Bioanalytical Chemistry

Catalog description

The objective of this course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of biomolecule analysis. Students will learn how to carry out different types of characterization and quantitative determinations, while becoming familiar with general laboratory practices and the operation of common bioanalytical instrumentation. The Lecture part will introduce the principles of common bioanalytical approaches used in biological and clinical settings, which will enable students to understand, carry out, and troubleshoot typical determinations of biopolymers. The lectures will not cover advanced instrumental techniques that are taught in specialized upper-level courses, but will deal instead with separations, spectroscopy, bioassays, and other common biochemical methods. The lectures will stress the chemical and structural aspects of target analytes as the basis for their identification and quantification. Laboratory experiments will provide the hands-on experience necessary to link personal observations with the sometimes dry and impersonal knowledge provided by textbooks and research articles. The selected experiments are aimed at developing observation and interpretation skills that will be honed by using the actual data obtained by the students. Two lectures and one lab meeting per week. Prerequisite(s): A BIO 365 or A CHM 342 or A CHM 442. Course fee applies. Consult the Schedule of Classes. May not be offered in 2024-2025.