Biochemistry Courses

Biochemistry Courses

 

A study of the basic laws, principles and theories relating to changes in the composition of matter, together with a presentation of the common metals and nonmetals, as well as their physical and chemical properties as correlated by their electronic structure. Three lectures weekly.

Offered: Fall (I & II) and Spring (I & II)

Students study chromatography, calorimetry, acid/base and redox titrations, inorganic synthesis and displacement reactions and chemical equilibrium. This course also includes analysis and identification of the most common cations and anions. One three-hour laboratory period weekly.

Offered: Fall (I & II) and Spring (I & II)

A lecture/laboratory course dealing with the theory and practice of quantitative chemical analysis. Topics include a survey of classical wet chemical techniques in gravimetry and titrimetry, as well as introductory instrumental methods in spectroscopy, electrochemistry and chromatography. Three lecture periods and two laboratory periods (two hours each) weekly.

Prerequisites: Chem. 1304 and 1104
Offered: Fall

This is a sequential year course that studies the structural theories and properties of organic compounds; stereochemistry; functional group analysis; class reactions and organic synthesis; mechanism of reactions as applied to the study of aliphatic, aromatic heterocyclic compounds, and classes of biologically significant compounds. There is special emphasis on spectroscopic methods for molecular structure determination. Three lectures weekly.

Prerequisite: Chem.1304
Offered: Fall (I & II) and Spring (I & II)

This course covers the systematic use of printed and online resources in chemistry. Students learn how to search chemical literature effectively to find chemical information.

Offered: Fall

This is a sequential year course accompanying Chem. 3321 and 3322. Focus of study includes theory and practice of functional group determination, IR and NMR spectroscopy for molecular structure determination, synthetic methods and class reactions and chromatographic methods for isolation and identification. One four-hour laboratory period weekly.

Prerequisite: Chem. 1104
Offered: Fall (I & II) Spring (I & II)

A series of presentations, readings and discussions on topics from the primary scientific literature in chemistry or biochemistry. This course is intended to help develop a student's oral communication skills by presenting, listening to and discussing various chemistry topics. The course emphasizes the mechanics, style and substance of giving scientific presentations. Each student will give at least one presentation over the course of the semester. Student attendance and participation at each class meeting is expected. This course cannot be used to satisfy requirements of Chem. 4V43-4V44. One class weekly.

Prerequisite: Chem. 3151
Offered: Spring

This course is a study of the underlying physical principles that govern the properties and behavior of chemical systems. Topics include thermodynamics, gases, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy and statistical mechanics. Three weekly lectures.

Prerequisite: Chem. 1303 and 1304; Math. 1404 and 1411.
Offered: Fall and Spring.

A laboratory experience that demonstrates the application of physical chemical principles and develops the ability to write comprehensive lab reports. The treatment of experimental data and error analysis is emphasized. Experiments include calorimetry, UV/VIS spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, rates of reaction, equilibrium and quantum chemistry.

Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in Chem. 3331-3332.
Offered: Fall and Spring

A sequential year course focusing on the study of living systems at the molecular and cellular level. An understanding of life's recurring strategies will be developed, including: 1) how the chemical structures of macromolecules (proteins and carbohydrates) relate to their biological function; 2) how enzyme mechanisms and energy flow catalyze reactions; 3) how interrelated metabolic pathways are regulated; and 4) how biological systems store, transfer and regulate energy and information. Students will also acquire experience in reading and presenting the primary scientific literature. Three lectures weekly.

Prerequisite: Chem. 3322 or permission of the instructor. Chem. 3135-3136 should be taken concurrently.
Offered: Fall and Spring

This laboratory is designed to introduce several major techniques common to biochemical investigations. Techniques include: protein purification through chromatographic separations, protein characterization through spectroscopic and electrophorectic methods, immunoassay methods, enzyme kinetics and recombinant DNA techniques. One four-hour laboratory period weekly.

Prerequisite: Chem.3322 and concurrent enrollment in Chem. 3335-3336.
Offered: Fall and Spring

Independent laboratory research. Instructor permission required.

A temporary grade of "T" will be recorded until a written report is submitted to and accepted by the instructor and an oral seminar is presented on the research project. The seminar must be scheduled during the semester immediately following the term in which the experimental work is completed.

Offered: Fall and Spring