Chemistry (CHEM) 301

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

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:

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

Course Materials

Textbook

Other materials

Online course materials include a study guide and student manual.

Special Course Features

Students will have access to electronic communication, additional biochemistry online resources, and access to the AU Landing for discussion, study buddy activities, and additional online resources.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the CHEM 301 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination.

Paper Exam

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form