Catalog Description:
Introduction to Biological Chemistry is a one-semester course with lecture, recitation, and laboratory components designed for non-science and science majors. This course covers the fundamental concepts of general chemistry integrated with the essential features of organic and biochemistry. Topics covered include matter, atomic structure, the periodic table, energy, molecular and intermolecular bonding, chemical reactions, the structure, properties, and behavior of simple organic molecules, polymers, food, household chemicals, and the molecular features of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. The relationship between molecular structure and macroscopic properties is emphasized.
Co-requisites or Pre-requisites:
Co-requisite: ENGL 203
Pre-requisites: Math 103 or Math 103B; ENGL 103
Credits/Contact Hours: 3 credits; 4 hrs/week
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the characteristics of science and the use of the scientific method as a way of gaining knowledge.
- Determine the difference between observations, hypotheses scientific laws, and theories.
- Analyze, collaboratively as a member of a group, specific technological applications from ethical, economic, sociological, and political perspectives
- Make conversions using the metric system.
- Make use of significant figures in evaluating data.
- Apply basic knowledge of chemical and physical properties and periodic relationships to predict the characteristics of specific elements
- Describe the application of chemistry in everyday: Kitchen Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Green Chemistry.
- Explain the application of calorimetry in chemistry.
- Describe the general properties of organic compounds and classify them into one of the following categories: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, alcohols,
- Interpret the various methods of representing organic molecules and draw structures for small organic molecules.
- Recognize the molecular structures of carbohydrates, proteins, and triglycerides and explain how their chemical structures relate to their functions in living organisms.
- Perform simple chemical experiments, record and analyze data, and clearly present the results and conclusions.
Suggested Open Textbook:
The Basics of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry by David Ball (https://open.umn.edu>textbooks or
https://chem.libretexts.org>basics_
Required Materials:
You will need access to the course on Blackboard to download labs and find other class materials. Grades will be viewable on the course Blackboard.
College-wide Policies:
Policy on Academic Honesty
Guttman Community College considers intellectual honesty to be the cornerstone of all scholarly work. GCC views any form of academic dishonesty as a serious matter and requires all instructors to report every case of academic dishonesty to its Academic Integrity Officer, who keeps records of all cases. All work submitted or posted by students in this course must be their own. Submission of writing or ideas which are not the original work of the student, or which is not adequately referenced, is considered plagiarism. Unintentional plagiarism is still plagiarism, so if you have any questions about whether or not to acknowledge a source, acknowledge it. And if you are still uncertain, be sure to ask. Refer to Article II of your Student Grievance Procedures for further details on academic honesty and Guttman’s academic integrity procedures. Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.
Disability Support Services
In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Guttman Community College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/ or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY Services located in Room 506 A to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance please call 646-313-8812 or speak to your Student Success Advocate or Career Strategist.
Critical Incident Management Guttman expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students’ ability to learn.
Viewpoint Tolerance Some of the issues covered during the seminar may evoke strong emotions. Students, faculty, and staff must be able to disagree respectfully with others on topics that are personally very important to them. Civility is essential to all scholarly discourse.
Expectations for Out-of-Class Time
For every instructional credit hour in class, a Guttman student is expected to spend at least two hours out-of-class studying, reading, writing, researching and working on projects, and preparing for tests. E.g. for a 3 credit course that meets for 3 hours each week, a student is expected to spend at least 6 hours outside of class time doing related course work. If a course provides more time in class than one hour for one credit, the additional time may offset out-of-class time expectations.
Requirements & Course Policies:
Be on time for class. Do not use your phone in class.
There is no food allowed in the lab. Finish your food outside before entering class.
Because of the tight schedule, there will be no makeup labs. Late work will not be accepted.
Expectations for Participation & Engagement:
Students are expected to attend all classes and to fully participate in each activity. Students are responsible for making sure that their lab space is clean and orderly before leaving for the day. Students are also expected to do the required readings before coming to class. Students should work collaboratively with their laboratory groups/partners. This does not mean submitting identical work. See Statement on Academic Integrity.
Grading:
| Weekly attendance | 10% |
| Assignment | 20% |
| Lab Work | 30% |
| Exam | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Graded Assignments:
- Attendance – Students are expected to attend all classes and field trips on time. Your lateness will be marked as “ABSENT,” after 30 mins late for the Lecture. Regarding lab attendance, read its policy below. You are expected to be actively engaged in the class lectures, labs, and field trips.
- Assignment – Homework assignments will be based on lectures, labs, and field trip activities. Homework sets will be completed and submitted on Blackboard. Please respect all due dates. Late work will not be accepted. All assignments will be posted on the course Blackboard.
- Lab Work – This includes participation in the labs, bench cleanup, and post-lab assignments. Your lab bench and equipment must be clean and dry at the end of every lab according to the instructor’s directions. You are expected to be on time for lab and fully participate in the lab. There are no makeup labs. Due to lab safety reasons, all students must attend the lab instruction. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to do any lab work. Thus, please be on time to attend the lab instruction.
- Exam – There will be potential open notebook three in-class exams, but no handouts/textbooks/electronics are allowed. Please keep good note-taking habits!
How to be successful in this class:
1. Attend all classes on time and actively participate during the lecture.
2. Check your grade frequently on Blackboard. Complete all of the assignments on time.
3. Email me if you have questions about the material and to set up appointments (or through Starfish).
4. Be prepared to take notes during the lecture. Do not copy every word on each slide. They are posted online. Take notes on the concepts and discussion.
5. Study for exams by looking through the lecture slides and reading the corresponding book sections. This material requires repetition to learn so you will have to review it several times.
