Course Descriptions

BIOCHEMISTRY (BC)

BC 203 General Chemistry I (3)

A study of the general concepts and basic principles of chemistry: properties of matter, atomic and molecular structure, theories of bonding, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, equilibria, and ions in aqueous solution. Offered annually. Prerequisites: MA 103. Concurrent registration in BC 203L required. An optional 4th hour recitation may be offered in support of development of problem-solving skills in general chemistry. Cross-listed with CH 203.

BC 203L General Chemistry I Laboratory (1)

Inorganic qualitative and quantitative analysis with emphasis on gravimetric, volumetric, and spectrophotometric techniques. One three-hour laboratory period per week to accompany BC 203. Offered annually. Concurrent registration in BC 203 required. Cross-listed with CH 203L.

BC 204 General Chemistry II (3)

Continuation of CH 203. Acids and bases, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, additional aspects of chemical equilibria, descriptive chemistry. Offered annually. Prerequisites: MA 110 (can be taken concurrently), and BC 203/BC 203L or equivalent. Concurrent registration in BC 204L required. An optional 4th hour recitation may be offered in support of development of problem-solving skills in general chemistry. Cross-listed with CH 204.

BC 204L General Chemistry II Laboratory (1)

One three-hour laboratory period per week to accompany BC 204. Offered annually. Concurrent registration in BC 204 required. Cross-listed with CH 204L. 

BC 215 Cellular and Organismal Biology I (3)

Introduction to animal and plant diversity, with emphasis on form and function, mechanisms of regulation in biological systems, and how organisms exchange materials and energy with their environment. Concurrent registration BI 100 and BC 215L required. Cross-listed with BI 215.

BC 215L Cellular and Organismal Biology I Laboratory (1)

Laboratory section accompanying BC 215. Concurrent registration in BC 215 required. Cross-listed with BI 215L. 

BC 216 Cellular and Organismal Biology II (3)

Introduction to the cell and molecular biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, with particular reference to the relationships between structure and functions. Cell cycle and mitosis. Organization of cells, roles of cell signaling and extracellular environment in establishing structures in animals and plants. Prerequisite for Forensic Sciences and Biochemistry majors: BC 215/L. Cross-listed with BI 216. 

BC 216L Cellular and Organismal Biology II Laboratory (1)

Laboratory section accompanying BC 216. Prerequisites: BC 215L. Concurrent registration in BC 216 required. Cross-listed with BI 216L.

English 102 and Communication 101 are prerequisites for all upper division courses. 

BC 307 Molecular Biology I Genes and Genetics (3)

Life cycles and meiosis. Mendelian inheritance. Population genetics. Chromosomal and molecular basis of inheritance. Flow of genetic information. Determining structure and function of genes. Mutation and DNA repair systems. Genetic basis of disease, DNA technology, typing and population genetics. Introduction to genomics and epigenetics. Prerequisites: BI 216 and BI 216L (Biochemistry and FS majors). Cross-listed with BI 307. 

BC 307L Molecular Biology I Laboratory Genes and Genetics (1)

Laboratory section accompanying BI 307. Concurrent registration in BI 307 required. Prerequisites: BI 216 and BI 216L (Biochemistry and FS majors). Cross-listed with BI 307L. 

BC 323 Organic Chemistry I (4)

Chemistry of carbon compounds is investigated according to the functional group classification. A full understanding of organic reaction mechanisms is emphasized in order to guide the students through numerous reactions. Three- dimensionality of carbon compounds is introduced and referred to in the context of relevant reactions. Offered annually. Prerequisites: BC 204/BC 204L. Concurrent registration in BC 323L required. Cross-listed with CH 323. 

BC 323L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)

Separation and purification techniques such as distillation, recrystallization, and liquid-liquid extraction are introduced. Having performed several functional interconversion reactions, students are competent enough to carry out multi-step syntheses by the end of the semester. Offered annually. Concurrent registration in BC 323 required. Materials intensive fee applies. Cross-listed with CH 323L.

BC 324 Organic Chemistry II (4)

Spectroscopic methods such as IR, NMR, MS, and UV/VIS are introduced to solve structural identifications of the different classes of compounds studied in the first semester. The chemistry of carbonyl compounds is investigated in detail and principles of multi-step syntheses are introduced. Biologically relevant molecules such as saccharides, amino acids, peptides, and nucleic acids are studied with the strong implication that structural features and principal chemical behaviors of these molecules are related to their biological functions. Offered annually. Prerequisites: BC 323/323L. Concurrent registration in BC 324L required. Cross-listed with CH 324.

BC 324L Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)

Students are trained to carry out more complex reactions using sensitive reagents. Most of the semester is used to learn to determine partial and full structures of organic compounds utilizing qualitative chemical and spectroscopic analyses. Hands- on training with the actual instruments and with computerized simulations is offered. Students are also introduced to microscale reaction techniques and apparatus. Offered annually. Prerequisite: BC 323/323L. Concurrent registration in BC 324 required. Materials intensive fee applies. Cross-listed with CH 324L.

BC 334 Analytical Chemistry (3)

A one-semester course in analytical chemistry where separation techniques and quantitative identifications of chemical entities are discussed. The quantitative techniques include gravimetric, volumetric, and potentiometric analyses. Sampling techniques and the statistical treatment of data are also discussed. Offered annually. Prerequisites: BC 204, BC 323. Concurrent registration in BC 334L required. Cross-listed with CH 334.

BC 334L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1)

One three-hour laboratory period per week to accompany BC 334. Offered annually. Concurrent registration in BC 334 required. Materials intensive fee applies. Cross-listed with CH 334L.

BC 360 Biochemistry I (3)

This is the first part of a year-long course where the vast knowledge of biochemistry is filtered through a rational perspective guided by general chemical and biological principles. Following a survey and review of common classes of biologically significant metabolites such as peptides, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, as well as equally important smaller molecules, the emphasis is shifted to biological thermodynamics and enzyme mechanisms. During the latter part of the course the  broad spectrum of principles studies is utilized to cover individual metabolic pathways in detail. Prerequisites: BC/CH- 324/324L. Concurrent registration in BC 360L required. Cross-listed with BI/CH 360.

BC 360L Biochemistry I Laboratory (1)

Students gain experience in the isolation, purification, identification, and quantification of biologically important molecules. Spectroscopic, chromatographic, as well as chemical modification techniques are used in identifying peptides and proteins. Enzyme kinetic studies are carried out for quantification purposes. Prerequisite: BC/CH 324L. Concurrent registration in BC 360 required. Materials intensive fee applies. Cross-listed with BI/CH 360L.

BC 362 Biochemistry II (3)

This is the second part of the year-long biochemistry course, which starts with photosynthesis giving students a chance to review topics discussed during the previous semester such as oxidative phosphorylation and carbohydrate metabolisms. Continuing with individual metabolic pathways, lipids and amino acids are explored. The second half of the semester is mostly dedicated to nucleic acids, starting with nucleotide metabolism followed by a detailed study of information flow involving DNA and RNA. The course will conclude with a discussion of some contemporary techniques used in recombinant DNA technology. Prerequisite: BC 360/BC 360L. Cross-listed with CH 362.

BC 362L Biochemistry II Laboratory (1)

Contemporary experiments and simulations involving DNA and other nucleic acid metabolites. Prerequisite: BC 360/BC 360L. Concurrent registration in BC 362 required. Materials intensive fee applies. Cross-listed with CH 362L.

BC 420 Physical Chemistry (3)

A one semester course covering thermodynamics, chemical equilibria and kinetics, quantum theory and applications to chemical bonding and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: MA 211, BC 324, BC 360 and PHY 252. Cross-listed with CH 420.

BC 430L Instrumental Analysis (2)

This is a lab course during which students are expected to get hands-on experience with modern instrumentation, including but not limited to UV/VIS, FT IR, LC-MS, GC-MS. Following a discussion on the basic principles of each instrument, students will perform specific experiments and gather data from each instrument. Experiments during part of the course designated for topics in NMR spectroscopy will mostly be simulated. Prerequisites: BC 324/BC 324L, BC 334/BC 334L. Materials intensive fee applies. Cross-listed with CH 430L.

BC 490 Chemistry Seminar I (2)

Special topics in organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, or biochemistry. Reading and discussion of current topics as well as expertise in modern library searching and retrieval methods to obtain information. One oral presentation by each participant required. Prerequisites: BC 324/BC 324L. Cross-listed with CH 490.

BC 495 Research (3)

Research project (approximately 10 hours per week) performed in Chaminade or other research laboratory under supervision of a practicing research scientist. Offered annually. Prerequisites: BC 360/L. Materials intensive fee applies.