Biochemistry and Natural Products
Undergraduates in the Biochemistry and Natural Products Chemistry option take advanced lecture courses in the following areas:
- Protein Structure, enzyme function and metabolic pathways (FCH530),
- Advanced metabolism, Protein synthesis, nucleic acids and molecular biology (FCH532),
- laboratory practice in the techniques of enzymology and protein purification (FCH531).
Some appropriate chemistry electives are:
- Natural Products Chemistry (FCH524), Drugs from the Wild (FCH390) and Introduction to Chemical Ecology (FCH440) are allappropriate electives for students interested in the Biochemistry and Natural Products option.
- Environmental chemistry (FCH510 or FCH 511) complements the biochemistry program for students interested in working on problems relating to the more environmental aspects of Biochemistry and Natural Products Chemistry.
- Carbohydrate/Polysaccharide Chemistry (FCH540): excellent preparation for chemists planning careers in paper, textiles, membranes, biotechnology and related areas.
- Techniques in Molecular Biology (BTC401) is an appropriate option for the more biochemistry oriented students.
- Computational Chemistry (FCH420): an introduction into the use of computers to model biopolymer and other chemical structures.
- Advanced courses in mathematics, statistics.
Research opportunities in polymer chemistry through the FCH495/498 sequence are strongly encouraged.
The program offers an excellent background both for direct entry into the pharmaceutical industry and graduate study in areas such as organic chemistry, biotechnology, biobased materials or molecular biology.
Degree Requirements for the Biochemistry and Natural Products Option
Participating Faculty
- Dr. Gregory L. Boyer (Plant and Algal Biochemistry)
- Dr. José L. Giner (BioOrganic Chemistry)
- Dr. Christopher Nomura (Molecular biology and Biobased Polymer)
- Dr. Mark Teece (Biogeochemistry and food web interactions)
- Dr. Francis X. Webster (Organic Chemistry and Chemical Ecology)
- Dr. William T. Winter (Biophysical Chemistry and Polysaccharides)