Course Descriptions

BCHM 1014: BIOCHEMISTRY FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE

Applications of biochemistry in agricultural and life science disciplines; topical research areas in biochemistry; educational requirements and career opportunities for biochemistry majors; critical thinking and data interpretation in biochemistry. Pass/Fail only. (1H,1C)

BCHM 2024: CONCEPTS OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Short course in fundamentals of the chemistry of living systems. Introduction to major categories of biochemical substances, metabolic pathways, and principles of biochemical information transfer. (No credit for majors). Pre: CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535. (3H,3C)

BCHM 2354: BIOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES

Fundamental aspects of biochemical laboratory measurements. Properties of biomolecules and methods for their isolation, separation, detection and quantification. Calculations required to provide quantitative biomolecular data. Common instrumentation in biochemical laboratories, their principles of operation, and their roles in biochemical assays and measuring biochemical interactions. Overview of on-line resources for biochemical information. Pre: CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535 or CHEM 2565. (3H, 3C).

BCHM 2364: BIOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES LAB

Operation of key equipment found in a biochemistry/molecular biology laboratory (e.g., enzyme kinetics, PCR); analyzes, interpretation and presentation of data acquired in laboratory-based protocols; report of results of experiments; use of laboratory automation for biochemical measurements. Co: 2354. (3L, 1C).

BCHM 2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY 
Variable credit course.

BCHM 2974H: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Honors Section.
Variable credit course.

BCHM 2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

BCHM 3114: BIOCHEMISTRY FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THE LIFE SCIENCES

Survey presentation of the basic principles of biochemistry as they apply to biotechnology. Topics covered include protein structure, enzymology, cellular organization, and biochemical regulation. Special emphasis will be given to gene structure, transcription, and translation, cellular organization, and cloning, sequencing, modification and expression of recombinant DNA. Examples will be given of agricultural/medical/industrial applications of cellular and molecular biochemical knowledge. Non-majors only. Pre: CHEM 2536 or CHEM 2566. (3H,3C)

BCHM 3634: ANALYSIS OF BIOCHEMICAL LITERATURE

Analysis of primary scientific literature using recently published biochemical research articles. Application of the CREATE model (Consider, Read, Elucidate and generate a hypothesis, Analyze and interpret the data, and Think of next Experiment) as a conceptual framework. Evaluation of article data, limitations and broader impacts. Impact of scientific philosophy, experimental design, and peer review in scientific research and publishing. Pre: Junior standing; BIOL 2134 or BIOL 2604, CHEM 2535

BCHM 4115/4116: GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY

Metabolism and chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids with emphasis on interactions and comparative aspects of microbial, plant, and animal forms. For students in the biochemistry curriculum and other students interested in a foundation course. (Students are required to have at least a C- in both CHEM 2535 and 2536 to be admitted to BCHM 4115). Pre: (CHEM 2535 or CHEM 2565), (CHEM 2536 or CHEM 2566) for 4115; 4115 for 4116. 4115: (4H,4C) 4116: (3H,3C)

BCHM 4124: LABORATORY PROBLEMS IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Presentation of major analytical techniques of importance to biochemistry and molecular biology, including spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, chromatography. Lab study of selected principles and methods used in biochemistry and molecular biology. Pre: 4115, (CHEM 2114, CHEM 2124) or (CHEM 3114, CHEM 3124). Co: 4116. (3H,9L,6C).

BCHM 4354: BIOCHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS

Exploration of how chemical signals are produced, transported, and influence microbes (Bacterial and unicellular organism (chemotaxis), plants, and animals (olfactory neuroethology). Applications to cell biology, neurobiology, and ecology. Analysis of the interaction between biochemical communication systems and health (diseases). Management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of large datasets related to biochemical communication, using computational approaches. Pre: BCHM 3114 or 4115. STAT 2004 or 3615.

BCHM 4554: BIOPHYSICS FOR BIOCHEMISTRY

Thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics in biological systems, with emphasis on theoretical understanding of experimental biophysical methods. Fundamental concepts in protein and nucleic acid folding, dynamics from bond vibrations to kinetics and diffusion, molecular orbital theory, protein-ligand interactions and associated molecular visualization tools. Computational modeling, calculations, and simulation using both quantum and classical mechanics. Pre: 3114 or 4115. (3H,3C).

BCHM 4754: INTERNSHIP
Variable credit course.

BCHM 4784 (BIOL 4784): APPLICATIONS IN MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCE

Synthesis and application of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, genomics, physiology, immunology concepts and techniques to address medical and agricultural problems. Gene characterization and manipulation, protein-based drugs, diagnostics, vaccines, transgenic plants/animals. Analysis, critique, application of research in molecular life science. Pre: (3114, 3124, BIOL 3774, BIOL 4774) or (BCHM 4116, BCHM 4124). (3H,3C)

BCHM 4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

BCHM 4974H: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Honors section.
Variable credit course.

BCHM 4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

BCHM 4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

BCHM 4994H: INDEPENDENT STUDY 

Honors section. 
Variable credit course.