CHEM / MB&B 381 (UG) / 581 (GR)

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES

            “Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences”  (PCLS) is designed to provide students of biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and biological chemistry with the fundaments of physical chemistry relevant to the life sciences. The course will consist of three parts: thermodynamics, quantum mechanics & spectroscopy, and rate processes.  Within each area, subjects will be presented in the context of specific examples drawn from the life sciences, including respiration, photosynthesis, ATP hydrolysis, active transport, vision, growth and decay processes, enzymatic hydrolysis and prebiotic evolution. The course is specifically designed to be readily accessible to students with diverse background and preparation in mathematics. Only elementary aspects of algebra, differential and integral calculus will be involved, and all mathematical techniques and computational methods will be reviewed in the context of applications. This course is required for students electing the major in Biological Chemistry, and may also be of interest to undergraduate students in mathematics, physics and chemistry as an introduction to the applications of their respective subject areas in the life sciences.

Instructors:  Prof D.L. Beveridge (Chemistry)  and Prof Ishita Mukerji (MB&B)

Text:  I. Tinoco Jr, K. Sauer and J.C. Wang, “Physical Chemistry - Principles and Applications in the Biological Sciences, 3d ed., Prentice Hall , New York 1994.

Class Meets: Tuesday – Thursday 10:30 AM-11:50  Room SH 201