MCB 450 Course Information

MCB 450
Introductory Biochemistry

School of Molecular & Cellular Biology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Gradebook

Course Information

Textbook:
Principles of Biochemistry with a Human Focus
Reginald H. Garrett and Charles M. Grisham
Thomson Learning, Inc. (2002)
ISBN: 0-03-97369-4

Course Website:
http://www.life.uiuc.edu/mcb/450
You should regularly visit the site for announcements and course instructional materials. Examinations, lecture materials, and videos from previous semesters are available now. Feel free to download and print past lectures and bring to class for taking notes. There are usually only slight changes to the slides from one semester to the next.

When you view the lecture and/or exam materials you will be challenged for a username and password. Username: mcb450; Password: to be announced in class. Both are case-sensitive.

Examinations:
There will be three hourly examinations, counting 25% each, and one comprehensive final examination, counting 25%. Grading scales will be announced after each examination.

Students who have conflicts with exams due to interviews or conferences are required to submit a conflict request form and provide documentation of the conflict to the course coordinator prior to the exam. When possible a conflict exam will be given the afternoon or evening prior to the regular exam. If a time cannot be agreed upon the students exam score will be prorated based on their performance in comparison to the rest of the class on all other exams.
Conflict Exam Request Form Deadline for Exam 2 is 5 PM on Fri., March 21st
Conflict Final Exam Request Form Deadline 5 PM, Wednesday, April 30th
Note: you will need to use your netid and Active Directory password to log into the conflict request forms. If you do not have an Active Directory password please follow the instructions on the login page in order to get one.

If you are ill or incapacitated on the day of an exam, you are urged to seek assistance at McKinley Health Center or elsewhere as needed, and to miss the exam (your score will be prorated if your absence is excused). E-mail Tina Knox and advise her of your situation.

When you are well enough to return to classes, go to the Office of the Dean of Students. It is located in Turner Student Services Building, 610 E. John Street, Champaign; Phone number: 333-0050. Inform the Deans that you need confirmation of a confining illness to be sent to Tina Knox in MCB (393 Morrill, MC-119) or E-mail to tmknox@uiuc.edu.

NOTE: If you choose to attend an exam while suffering from illness, and you complete the exam, that exam will determine your score. No makeups will be offered.

Requests for Regrades:
If you believe there was an error in the grading of your exam you must download this REGRADE REQUEST FORM, fill it out, attach it to the original exam and turn in to Tina Knox in 252 Davenport within one week of the time that the exam was returned to you.

Do NOT make additional marks on the original exam. Please note: it is standard practice in MCB to photocopy all exams before they are returned to students. Please be mindful of your responsibility for academic integrity.

Typical Course Grade Distribution:

Grade Percent of Class

A 29.2

B 46.4

C 19.9

D 2.7

E 1.8

HCLAs (James Scholars Honors Credit Learning Agreements): Students who wish to take this course for honors credit may do so by choosing a topic of interest in biochemistry (to be approved by Dr. Mintel or the course coordinator) and writing a 5 to 6 page paper on it. Please send all electronic requests for approval to the course coordinator, Tina Knox, at tmknox@uiuc.edu. Papers will be due on the last day of class just prior to the final exam.

Procedure for requesting a letter of recommendation: Students who would like to request a letter of reference from Dr. Mintel should follow the instructions given here Procedure for Letters of Recommendation. All requested materials should be delivered to Tina Knox in 252 Davenport. At least 2 weeks notice is appreciated.