Biochemistry Course Descriptions

Introduction to the study of chemistry, for students who have taken high school chemistry or CHEM 115, emphasizing structural and quantitative models of chemical behavior. Topics include bonding, thermochemistry, equilibrium, kinetics, and related applications. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Enrollment is determined by placement examination for students who have not completed CHEM 115. See the chemistry department's web page for placement examination information. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 115 or placement examination

An exploration of fundamental cellular processes in an evolutionary context including homeostasis, cell cycle, gene expression, energy transformation, inheritance, and multi-cellular development. Experimental approaches will be emphasized. Lecture and laboratory. BIOL 130 is primarily offered to serve students exploring majors in Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Environmental Science. A student looking for a laboratory course in the natural sciences in order to fulfil a general education requirement, might be better served taking courses such as BIOL 103 or BIOL 100. PREREQUISITES: First-year or second-year standing: consent of instructor required for juniors and seniors. Simultaneous enrollment in BIOL 130 and BIOL 131 required for first- and second-year students.

Functions, limits, derivatives, the Mean Value Theorem, definition and properties of integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and applications to related rates, curve sketching, and optimization problems. PREREQUISITES: Score of 75 on proctored ALEKS assessment OR C- or higher in MATH 103 taken at Lawrence. Students with AP credit or mathematics transfer coursework must still have a minimum ALEKS score of 75 (or complete MATH 103) in order to begin MATH 140.

A calculus-based introduction to fundamental concepts in mechanics, energy, momentum, fluids, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, nuclear, particle physics, and cosmology. Laboratory activities emphasize asking scientific questions and designing experiments to test those questions. Explicit instruction in calculus will be provided. PREREQUISITES: ALEKS score of 60, or successful completion of MATH 103 (with grade of C- or better)

A continuation of Physics 141. Physics 151 offers a brief review of mechanics, and covers electricity, magnetism, circuits, waves, optics and special relativity. Laboratory activities emphasize the acquisition, reduction, and interpretation of experimental data. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 141 OR the combination of an ALEKS score of 75 and one year of high school physics.

A course in the quantitative 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 to modern chemistry. Students will have the opportunity to individually design projects. Three lectures and two laboratory periods per week. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 116, placement exam, or consent of instructor; concurrent enrollment in CHEM 211 required

A study of microbial life with an emphasis on prokaryotes. Microbial physiology is examined in the context of how unique characteristics allow microbes to exploit a vast diversity of environments, including the human body. Laboratory exercises introduce students to techniques used to safely study microorganisms. PREREQUISITES: BIOL 130 and BIOL 150, CHEM 116 recommended

A study of biological evolution, including natural selection, adaptation, the evolution of sex, speciation, extinction, and constraints on evolutionary change. Reading primary literature is emphasized. Two lectures and one discussion per week. PREREQUISITES: BIOL 130 or ANTH 141

A study of the relationship between structure and function in organic compounds. Basic topics such as molecular orbital theory, conformational equilibria, stereochemistry, and nucleophilic substitution are covered. Students also learn to use instrumental analysis (NMR, IR, GC-MS) to identify and characterize compounds. One four-hour laboratory per week. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor

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. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 250

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. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 250

Survey of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, the basic functional unit of life. Correlation of cellular structures including organelles, proteins, and membranes with functions such as cellular communication, division, transport, movement, and secretory pathways will be analyzed. Lecture and laboratory. PREREQUISITES: BIOL 130 and BIOL 150, BIOL 170/BIOL 280 recommended

A study of the nervous system from the perspectives of psychology and biology. 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 when topic is different.

Topic for Fall 2024: Biopsychology of Parenting
PREREQUISITES: CHEM 116, BIOL 150 and one course in psychology; or PSYC 360 and one course in biology; or consent of instructor This discussion-based course will explore the biological and psychological phenomena behind differences in parental practices. Particularly, we will address the physiological, hormonal, ecological and social bases of these differences. We will consider a variety of animal species, including humans.

An introduction to the study of biological processes at the molecular level with emphases on protein struction and function, enzyme mechanism and kinetics, fundamentals of physical biochemistry, and the chemistry of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 250 or concurrent enrollment, or consent of instructor

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. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing; at least one prior biology course recommended

An interdisciplinary examination of regulatory mechanisms leading to differential gene expression. Main topics include transcription, translation, gene and protein structure, and modern genomics. The application of current molecular techniques is emphasized throughout the course. Laboratory work is experimental in approach. Lecture and laboratory. PREREQUISITES: BIOL 130 and CHEM 115

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. PREREQUISITES: MATH 155, PHYS 150, CHEM 116; or consent of instructor

A series of presentations by visiting chemists and Lawrence students, faculty, and staff, featuring current issues in chemistry, important applications of chemistry, and professional development topics appropriate to chemistry majors or minors. Approximately one meeting per week. Two or more short “reaction papers” (a short seminar critique or summary) required of each student. Offered annually in the Fall Term. May be repeated for credit. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing; offered annually in the Fall Term

In this laboratory course, students will use the tools of biochemistry, chemical biology and/or medicinal chemistry to interrogate biomolecular structure and function. Students will practice advanced experimental design, data analysis, essay methods, spectroscopic/spectrometric techniques and computational methods. Students will also write results in the form of research articles and participate in the peer-review process. Two laboratory periods weekly; no lectures. PREREQUISITE: CHEM 340 PREREQUISITES: CHEM 340

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. This course focuses on spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical techniques and their application in fundamental and applied research. Students will have the opportunity to individually design projects. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 210 or consent of instructor

This course will cover the basic concepts of immunology, including differentiation of immune cells, antibody structure and function, antigen-antibody reactions, the major-histocompatibility complex, the complement system, immune responses to pathogens, allergies and auto-immune diseases, and comparative immunology. The course will also examine recent advances in the field through current peer-reviewed publications. The weekly laboratory will examine the basic questions, experimental subjects, and procedures of the field. PREREQUISITES: BIOL 130, BIOL 150, and junior standing; or consent of instructor

A continuation of Biochemistry I. A study of biological processes at the molecular level with an emphasis on metabolic pathways, recent advances in biochemical medicine, and biochemical aspects of gene replication, protein synthesis, molecular motors, and sensing. The course is divided between lecture and discussion and will rely heavily on current biochemical literature. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 340 or consent of instructor

An introduction to the study of biological processes at the molecular level with emphases on protein struction and function, enzyme mechanism and kinetics, fundamentals of physical biochemistry, and the chemistry of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 250 or concurrent enrollment, or consent of instructor

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.

An experimental approach to animal development with laboratory and lecture emphasis on molecular and cellular processes of embryogenesis. Includes discussions of pattern formation, differentiation, cell interactions, gametogenesis and fertilization. Lecture and laboratory. PREREQUISITES: BIOL 150; and one of the following (or concurrent enrollment): BIOL 354, BIOL 444/CHEM 340, BIOL 260, or BIOL 325

A seminar course intended primarily for junior majors and minors in chemistry or biochemistry. Students learn the character and organization of the chemical literature and become familiar with article databases, critical reading strategies, and interpretation of research. Each student selects a topic and, guided by the instructor, conducts survey of the relevant literature, constructs a literature review of the topic, and prepares an end-of-term presentation highlighting key research findings related to their chosen topic. PREREQUISITES: Junior standing, or consent of instructor

Treats selected topics, such as relativity, fundamental particles, fluid mechanics, and surface physics that vary according to the interests of students and staff.

Senior capstone in which students will benefit from direct input and feedback on their scientific writing and oral presentation skills as they complete senior experience projects and papers. Successful completion of BIOL 650 includes participation in BioFest, a symposium of biology senior experience projects during spring term. PREREQUISITES: Major in biology or biochemistry, or in neuroscience with departmental approval; and senior class standing or departmental approval

A seminar course for senior majors, culminating in an individual seminar presentation by each student.