Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (B.S.)

This course is designed for biology majors and replaces traditional introductory biology courses. The overarching goal is to introduce students to collegiate biology by teaching them how to carry out scientific research. Across all sections of this course, students will pose scientific questions, design and critique experiments, run those experiments, evaluate experimental outcomes, and communicate those outcomes. Within this framework of investigative inquiry, students will learn introductory content that will not only be meaningful for the current course, but will allow for a smoother transition to their sophomore year. Content areas include ecology, genetics, evolution, biodiversity, reproduction, development, and cellular/molecular mechanisms.
Course fluidly transitions between lecture and lab with an equivalency to 3 lecture hours and 3 laboratory hours per week.  No P/F.
Pre or corequisite(s): CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I ; or prerequisite of CHEM-1100.
(Multiple sections normally offered each semester.)

This course emphasizes molecular mechanisms associated with intracellular structures, metabolism, genetic information transfer, heredity, and evolution in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Three lectures per week with one three-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry, CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I , and CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II or CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I .
(Normally offered each semester.)

An introduction to the interaction of life with the environment at the molecular, organismal through ecosystem levels, highlighting the major factors influencing evolutionary change. Topics include genetic and phenotypic variation, natural selection, adaptation, speciation, symbiosis and populations dynamics especially in light of human interference, and ecosystem structure and function. Where possible, principles of evolution and ecology will be integrated.
Three lectures per week.
One 3-hour lab per week, including field, laboratory and greenhouse work.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry, CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I , and CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II or CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I .
(Normally offered each semester.)

A study of the systems, mechanisms, and methods of molecular genetics with a particular emphasis on the analysis of the genetic material--mutagenesis, replication, regulation, transcription, and translation--and its protein products and their biological function. Recombinant DNA/genetic engineering and other modern technologies will be discussed. Three lecture per week. One 3-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry, BIO 2200 Genetics and Cell Biology, CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I , and CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I .
(Normally offered alternate spring semesters.)

A study of fundamental principles of chemistry including structures of atoms and molecules, periodicity, stoichiometry, reactions, solutions, gases, and thermochemistry.
Three classes per week.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

Laboratory supporting CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I .
One three-hour lab per week.
Pre or corequisite(s): CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I .
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

A survey of the structure and reactions of carbon-containing molecules.
Three lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II with a grade of "C-" or better.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

A laboratory supporting CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I .
One 3-hour lab per week.
One 1-hour pre-lab lecture per week.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1120L Chemical Principles II Laboratory with grade of "C-" or better.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I .
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

A continuation of CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I . A study of reactions of importance in the synthesis and biosynthesis of carbon compounds, including reaction mechanisms and spectroscopic methods for the determination of structures.
Three lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I with grade of "C-" or better.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

A laboratory supporting CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms.
One 3-hour lab per week.
One 1-hour pre-lab lecture per week.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2100L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory with grade of "C-" or better.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

A continuation of CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I .  Topics include reaction kinetics, aqueous equilibria, thermodynamics (Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy), electrochemistry, colligative properties, nuclear and coordination chemistry.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I and CHEM 1110L Chemical Principles I Laboratory with grades of "C-" or better.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

A laboratory supporting CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II.
One 3-hour lab per week.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

A comprehensive introduction to the field of biochemistry that will stress the role of molecular structure and reactivity in determining biological function. The course will emphasize biochemical problem solving by the application of basic chemical principles.
Three lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms with grades of "C-" or better. A basic biology background is strongly recommended. 
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

An introduction to biochemical methods used to isolate and characterize biomolecules from natural sources. A variety of analytical and physical methods, including UV/visible and NMR spectroscopy, will be used to determine structural features and to measure functional properties of the isolated biomolecules.
One three-hour lab per week.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 3410 Biochemistry.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

An introduction to physical chemistry consisting of fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibrium, and chemical kinetics presented using a calculus-based mathematical treatment.
Three lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms, CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II and MATH 1600 Calculus I.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

Laboratory exercises in the measurement of physical and chemical properties of chemical systems. This course is designed to accompany CHEM 3510.
One three-hour lab per week.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 3510 Physical Chemistry I, Thermodynamics and Kinetics.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

The course will cover the principles and applications of chemical equilibrium and chemical analysis, data acquisition and analysis, as well as the theory and practice of instrumental methods of chemical analysis.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II and CHEM 1120L Chemical Principles II Laboratory with grades of "C-" or better.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

An advanced study of selected areas of biochemistry that will include enzyme reaction mechanisms, DNA-protein interactions, rational drug design, and other topics.
Three lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 3410 Biochemistry with a grade of C- or better must be completed prior to taking this course.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

Reading, study, and discussion of one or more major topics in chemistry with significant implications for the broader society. Students will search the chemical literature, and will make both oral and written presentations.
One lecture per week.
Prerequisite(s): Upper-division standing and a major declared in the natural and health sciences division or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

The principles of classical mechanics, energy and motion designed for majors in the natural and health sciences. Algebra and trigonometry will be used in descriptions and problems.Three two-hour workshop sessions per week.Students may not receive credit for both PHYS 1600 and PHYS 2000 General Physics I.
Prerequisite(s): A grade of "C" or better in MATH 1470 Trigonometry or MATH-1400 or MATH 1600 Calculus I or a MATH ACT score of 27 or permission of the instructor. 

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

An introduction to classical mechanics, energy and motion designed for majors in physics, mathematics, and closely related sciences. Elements of calculus will be used in descriptions and problems.
Three two-hour workshop sessions per week.
Students may not receive credit for both PHYS 1600 Principles of Physics I and PHYS 2000.
Pre or Corequisite(s): MATH-1500 or MATH 1600 Calculus I or permission of the instructor.  PHYS 2010 Physics Seminar must be taken as a corequisite.

Normally offered each fall semester.

A continuation of PHYS 1600 with emphasis on waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, and electronics.
Three two-hour workshop sessions per week.
Students may not receive credit for both PHYS 1700 and PHYS 2100 General Physics II.
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 1600 Principles of Physics I. 
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

A continuation of PHYS 2000 with emphasis on waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, and electronics.
Three two-hour workshop sessions per week.
Students may not receive credit for both PHYS 1700 Principles of Physics II and PHYS 2100.
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 2000 General Physics I.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

An introduction to calculus of a single variable. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, and beginning integration with applications. Assignments are given that help build proficiency in the use of a computer algebra system.
Prerequisite(s): Math ACT score of at least 27, or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 1470 Trigonometry or MATH-1400, or permission of the instructor. 
(Normally offered each semester.)

Individual laboratory project in chemistry of biochemistry. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

A hands-on research course in which you will actively explore an independent research project. Weekly lectures will provide training on assessing primary literature, experimental design, and scientific communication to support your project and a greater understanding of the rewards and challenges of laboratory research. Work will culminate in a formal summary of your discoveries in the form of a scientific paper and formal presentation. One 3-hour lab and one 1-hour lecture per week.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms with grade of C or better.

A continuation of MATH 1600 Calculus I. Topics studied include integration techniques and applications, differential equations, numerical approximations, sequences and series, and vectors. Assignments are given that help build proficiency in the use of a computer algebra system.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair or grade of "C" or better in MATH 1600 Calculus I. 
(Normally offered each semester.)