Biochemistry Courses

Consult the Schedule of Classes for offerings each semester and register through UAccess.

This colloquium will focus on discussions concerning the wide variety of career opportunities one may consider in the biological and physical sciences and in math. Discussions will include choosing and meeting career goals, unique opportunities in these fields, survival skills for succeeding, classification of one's strengths and weaknesses, evaluation of career options, development of skills in giving presentations, writing a resume, using professionals as a resource, learning about research and seminar opportunities on campus, and making use of advisors and mentors.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

To introduce sophomore biochemistry students to experimental design and data interpretation. Presentations by biochemistry faculty will alternate with group discussions on experimental controls, conclusions and alternate explanations for a single published experiment. A written summary is due the week following each discussion.

Structure and function of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, with a focus on understanding the molecular function of essential biomolecules.

 

Fundamentals of metabolism and nucleic acid biochemistry at the cellular and organismal levels, with a focus on key pathways and regulatory mechanisms.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.

Weekly presentations on biomedical research projects or research opportunities with varied topics each week.

Participants discuss their laboratory research and prepare a paper on this research in a journal format, or discuss, research and prepare an extensive scientific paper on ethics in biomedical research.

The Visiting Scholars course is designed to give University of Arizona students the opportunity to develop effective public speaking practices that can be utilized in the presentation of talks focusing on topics of interest in the STEM disciplines that are delivered at Tucson area high schools. The UA students choose a topic of interest to the general lay public in the fields of biochemistry, biomedical science, and chemistry and develop a 20 minute Power Point presentation to be delivered to high school students enrolled in AP or Honors biology, chemistry, or biotech courses. These presentations are intended to be at a level easily understood by and are designed to allow for interaction with the high school student audience. Formal training and practical experience in the preparation of talks and in public speaking are achieved by training from representatives from the Office of Instruction and Assessment as well as peer evaluation using a rubric developed by OIA. In addition, the UA students will engage in a dialogue with the high school students about making the transition from high school to college. The purpose of these visits is to encourage high school students to consider majoring in STEM disciplines in college, to realize that advantages of attending a R1 university such as the University of Arizona where tremendous opportunities exist for engaging in exciting and meaningful research, and to be aware of the academic preparation necessary to do well at the university or college level.

Introduction to the properties and metabolism of proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and lipids. Designed primarily for majors and minors in chemistry, biochemistry and biology. For honors credit register for 5 units.

Introduction to the properties and metabolism of proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and lipids. Designed primarily for majors and minors in chemistry, biochemistry and biology. For honors credit register for 5 units.

An introductory laboratory course in biochemical techniques and methodology. The course will place an emphasis on biophysical techniques including: UV-visible spectroscopy, protein (enzyme) purification, protein assays, enzyme kinetics, and thermodynamic measurements. Molecular biology techniques such as restriction endonuclease digestion of plasmids, cell transformation, gene expression will also be covered.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study. Requires faculty member approval, preceptor application on file with department.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study. Requires faculty member approval, preceptor application on file with the department.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.