Molecular Biochemistry Thesis Track

Explores the effects of structure and environment on reaction rates and equilibria and the use of statistical and quantum mechanics in organic chemical reactions. Topics include: organic reaction mechanism, Huckel theory, orbital symmetry, photochemistry, and standard concepts of physical organic chemistry.
Prerequisite: TAKE CH-222

Surveys the synthesis of various organic target molecules utilizing: retrosynthetic analysis, functional group transformations, synthons, and other synthetic techniques.

Explores the physical processes involved in living systems including molecular thermodynamics and equilibria, kinetics and transport phenomena, and applications of quantum chemistry and spectroscopy. Two 75-minute lectures per week.

The physical and chemical properties of the elements and their compounds are correlated with their positions in the periodic table. Bonding theory and coordination chemistry are emphasized. A grade of B or better required to earn the 3 credits.

This course presents basic principles of group theoretical methods. Topics include: molecular symmetry, normal coordinate analysis, molecular bonding and energy levels, and theoretical basis for selection rules.

Explores theory and methods in analytical spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry including UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence, luminescence, Raman, NMR, GC-MS, HPLC, and voltammetry with special emphasis on applications to biochemistry. Two 75-min lectures per week. Offered every three semesters.

This course includes a series of experiments in synthetic inorganic chemistry and characterization of organic and inorganic compounds. Synthetic experience will include coordination compounds, organometallic complexes, and complexes of main group metals, including both stoichiometric and catalytic reactions. Characterization techniques will include UV-Vis, IR, magnetic susceptibility, and NMR spectroscopy.
Prerequisite: Take CH-331 and CH-341

Original research under the supervision of faculty member(s) leading to a written thesis.

This course explores the definition and concepts and aims to understand the structure, function, and properties of selfassembled multicomponent supramolecular assemblies of atoms, ions, and molecules.

A basic medicinal chemistry/pharmacology course in which the principles of drug discovery, computer aided drug design, pharmacokinetics and protein targets are studied. Such topics as the background of drug discovery, protein structure, enzymes, receptors, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, binding, structure, diversity, lead discovery, and lead optimization. Different methods to design drugs are explored such as rational drug design, fragment based, and in silico virtual molecular docking. Virtual labs employing different software are used to exemplify the different concepts covered.

The theory and principles of nuclear magnetic resonance and spectroscopy are presented to allow the physical and chemical properties of molecules, particularly organic, to be examined. Detailed information about molecular structure, dynamics, properties, and chemical environment not only in chemistry but also in biochemical and medical compound synthesis and applications are presented, analyzed, and discussed. The lab is a hands-on introduction to modern NMR spectroscopy. Students will gain experience with a wide range of techniques on a high field (400 MHz) NMR spectrometer. They will also have the opportunity to manipulate NMR data using provided software designed specifically for our spectrometer. By the end of the course the student will be proficient in use of NMR spectrometry as applied to a variety of organic compounds.

Topics in quantum chemistry, molecular structure, group theory, and applications of these topics to spectroscopy.

Topics in statistical thermodynamics, collision theory, and reaction dynamics and mechanism.
Prerequisite: TAKE CH-332

Covers basic computer programming and database design, a basic review of biochemistry, biomolecular sequence comparisons and alignments, biomolecular structure prediction, biomolecular function prediction, and data analysis to solve theoretical problems and application problems using bioinformatics programs.

This course provides an introduction to computational chemistry that is suitable for graduate students and advanced undergraduate students. Topics covered include a historical introduction to the subject, quantum mechanics, molecular mechanics, a brief introduction to statistical mechanics, and a short review of thermodynamics. Students are required to solve theoretical problems and application problems using computational software (software that students might be required to purchase). Example problems and applications are drawn from organic chemistry and biochemistry

This course presents basic principles of group theoretical methods. Topics include: molecular symmetry, normal coordinate analysis, molecular bonding and energy levels, and theoretical basis for selection rules.

Provides hands-on experience with modern analytical instrumentation, including UV/visible infrared, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, potentiometric and ion selective electrode methods, electrodeposition, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. One three-hour laboratory per week.

This course focuses on the chemical aspects of the human environment. Examines the sources reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in water, soil, air, and living environments and the effects of technology thereon.

This course covers professional skills needed for independent careers in chemistry, with a particular emphasis placed on topics relevant to computational, theoretical, and biochemistry. This includes instructions on searching and reading scientific literature, writing proposals and grants, developing research questions and experiments, using logic and reasoning to interpret data, ethical conduct in scientific research, and common conventions in different subfields of chemistry.

Information is a vital key to success in today's chemical industry. The premier chemical information sources will be reviewed with emphasis on Chemical Abstracts Service and Beilstein. Chemical information retrieval applications will be highlighted including STN International, Scifinder, and Crossfire in addition to Internet resources. Students will gain an appreciation for chemical database design and content as well as formulating queries for keyword and structure-based searches.