In this course, students will learn about the chemistry-based side of biology and will gain an overall understanding of macromolecules. We will examine how the genetic information which is stored in our DNA is decoded and used to build proteins necessary for organisms to function. We will also look into different types of mutations and discuss how mutations in DNA can lead to various genetic disorders and cancer.

PowerPoint presentations, practice problems and videos/simulations will be used to teach.  I will use online assessments to check for student understanding.  Worksheet packets that go along with the presentations will be provided.  Students are expected to take some notes as they fill in the blanks on the handouts. This class is an interactive class; when in doubt, students are encouraged to ask questions. I will be assisting students while they work. Depending on the pace of the class, students may have homework. 

The recording of each session will be available to enrolled students after attending one live session (as long as there are students present in each session). This is meant to help learners review or catch up if they miss anything during class as the class may have diverse learners.

Tentative Schedule:
Days 1 & 2
=>Elements of life 
=>Properties of water molecules
=>online formative assessment

Days 3 & 4
=>Introduction to macromolecules: carbohydrates, fats/lipids, nucleotides, protein 
=>Types of carbohydrates
=>Types of lipids
=>comparing molecular structures: DNA vs RNA
=>online formative assessment

Classes 5 & 6
=>DNA replication
=>Transcription and mRNA processing
=>online formative assessment

Classes 7 & 8
=>Translation
=>how to read the codon chart
=>Types of mutations, genetic disorders, and cancer
=>online formative assessment

Note: 
=>Topics from one session may run into the subsequent session depending on the progress of the overall class 
=>Later materials will relate to earlier materials
=>I will leave the zoom session if nobody shows up within the first 5 minutes of each session.
=>class may run over the allotted time (by 5 to 10 minutes) at times