Biochemistry
Biochemistry is number three of the most important subjects in first year. The course lasts the duration of the academic year and you will have in person lectures as well as in person laboratory classes where you will conduct experiments. Preparation can be helpful for the classes.
In order to succeed it’s important to stay up to date with lectures. They are posted on Blackboard but are usually taken down after a week and replaced with the next one. So, make sure to download the lectures or take your own notes right away. Beware that the majority of lectures have no sound, which can be a bit challenging.
Biochemistry may seem daunting at first because of the large amount of content, however, if you focus on understanding the topics instead of memorizing them, you will find that the concepts aren’t as difficult as they may seem.
Especially thoroughly studying the lectures about enzymes will give you an advantage in understanding physiology in the 2nd year.
Attendance is mandatory and any unexcused absence from class will result in obtaining 1 negative point. Failure of a credit retake will result in obtaining 2 negative points. If a student obtains 5 or more negative points they will be disqualified for the final exam and have to retake the course.
The course consists of four credits in total, 2 per semester. To be eligible for the final exam you must pass 3 out of 4 credits. Each credit is 45 minutes long, consisting of 5 questions with a maximum score of 15 to be obtained.
A passing grade is 8/15 (60%).
A typical credit consists of 2 drawing questions, where you have to draw a chemical structure or reaction and 3 open-ended describe questions.
You have a minimum of 1 retake per credit.
Before each credit a seminar will take place on Blackboard which students must pass in order to be allowed to sit the credit. Throughout the year there are six seminars, 2 of which are essay type questions to assess understanding of specific biochemistry topics on the course.
Format: 6 describe questions, 4 draw questions, 1 list question, 1 calculation. Maximum points to be obtained is 30 marks.
Passing grade: 18/30 (60%).
Timing: 1hr 30mins.
Retakes: There are 2 possible retakes of the final exam, which will be organised by the department in August or September.
Exemption
Students who score 90-95% at 4 credits are not required to take the final exam.Credit received after passing the exam.
The grade is taken from the exam.
For the grading scale, consider the department's website.
This page is edited by
Ellen Leinekugel
Class of 2030Martha Lemanczyk
Class of 2030