CHEM 210
Analytical Chemistry
A course in the quantitative and qualitative description of chemical equilibria in solution (acid-base, complexation, redox, solubility) using classical, separation, electrochemical, and spectrochemical methods of analysis. This course covers methods of quantification, statistics, and data analysis as applied in modern chemistry. Opportunities for individually designed projects. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116, placement exam, or consent of instructor
Also listed as Environmental Studies 250
BIOL 235
Evolutionary Biology
A study of biological evolution, including natural selection, adaptation, the evolution of sex, speciation, extinction, and constraints on evolutionary change. Readings include classic and current literature. Two lectures and one discussion per week.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 110 or BIOL 130 or ANTH 140
Also listed as Environmental Studies 213
BIOL 241
Cell Physiology
The structure and organization of the eukaryotic cell are described and employed to understand functional interrelationships at the organelle and molecular levels. Major processes considered include external environmental control mechanisms, developmental events, the regulation of energy exchange, and membrane function. Lecture only.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 110 or BIOL 130
CHEM 247
The Elements of Life
A seminar that introduces the biological chemistry of some 20 elements, mostly “inorganic,” that living systems incorporate and require, touching upon the topics of uptake, selectivity, compartmentalization, control, energetics, catalysis, structure, and toxicity. Students will draw from the text to elucidate in class the biological roles of individual elements. No laboratory.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
Also listed as Environmental Studies 247
CHEM 252
Organic Chemistry II
A study of organic reactions and their mechanisms. The focus of the class is synthesis, both in the concrete sense of building molecules and in the abstract sense of pulling together disparate concepts to solve problems. Case studies from the polymer and pharmaceutical industries underline the relevance of the discipline to everyday life. One four-hour laboratory per week.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 250
CHEM 270
Biophysical Chemistry
A study of the physical processes involved in living systems including thermodynamics and equilibria, kinetics and transport phenomena, and applications of quantum chemistry and spectroscopy.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116, MATH 140 (or MATH 120 and MATH 130), and PHYS 130 or PHYS 160
CHEM 320
Inorganic Chemistry
A survey of structures, properties, reactivities, and interrelationships of chemical elements and their compounds. Topics include unifying principles and concepts that enable the interpretation of experimental data associated with materials. Emphasis on multidisciplinary aspects of inorganic chemistry. Lectures and weekly laboratory. Laboratory projects involve synthesis and studies of compounds using a variety of experimental methods.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
BIOL 340
Topics in Neuroscience
A study of the nervous system from the perspectives of psychology, biology,
and/or biological anthropology. Topics vary year to year and may include glial cells, neural development, and the evolution of nervous systems and neurotransmitter systems. Lecture only. May be repeated with consent of instructor.
Topic for Fall 2012: Evolution of Nervous Systems
Taking a comparative approach, this course will explore the evolution of nervous systems from the coelenterates to the vertebrates. We will focus on the structural components of the nervous systems as well as the neurotransmitters present using both primary and secondary literature as sources.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 and either BIOL 140 or BIOL 150, and one course in psychology; or PSYC 360 and one course in biology; or consent of instructor
Also listed as Psychology 580
PSYC 350
Psychopharmacology and Behavior
An interdisciplinary examination of the ways in which behaviorally active drugs exert their effects, drawing on research in pharmacology, psychology, biochemistry, anatomy, and neurophysiology. Provides an understanding and appreciation of the role of behaviorally active drugs in people’s lives, today and in the past.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
BIOL 356
Genomics
An overview of the recently emerged field of bioinformatics. Classes will include lectures and computer practicals. Topics covered will include: genome projects, DNA and protein sequence analysis, multiple sequence alignments, searching biological databases, protein structure prediction, transcriptomes and proteomes, and microarrays.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: One of BIOL 260, BIOL 351, BIOL 354, BIOL 444, or CHEM 340
CHEM 370
Physical Chemistry I
Develops and explores theoretical descriptions of chemical systems: physical states, the laws of thermodynamics as applied to chemical and physical equilibria, chemical reaction kinetics, and catalysis. No laboratory.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: MATH 150, PHYS 150, CHEM 116; or consent of instructor
CHEM 410
Instrumental Analysis
An advanced course in instrumental methods of quantification and identification in modern chemistry. Emphasis on instrument design, operating principles, interpretation of instrumental data, and discrimination between techniques. Discussion of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical techniques and their application in fundamental and applied research. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 210 or consent of instructor
CHEM 450
Topics in Advanced Organic Chemistry
A study of modern topics in organic chemistry, emphasizing current literature. Topics may vary from year to year, but the class typically covers organic synthesis in depth. Students will often use the literature and their own expanding understanding of chemical reactivity to design synthetic routes to complex drugs and natural products. No formal laboratory; lab exercises may occasionally substitute for lectures.
Topic for Winter 2013: Advanced Organic Synthesis
This class covers organic synthesis in depth. Topics such as retrosynthesis, organometallic chemistry (from the main group and the transition metals), pericyclic and radical reactions, models of diastereoselectivity, and asymmetric reactions will be covered. Over the last month of the course, students will employ their expanding understanding of chemical reactivity to design synthetic routes to recently discovered complex natural products.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 252 or consent of instructor
BIOL 453
Developmental Biology
An experimental approach to animal development with laboratory and lecture emphasis on the molecular and cellular level. Includes discussions of pattern formation, differentiation, cell interactions, gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryogenesis. Lecture and laboratory.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 140 or BIOL 150; and one of the following (or concurrent enrollment): BIOL 241, BIOL 444/CHEM 340, BIOL 351, BIOL 354
BIOL 460
Advanced Research in Biomolecular Chemistry
A formal introduction to advanced research and techniques in biochemistry. Students will go through the process of developing an independent research project from analyzing scientific literature to conducting experiments. Results and data analysis will be disseminated in the form of oral or written reports.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 340 or BIOL 354, and consent of instructor
Also listed as Chemistry 442
PHYS 500
Special Topics in Physics
Treats selected topics, such as relativity, fundamental particles, fluid mechanics, and surface physics that vary according to the interests of students and staff.
Topic for Spring 2013: Atomic Physics
Atomic physics is the study of atomic structure and interaction of matter with radiation. The study of atomic physics uses basic tools of quantum mechanics to understand the structure of atoms and interaction of the quantized atom with the electromagnetic field. Topic covered will include atomic structure, atom-field interactions, applications in spectroscopy, lasers, cooling and trapping and experimental techniques in atomic physics.
Units: 6.
BIOL 520
Cancer Biology
An advanced seminar covering key areas of cancer biology, including epidemiology, molecular diagnostics, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and current treatments. Students will undertake critical review of current literature in these fields and will have input into course content.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 241 or BIOL 260 or BIOL 354 or BIOL 444
