Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Introduction to general biological principles, taught through themes with a focus on topical issues and applications. Topics may include adaptation, bioenergetics, patterns of inheritance, the history of life, ecology, gene expression, and cell biology. Designed for science majors with a high school background in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Three class hours and one hour of weekly laboratory activity.

Standard second semester calculus-based Physics course designed to satisfy the major requirements for Chemistry, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors but can be taken by other students that meet the requirements. The course will explore a wide range of topics including vibrations and sound, light, optics, electricity and magnetism, and electric circuits. Prerequisite: Physics 109. Three class hours and three laboratory hours.

Standard first semester calculus-based Physics course designed to support the curricula of Chemistry and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology majors. The course will explore a wide range of topics including Newtonian mechanics, work & energy, circular motion, rotational kinematics/dynamics, fluids, concepts of heat & temperature, kinetic theory, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: Calculus 111 (can be taken concurrently), sophomore or higher status, and CHEM or BMB Major. Three class hours and three laboratory hours.

Differential and integral calculus of one real variable. Topics include the definite integral, integration techniques, improper integrals, differential equations and sequences and series. Applications are drawn from the natural and social sciences. Prerequisite: Math 105 and 106 or Math 111 with a C- or better or First Year Standing with no credit for any other mathematics course at Gettysburg.

Differential and integral calculus of one real variable. Topics include introduction to limits, continuity, the derivative, the definite integral. Applications are drawn from the natural and social sciences. No prior experience with calculus is assumed. Students who have received credit for Mathematics 105-106 cannot also receive credit for Mathematics 111. No prerequisites.

Covers the fundamental principles of chemical reactivity, including kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry and thermodynamics. This material will be taught through the lens of a specific theme and highlight applications to convey how chemistry is used to resolve current questions in science. Laboratory work is designed to illustrate and complement materials discussed in class. Spring semester. Three class hours and one laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 107 or CHEM 107 – I.

Study of fundamental chemical principles focusing on properties of matter and theories of chemical bonding, atomic and molecular structure and chemical reactions. This material will be taught through the lens of a specific theme and highlight applications to convey how chemistry is used to resolve current questions in science. Laboratory experiments are designed to offer a hands-on familiarity with the principles discussed in the lectures. Fall semester. Three class hours and one laboratory. Students registering for CHEM 107 must take the Chemistry Placement Exam.

Overview of principles of genetics. Topics include chemical nature of genes, Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, gene regulation, genetic engineering, molecular evolution, and population genetics. Three class hours and laboratory. Prerequisite: Bio 112 with a grade of C- or better and Chem 107.

Continuation of Chemistry 203 with an emphasis on the reactivity of carbonyl compounds, cyclic compounds, and biological molecules such as amino acids, carbohydrates, and peptides. Strategies for design of multistep chemical syntheses are also discussed. Three class hours, one lab discussion hour, and one laboratory. Spring Semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 203.

Study of the fundamental concepts of the chemistry of carbon compounds, with emphasis on molecular structure, stereochemistry, and the application of spectroscopy to the structure of organic compounds. The reactivity of organohalides, alkenes, and aromatic molecules is discussed. Three class hours, one lab discussion hour, and one laboratory. Fall semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 108.

Introduction to the emerging field of bioinformatics, where biology and computer science intersect to interpret and use the rapidly expanding volume of biological information produced by genome sequencing and proteomic exploration of life processes. Application of bioinformatic software tools to the analysis of gene sequences and protein structures is emphasized. Students undertake a laboratory project combining in silico and in vitro approaches to isolate and then analyze a segment of their own DNA. An introduction to computer algorithms used in bioinformatic software is provided. Three class hours and laboratory.

Covers basic topics in genome science, focusing on describing and annotating a newly sequenced phage genome obtained by students in the previous fall semester. Designed for science majors. Laboratory emphasizes the experimental nature of biological investigation. Three lecture/computer laboratory class hours. Prerequisite: BIO 111

Structure and function of eukaryotic cells. Topics include protein structure, enzyme function, membrane structure and transport, protein sorting, energy transduction by mitochondria and chloroplasts, chromosome structure, cell division and cell-cycle control, cell communication, cell motility, and cell biology of cancer. Three class hours and laboratory. Prerequisite: Bio 112 and Chem 108 with a grade of C- or better in both courses.

Study of the basic mechanisms of information storage and retrieval from DNA and RNA. Topics include genome organization and the regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; DNA replication and repair; molecular genetics of cancer and human-inherited disorders; and recombinant DNA technology. Three class hours and laboratory. Capstone course. Prerequisite: Bio 211 and 212. BIO 351 and BMB 351 are cross-listed.

Combined upper-level biology and chemistry laboratory where students design and synthesize organic compounds and determine the impact of structural modifications on these compounds’ biological activity. The semester is divided into two parts: the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of a derivative of a known, biologically active organic compound; and the assessment of its biological activity using in vivo disease models. Capstone course for Biology majors. Two laboratories. Spring semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 204 and BIO 211 or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to biophysical chemistry, with emphasis on thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, and spectroscopy using lectures, readings, problems, and discussions. Both theoretical underpinnings and the practical applications of commonly used experimental and computational techniques are covered. Three class hours, one discussion hour. Prerequisites: CHEM 108, PHYS 110, and MATH 112; or permission of instructor. CHEM 307 and BMB 307 are cross-listed.

Detailed study of the structure and function of macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies as they pertain to living organisms. Topics include the structure and chemistry of proteins; the mechanisms and kinetics of enzyme catalyzed reactions; and the structure, chemistry, and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and biological membranes. Classic and modern bioanalytical methods are emphasized. Fall semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 204. Three class hours and one laboratory. CHEM 333 and BMB 333 are cross-listed.

Experimental basis for modern neurophysiology – how neurons, synapses, and circuits generate, transmit, and modulate patterns of electrical activity underlying behavior. Specific topics include how action potentials are generated; how synapses relay signals from neuron-to-neuron; neuropharmacology of ion channels and receptors; and plastic changes in synapse structure and function. The course is highly experiential: students learn and apply experimental methods to record and analyze electrical activity in living neurons, and use these methods to design and execute their own independent experiments. Capstone course for Biology majors. Prerequisites: BIO 112, and either BIO 212 or PSYCH 236

Detailed survey of the primary and secondary metabolic processes in living cells. Topics discussed include the overall organization of metabolic pathways, carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, biological oxidation and reduction and energy production. Special attention is given to regulation, hormone action, metabolic disorders and disease. Laboratory work includes an independent research project. Three class hours and one laboratory. Spring semester.
BIO 334, BMB 334, and CHEM 334, are cross-listed.

Introduction to the vertebrate immune system at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Antibody structure, antigen-antibody interaction, the genetics of antibody diversity, the immune response, and the bases of self/non-self discrimination are emphasized. Three lecture hours plus one hour discussion. Prerequisite: Bio 211, or Bio 212.

Survey of the phenomena and principles of animal development. Major attention is given to the genetic and cellular mechanisms that control cell differentiation and the development of form in several model organisms. Vertebrates are emphasized in the study of organ development. Three class hours and laboratory. Capstone course. Prerequisite: Bio 211 and 212.

Study of the principles of classical and statistical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics as applied to the states of matter, chemical reactions and equilibria using lectures, readings, problems, discussions, and laboratory exercises. Computers are used as a tool for solving problems and for the analysis of experimental data. Three class hours, and one discussion hour. Prerequisites: CHEM 108, PHYS 110, and MATH 112 or permission of instructor.

Synthesis, properties, and characterization of materials. Topics include mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, synthesis and fabrication of materials including semiconductors and nanoparticles, surface chemistry, surface sensitive spectroscopies, electron and probe microscopies, and applications of these materials in advanced technology. Three class hours. Spring semester.
Prerequisite: CHEM 203, or instructor permission

Study of synthetic, mechanistic, and theoretical concepts in organic chemistry. Particular emphasis is on the study of methods used to determine organic reaction mechanisms, stereospecific reactions, pericyclic reactions, and the design of multistep syntheses of complex molecules. Three class hours. Fall semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 204.

Study of group theory, coordination chemistry, and organometallic chemistry. Topics include symmetry, molecular orbitals, crystal and ligand field theories, electronic transitions, catalysis, bioinorganic chemistry, and will highlight the work of inorganic chemists from traditionally underserved populations Spring semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 204

The study of the factors that shape the evolution of genes and genomes. The organization, origin, and mechanisms of change of viral, prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes are explored. Topics include: structure and function of genes, chromosomes, and genomes; the roles of natural selection and chance as drivers of molecular evolution; rates and patterns of DNA and amino acid sequence evolution; molecular phylogeny; reticulate evolution; gene duplication and mobile elements; genome evolution. Prerequisite: BIO 211