Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Elementary Organic Bio-Chemistry (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 1120-02

Course: CHEM 1120-02
Credits: 5
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSCI
CRN: 31748

Course Description

An introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry designed for pre-nursing students, biology majors choosing chemistry track one, and other programs that require only one (1) year of basic chemistry. The first portion of the course will cover hydrocarbon chemistry and the chemistry of organic functional groups. The second portion of the course will be an overview of biochemical processes. Five (5) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a physical science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): CHEM 1125 Prerequisite(s): (CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1115) or (CHEM 1210 and CHEM 1215) - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, 8th Ed. by McMurry ISBN: 978-0-13-401518-7. Chapters 12-29 may be covered this semester.

Learning Outcomes

The general objectives of this course and every course offered within the College of 
Science at SUU, are:
• Students will be able to learn the principles of science (Organic and Biochemistry).
• Students will be able to practice the principles of science (Organic and Biochemistry) through 
laboratory experiments and outside of class discussions
• Students will be able to communicate the principles of science (Organic and Biochemistry) they
have learned and practice through oral and written means.
This course has the following specific objectives:
• Students will gain factual knowledge by learning the terminology and classification of 
functional groups, reactions, and reaction products.
• Students will gain factual knowledge about Organic and Biochemistry molecules.
• Students will learn the fundamental principles and theories of Organic and Biochemistry. 
• Students will learn how to analyze, critically evaluate and apply the course principles to
improve critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• To educate students to think independently and critically about Organic and Biochemistry.
• Students will gain and demonstrate an understanding Organic and Biochemistry, its principle
concepts and reoccurring themes.
• Students will gain and demonstrate an understanding of the causes of chemical change 

Course Requirements

STUDENT RESPOSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum qualification:
1. This is a Face to Face class so be here face to face! If you are under a Covid quarantine, make sure to get lecture notes from another student. Attend the recitations. You will need your classmates to survive! In the event we end up having to go online the student must have a valid email address, access to a distraction free room, working dedicated and fast internet source, working and dedicated fast computer with sufficient RAM and google chrome, a working microphone, working speakers, working printer and camera. None of the above mentioned items can be an reason for not getting the exam, or being able to complete the exam and return said exam on time. We must be able to see and communicate with you during the entire exam time! 
2. Must bring your own mask, sanitizing wipes, and gel.
3. Must read all chapters leading to an exam prior to the first day of the week those
chapters are under study! Lecture notes and/or a quiz may be requested each Monday 
This semester’s reading is over 500 pages long and it will be necessary to keep up with the 
assigned reading in order to survive the course. 
4. Must hold yourself to the highest academic standards. Learning is more important than grades!
5. An ability to take concepts discussed and solve “more complex” problems. 
6. An ability to adapt current study style from one of memorization to one of understanding the why’s of each concept under study.
7. Must have a minimum grade of C or better in CHEM 1110-1115. CHEM 1120 is more difficult than CHEM 1110. 
8. Must be able to attend class each day. We meet daily each week for lecture, and all class meetings are in SC 016. 
9. Disruptive behavior cannot be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: texting, talking, sleeping, studying for other courses, arriving late, ringing phones, playing games, or picking your nose. 
10. Must be able to show respect for, and consideration of, other students and the professor.
Science depends on empiricism and rational thought, emotion is not supposed to cloud the issue 
11. Must be able to turn all homework assignments in at the beginning of the class period on
specified due dates. Homework assignments that are turned in late will be worth 80% of the 
graded value.  Homework assignments that are more than one week late will not be graded or
worth any points.  
Homework that requires several papers must be stapled together to receive full credit. 
Attendance Policy: By registering for this class you have stated that you can make it to class each day and take exams during class time. All Exams will be taken on the day scheduled. It is the responsibility of the student to speak directly to the Professor at least one week prior to the scheduled exam and make arrangements to take the exam early if the professor will allow it.

Course Outline

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:                                       * Shortened Week
Week beginning:    Chapter                   Main Topic                                                 :
8/27/25*                       Intro                 Lewis Acid/Base and Polarity, Alkanes R-H
9/2/25*                         Ch. 12              Intro To Organic Chemistry: Alkanes R-H
9/08/25                         Ch. 13             Alkenes, Alkynes and Aromatic Compounds
9/15/25                         Ch. 14              Compounds with Oxygen, Sulfur, and Halogens
9/22/25                         Ch. 16              Amines
9/29/25                        Ch. 15              Aldehydes and Ketones
10/06/25                       Ch. 17              Carboxylic Acids and their Derivatives
10/13,14/25*                 ************Fall Break ***********************
10/15/25                       Exam               ACS Comprehensive Exam
10/16/25                      Ch. 18              Ch. 18 Amino Acids and Proteins
10/20/25                       Ch. 18, 19         Amino Acids, Proteins, Enzymes and Vitamins.
10/27/25                       Ch. 20, 21         Carbohydrates,  Generation of Energy  
11/3/25                         Ch. 22, 20         Carbohydrate Metabolism. Generation of Energy
11/10/25                       Ch. 23, 24         Lipids/Lipid Metabolism
11/17/25                       Ch 24, 26          Lipid Metabolism /Protein Metabolism
11/24-28/25*    ************Thanksgiving Holiday*****************
12/1/25                         Ch 25               Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis                  
TBA                             Final Exam      ACS Comprehensive (Wednesday 12/10/25 at 9:00am)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Must be able to turn all homework assignments in at the beginning of the class period on
specified due dates. Homework assignments that are turned in late will be worth 80% of the 
graded value.  Homework assignments that are more than one week late will not be graded or
worth any points.  
Homework that requires several papers must be stapled together to receive full credit. 

Attendance Policy

By Registering for this class, you have committed to attend each scheduled day on time!

Course Fee

Course fee for this class is $67.50

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.