Biochemistry

Development of reasoning and quantitative skills for problem solving in chemistry courses. Introduction to atomic structure, chemical reactions, chemical nomenclature, formulas, symbols and equations, dimensional analysis and experimental data analysis methods. 4SH. 4 lecture hours. Not for credit toward chemistry or biochemistry major or minor.

Emphasizes the use of chemistry by society and in nature. This course presents the basic chemical concepts in a variety of contexts. Subjects might include environmentally friendly “green” chemistry, medicinal, nanotechnology, chemistry of movies and magic, or chemistry of everyday objects. A student may not enroll in this course after completing General Chemistry I (CHEM-103 or CHEM-111). Pre-requisite: concurrent enrollment in CHEM-100L. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours. CC: Scientific Explanations.

Lab which accompanies CHEM-100 Trends in Chemistry, which emphasizes the use of chemistry by society and in nature. This course presents the basic chemical concepts in a variety of contexts. Subjects might include environmentally friendly “green” chemistry, medicinal, nanotechnology, chemistry of movies and magic, or chemistry of everyday objects. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM-100 is required.

Fundamental laws and principles, atomic structure and periodicity, bonding, molecular structure, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, energy, equilibrium, thermodynamics and nuclear chemistry. Students may receive credit for only one of the three introductory Chemistry I courses, CHEM-103 or CHEM-111. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours (taken as CHEM-105, not a separate credit/grade). CC: Scientific Explanations.

Properties of gases, liquids, solids and solutions, kinetics, acids, bases, buffers, solubility, complex ion equilibria, electrochemistry, and descriptive and coordination chemistry taught in a team-based format. Students may receive credit for only one of the three introductory chemistry II courses: CHEM-102, CHEM-104 or CHEM-232. Prerequisite: CHEM-103 or CHEM-111. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours (taken as CHEM-106, not a separate credit/grade).

Fundamental laws and principles, atomic structure and periodicity, bonding, molecular structure, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, energy, simple acid-base equilibria, thermodynamics and kinetics taught in a team-based workshop format, with the lab and lecture integrated. Students may receive credit for only one of the two introductory chemistry I courses, CHEM-103 or CHEM-111. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours. CC: Scientific Explanations.

Individual or team investigation of a novel problem in chemistry or biochemistry in collaboration with a faculty member. Introduction to common methods and techniques used in the chemistry and biochemistry fields. This course may only be taken in the first and/or second year of the Chemistry/Biochemistry/Chemical Physics program and can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor’s permission. 1-4 SH.

Basic concepts of stereochemistry and chemistry of aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkyl halides and alcohols. Prerequisite: CHEM-101, CHEM-103 or CHEM-111. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours (taken as CHEM 221L, not a separate credit/grade).

This course explores basic concepts of spectroscopy and chemistry of aromatic hydrocarbons, conjugated alkenes, amines, ethers, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acid derivatives and carbohydrate building blocks. Prerequisite: CHEM-221. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours (taken as CHEM 222L, not a separate credit/grade). CC: Writing Intensive.

Structure and reactivity of solids, liquids, gases and solutions will be investigated. Molecular symmetry, molecular orbital theory and chemical kinetics will be introduced. Basic coordination chemistry will be discussed including molecular and electronic structure, acid/base theory, magnetism and common ligands. Students may receive credit for only one of the three introductory chemistry II courses: CHEM-104 or CHEM-232. Prerequisite: CHEM-222 (Organic Chemistry II). 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours.

Analytical methods for the quantitative determination of chemical species and underlying chemical concepts. Topics include analytical processes, measurements, instrumentation, chemical equilibrium and activity, acid-base theory, voltametric and spectroscopic theory. Laboratories include classical titrations and modern techniques with a focus on potentiometry and analytical optical spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CHEM-103 or CHEM-111. Taken concurrently with CHEM-102, CHEM-104 or CHEM-232 or with instructor permission. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours. 3 laboratory hours.

Varied topics reflecting student and instructor interests. Possibilities include organometallic chemistry, environmental chemistry, green chemistry, proteomics and chemistry of art. Prerequisite: CHEM-222 (may be others for some topics). 1-4 SH. Offered as lecture only, laboratory only or as a lecture/laboratory combination.

This course integrates principles from the disciplines of chemistry, biology and pharmacology to study the discovery, design, and mechanisms of action of important anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, cardioprotective and antidepressant drugs. Major emphasis is placed on drug interactions with nucleic acids, enzymes and receptors. Offered as lecture only. Prerequisites: Junior standing and CHEM-222. CC: Interdisciplinary.

Examines the science and the scientific method through the lens of ethics to distinguish scientific error from outright fraud. The course looks at classic and contemporary scientific blunders and fraud cases in academia, industry, and government. Examines ethical policy from the fallout of academic fraud. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and CHEM:222. 4 SH. CC: Ethics Intensive, Interdisciplinary.

In this course, students will learn about partition coefficient and biopharmacy, physicochemical properties of drugs, stereochemistry, drug metabolism, volumetric analysis of drugs, analytical spectroscopy, stability of drugs and medicines, kinetics of drug stability, licensing of drugs and the British Pharmacopoeia, method validation, and GMPs. Prerequisite: Junior standing and CHEM-222. 4 SH. 4 lecture hours (may be taught 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours). CC: Interdisciplinary.

This course approaches the challenges, methods, analyses and ethics of forensic chemistry from fundamental chemical and biological perspectives, including quality assurance, sampling and evidence collection and preservation, instrumentation, drugs as physical evidence, analysis of seized drugs, drugs in the body, forensic toxicology, combustion and arson, explosives, firearms, colorants, polymers, paper and fibers and forensic DNA analysis. Students will also be able to articulate the basic ethical questions and issues related to the study of forensics. Prerequisites: Junior standing and CHEM-222. 4 SH. 4 lecture hours (may be taught 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours). CC: Ethics Intensive, Interdisciplinary.

An introduction to many aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Interdisciplinary connections between chemistry, physics, biology and material science are investigated through readings, discussions and laboratory experiments. Major topics include the formation and implementation of nano-structured systems, synthesis and detection of nanoparticles, their current roles in technology, medical applications, ethical implications, and the likely future impact of such systems on society, industry and the environment. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and CHEM-222. 4 SH. CC: Interdisciplinary.

Chemical species are analyzed by classical quantitative and modern spectrometric methods. Laboratories range from volumetric, gravimetric and potentiometric wet techniques to photospectrometric methods (Uv-vis, FT-IR, AA) and mass spectrometry. This class is specifically designed for the chemistry minor and does not count toward the chemistry major, the biochemistry major or as an elective. Prerequisites: CHEM-102, or CHEM-103-104 or CHEM- 111-112. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours.

Biotechnology is broadly defined as the application of the principles of molecular and cellular science to the production of biologically important or industrially useful products. Understanding how DNA-templated process are regulated is key to understanding many aspects of biology: cell development and differentiation, the impact of the environment on cellular process, the development, progression and treatment of diseases, etc. This course will explore how scientists use this information to create breakthroughs in disease treatment, the development of genetically modified crops, the development of cutting-edge vaccines, etc. This course will begin with a review of general principles of chemistry, biochemistry, biology and molecular biology. In addition, this course will explore the “tools of the trade” that are used by omics scientists. The course will conclude with a study and discussion of the moral and ethical implications of this information. It will look at rules and regulations governing this information and how the information may be used for the study of diseases (diagnostics, treatments, etc.). It is strongly recommended that students take BIOL-426/CHEM-426 prior to this course. Prerequisite: CHEM 222: Organic Chemistry II. 4 SH

A survey of Biochemistry: structure and function of amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids; enzymology; metabolism; biosynthesis; and selected topics. Not acceptable for credit toward a major in chemistry or biochemistry, nor biochemistry minor. Prerequisites: CHEM-104 General Chemistry II or CHEM-232 Structure and Reactivity; and CHEM-222 Organic Chemistry II. 4 SH.

An in-depth study of classical and statistical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics presented with applications to phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, solute-solvent interactions and nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Prerequisites: CHEM-242, MATH-112 and PHYS-204 (Calculus-based). 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours. CC: Writing Intensive.

Introduction to quantum chemistry and spectroscopy. Theory of quantum mechanics presented at a fundamental level with special attention paid to classical problems-particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotor and hydrogen atom-and practical application to the electronic structure of atoms and molecules and to atomic and molecular spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CHEM-242, MATH-112 and PHYS-206 (Calculus-based) or instructor’s permission. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours.

Individual investigation of a novel problem in chemistry or biochemistry in collaboration with a faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. 1-4 SH.

This course integrates information from the disciplines of biology and chemistry to explore nucleic acid function and metabolism. In-depth discussions cover the forces behind DNA/DNA, DNA/RNA and DNA/protein interactions as they apply to DNA structure and metabolism, RNA function and metabolism, protein synthesis, and gene regulation. Prerequisite: CHEM-104 General Chemistry II or CHEM-232 Structure and Reactivity; and CHEM-222 Organic Chemistry II. Strongly recommended: BIOL-426/CHEM-426. 3 SH. 3 lecture hours.

Exploration of nucleic acids, including methods of isolation, purification, identification and analysis. Prerequisite: Gen Chem II (CHEM-104) or CHEM-232 Structure and Reactivity; and CHEM-222 Organic Chem II. 1 SH. 3 laboratory hours.

This course covers the structure and function of major biomolecules such as carbohydrates and lipids and their role in metabolism. Energy metabolism and biomolecule biosynthesis and degradation are emphasized. Prerequisite: Gen Chem II (CHEM-104) or CHEM-232 Structure and Reactivity; and CHEM-222 Organic Chem II. Strongly recommended: BIOL-426/CHEM-426. 3 SH. 3 lecture hours.

This course focuses on the structure of proteins, the thermodynamics of protein folding, enzyme catalytic mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. This course also introduces the field of bioinformatics, the use of computer databases to determine relationships between nucleic acid sequence, protein structure and protein function. Prerequisite: Gen Chem II (CHEM-104) or CHEM-232 Structure and Reactivity; and CHEM-222 Organic Chem II. 3 SH. 3 lecture hours.

This lab explores enzyme kinetics and inhibition as well as methods of isolation, purification, identification and analysis of proteins and enzymes. This lab is designed to provide technical skills necessary for biochemical research. Prerequisite: Gen Chem II (CHEM-104) or CHEM-232 Structure and Reactivity; and CHEM-222 Organic Chem II. 1 SH. 3 laboratory hours.

This lab explores metabolic function and metabolites. The lab focuses on the isolation, purification, identification and analysis of metabolites. Prerequisite: Gen Chem II (CHEM-104) or CHEM-232 Structure and Reactivity; and CHEM-222 Organic Chem II. 1 SH. 3 laboratory hours.

Instrumental techniques of analysis, focuses on atomic and molecular spectroscopy, including chemical principles behind the instrumental techniques, instrument operation and applications of instrumental analysis. Some discussion of macromolecule (polymer) analysis will also be included. Prerequisite: CHEM-342 or instructor’s permission. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours.

Advanced physical and electronic structure of transitional metal complexes, reaction mechanisms, bulk properties of metals, principles of organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM-232. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours.

Individual work for qualified students under the direction of a faculty member. Usually deals with specialized topics not covered in regularly offered courses. Prerequisite: Instructor and department head approval. 2-4 SH.

Individual study of a problem in experimental chemistry under the direction of a faculty member, and public presentation of the results. May not be repeated for credit. Co-/Prerequisite: Senior standing and completion of a minimum of 2 semester hours in CHEM-400 during the junior and/or senior year. 2 SH. Capstone.

Investigation of a specific topic or problem under the guidance of an appropriate faculty member. 1-4 SH.

Weekly meetings in which students report on current chemical research literature. Researchers from other institutions and industry will also be invited to present their research. Four semester hours in a manner approved by the student’s adviser are required for all majors. Prerequisite: Junior standing. 1-4 SH.

Selected students work in the chemical industry under the supervision of an industrial chemist. Prerequisite: CHEM-242 and department head’s permission. 4 SH. S/U grade.