Biochemistry 115

11:115:100 The Molecules of Life: Biochemistry for Everyone (3) Introductory biochemistry for nonscience majors, this lecture and discussion-format course presents the biochemistry of human health through the lens of current topics including metabolism, the microbiome, genetic engineering, and everyday pharmaceuticals. Through independent learning students will delve into current topics that are of particular interest to them through in-class active learning exercises.

11:115:110 Experiments with Green Fluorescent Protein (3) An introduction to protein biochemistry and protein purification using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a teaching tool.

11:115:201 Contemporary Issues in Biochemistry (2) Topics to be covered in this course include the role of biochemistry in stem cell research; genetically modified microorganisms, plants, and animals; drug development; and disease progression. Students will be introduced to these topics by directed reading from current literature, interactive lectures, and class discussion. In addition, some amount of class time will be devoted to introducing students to laboratory research to prepare them to be productive participants in the laboratory. Students will be expected to be active participants in the class discussions and will also be required to submit short essays on the selected topics throughout the semester.

11:115:301 Introductory Biochemistry (3) The chemistry and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biologically important compounds. Prerequisites: 01:160:209 or 307-308 or 315-316.

11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory   (1) Techniques used in research, clinical, and food laboratories, including tests of biological materials, methods of separations, and determinations of enzyme activities. Lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 01:160:209 or 307-308 or 315-316

11:115:321 Ethics in Biochemical Research (3) Exploration of ethical issues in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology including recombinant DNA technology, genetically modified organisms, stem cell research, scientific patents, and DNA databases. Prerequisites: 01:119:115-116,117

11:115:403,404 General Biochemistry (4,3) A comprehensive survey of the chemistry and metabolism of biological compounds, including proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids. Enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, organelles, and cellular organization. Expression and processing of biological information, including DNA replication; transcription into RNA; translation into protein, regulation, and recombinant DNA techniques. A detailed computer laboratory study of structural biology, including protein and nucleic acid three-dimensional structures and the interactions between these and ligands. Prerequisites: 01:160:307-308 or 315-316 with grades of C or better. Prerequisite for 11:115:404 is 11:115:403.

11:115:406 Problem Solving in Biochemistry (2)   Modern instrumentation and analytical techniques used in biochemistry research.

11:115:409 Principles of Biophysical Chemistry (3) An extensive treatment of thermodynamics as it applies to matters such as protein stability, allostery, ligand binding to receptors, membrane formation and others. Areas of spectroscopy routinely used in biochemistry include absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism. Advanced kinetics including transition state theory is covered. Prerequisites: General Biochemistry 11:115:403 and one year of Calculus.  A year of Physics and a year of Biology are strongly recommended.

11:115:413,414 Experimental Biochemistry (3,3)   Isolation, characterization, and quantitative determination of biological compounds. Spectrophotometric and titrimetric analyses; chromatography and gel electrophoresis; high performance liquid chromatography. Isolation and characterization of enzymes, nucleic acids, and lipids. Graphing and statistical treatment using computers. Lec. 1 hr. (for 413), 55-min. (for 414), lab. 4.5 hrs (for both 413 and 414). Corequisites: 11:115:403,404. Recommended: 01:447:380.

11:115:421 Biochemistry of Cancer (3) DNA damage/repair mechanisms; oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes; signaling pathways; apoptosis/cell death; the cell cycle; metastasis-cell, cell contact, and protease activation; tumor growth and angiogenesis; genetic events; genetic polymorphisms; chemical carcinogenesis; chemotherapeutic targeting. Prerequisites: 11:115:403-404.

11:115:422 Biochemical Mechanisms of Toxicology (3) General principles and mechanisms of biochemical toxicology, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Examples of metabolism of industrial compounds, organic agrichemicals, and carcinogens. Prerequisites: 01:119:115-116,117 (formerly 01:119:101-102), 01:160:307-308 or 315-316. Pre- or corequisites: 11:115:403,404 or equivalent. Recommended: 01:146:356 or equivalent.

11:115:423 Fundamentals of Genomics (3) This course will provide an introduction to genome science to undergraduate and graduate students with a variety of backgrounds such as biochemistry, microbiology, animal, and plant science who are confronted with the growing influence of this field in their work but may not be knowledgeable in its uses and limitations. The lectures will provide an overview of genomics technology and provide real-life examples in the life sciences. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 01:119:116. Formerly 11:216:423.

11:115:436 Molecular Toxicology Laboratory (3)   Techniques currently applied in public and private toxicology laboratories. One 80-min. pre-lab., one 3-hr. lab. 

11:115:485 Advanced Methods for 3-D Structure Determination of Biomolecules (3) This course is a survey of advanced techniques for the determination of biomolecular structure and will include in-depth discussions of cryo-EM, NMR, and X-ray crystallography as well as other emerging techniques. Prerequisites: 11:115:403/404 or permission of instructor.

11:115:491 Seminar: Biochemistry Communication (3) Practice in techniques for oral presentation of scientific reports and reviews, based on search of research literature in biochemistry and, where applicable, the student's own research results. Pre- or corequisites: 11:115:403,404. Open only to senior biochemistry majors.

11:115:493,494 Research Problems in Biochemistry (BA,BA) Research projects under the guidance of faculty members. Prerequisite: Permission of department.