CHEMISTRY DEPT BIOCHEM/MOLE BIOL PROGRAM LEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM COURSES PUBLICATIONS CWCS HOME
Courses
CHEM 321/BIOL 321/BIMO 321: Biochemistry 1: Structure and Function of Biological Molecules
This course introduces the basic concepts of biochemistry with an emphasis on the structure and function of biological macromolecules. Specifically, the structure of proteins and nucleic acids are examined in detail in order to determine how their chemical properties and their biological behavior result from those structures. Other topics covered include enzyme kinetics, mechanism and catalysis and regulation; the molecular organization of biomembranes; and the flow of information from nucleic acids to proteins. In addition, the principles and applications of the methods used to characterize macromolecules in solution and the interactions between macromolecules are discussed.
The laboratory provides an opportunity to study the structure of macromolecules and to learn the fundamental experimental techniques of biochemistry including electrophoresis, chromatography, and principles of enzymatic assays.
The course description and syllabus are available but more detailed information for this course is on Glow.
CHEM 367: Biophysical Chemistry
This course is designed to provide a working knowledge of basic physical chemistry to students primarily interested in the biochemical, biological, or medical professions. Topics of physical chemistry are presented from the viewpoint of their application to biochemical problems. Three major areas of biophysical chemistry are discussed: 1) the conformation of biological macromolecules and the forces that stabilize them; 2) techniques for the study of biological structure and function including spectroscopic, hydrodynamic, electrophoretic, and chromatographic; 3) the behavior of biological macromolecules including ligand interaction and conformational transitions.
LEGAL STUDIES 101: Processes of Adjudication in the Legal Studies Program (Now called Justice and Law Studies)
How are disputes resolved within social systems? Focusing on this question, this team- taught interdisciplinary course presents different perspectives on trials and other methods of adjudicating crimes, settling matters of public policy, and resolving civil disputes among individuals, groups, governments, and organizations. Topics to be addressed include: the historical and Constitutional basis for the operation of the American court system and for juries and jury trials; methods of gathering and evaluating evidence; the role of forensic science and technology; alternative means of adjudication as seen in the function of administrative agencies; adjudication of disputes across international boundaries; adversarial, inquisitorial, and consensus-building approaches to dispute resolution used in past and non-western cultures.
CHEM 113: Chemistry and Crime: From Sherlock Holmes to Modern Forensic Science
In this course, designed for students who do not plan to major in the natural sciences, we use a case-oriented approach to explore selected topics of forensic science. These include: (1) the scientific and technological foundation for the examination of physical, chemical, and biological items of evidence, and (2) the scope of expert qualifications and testimony, the legal status of scientific techniques, and the admissibility of the results in evidence. The analysis of trace evidence, including glass, soil, gunpowder residues and bullet fragments, and inorganic and heavy metal poisons are discussed through an understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry and analytical chemistry. Forensic toxicology and pharmacology are applied to the analysis of alcohol, poisons, and drugs based upon the principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry. The characterization of blood and other body fluids necessitate an understanding of serology and molecular genetics. The cases which stimulate the exploration of these areas include: the John and Robert Kennedy assassinations, the Jeffrey MacDonald case (Fatal Vision), the Wayne Williams case, the deaths of celebrities Marilyn Monroe, John Belushi, and Janis Joplin, the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, the Lindberg baby kidnapping, the Tylenol poisonings, and the identity of Anastasia.
An interactive laboratory program provides an appreciation of scientific experimentation in general and the work of a crime lab in particular. It includes an analysis of evidence collected at various crime scenes and provides an opportunity to learn forensic techniques such as chromatography (for ink, drug, and fire accelerant analysis), spectroscopy (for alcohol and drug analysis), and electrophoresis (for DNA fingerprinting).
While the information for this course is on Blackboard, a description of the course and an abbreviated syllabus are available.
