Course Information

Spectroscopic, Structural and Hydrodynamics Techniques

The course is designed to follow Biochem 440b, but can be taken on its own. Students will be expected to have had a course in introductory physical chemistry. A course in biochemistry is also strongly recommended.

Lectures

11:00 AM – 12:20 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 161 Noyes Lab

Content

This is the second semester of a survey of problems and techniques in physical biochemistry. The emphasis is on spectroscopic, structural and hydrodynamic techniques used to obtain information about the structure, size, shape and dynamics of biological macromolecules.

Lecture Slides

The lectures will be delivered using PowerPoint slides. These will be available on this website using the Lecture Slides link to the left. When possible, these will be posted prior to the lecture. You should check the morning prior to each lecture and print out the lecture slides to bring to class.

Texts

There are no required texts. There are two recommended texts, which are the same as used in Chem 440b/Fall 2008. The first is available free on the course website. Lectures will not be taken directly from the book by Engel et al, and it should not be necessary to purchase it. It could be useful as background and some of the topics are the same as those discussed in class.

  1. MCB 446 Notes by Robert Gennis. Printed Notes will be available in the bookstore and they will also be available online at this website in HTML or PDF format by following the appropriate link to the left. About half of the course material is covered in these Notes.

  2. Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences by Engel, Drobny and Reid. Pearson/Prentice-Hall publishers.

Grading Policy

  1. Grading will use the usual scale, with + and - grades (A+, A, A-, B+.... etc)

  2. Graduate and Undergraduate students will be graded separately, each using a curve.

  3. Classroom Attendance
      Class attendance will be recorded at random times
      Attendance, participation in help sessions, etc., will be of importance in assessment of borderline grades

  4. 10-12 Problem Sets (Total: 25%)
      Problem set answers due on Thursdays (in class).
      NO LATE homeworks without valid excuse; otherwise ZERO credit.
      10 points per question.

  5. 2 In-class Exams (25% each)
      Thursday, Feb 23 (11:00 -12:50 am)
      Thursday, April 5 (11:00 - 12:50 am)

  6. Final Exam (25%) not cumulative
      TBA