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CHEM 301 Course website

Chemistry (CHEM) 301
Introduction to Biochemistry (Revision 3)

This version of CHEM 301 closed. To current version.

View previous syllabus

Delivery mode: Individualized study.

Credits: 3 - Science.

Prerequisite: CHEM 350 and CHEM 360 or equivalent undergraduate courses taken at an accredited post-secondary institution.

Precluded course: CHEM 401.

Centre: Centre for Science

CHEM 301 has a Challenge for Credit option.

Course Web site

Overview

As a natural science, biochemical principles influence metabolic and developmental biological processes. This course explores the basic principles of biochemistry in relation to the appreciation and understanding of biological networks.

CHEM 301 focuses on the understanding of biochemical processes in the context of chemical principles; and the importance of research design and application to investigate questions in biochemistry. Because the field of biochemistry is continually evolving and touches many areas of cell biology, this course also includes an elementary introduction to the study of molecular biology.

Outline

Part I: Biomolecules

  • Unit 1: The Molecules and Chemical Reactions of Life
  • Unit 2: Amino Acids and Proteins
  • Unit 3: Simple and Complex Carbohydrates
  • Unit 4: Lipids and Membranes
  • Unit 5: Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
  • Unit 6: Vitamins and Cofactors

Part II: Biochemical Reactions

  • Unit 7: Enzymes
  • Unit 8: Metabolic Pathways
  • Unit 9: Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Unit 10: Lipid Metabolism
  • Unit 11: Amino Acid Metabolism

Part III: Molecular Genetics

  • Unit 12: DNA and RNA
  • Unit 13: Translation and the Genetic Code
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Evaluation

To receive credit for CHEM 301, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on each of the assignments and examinations. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Assignment 1 Assignment 2 Mid-term Exam Final Exam Total
20% 20% 25% 35% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Voet, D., and J. D. Voet. 2002. Fundamentals
of Biochemistry Upgrade Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Other materials

The course materials include a study guide, student manual and assignment manual.

Special Course Features

Optional electronic communication.

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