams.

Class Structure: This class will meet three times a week, MWF from 10 to 10:50 am, Kendade 107. In general, on Mondays and Wednesdays I will give lectures, and on Fridays we will have student presentations. The class schedule is attached and on the webpage: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/menunez/Chem212web/212schedule.html.

Grading:

Classroom Presentation ---200 points
Homework (5 x 40pts) ---200 points
Exam #1 -----------------200 points
Exam #2 -----------------200 points
Final Paper ---------------200 points
Total ---------------------1000 points

Presentations: All students will give a ~20 minute presentation with a partner about a paper from the primary scientific literature and be prepared to answer questions about that paper. A portion of your presentation grade will be based on your attendance and participation in the other students’ presentations. Each week, you will be expected to have read and thought about the paper that they are presenting and come prepared with two questions about the topic.

Homework: Problems based on the text and simple computer exercises will be due on Mondays. Points will be taken from late problem sets in proportion to their lateness at the rate of one point per hour.

Exams: Two hour exams will be given during the semester, covering primarily lecture material. I will discuss the content and format in more detail as the examinations approach.

Final Paper: In lieu of a final exam, you will prepare a carefully-written, informationally-dense, thoroughly-referenced paper of 6-8 pages on a biochemical topic of your choice. It will be due at 9 am on Monday December 17th. You may begin working on your paper at any time, and I strongly encourage you to start early.

Extensions: In general I do not approve of extensions; learning to plan ahead is part of the college experience. However, in the case of illness or family emergency, I will work with you to re-evaluate the due dates for your assignments. Please provide me with a note from the Dean or the health center.