SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Biochemical Basis of Health & Disease
BCHM 270/3.0
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.
Learning Outcomes
After completing BCHM 270, students will be able to:
- 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.
- 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 levels of the cell, organ, and body in health and disease.
- Collaborate and communicate an understanding of the biochemical basis of an error in metabolism, including current and future diagnosis and treatments.
- 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
Terms
Winter 2023
Course Dates:
Jan. 10 - Apr. 8, 2022
Exam Dates:
April 14 - 30, 2022
Evaluation
Biotechnology: an Ethical Discussion
Homework and Group Discussions (x7)
Written Report
Midterms
Final Proctored Exam
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Live Sessions
This course has optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities)
Instructor
Dr. Laura van Staalduinen (lmd2@queensu.ca) and Dr. Cynthia Pruss (prussc@queensu.ca)
Textbooks and Materials
Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Textbook
BCHM 270 course notes via modules posted online and select readings made available by the instructor. The recommended textbook is Biochemistry: A Short Course third edition, by Tymoczko, Berg, and Stryder.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 10-12 hours a week (126 hours per term) in study/practice and online activity for BCHM 270.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks, if required, can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
Delivery Mode:
Online
Prerequisites:
Minimum 2nd year (Level 2) standing and [(PHGY 170/3.0) or (BIOL 102/3.0 and BIOL 103/3.0)], or permission of the instructor.
Exclusions:
BCHM 102/3.0 One-Way exclusion May not be taken with or after BCHM 310/6.0; BCHM 315/3.0.
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