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Course Syllabus

CHEM 1120 Elementary Organic/Biochemistry

  • Division: Natural Science and Math
  • Department: Chemistry
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 4; Lecture: 4; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1115 (both successfully completed)
  • Corequisites: CHEM 1125
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2023
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2028
  • End Semester: Fall 2028
  • Optimum Class Size: 24
  • Maximum Class Size: 24

Course Description

This is the second semester course of a General Organic and Biochemistry sequence. It completes an introduction to organic chemistry and covers elementary biochemistry. It includes the study of alcohols, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and derivatives. Also included are topics of: stereochemistry, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, and metabolism. Students taking this course are typically pursuing majors that may include home economics, agricultural sciences, physical therapy, nursing, and other related health sciences.

Justification

This course is offered by chemistry departments at most institutions in the state and will transfer to all of them. It is a service course for allied health sciences, forestry, agriculture, etc. as required by their major departments. This course is a common course number throughout the state of Utah and is offered at all institutions.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will know basic organic functional groups, organic nomenclature and basic reactions involving common functional groups.
  2. Students will gain an understanding of organic reactions and metabolic pathways.
  3. Students will be able to see application of organic and biochemistry to real life.
  4. Students will be able to diagram and explain basic metabolic reactions and pathways.
  5. Students will understand the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and enzymes.

Course Content

Chemistry 1120 is a continuation of Elementary Organic Chemistry and an introduction to Biochemistry that includes the following major topics: Alcohols, Ethers, Thiols, Stereochemistry, Amines, Aldehydes and Ketones, Carboxylic Acids and Acid Derivatives, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Enzymes, Nucleic Acids & Heredity, Bioenergetics & Carbohydrate, Lipid, & Protein Metabolism, and Biosynthetic Pathways. Scientists from any background may be highlighted as to their role in these historical experiments. Including the various perspectives of historical and modern scientists as well as from the students in this course are invaluable in aiding accessibility for all students to understand the chemical context of everyday life.