Kevin R. Siebenlist, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Biochemistry

Schroeder Complex 320B

(414) 288-6555

Email

Dr. Siebenlist received his Ph.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1984. He held a joint Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Blood Center of Southeastern Wisconsin and The Hemostasis Research Laboratory at Sinai Samaritan Medical Center where he began his studies on hemostasis. He joined the faculty at Marquette University in August of 1993.

Courses

Biochemistry, BISC 413

This is a one semester course taught to first year students in the School of Dentistry, students in the first year of the Physician Assistant professional program, and to advanced Biomedical Science Majors. It is a rigorous and in-depth look at biochemistry. Initially the biochemistry of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides, and vitamins is examined. The metabolism of these fundamental biochemical components is then explored. Their degradation for energy and their use for the synthesis of complex biomolecules is investigated in detail. Emphasis is placed upon the control mechanisms of metabolism and how metabolism functions as a unified whole. Lastly, the molecular genetics of the cell are investigated. The structure and function of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) are discussed. How the cell stores information in DNA, how the information in DNA flows to RNA, and how this information is utilized to direct protein synthesis is described. A discussion of recombinant DNA technology and its applications in health care is included in this section. Throughout the course, special emphasis is placed upon how biochemistry relates to normal health and disease. During the course students will gain an understanding of:

 

1. The living process at a molecular level.
2. How living matter is formed, maintained, and destroyed.
3. The control and regulation of metabolism.
4. How the internal environment, diet, and hormones affect the living organism.
5. The biochemical basis of health and disease.

Bulletin Course Description:

Biochemistry of microbial cells and human cells is compared and contrasted. The chemistry of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, and the metabolic regulation of human cells as well as changes in diseases are discussed.

4 semester hours, Fall semester, MTuWF 8:00 AM

Chemistry for the Health Professions, BISC 006

This is a one semester course taught to first year students in the School of Nursing and first year students in the Dental Hygiene Program. It covers topics within general and organic chemistry which are necessary background information for subsequent Biomedical Sciences courses (e.g. biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, and pharmacology). The general chemistry section of the course covers aspects of atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical and physical properties of matter (gases, liquids, solids, and solutions), reaction rates and equilibria, acids, bases, pH, and buffers. An introduction to organic chemistry follows the general chemistry section. The organic chemistry component of the course examines the major organic functional groups with emphasis upon the nomenclature of representative organic molecules, their physical properties, and their typical chemical reactions. At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

 

1. Describe the atomic nature of matter, the periodic table, and the relationship of structure to chemical behavior.
2. Identify the types of chemical bonds.
3. Discuss chemical reactions of different types, the rates of these reactions, and the relationship of energy changes to chemical reactions.
4. Recognize the properties of gases, liquids, solids, solutions, and colloids.
5. Explain the fundamentals of acid-base chemistry, pH, and buffers.
6. Understand the concepts of oxidation and reduction.
7. Perform scientific measurements and calculations based on the mole concept.
8. Name and identify organic compounds: hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, ethers, halides, thiols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, and amides.
9. Compare and contrast the physical properties (freezing point, boiling point, solubility in water, density) of the various types of organic compounds.
10. Examine the reactions of the various organic compounds.
11. Predict the products of organic reactions based on the chemistry of the functional groups present.

Bulletin Course Description: General and organic chemistry.

3 Semester hours, Fall Semester, MWF 1:00 p.m.

Organic Chemistry for the Health Sciences, BISC 005

This is a one semester course taught to second year students in the Physical Therapy Program and to Biomedical Science Majors who are not pursuing a pre-professional course of study. It is an introduction to organic chemistry stressing the nomenclature of organic molecules, their physical properties, and the representative reactions of the common organic functional groups. At the completion of the course students should be able to:

 

1. Name and identify organic compounds - hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, ethers, halides, thiols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, and amides.
2. Compare and contrast the physical properties (freezing point, boiling point, solubility in water, density) of the various types of organic compounds.
3. Examine the reactions of the various organic compounds.
4. Predict the products of organic reactions based on the chemistry of the functional groups present.

Bulletin Course Description:
An introduction to organic chemistry stressing the physical properties and representative reactions of the common organic functional groups.

2 Semester hours, Fall Semester, MWF 1:00 p.m.

Biochemistry for the Health Professions, BISC 007

This is a one semester course taught to first year students in the School of Nursing, first year students in the Dental Hygiene Program, second year students in the Physical Therapy Program, and to Biomedical Science Majors who are not pursuing a pre-professional course of study. The course is roughly divided into thirds. The first third of the course examines the structure and biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, membranes, amino acids, proteins and vitamins. The second third of the course deals with the metabolism of these basic biochemical components. Their degradation for energy and their use for the synthesis of complex biomolecules is explored. Emphasis is placed upon how metabolism functions as a unified whole. Lastly, the molecular biology of the cell is investigated. In this section the structure and function of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) is discussed . How the cell stores information in DNA, how the information in DNA flows to RNA, and how this information is utilized to direct protein synthesis is described. Throughout the course special emphasis is placed upon how biochemistry relates to normal health and disease. BISC 007 is less rigorous and not as in depth as BISC 413. At the completion of the course students will gain an understanding of:

 

1. The process of life at the molecular level
2. How living matter is formed, maintained, and destroyed
3. The control and regulation of metabolism
4. How the internal environment, diet, and hormones affect the living organism
5. The flow of biological information from DNA through RNA to protein
6. The biochemical basis of health and disease

Bulletin Course Description:

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, bioenergetics, metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleotides. Emphasis placed on health and disease.

3 semester hours, Spring semester, MWF 2:00 PM.