[Wesleyan Home Page] [Wesmaps Home Page] [Availability Statistics Search] [Course Description Search] [Dept. Search]

MB&B381

Physical Chemistry for Life Scientists
MB&B381 SP

Crosslistings: CHEM381

"Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences" (PCLS) is designed to provide students of biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and biological chemistry with the foundations of physical chemistry relevant to the life sciences. The course will consist of three parts: thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and kinetics (rate processes). Within each subject area, the 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 accomodate students with diverse backgrounds and preparations in mathematics. A basic review of all mathematical computational methods will be provided. Personal computers and the programs Mathematica and HyperChem will provide the basis for a systematic series of group learning projects designed to familiarize students with resonance phenomena, light scattering, diffusion, relaxation processes, and multistep kinetics. This course may also serve students of mathematics, physics and chemistry as an introduction to applications of their subject area in the life sciences.

MAJOR READINGS

I.Tinoco Jr, K.Sauer and J.C.Wang, PHYSICAL
CHEMISTRY - PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS IN THE BIOLOGICAL
SCIENCES, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall, New York 1994.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly problem sets, take home exams, final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Organic chemistry, at least taken concurrently, is necessary to understand some of the applications.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussions Lectures Problem Sets Exams

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00

Prerequisites: None

Section 01
Mukerji, I
Beveridge, D
Times: .T.T... 10:00AM;
Grading Mode: A/F
Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 1, Fr: 1
Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997




Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions.

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459