Biochemistry - bmc.BIOL.B375.001.F26
Section outline
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Office hours for Bio375: Mondays 3-4 pm and Fridays 3-4 pm. Dr. C's office (PSB 113) or teaching lab (PSB 126).
Note: NO OFFICE HOURS on Mon, Sept 14 since Dr. Chander has to be at another meeting. However, I will happily answer questions before/after lecture or lab. Thank you for accommodating my schedule.
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COURSE INFORMATION AND POLICIES
The complete document with course information and policies is here (link).
The complete document with lab information and policies is here (link).
Instructor: Dr. Monica Chander
Park Science 113
610-526-5096
Lecture Laboratory
Tu, Th 10:10–11:30 am (Park 245) W 1:10-4 pm (Park 126)
Office Hours and Emails
Mon 3-4 pm; Fri 3-4 pm.
Dr. C.'s office (PSB 113) OR teaching lab (PSB 126)
You may also email me to set up an appointment for specific issues. I encourage you to attend office hours to discuss not only class material but also studying strategies, learning styles, etc.
Please note that I will respond to emails as expeditiously as possible but cannot guarantee that I will read or respond to emails over the weekend or evenings. So please do not wait until the last minute to inquire about matters of urgency.
Course Description and Learning Goals
Biochemistry is the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. A truly interdisciplinary field, Biochemistry utilizes the methods of chemistry, physics, immunology, molecular and cell biology to study the structure and behavior of complex macromolecules, and how these molecules interact to form cells, tissues, and organisms. Biochemistry has provided insight into the causes of many diseases, and also the tools to manage or cure these diseases.
This semester, we will learn the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, enzyme kinetics, and central metabolic pathways. This material will be investigated via lecture, discussion of primary literature, and laboratory experimentation. My goals are for you to be able to apply the fundamentals you learn in class to solving new problems, to think critically and analytically about scientific data, to appreciate the benefits of working collaboratively, and to communicate effectively. This is a writing-attentive class, so please be aware that you will be turning in several lab reports over the course of the semester. Prerequisites: Biology 110 and one year of Organic Chemistry with merit grade.
Examinations
There will be two midterms and a non-cumulative final. All exams are closed book and non-collaborative. There will be no make-up exams.
Students will be able to pick up and return the midterm exams at Collier Library at any point during a six-day period when the library is open. Once the exam is picked up, students will have 3 hours to complete their checked-out exam and return it to the Collier front desk. The final exam is self-scheduled through the Registrar's office.
Midterm 1: available Th Oct 1 noon through W Oct 7 noon (administered through Collier).
Midterm 2: available Th Nov 5 noon through W Nov 11 noon (administered through Collier).
Final exam: Self-scheduled through Registrar's office.
Collier Library hours: M-F: 8 am-8 pm; Sa, Sun: 10 am-8 pm (double check library hours for any last minute changes and plan accordingly).
Lab
Lab attendance is mandatory and there will be no make-up labs. If you need to miss lab due to illness, religious holiday or unforeseen circumstances, please contact me as soon as possible via email (mchander@brynmawr.edu) or phone (610-526-5096). Lab manuals will be posted on Moodle. You are required to read the lab manual prior to coming to lab.
You will be handing in four lab reports (hard copies) and you will be provided with details on how to write these lab reports.
Blood Cell Lab (25 points) - due in lab W, Oct 21
Enzyme Kinetics Lab (25 points) - due in lab W, Nov 4
Sugars Lab (10 points) - due in lab W, Nov 11
DHFR Lab (20 points) - due in class Th, Dec 10
While I will try my best to adhere to the schedule, changes to the syllabus/course format may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances. If so, I will announce the change(s) by email and will update the course Moodle page accordingly.
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BIOLOGY 375: Biochemistry
Fall 2026 Lecture Syllabus
(subject to change)
Readings refer to Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Sixth edition, Freeman.
PDFs of text book chapters, supplementary readings, homeworks, slides, etc. posted on Moodle.
Date
Lecture topic
Readings
Tu, 9/1
1. Course introduction, water
Course information
Lecture syllabus
Ch. 2: 47-58
Th, 9/3
2. Water, pH & buffers
Problem set 1: pH and buffers (due 9/10)
Ch. 2: 58-69
Tu, 9/8
3. Amino acids: structure & chemistry
Ch. 3:75-89
Th, 9/10
4. The peptide bond & covalent structure of proteins
Problem set 2: amino acids (due 9/18)
Ch.4:115-143
Tu, 9/15
5. Thermodynamics & kinetics of protein folding
Ch. 4:143-151
Th, 9/17
6. Protein structure & function: myoglobin & hemoglobin I
Ch. 5:157-174
Tu, 9/22
7. Protein structure & function: myoglobin & hemoglobin II
Problem set 3: hemoglobin (due 9/30)
Ch. 5:157-174
Th, 9/24
8. Paper 1 – A silent polymorphism in the MDR1 gene changes substrate specificity
Posted on Moodle
Tu, 9/29
9. Protein function: enzymes
Ch. 6:189-200; 214-218
Th, 10/1
10. Enzyme kinetics
Exam 1 (classes 1-8) - available at Collier Library from noon Th, 10/1 through noon W, 10/7
Ch. 6:200-213
Tu, 10/6
11. Regulation of enzyme activity
Problem set 4: enzyme kinetics (due 10/20)
Ch. 6:226-236
Th, 10/8
12. Carbohydrate biochemistry
Ch. 7:243-269
Tu, 10/13
Th, 10/15
FALL BREAK
Tu, 10/20
13. Lipid biochemistry
Problem set 5: carbs & lipids (due 10/27)
Ch. 10:357-370
Th, 10/22
14. Biological membranes
Ch. 11:385-402
Tu, 10/27
15. Membrane transport
Ch. 11:402-427
Th, 10/29
16. Paper 2 – Attachment of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric epithelium mediated by blood group antigens
Posted on Moodle
Tu, 11/3
17. Introduction to metabolism
Intro II, p. 501-504
Th, 11/5
18. Bioenergetics and thermodynamics
Exam 2 (classes 9-16) - available at Collier Library from noon Th, 11/5 through noon W, 11/11
Ch. 13:505-527
Tu, 11/10
19. Glycolysis & glycogen metabolism
Ch. 14:543-568
Ch. 15:612-620
Th, 11/12
20. Citric acid cycle
Problem set 6: metabolism I (due 11/17)
Ch. 16:633-656
Tu, 11/17
21. Fatty acid oxidation
Problem set 7: metabolism II (due 11/24)
Ch. 17:667-688
Th, 11/19
22. Redox reactions & electron transport chain
Ch. 13:528-537
Ch. 19:731-747
Tu, 11/24
23. Oxidative phosphorylation
Problem set 8: thermodynamics/redox reactions (due 12/1)
Ch. 19:747-759
Th, 11/26
THANKSGIVING
Tu, 12/1
24. Hormonal regulation of metabolism I
Ch. 15:601-606; 620-626;
Ch. 23:951-960
Th, 12/3
25. Hormonal regulation of metabolism II
Ch. 15:601-606; 620-626;
Ch. 23:951-960
Tu, 12/8
26. Paper 3- Superoxide activates mitochondrial uncoupling proteins
Posted on Moodle
Th, 12/10
27. Wrap up and review
Self-scheduled final exam (classes 17-27) – College deadline December 18, 12:30 p.m.
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BIO 375: Biochemistry
Fall 2026 Lab Syllabus
(subject to change)
Lab manuals posted on Moodle
Date
LAB EXERCISE
Sept. 2
NO LAB
Sept. 9
- Getting to know each other and our lab space (read lab policies)
- Pipet Olympics (read appendices 1 and 2)
- Learning how to write scientific papers
- Introduction to Blood Cells Lab (read introduction in posted manual)
Sept. 16
- Blood Cells Lab, Part I: Extract proteins
Sept. 23
- Viewing protein structures in 3D – myoglobin (please download PyMol on your laptop and bring to lab)
Sept. 30
- Blood Cells Lab, Part II: Protein assays
Oct. 7
- Blood Cells Lab, Part III: SDS-PAGE analysis
- Introduction to Enzyme Kinetics Lab (read introduction in posted manual)
(Blood Cells lab report due Wed, 10/21)
Oct. 14
FALL BREAK – NO LAB
Oct. 21
- Enzyme Kinetics Lab part I- Determine the effect of varying enzyme concentration on initial velocity
Oct. 28
Enzyme Kinetics Lab parts II and III
- Enzyme kinetics – Km and Vmax determination
- Inhibitor studies
(Enzyme kinetics lab report due Wed, 11/4)
Nov. 4
- Sugars lab
- Introduction to DHFR lab and induction of DHFR in E. coli (please read introduction in posted manual)
(Sugars lab report due Wed, 11/11)
Nov. 11
- DHFR lab, Part I: Cell lysis and affinity column purification
Nov. 18
- DHFR lab, Part II: Protein assays and specific activity calculation
Nov. 25
DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING – NO LAB
Dec. 2
- DHFR lab, Part III: SDS-PAGE analysis
(DHFR lab report due Th, 12/10 in lecture)
Dec. 9
NO LAB – office hours with Mia
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Bio 375 - 2026
Sign up for paper presentations (you have an entire 80 minutes to present!)
All group members responsible for discussion – which requires extra research and creativity!
Thurs, Sept. 24: A silent polymorphism in the MDR1 gene changes substrate specificity
Introduction Student 1: Omi
(requires additional Student 2: Peri
background research) Student 3: Yuxin
Figures 1 + 2 Student 1: Crystal
Student 2: Isabel
Figures 3 + 4 Student 1: Roshni
Student 2: Sodtugs
Thurs, Oct. 29: Attachment of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric epithelium mediated by blood group antigens
Introduction Student 1: Abby
(requires additional Student 2: Ruby
background research) Student 3: Jiya
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 Student 1: Lucy Deng
Student 2: Chelsea
Tues, Dec. 8: Superoxide activates mitochondrial uncoupling proteins
Introduction Student 1: Janie
(requires additional Student 2: Rae
background research) Student 3: Lucy Spellmeyer
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 Student 1: Amaris
Student 2: Chloe
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