Chemistry 307: Bioorganic Chemistry

Dr. T. Christian Grattan/Dr. Jason Hurlbert (SIMS 301B)

Fall 2021 Winthrop University

MWF 12:30-1:20 PM (SIMS 209)

Textbooks: Organic Chemistry with Biological Topics, 6^th ed., Smith REQUIRED

Course objectives: My goal for this course is to clearly explain the fundamental concepts of bioorganic chemistry and help to provide a bridge between organic and biochemistry. The students should be able to achieve a working understanding of the structure, function and reactivity for carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The students will also investigate the mechanisms of coenzymes and examine the basics of drug discovery.

Office Hours: Dr. Grattan: MT 11:00 AM–12:00 PM; Dr. Hurlbert M 10:30-11:30 AM, T 4:00-5:00 PM, R 12:30-1:30PM and by appointment (Grattan: 323-4927 or grattanc@winthrop.edu, Hurlbert: 323-4928 or hurlbertj@winthrop.edu)

We will also be accessible to answer questions on email. You will find that this course is different than any other courses you have taken in college. It is therefore important to stay on top of the material and get your questions answered as soon as possible. Please take advantage of our office hours or email to resolve these problems.

Attendance: Due to the unique nature of this course, each and every class meeting is important to better understand the material in the text. The students are responsible for all assignments for the course regardless of absence. 

Homework and Assignments: Problem set questions generated by Dr. Hurlbert and Dr. Grattan will also be assigned and graded which will be similar to those on the exams. You are strongly encouraged to work and study in groups!! Failure to turn in a problem set by the assigned time will result in a 5% penalty/day.

Grading System:

3 in-class Exams (100 points each)	300 points
Homework set average	100 points
Final Exam	200 points
Total	600 points

Grading Scale:

Percentage	Grade	Percentage	Grade
93-100%	A	77-79%	C+
90-93%	A-	70-76%	C
87-89%	B+	60-69%	D
80-86%	B	<60%	F

Exams: This course will consist of three one hour and fifteen minute in-class exams and one cumulative final exam given on the dates provided. Exam problems will be similar to the assigned problems. Each exam is limited to the allotted class time and the final exam will be limited to two and one-half hours. Make up exams will be given only with a valid excuse such as a severe personal or family crisis.

Exam 1	Wednesday, September 15	12:30 – 1:45 PM
Exam 2	Monday, October 11	12:30 – 1:45 PM
Exam 3	Wednesday, November 17	12:30 – 1:45 PM
Final Exam	Tuesday, December 14	11:30 – 2:00 PM

Cheating: Infractions of academic discipline are dealt with in accordance with the student Academic Misconduct Policy which is in the Student Conduct Code in the Student Handbook. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to,

providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the professor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation including papers, projects, and examinations; presenting, as one’s own, the ideas or words of

another for academic evaluation without proper acknowledgment; doing unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be evaluated; and presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects

in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved. In addition, academic misconduct involves attempting to influence one’s academic evaluation by means other than academic achievement or merit.

S/U and Withdrawal Policy: According to University policy, Monday August 30, 2021 is the last day to drop this course. Friday, October 22, 2021 is the last day to withdraw from a spring semester course or to declare S/U for the course.

Students with Disabilities Policy: Winthrop University is committed to providing access to education.  If you have a condition which may adversely impact your ability to access academics and/or campus life, and you require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 803-323-3290, or, accessibility@winthrop.edu. Please inform me as early as possible, once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Accessibility.

Student code of conduct: As noted in the Student Code of Conduct: Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals. Violations of the code of conduct found in the Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy will be dealt with as described in the policy.

Academic Success Center: Winthrop’s Academic Success Center is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to perform their best academically. The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and individual study spaces, and academic coaching. The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106.  Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu. For more information on ASC services, please visit www.winthrop.edu/success.

Winthrop University’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA) identifies and assists highly motivated and talented students to apply for nationally and internationally competitive awards, scholarships, fellowships, and unique opportunities both at home and abroad. ONCA gathers and disseminates award information and deadlines across the campus community, and serves as a resource for students, faculty, and staff throughout the nationally competitive award nomination and application process. ONCA is located in Dinkins 222B. Please fill out an online information form at the bottom of the ONCA webpage www.winthrop.edu/onca and email onca@winthrop.edu for more information.

COVID-19 Statement:

During this pandemic period each student is expected to act in the best interest of the WU community by behaving responsibly to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. All students, faculty, and staff must wear masks inside buildings and classrooms, unless alone in a private office. All members of the campus community must follow campus guidance on masking. Please do not attend class if you have fever or any signs of the COVID virus; do not attend class if your roommate or someone you have close contact with acquires the virus and be respectful of others’ desire to remain COVID-free. Use the Patient Portal COVID-19 Health Tracker daily. Students who violate WU guidelines will be asked to comply. Continued failure to comply may result in referral to the Dean of Students Office as a student conduct violation.

COVID-Related Absence

Students should contact Health Services regarding a positive test, close contact, or enhanced COVID-like symptoms. Any student who has either tested positive, has COVID-like symptoms, or has close contact with someone who has COVID, must contact Health Services. Students should log in to the Patient Portal to schedule a TELEPHONE TRIAGE Appointment w/ COVID as the reason and upload the positive test result if applicable. Health Services will communicate with the student on what steps to take next, and if need be, the Dean of Students Office will get absence verification for required isolation and quarantine. Students who verify their absences through the Dean of Students Office often minimize any academic impact caused by missed class time. Health Services will only provide dates of absence, not medical information. Please note, residential students who test positive should also follow their personal COVID Quarantine and Isolation Plan.

CHEM 307 Class Lecture/Exam Schedule

Date	Topic
25-Aug	Introduction, Carbohydrate structure
27-Aug	Redox reactions, Chain length reactions
30-Aug	Cyclization, Glycoside formation
1-Sep	Classification/Structure of Amino Acids, Acid-Base Behavior
3-Sep	Synthesis of Amino Acids/Peptides
6-Sep	Labor Day – OFF
8-Sep	Peptide Structure and Folding
10-Sep	Sanger Method, Enzymatic Sequencing Methods
13-Sep	Computer Lab–Using Chimera to Visualize Protein Structure
15-Sep	Exam 1
17-Sep	Structure and Function of Lipids
20-Sep	Terpenes and Lipid Biosynthesis
22-Sep	Steroids and Synthesis
24-Sep	Biological Membranes
27-Sep	Membrane Transport
29-Sep	Nucleic Acids, Nucleosides and Nucleotides
1-Oct	PCR, Biosynthesis of DNA/RNA
4-Oct	Biosynthesis of Proteins, DNA Fingerprinting
6-Oct	Lab Synthesis of DNA Strands, DNA Based Drug Interaction
8-Oct	Review
11-Oct	Exam 2
13-Oct	Catalysis - Acid/Base/Nucleophilic
15-Oct	Catalysis - Metal Ion/Intermolecular/Intramolecular
18-Oct	Binding Sites
20-Oct	Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions
22-Oct	Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions
25-Oct	Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions
27-Oct	Computer Lab-Active Site Investigations
29-Oct	Org Mech of Coenzymes - Cofactors/Vitamin B12, THF, TS
1-Nov	Vitamin K, H, B2, B1
3-Nov	Vitamin B3, PLP, Coenzyme A
5-Nov	Metabolic Pathways - ATP, Catabolism
8-Nov	Catabolism of Fats, Carbohydrates, Proteins
10-Nov	Citric Acid Cycle, Oxidative Phosphorylation, Anabolism
12-Nov	Review
15-Nov	Exam 3
17-Nov	Drug Discovery
19-Nov	Lead Modification, SAR
22-Nov	Increasing Oral Bioavailability
29-Nov	Genomics and Proteomics
1-Dec	Computer Lab - Inhibitors/Py Rx
3-Dec	Computer Lab - Inhibitors/Py Rx
6-Dec	Final Review
14-Dec	Final Exam (11:30 AM)