Detailed Course Descriptions for Spring 2016 Upper-Level CHEM Electives:

CHEM 401 Chemical and Statistical Thermodynamics, Dr. Rick Wormsbecher

Area: Physical Chemistry. Chemicals react and rearrange. Fluids boil, freeze, and evaporate. Solids melt and deform. Rubber stretches and retracts. Proteins fold. We will study the forces that drive these (and other) processes. Statistical thermodynamics gives us a set of tools for modeling molecular behavior and how it is realized in the macroscopic realm. Most importantly, statistical thermodynamics gives a language for interpreting experiments.

    

CHEM 444 Molecular Modelling*, Dr. Ian Thorpe

Areas: Computational Chemistry, Biochemistry. This course is a survey of computational methods used for the molecular simulation of biopolymers, with application primarily to proteins. We will discuss concepts such as free energy landscapes, electrostatic interactions and the influence of solvents on biopolymers. There will be an emphasis both on the underlying theory as well the practical considerations involved in modeling biomolecules.

CHEM 455 Biomedicinal Chemistry*, Dr. Katherine Seley-Radtke

Areas: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry. This survey course provides an introduction to drug design, discovery and development processes from a biological, organic chemistry and mechanistic standpoint. Basic principles of drug design and development, including modern rational approaches, various drug targets, the design and mechanistic features of various classes of inhibitors and prodrugs, DNA interactive drugs, toxicity, development of resistance, and patent issues will be covered.

CHEM 490 Section 04, Structural Biology*, Dr. Elsa Garcin

Area: Biochemistry. This class comprises lectures, hands-on practicals (computer and in the lab), and paper reading.  In this class, we explore structural biology and how to use the information it provides to understand how macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids) work, interact, and are regulated. We also delve into structure-based drug design and study specific cases based on recent literature.

CHEM 490 Section 05, Applied Analytical Chemistry Project, Dr. William LaCourse

Area: Analytical Chemistry. This course provides hands-on experience in the discovery design process. Students learn the progression of a project from defining the problem, collecting relevant information, generating ideas, developing a plan, producing a solution, presenting their ideas to others for feedback, improving designs, and delivering a product;  this is done in collaboration with an industry partner who will provide project ideas, an industry mentor(s) and support for the projects.

*Approved as an elective for the undergraduate major in Biochemistry &  Molecular Biology. Please note that Dr. Garcin's section of CHEM490 meets BIOC major requirements, while Dr. LaCourse's section does not.