Biochemistry Courses | 2024-2025 Academic Catalog | SIU

Fundamental concepts in Biological Chemistry include biomolecular structure, enzyme catalysis, metabolism and gene expression. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: C- or better in CHEM 210 and CHEM 339 or CHEM 340; C- or better in one semester biological sciences course (not University Core Curriculum course). Offered spring semester only.

Credit Hours: 3

A one semester biochemistry laboratory covering techniques and laboratory procedures; isolation, purification and characterization of amino acids, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and cofactors; spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis of biomolecules; study of protein-ligand interactions; enzyme kinetics. One one-hour lecture and one four-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 210, 211, 339 or 340, 341. Prerequisite or corequisite: BCHM/CHEM 350 or 451B. Offered spring semester. Lab fee: $60.

Credit Hours: 2

Research under the direction and supervision of a faculty advisor culminating in a written report. Safety training is required. Prerequisite: one semester of chemistry with laboratory experience. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-2

(Same as CHEM 451A and MBMB 451A) First half of the 451A,B two semester course. Introduction to structure and function of biomolecules including nucleic acids, proteins, sugars, polysaccharides, lipids and membranes, biochemical techniques, expression of genetic information, signal transduction and transport through membranes. Prerequisites: CHEM 340 and CHEM 342 or 442, or equivalents with grades of C- or better.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as CHEM 451B and MBMB 451B) Second half of 451A,B two semester course. Basic kinetics, enzyme kinetics, enzyme inhibitors, regulation of enzymes, oxidation-reduction, high energy bonds, carbohydrate metabolism, aerobic/anaerobic metabolism, lipid metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, hormonal control of metabolism. Prerequisites: MBMB 451A or BCHM 451A or CHEM 451A or equivalent with a C- or better.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced study of biological chemistry including the structure-function relationship in proteins, the mechanism of enzyme reactions and the biochemical basis of gene expression, signal transduction, nerve impulses, molecular motors and other physiological processes. For graduate students, this course may be taken to meet deficiencies in biochemical knowledge, but will not meet the formal coursework requirements for the master or doctoral level degrees. Prerequisite: C- or better in CHEM 340, CHEM 341, BCHM/CHEM 350.

Credit Hours: 3

A one semester advanced biochemistry laboratory covering techniques and laboratory procedures for the isolation, purification and characterization of biomolecules. Two three-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisites: C- or better in BCHM/CHEM 350 and 351. Lab fee: $60.

Credit Hours: 2

(Same as CHEM 456 and MBMB 456) A one-semester course in Biophysical Chemistry intended for biochemists and molecular biologists. Emphasis will be on solution thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy applied to biological systems. Prerequisites: CHEM 340 and 442, MATH 141 or 150, MBMB 451A or BCHM 451A or CHEM 451A, or equivalents.

Credit Hours: 3

Investigation of a problem, either individually or as a research group, under the direction of a member of the faculty. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisites: 3.0 grade point average in sciences courses. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Independent research under the direction of a faculty advisor culminating in a written report. Safety training is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in CHEM 330. Special approval needed from the instructor and a minimum 3.0 grade point average in all chemistry course work.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Independent research under the direction of a faculty advisor culminating in a written report. Safety training is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in CHEM 330. Special approval needed from the instructor and a minimum 3.0 grade point average in all chemistry course work.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Preparation of a well-written honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor based on an honors research project. The written thesis will be submitted to the faculty advisor and the program. A public presentation of the honors thesis research is required as a seminar or poster presentation. A proposal for honors research must be submitted to the program one year prior to completion of the honors thesis. Pre/Co-requisite: BCHM 496H.

Credit Hours: 3