Perfect Classes for a Better Understanding of DNA at the University of Colorado at Boulder

Discover all you want to know about DNA and RNA sequencing. Get an understanding of chemical properties, spectroscopy, molecules, and biotechnology in this great, educational program.

What is Chemistry

Chemistry is the science concerned with the reactions, transformations and aggregations of matter, as well as accompanying energy and entropy changes during such processes. It is also a field of study to investigate the physical and chemical properties of substances from the subatomic to macromolecular scale, such as molecules or crystals. Robert Boyle of 1661, Antoine Lavoisier of 1787, John Dalton of 1808, and Jons Jakob Berzelius (1828) are considered the founders of modern chemistry (sometimes referred to as the "Fathers of Modern Chemistry"), while some say the earliest chemist is Geber.

What is Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and transformations in living organisms. It deals with the structure and function of cellular components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Chemical biology aims to answer many questions arising from biochemistry by using tools developed within synthetic chemistry. Although there are a vast number of different biomolecules, many are complex and large molecules (called polymers) that are composed of similar repeating subunits (called monomers). Each class of polymeric biomolecule has a different set of subunit types. For example, a protein is a polymer made up of 40 or more amino acids. Biochemistry studies the chemical properties of important biological molecules, like proteins, in particular the chemistry of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. The biochemistry of cell metabolism and the endocrine system has been extensively described. Other areas of biochemistry include the genetic code (DNA, RNA), protein synthesis, cell membrane transport, and signal transduction. This article only discusses terrestrial biochemistry (carbon and water-based), as all the life forms we know are on Earth. Since life forms alive today are hypothesized by most to have descended from the same common ancestor, they would naturally have similar biochemistries, even for matters that seem to be essentially arbitrary, such as handedness of various biomolecules. It is unknown whether alternative biochemistries are possible or practical.

Coolest courses in Chemistry and Biochemistry as far as I'm concerned

CHEM 1011: Environmental Chemistry 1 (3 Credits) - Students are introduced to the basic principles of chemistry with applications to current environmental issues including toxic chemicals, air and water pollution, energy sources and their environmental impact, and climate change resulting from the greenhouse effect.

CHEM 1021: Introductory Chemistry (4 Credits) - For students with no high school chemistry or a very weak chemistry background.

CHEM 1131: General Chemistry 2 (5 Credits) - Great for students who intend to take advanced chemistry courses. Subject areas in this class include acids and bases, solubility and complexion equilibriums, transition metal chemistry, chemical kinetics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.

CHEM 1221: Engineering General Chemistry Lab (2 Credits) - One hour recitation in which concepts and problems are re-emphasized, homework is collected, and quizzes are given. Three hour lab in which students perform experiments designed to illustrate chemical concepts. The course also introduces basic techniques in chemical measurements and synthesis.

CHEM 3321: Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 (1 Credit) - Students get a better understanding of the experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing chemical separations and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds. Stereochemical modeling and the identification of organic unknowns by spectroscopic and chemical methods are also introduced in this class.

CHEM 4011: Modern Inorganic Chemistry (3 Credits) - A class that will introduce students to modern inorganic chemistry. Subjects offered in this course includes atomic structure, chemical periodicity, structure and bonding in molecules and crystals, reaction mechanisms, chemistry of selected main group and transition elements, and emphasis on catalyst, materials, bioinorganic, and organometallic systems. This is a required course for chemistry majors.

CHEM 4021: Inorganic Laboratory (3 Credits) - One lecture and two 3-hour labs per week. This course offers students instructions in experimental techniques of modern inorganic chemistry. Subjects covered are syntheses and spectroscopic characterizations of transition metal and main group compounds, experience in manipulation of air sensitive compounds, and techniques involving unusual conditions of pressure or temperature.

CHEM 4171: Instrumental Analysis (3 Credits) - Learn all about the theory and practice of instrumental methods of chemical analysis, including atomic and molecular spectroscopy, gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and electrochemistry.

CHEM 4411: Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 1 (3 Credits) - Students are introduced to thermodynamics and kinetics. The course focuses on macromolecule and biochemical applications. Other subjects include thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibriums, solution chemistry, transport properties, multiple site binding phenomena, and the rates of chemical and biochemical reactions.

CHEM 4521: Physical Chemistry for Engineers (3 Credits) - Kinetic theory of gases, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics and atomic structure, chemical bonding, spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, the solid state, the liquid state, and surface chemistry are all topics covered in this course.

CHEM 4611: Survey of Biochemistry (3 Credits) - This is a single semester survey of the main themes of modern biochemistry: biomolecular structure/function, metabolism, biosynthesis, DNA from genome to proteome, and cellular signaling. This course is great for biology and engineering majors and others wanting a survey of biochemistry.

CHEM 4751: Current Topics in Biochemical Research (3 Credits) - Students will gain a better understanding of current topics in modern biochemical research through lectures. You'll be reading recent research articles, critical thinking, and class discussion. Topics included in this course are as follows: Protein and nucleic acid structure and function, biomolecular interactions, enzyme function, and cellular signaling and regulation.

CHEM 4791: Bioorganic Chemistry in Biotechnology (3 Credits) - This course will allow students to explore examples of antibodies, peptides, proteins, RNA, DNA, carbohydrates and lipids. Bioorganic Chemistry uses the primary literature and requires student participation.

CHEM 5161: Analytical Spectroscopy (3 Credits) - Spectrochemical analysis, including atomic and molecular spectroscopy, laser analytical methods, electron spectroscopy, surface analytical methods, and their applications to environmental, atmospheric, and bioanalytical problems are among all of the special topics offered in this course.

CHEM 5171: Electroanalytical Chemistry (3 Credits) - Establishes a background for understanding electrochemical systems through a review of the relevant thermodynamic, kinetic, and electronic principles. Compares classical and modern electrochemical methods of analysis. Several special topics are discussed in depth.

CHEM 5181: Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography (3 Credits) - Mass spectrometry, including instrumentation, ionization techniques, and interpretation of mass spectra. Analytical separation processes, with special reference to the theory and practice of liquid and gas chromatography. Combined techniques (e.g., GC-MS), and applications.

CHEM 5531: Statistical Mechanics (3 Credits) - Fundamental concepts of quantum and classical statistical mechanics. Applications to properties of gases, liquids, solids, spin, and polymer systems. Reaction, fluctuation, nucleation, and relaxation phenomena.

CHEM 5541: Chemical Dynamics (3 Credits) - Student will get to know all about mechanism and rate of chemical reactions from a fundamental point of view. Learn about the nature of collision and develop concepts of cross section and rate constant. The course deals in theories of elementary bimolecular and decay processes are critically examined.

CHEM 5561: Methods of Molecular Biophysics (3 Credits) - Learn all about the techniques used to determine structure, function, and dynamics of macromolecules, including optical spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, diffraction, and scanning microscopy. This course is approved for credit toward molecular biophysics certificate.

CHEM 5571: Surface Science (3 Credits) - Principles of surface science with emphasis on fundamental surface phenomena, surface techniques, and surface chemistry. Basic description of surfaces, adsorbate-surface interactions, surface kinetics, and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of interactions, surface kinetics, and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor processing, and environmental interfaces.

CHEM 6621: Special Topics in RNA (1 Credit) - This course evaluates and reviews recent scientific literature in the field of RNA chemistry and biology. This includes topics in structure, catalysis, bioinformatic approaches, and control of gene expression. Special Topics is primarily for graduate level presentation of special topics by students and research staff. This class may be repeated for up to 5 total credit hours.

About Colorado University of Boulder

Little known facts: The school was established back in 1876. Their motto is "Let Your Light Shine". There have been approximately 24,000 undergraduates and 4,000 post-graduates. They were the first to create a new form of matter, called the "Bose-Einstein condensate" which is a few hundred billionths of a degree above absolute zero. They were the first to observe a "fermionic condensate" formed from pairs of atoms in a gas. They discovered a protein in the blood that can prevent the AIDS virus from reproducing and spreading to healthy cells. The university has also accomplished many more things; such as, the creation of a classifying and numbering system for human chromosomes, and the production of computerized 3D images of the entire body in anatomical sections.

University or college location: Boulder, Colorado

Directions to the college or university

From DIA: You will fly in or out of DIA or should I say, Denver International Airport. Driving time between DIA and Boulder is approximately 60 to 90 minutes. From DIA, follow Peña Boulevard (10 miles) south to I-70, and exit onto I-70 west. Follow I-70 west to I-270 west. I-270 merges into U.S. 36 west and takes you west into Boulder (about 23 miles). Exit at Baseline Road; turn left on Broadway and turn right or north. The campus is to the right. For alternate routes, see the map from DIA to Boulder.

From the Denver Area and South: To get to Boulder from the Denver area, go west on U.S. 36 (from I-25 or I-270) and exit at Baseline Road. Turn left (west) on Baseline Road, then right or north on Broadway to campus.

From the North: From the north, take U.S. 287 south to Highway 119. Highway 119 becomes Highway 157 (Foothills Parkway) just north of Boulder. Turn right or west from Foothills Parkway onto Baseline Road. Drive west on Baseline to Broadway, then turn right (north) on Broadway to campus.

From the West: Take I-70 east to U.S. 6. Go east on U.S. 6 to CO. 58. Turn right (east) on CO.58 to CO. 93. Make a left (north) onto CO. 93 towards Boulder. CO. 93 will turn into Broadway once in Boulder. Continue on Broadway west until you see the campus on your right. It will be shortly after you pass Baseline Rd.