Year 2 Option Course Syllabus BCHM 270/3.

BCHM 270 - BIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will introduce general biochemical concepts that will allow for an understanding of the biological and
chemical principles underlying human physiology, health and disease. The course will provide self-paced learning and
utilize evidence-based teaching principles, small group learning, peer-learning, and guided-independent learning
methodologies to provide an inclusive learning environment. Students will gain an enhanced appreciation of general
applications of biochemistry as applied in day-to-day healthy life and during the disease states, diagnosis and clinical
management of metabolic disorders.

Note: This course has been redesigned using the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program framework.

PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES
Minimum 2nd year (Level 2) standing and (4U Biology and PHGY 170) or (BIOL 102/3.0 and BIOL 103/3.0), or
permission of the instructor.

EXCLUSION
No more than 3.0 units from BCHM 102/3.0; BCHM 270/3.0.

ONE-WAY EXCLUSION
May not be taken with or after BCHM 315/3.0; BCHM 310/6.0

METHOD OF DELIVERY
Teaching strategies for the online format will include BCHM 270 course notes provided via online modules,
asynchronous discussions online, and individual and group assignment submissions via Daylight (onQ).

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing BCHM 270, students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe the structures and functions of the major classes of biochemical molecules in the body
and explain how they are synthesized and broken down in metabolism. (PLO 1, 4; Assessments 1 - 6)

2. Explain the concepts of regulation by inhibition and activation at the enzyme level, and extend these
concepts to describe biochemical pathway regulation in the processes of metabolism at the level of the cell,
organ, and body in health and disease. (PLO 1, 4; Assessments 2 - 6)

3. Collaborate and communicate an understanding of the biochemical basis of an error in metabolism,

including current and future diagnosis and treatments. (PLO 1, 4; Assessment 1, 3 – 5)

4. Integrate the roles of biochemical molecules and their associated processes to explain the consequences of a
change in a particular biochemical process in health and disease. (PLO 1, 4; Assessments 2 – 4)

Note: PLO refers to the program learning outcome that each course learning outcome matches to.

ASSESSMENTS/ EVALUATIONS

1. Biotechnology: An Ethical Discussion (5%)

2. Homework (x7) (10.5%)
3. Group Discussions (x7) (10.5%)
4. Written Report (24%)
5. Midterms (x2) (10%)
6. Final Exam (40%)
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Year 2 Option Course Syllabus BCHM 270/3.0

Assessments 1 – 6 will be graded using marking rubrics.

Assessments: Each assessment corresponds to a course learning outcome (LO), as indicated in brackets

Assessment 1 – Biotechnology: An Ethical Discussion (LO 1, 3)

The purpose of this assignment is to collaborate to provide a well-researched and organized argument in support of a
viewpoint of a controversial topic in biochemistry. The assignment will enhance professional and collaborative work,
which will be applicable in the future when working with colleagues. Acting as an advocate will also improve
communication skills and acquiring up to date information on the topic will prepare the student to be an active scholar
in the field of biochemistry.

Assessments 2 and 3 – Homework and Group Discussions (LO 1 – 4)

For these assessments, students will have the chance to discuss and further their understanding of concepts introduced
in the course modules. These assignments will have components for both individual and group work. By completing
these assignments, students will solidify and expand on their understanding of complex concepts and strengthen their
ability to work in groups. There will be seven homework and discussion assignments, each worth 1.5% each, related to
the content of seven course modules.

Assessment 4– Written Report (LO 1 – 4)

The purpose of this assignment is to research a genetic disease to discover its underlying biochemical basis. Students
will develop an understanding of the disease and be able to relate this knowledge to module content. Students' first
draft will be reviewed by peers and constructive feedback will be provided to allow students to improve the final
submission of their report. Students will develop the skills necessary to perform independent research and evaluate the
quality of primary literature, as well as the ability to write about scientific topics required for many healthcare,
research, and policy-related careers.

Assessment 5 – Midterms (LO 1, 2)

Two midterms will cover content from the first two-thirds of the course, in order to ensure student comprehension of
content presented up to each point. The midterm will be comprised of well developed multiple choice and/or short
answer questions to assess student comprehension of the topics covered.

Assessment 6 – Final Exam (LO 1, 2)

The final exam is cumulative, covering all course content (Modules 1 – 7), with slightly more weight given to the last
third of the course. It will be comprised of both multiple choice and short answer questions designed to assess student
understanding of key concepts explored in the course.

BHSc ONLINE EXAM STATEMENT

When you enroll in this online course, you are agreeing to write tests, quizzes, and exams online. The benefits of this are that
you can complete the exam in your own space using your own computer. For each assessment, you will be using exam
software developed at Queen’s which is integrated with an online proctoring system called Examity. To ensure a successful
exam experience, you are responsible for ensuring that your computer meets the minimum technical requirements, as
described on the course web page, and that you are located in an area with sufficient high speed internet at the time of the
exam.

You will be given the opportunity to practice the exam initiation process in advance of any quizzes, tests or exams that require
the use of this software. See the Examity Instructions for more information.

In this course, academic accommodations within the online testing-environment are possible. Students with QSAS
accommodations must send a copy of their letter to qubchm270@queensu.ca have their accommodations applied to their final
exam and other assessments.

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Year 2 Option Course Syllabus BCHM 270/3.0
The use of Examity may be problematic in certain regions (e.g. China). If you are going to be located in a region with
restrictions during the time your exam is offered please reach out to BHSc Technical Support
bhsc.technicalsupport@queensu.ca as soon as possible so alternate arrangements can be made for you to complete your exam.

Students requesting an exam deferral will be required to write their final examination during the Supplemental Exam Period
as defined by the BHSc Sessional Dates.

COMPETENCIES
The assessments that correspond with the program competencies are indicated below:

1. Communicator (Assessments 1 – 4)
2. Advocate (Assessments 1)
3. Leader (N/A)
4. Scholar (Assessments 1– 4)
5. Professional (Assessment 1, 3, 4)
6. Collaborator (Assessments 1, 3)

TIME COMMITMENT
Students can expect to spend approximately 10 - 11 hours a week in study, practice and online activity for BCHM 270.

REQUIRED TEXTS
BCHM 270 course notes via modules posted online and select readings made available by the instructor.

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK
Biochemistry: A Short Course third edition, by Tymoczko, Berg, and Stryder is the recommended
textbook that is used in BCHM 270.

COURSE CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact your course instructors through the course email address qubchm270@queensu.ca for any
questions or problems you have with the course. This includes questions regarding marks, extension requests, or
accommodations. Most questions are answered within one business day.

ASSESSMENT POLICIES
All assessments are due at noon ET on the date listed in the course calendar, unless stated otherwise. All late
submissions will be assessed a 10% per day late penalty, and after 7 days are no longer accepted without a prior
extension. It is the student's responsibility to confirm that they have uploaded their correct assignment file to the
correct location. If you cannot submit your assignment online, email your file toqubchm270@queensu.ca, with a
report of your submission error to receive credit.

Any questions regarding marks must be requested by one week after the release of the marks for that assessment
to qubchm270@queensu.ca with the exception of the final exam and written report.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Biochemical Basis of Health and Disease (BCHM 270) follows the academic integrity policy of Queen’s University.
Academic integrity is constituted by the six core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility,
and (see http://www.academicintegrity.org) by the quality of courage. These values are central to the building, nurturing,
and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community can thrive. Adherence to the values
expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the "freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas" essential
to the intellectual life of the University; see Senate Report in Principles and Priorities
(https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/academic-integrity-policy-statement).

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Year 2 Option Course Syllabus BCHM 270/3.0

Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the regulations concerning academic integrity and for
ensuring their assignments conform to the principles of academic integrity. Information on academic integrity is
available in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program Calendar (see Academic Regulation 1), and from the
instructor of this course. Departures from academic integrity include, plagiarism, use of unauthorized materials,
facilitation, forgery and falsification, and are antiethical to the development of an academic community at Queen’s.
Given the seriousness of these matters, actions which contravene the regulation on academic integrity carry sanctions
that can range from a warning or the loss of grades on an assignment to failure of a course to requirement to withdraw
from the university.

Specifically, students must express themselves in their own words, and cite sources when they use outside information.
Verbatim copying of the module text or textbook is considered plagiarism and is a breach of academic integrity. Further,
lying and misrepresentation are dishonest and violate the six core values of academic integrity. We are using Turnitin on
all our course assignment submission folders, and allow you to see your similarity reports. Please be sure to cite sources
and hand in your own work.

ABOUT TURNITIN AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY

This course makes use of Turnitin, a third-party application that helps maintain standards of excellence in academic
integrity. Normally, students will be required to submit their course assignments to through onQ to Turnitin. In doing
so, students’ work will be included as source documents in the Turnitin reference database, where they will be used
solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism.

Turnitin is a suite of tools that provide instructors with information about the authenticity of submitted work and
facilitates the process of grading. Turnitin compares submitted files against its extensive database of content, and
produces a similarity report and a similarity score for each assignment. A similarity score is the percentage of a
document that is similar to content held within the database. Turnitin does not determine if an instance of plagiarism
has occurred. Instead, it gives instructors the information they need to determine the authenticity of work as a part of a
larger process.

Please read Turnitin’s Privacy Pledge, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service, which governs users’ relationship with
Turnitin. Also, please note that Turnitin uses cookies and other tracking technologies; however, in its service contract
with Queen’s Turnitin has agreed that neither Turnitin nor its third-party partners will use data collected through
cookies or other tracking technologies for marketing or advertising purposes. For further information about how you
can exercise control over cookies, see Turnitin’s Privacy Policy.

Turnitin may provide other services that are not connected to the purpose for which Queen’s University has engaged
Turnitin. Your independent use of Turnitin’s other services is subject solely to Turnitin’s Terms of Service and Privacy
Policy, and Queen’s University has no liability for any independent interaction you choose to have with Turnitin.

ONLINE PROFESSIONALISM AND NETIQUITTE

Since this is an online course, students will be participating in online discussions and communicating by email.
Please use common sense, avoid acronyms, proper grammar and spelling, and respectful language in your
interactions with the instructors and other students in this course. If you feel that another student is being
unprofessional or offensive, contact the course instructors as soon as possible with the link or email with the
offending language at qubchm270@queensu.ca.

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Year 2 Option Course Syllabus BCHM 270/3.0

COPYRIGHT OF COURSE MATERIALS

Course materials created by the course instructor, including all slides, presentations, handouts, tests, exams,
and other similar course materials, are the intellectual property of the instructor. It is a departure from academic
integrity to distribute, publicly post, sell or otherwise disseminate an instructor’s course materials or to provide
an instructor’s course materials to anyone else for distribution, posting, sale or other means of dissemination,
without the instructor’s express consent. A student who engages in such conduct may subject to penalty for a
departure from academic integrity and may also face adverse legal consequences for infringement of
intellectual property rights.

GRADING METHOD
All components of this course will receive numerical percentage marks. The final grade received for the course will be
derived by converting the student’s numerical course average to a letter grade according to Queen’s Official Grade
Conversion Scale:
Numerical
Grade Course Average
(Range)
A+ 90-100
A 85-89
A- 80-84
B+ 77-79
B 73-76
B- 70-72
C+ 67-69
C 63-66
C- 60-62
D+ 57-59
D 53-56
D- 50-52
F 49 and below