BCHM 441 - Current Topics in Biochemistry | Biomedical and Molecular Sciences | School of Medicine

BCHM 441 - Current Topics in Biochemistry

Fall 2024 (On-Campus)

Year 4

3 units

Available

On-Campus Course

An integrated course studying a variety of topics in biochemistry through research and analysis of applied biochemistry, group-learning, team-work, peer-evaluations, etc. The course consists of a few short assignments, a series of debates and a major research group project spanning the entire duration of the course. Research topics will be chosen by the student groups to explore current trends in biochemistry.

Prerequisites

Level 4 and registration in a BCHM Major Plan and (a GPA of 2.5 in BCHM 218/3.0; BCHM 313/3.0; BCHM315/3.0; BCHM 316/3.0; BCHM 317/6.0).

Method of Delivery

Lectures and student-presented seminars

Learning Outcomes

Discuss and analyze current topics in advanced biochemistry and its applications
Develop skills of inquiry on advancing biochemical applications through oral & written communication
Develop student’s ability to understand the scientific method through the critical analysis of research publications
Understand the connections between pure scientific research and practical, real world implications of biochemistry in an industry setting, in governmental regulations, ethics etc.

Evaluations

Short Assignment (News, fallacy, etc.) (10%)

Presentation of Short Assignment (5%)

Peer review of presentations of Short Assignment (5%)

Debates (15%)

Debate peer review (5%)

Major presentations (groups of 4 or 3) (30%)

Summary of major presentation (10%)

Peer review of major presentation (10%)

Participation (10%)

Time Commitment

3 hours per week (lecture/seminar)

Grading Method

In this course, some components will be graded using numerical percentage marks. Other components will receive letter grades, which for purposes of calculating your course average will be translated into numerical equivalents using the Faculty of Arts and Science approved scale:

Arts & Science Letter Grade Input Scheme

Assignment mark	Numerical value for calculation of final mark
A+	93
A	87
A-	82
B+	78
B	75
B-	72
C+	68
C	65
C-	62
D+	58
D	55
D-	52
F48 (F+)	48
F24 (F)	24
F0 (0)	0

Your course average will then be converted to a final letter grade according to Queen’s Official Grade Conversion Scale:

Queen’s Official Grade Conversion Scale

Grade	Numerical 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