Biochemistry Major
The Biochemistry curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive background education and training for students interested in the chemistry of physiological systems. The B.S. curriculum meets the liberal arts requirements of the University with a concentration in advanced courses. It was developed for those students who wish to prepare for Biochemistry as a professional option. Holders of this degree seek employment directly in the field or they can pursue advanced degrees in graduate or professional schools.
The Biochemistry degree was developed for those students interested in Biochemistry as a means of preparation for entrance into health science professional schools such as allopathic, osteopathic, and podiatric medicine, dental medicine, optometry, etc. Two specific features of the program are that students (1) may pursue the first three years of the Biochemistry degree curriculum in the three-year option under one of the Wilkes University combined seven-year medical and baccalaureate degree programs or (2) use the seventh or eighth semesters in cooperative research programs. The latter option is particularly useful for those students selected to The Premedical Scholars Program (see Affiliated Degree Programs in Medicine).
The Biochemistry program, with appropriate upper divsion course selection, meets the standards for approval by the American Chemical Society for the professional training of chemists. Students completing the B.S. program in Biochemistry may be certified with the American Chemical Society at graduation, dependent upon students' choice of chemistry courses. All students should work closely with their academic advisors as they progress toward graduation.
Biochemistry Major - Required Courses and Recommended Course Sequence
First Semester Credits
CHM-113 - Elements & Compounds Lab |
1 |
CHM-115 - Elements & Compounds |
3 |
BIO-121 - Princ. of Modern Biology I |
4 |
MTH-111 - Calculus I |
4 |
FYF-101 - First-Year Foundations |
3 |
|
15 |
Second Semester
CHM-114 - The Chem. Reaction Lab |
1 |
CHM-116 - The Chemical Reaction |
3 |
CHM-190 - Freshmen Seminar |
1 |
MTH-112 - Calculus II |
4 |
ENG-101 - Composition |
4 |
General Education Distribution |
3 |
|
16 |
Third Semester
CHM-231 - Organic Chemistry I |
3 |
CHM-233 - Organic Chem. I Lab |
1 |
PHY-201 - General Physics I |
3 |
PHY-204 - General Physics I Lab |
1 |
CS-125 - Computer Science I |
4 |
General Education Distribution |
3 |
|
15 |
Fourth Semester
CHM-232 - Organic Chemistry II |
3 |
CHM-234 - Organic Chem. II Lab |
1 |
CHM-248 - Analytical Chemistry |
3 |
CHM-246 - Analytical Chemistry Lab |
1 |
CHM-291 - Ethical Resp. in Modern Science |
1 |
BIO-226 - Cell and Molecular Biology |
4 |
General Education Distribution |
3 |
|
16 |
Fifth Semester
CHM-361 - Biochemistry I |
3 |
CHM-363 - Biochemistry Lab* |
1 |
CHM-341 - Instrumental Analysis |
3 |
CHM-343 - Instrumental Analysis Lab |
1 |
PHY-202 - General Physics II |
3 |
PHY-205 - General Physics II Lab |
1 |
Distribution Requirement |
3 |
|
15 |
Sixth Semester
CHM-355 - Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences |
4 |
CHM-357 - Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences Lab |
1 |
CHM-362 - Biochemistry II |
3 |
CHM-390 - Junior Seminar |
1 |
BIO or CHM XXX - Biochemistry Elective* |
3 or 4 |
Distribution Requirement |
3 |
|
15 or 16 |
Seventh Semester
CHM-391 - Senior Research I |
2 |
BIO-330 - Intro. To Bioinformatics Applications* or BIO-345 - Genetics* |
3 or 4 |
BIO or CHM XXX - Biochemistry Elective** |
3 or 4 |
Distribution Requirement |
3 |
Free Elective |
3 |
|
14 or 16 |
Eighth Semester
CHM-392 - Senior Research II |
2 |
BIO or CHM XXX - Biochemistry Elective* |
3 or 4 |
Free Elective |
9 |
|
14 or 15 |
*All biochemistry majors are required to take one of the following two Biology Major Electives: BIO-330 - Intro. To Bioinformatics Applications or BIO-345 - Genetics
**All biochemistry majors are required to take a total of 3 major electives (9 - 12 credits) chosen from the following list: BIO-324 - Molecular Biology, BIO-326 - Immunology & Immunochemistry, , BIO-327 - Medical Microbiology, BIO-329 - Virology, BIO-330 - Intro. To Bioinformatics Applications , BIO-345 - Genetics, CHM-322 and CHM-322 - Inorganic Chemistry and Adv. Inorg. Chem. Lab, CHM-367 - Biochemistry of Cancer, CHM-368 - Protein Chemistry, PHY-377 - Biophysics, or an approved CHM-398 topics course.
Chemistry
CHM-105. Chemistry and Modern Society
This course will emphasize consumer applications of chemistry with some emphasis on environmental consequences of the use of various forms of energy (nuclear, coal, petroleum, natural gas) and everyday chemicals (foods, drugs, agricultural chemicals, and chemicals used in pest control).
CHM-111. Fundamentals of Chemistry
Designed for students who do not intend to major in science or engineering, this one-semester
course presents principles of chemistry. Topics include atomic structure, chemical
bonding, gas laws, solutions, acid/base chemistry and an introduction to organic and
biochemistry. A laboratory component is required as part of this course, in which
students will develop basic principles of laboratory technique. Students may not receive
credit for both CHM 111 and CHM 113/115. Three hours of class, one hour of problem
session, and two hours of lab per week.
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CHM-113. Elements and Compounds Lab
This is the first chemistry laboratory course in the two-semester general chemistry
sequence. Experiments are performed to reinforce the concepts learned in CHM-115.
One three-hour laboratory per week.
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CHM-114. The Chemical Reaction Lab
This is the second chemistry laboratory course in the two-semester general chemistry sequence. Experiments are performed to reinforce the concepts learned in CHM-116. One three-hour laboratory per week.
CHM-115. Elements and Compounds
Emphasis is placed on the periodic table and stoichiometry, including chemical properties,
physical states, and structure. Three hours of class and a one-hour problem session
per week.
Corequisite: CHM-113.
Departmental placement criteria are met.
CHM-116. The Chemical Reaction
A detailed study of chemical equilibria in aqueous solution. Three hours of class and a one-hour problem session per week.
CHM-117. Introductory Chemistry Lab for Engineers
This is a one-semester introductory chemistry laboratory course for engineering students. Experiments are performed to reinforce the concepts learned in CHM-118. One three-hour lab per week.
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CHM-118. Chemistry for Engineers
This course covers the foundations of chemistry, matter and measurements, periodicity, atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, states of matter, phase changes, kinetics, equilibrium, thermochemistry and electrochemistry. Four hours of lecture per week.
CHM-190. Freshmen Seminar
Students will be introduced to important skills and content area in our major programs. Students will gain familiarity with the various subdisciplines of chemistry, tools & technologies utilized by chemists, potential career pathways and applications of chemistry in everyday settings. Students will also discuss chemistry and its subdisciplines in the news and modern society.
CHM-231. Organic Chemistry I
An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds, this course develops the interconnected relationship between bonding, structure, properties and reactivity in organic compounds. Instrumental methods will be presented as a means to determine structure. Three hours of class and a one-hour problem session per week.
CHM-232. Organic Chemistry II
This course continues CHM-231, with emphasis on organic synthesis. Three hours of class and a one-hour problem session per week.
CHM-233. Organic Chemistry I Lab
After an introduction to standard organic reaction, purification, physical characterization, and spectroscopic techniques, students will investigate concepts discussed in CHM-231. One three-hour laboratory per week.
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CHM-234. Organic Chemistry II Lab
Weekly labs that parallel the lecture topics in CHM-232 and emphasize organic synthesis and characterization, including multistep synthesis. Three hours per week.
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CHM-235. Essentials of Organic Chemistry
A one semester course covering the fundamentals of carbon chemistry. Nomenclature, stereochemistry, functional groups, spectroscopy, and reactions and mechanisms of alcohols, ethers, amines, alkyl halides, carbonyl compounds, and benzene are covered. Four hours of lecture per week.
CHM-237. Essentials of Organic Chemistry Lab
A one semester fundamental organic chemistry laboratory course that introduces organic reactions, purification, physical characterization and spectroscopic techniques.
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CHM-246. Analytical Chemistry Lab
Weekly labs that parallel the lecture topics in CHM-248. One three-hour laboratory per week.
CHM-248. Analytical Chemistry
A course in the application of the principles of chemical equilibria to obtain the qualitative and quantitative information about the composition and structure of matter. An introduction to the importance of sampling is included along with methods for the statistical treatment of data. The course focuses primarily on the analyses of elemental and ionic species using electrochemical, spectroscopic, and chromatographic techniques. Three hours of lecture per week.
CHM-256. Polymer Chemistry
This course covers topics in polymer composition and structure, polymerization mechanisms, stereochemistry of polymerization and reaction of polymers. Three hours of lecture per week.
CHM-258. Polymer Chemistry Laboratory
Experiments are conducted to emphasize the concepts learned in the Polymer Chemistry lecture course, CHM-256. Students will collect and process experimental data and develop laboratory skills. One three-hour laboratory per week.
CHM-261. Plant Sample Preparation for Chemical Analysis
This is course in plant preparation for analytical chemical analysis, covering plant dehydration, digestion, and extraction of pertinent organic and inorganic chemical analytes for analysis on modern chemical instrumentation. One (1.0) hour per week of lecture/discussion and three (3.0) hours per week of laboratory.
CHM-291. Ethical Responsibilities in Modern Science
Students will become familiar with ethical issues facing modern scientists, their role in maintaining an ethical environment, and learn to behave in an ethical fashion when conducting research as an undergraduate and moving forward. Students will also evaluate the role of scientists in society, and their responsibility to ensure the proper dissemination of scientific knowledge. Topics include: what is misconduct, roles in a lab setting and how they affect power dynamics, scientific communication, data ownership, human subjects and the IRB, and the societal responsibilities of scientists. Assignments will be tailored to the major program (including: biochemistry, cannabis chemistry, and other specific chemistry tracks) of the registered students.
CHM-322. Inorganic Chemistry
CHM-322 presents a survey of current topics in Inorganic Chemistry. The first half of the course offers a survey of main group chemistry, including individual group trends. The second half of the course covers Crystal Field Theory, Ligand Field Theory, reaction mechanisms, and organometallic compounds. Three hours of lecture per week.
CHM-323. Advanced Inorganic ChemistryLab
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory is the complimentary laboratory to CHM-322 Inorganic Chemistry. Students will build upon the foundational concepts first explored in CHM-322. An emphasis will be placed on the synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes. Coordination chemistry reactions and mechanisms will be introduced as well as the chemistry of lanthanides. Students will gain experience in the handling of air-sensitive materials. Laboratory, three hours per week.
Click here for course fee.CHM-341. Instrumental Methods for Chemical Analysis
A course in the fundamental principles that provide the basis for the design and fabrication of chemical instrumentation. The underlying physical basis for each method is introduced through an exploration of the capabilities, limitations, and applications of a wide range of separations, spectroscopic, and electrochemical methods. Three hours of lecture per week.
CHM-343. Instrumental Methods for Chemical Analysis Lab
Weekly lab that corresponds to the lecture topics in CHM-341. One three-hour laboratory per week.
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CHM-346. Advanced Separations Chemistry
An analytical chemistry laboratory course in separations chemistry. The course will cover chromatography, including GC-MS, LC, and LC-MS with a focus on their application to cannabis and natural products analysis. The course will also cover the operation and maintenance of the modern chemical chromatography instrumentation. Meets for two-laboratory sessions per week.
CHM-351. Physical Chemistry: Quantum and Spectroscopy
This course emphasizes the molecular approach to physical chemistry. It begins discussing the principles of quantum mechanics and their applications in chemistry, leading to atomic and molecular structure, and chemical bonding. These concepts are then used in the development of atomic and molecular spectroscopy. Photochemistry is introduced. Three hours of lecture per week.
CHM-352. Physical Chemistry: Kinetics and Thermodynamics
Statistical mechanics is used to formulate thermodynamics in terms of atomic and molecular properties, allowing a molecular interpretation of the laws of thermodynamics. Three hours of lecture a week.
CHM-353. Physical Chemistry: Quantum and Spectroscopy Lab
Laboratory experiments are performed in order to reinforce concepts in CHM-351. Bench as well as computational experiments will explore the photoelectric effect, resonance states of a particle in a one-dimensional box, applications of molecular orbital theory, and molecular spectroscopy. Three hours per week.
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CHM-354. Physical Chemistry: Kinetics and Thermodynamics Lab
Laboratory experiments are performed in order to reinforce concepts in CHM-352. Bench as well as computational experiments explore calorimetry, phase equilibria, colligative properties, kinetics, and applications of the Monte Carlo method to chemical kinetics. One three-hour lab per week.
CHM-355. Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences
An introduction to traditional physical chemistry topics, including additional topics related to life sciences. Laws of thermodynamics, equilibria, kinetics, and spectroscopy will be discussed in terms of their application to life sciences. Four hours of lecture per week.
CHM-357. Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences Lab
The laboratory experiments emphasize concepts presented in CHM-355. Course includes experimental work, analysis of a research article, and computer simulations relevant to life sciences. One three-hour laboratory pre week.
CHM-361. Biochemistry: Structure and Function
This course presents a study of the physical and chemical properties of proteins, nucleic acid, fatty acids, and carbohydrates, emphasizing the relationship between the chemical structure and the biological function. The course includes the physical methods of biochemistry, enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, and nucleic acid transcription and translation. Three hours of lecture per week.
CHM-362. Biochemistry: Metabolism
This course presents a study of the catabolism and anabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids. The course emphasizes the regulation and integration of major metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, electron transport, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Three hours of lecture per week.
CHM-363. Biochemistry Laboratory
Laboratory experiments, which emphasize biochemical techniques used in isolation and
characterization of macromolecules. Included in the course are various chromatographic
techniques, electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and classic biochemical methods. Laboratory,
three hours a week.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHM-361 or permission of instructor.
CHM-365. Medical Biochemistry
Introduction to basic biochemistry concepts, focusing on the structure and function of vitamins, proteins, and lipids, as well as bioenergetics and major catabolic pathways. The catabolism of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids, including reactions and regulation, will be discussed. Common metabolic pathways of drugs, enzyme induction and metabolism down regulation will also be presented. Four hours of lecture per week. Cross-listed with PHA-365 and BEGR-465.
CHM-370. CHM 371,CHM 372 Integrated Laboratories I, II, III
Laboratory experiments related to the five major areas of chemistry. Labs will be
chosen in order that students might demonstrate proficiency in each of the required
areas. Labs will include synthesis, isolation, and characterization of chemical compounds,
spectroscopy, kinetics, calorimetry, chromatography, electrophoresis, and other chemical
and biochemical methods. Three hours of laboratory per week per credit hour.
CHM-377. Introduction to Toxicology
An introduction to toxicology, including its history, types of poisons, their mode
of operation and the biochemistry of detoxification. Environmental problems caused
by toxic contaminants will be discussed.
This course is offered in the fall semester of even numbered years.
CHM-379. Medicinal Chemistry
The course provides an introduction to drugs, their action and discovery. Topics covered
include drug structure & solubility, structure-activity & quantitative structure relationships,
drugs from natural sources, the role of biological membranes in drug delivery, the
role of receptors & messengers, enzymes, and an introduction to drug and analogue
synthesis.
This course is offered in the fall semester of odd numbered years.
CHM-380. NMR Spectroscopy
CHM-390. Junior Seminar
CHM-390 is a one-hour course offered during the spring semester. It is designed to prepare chemistry and biochemistry majors for their careers after graduation and for their capstone research projects, undertaken in the fourth year. The course will cover topics such as résumé preparation, communication of scientific information, internships, job searches, and preparation for graduate school. Students will prepare a topical literature review on their chosen project in conjunction with their selection of a research advisor.
CHM-391. Senior Research I
Students will plan and execute a chemistry research project under the direction of
a faculty member. It is expected that this will be a laboratory research project.
Students will also learn how to search the chemical literature. Students are required
to attend weekly Department seminars and present at least one seminar. Requirements:
Senior standing in a Chemistry curriculum.
CHM-392. Senior Research II
Students will carry out a chemistry research project under the direction of a faculty
member. It is expected that the project will be a laboratory research project. The
project must culminate in a written report and the results must be presented at a
Department poster event. Students are also required to attend any seminars hosted
by the Department. Six hours of laboratory / research work per week.
CHM-395. Independent Research
Independent study and research for advanced students in the field of the major under the direction of a staff member. A research paper is required.
Requirements: permission of the instructor.
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CHM-396. Independent Research
Independent study and research for advanced students in the field of the major under the direction of a staff member. A research paper is required.
Requirements: permission of the instructor.
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CHM-398. Topics
A study of topics of special interest, such as advanced physical chemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, advanced organic chemistry, surface and colloid chemistry, nuclear chemistry, chemical kinetics, polymer chemistry, or spectroscopy.
CHM-399. Cooperative Education
Professional cooperative education placement in a private or public organization related to the student’s academic objectives and career goals. In addition to their work experience, students are required to submit weekly reaction papers and an academic project to a Faculty Coordinator in the student’s discipline. See the Cooperative Education section of this bulletin for placement procedures.Requirements: Sophomore standing; minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA; consent of the academic advisor; and approval of placement by the department chairperson. Students without the indicated prerequisites for 200 and 300-level chemistry courses may enroll after written permission of the instructor has been approved by the department chair.