Case study exercises in an introductory biochemistry course can be used to help students master the content of the course while at the same time help build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Case studies can be used in a variety of forms: (i) as in-class group activities to either augment or replace content covered in lecture, (ii) as homework assignments, completed either individually or in groups, to assess mastery of content, and (iii) as exam questions to assess the students’ ability to apply their biochemistry knowledge to a larger context and to discourage rote memorization. Scientific journals as well as articles in the popular press provide rich sources of case study material. A “directed” case study approach allows the instructor to focus student attention on the key content areas that the instructor wishes to cover, doing so in a manner that is interesting and engaging to the students.