CHEM-342 INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY Home Page - Spring 2012 Since Spring semester 2013, this course has been taught by Dr. Catherine Grimes using the same PBL approach but using a completely different set of articles. This website is maintained as a resource for those interested in PBL instruction. See: Catherine Leimkuhler Grimes and Harold B. White, Passing the Baton:  Mentoring for Adoption of Active-learning Pedagogies by Research-active Junior Faculty. Biochem. Molec. Biol. Educ., 43, 345-357 (2015)

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Poster: Lectureless Introduction to Biochemistry Classic Articles as PBL Problems: 19-Year Experience. 
Presented Chemistry Education Gordon Conference, Davidson, NC, 2011.

Brief Course Description:  This course and its problem-based learning (PBL) format are non-traditional. The course uses series of 8 to 10 classic research articles on hemoglobin and sickle cell anemia to introduce sophomore biochemistry majors to the discipline of biochemistry.   Each article constitutes a rich multidisciplinary problem from which students identify and pursue those topics (learning issues) they need to learn or review outside of class in order to understand the article as a whole.  Most classes are devoted to discussions of various learning issues within permanent groups of 3 or 4 students facilitated by a peer tutor-facilitator who has previously taken the course.  Brief descriptions of the historical context of each article and follow-up lists of instructor-generated learning issues provide the intellectual continuity and assure that students address the major issues.  These issues include topics relating to ethics in the conduct of science, philosophy of science, and experimental design in addition to issues of biochemical content and history.  This course is not a survey course.  Midterm and final essay examinations involve both individual and group assessments. While science content is important in this course, success is also coupled to a number of behavioral goals. Peer tutor facilitators, their training, and guests supported by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Undergraduate Science Education Grant.

Prerequisite: CHEM 331, Organic Chemistry, 3 Credits.