Biochemistry

The aim of this course is to let students understand all the basic concepts in biochemistry, and at same time, develop their ability of reading scientific literature directly in English and critical thinking.

This course develops an understanding of the molecular basis of life through study of the role of nutrients, not only as a source of energy but, as key elements that determine our cellular and whole-body physiology. The metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids and the role of vitamins are presented in the context of human health and disease. The consequences of vitamin deficiencies, mechanisms that allow cells to survive starvation and metabolic derangements such as diabetes and those caused by alcohol consumption are discussed. The course builds on Section 2 (Chemistry of Life) of BYU11101 (Molecules to Cells I) and CHU11B01 (Chemistry for Biologists). While this course is free standing and open, it does complement and expand on the lectures on metabolism in Module BYU22201 (Molecules to Cells II). This course is to prepare students hoping to pursue a moderatorship in the molecular biological sciences.

This course examines the structure and function of human body at a molecular level. Major topics include the understanding of protein structure and its important role as enzymes, structure-function relationship of biomolecules, cell metabolism and energy production, and the basics of cellular biochemistry. 

This is a special studies course involving an internship with a corporate, public, governmental, or private organization, arranged with the Study Center Director or Liaison Officer. Specific internships vary each term and are described on a special study project form for each student. A substantial paper or series of reports is required. Units vary depending on the contact hours and method of assessment. The internship may be taken during one or more terms but the units cannot exceed a total of 12.0 for the year.

This is an independent research course with research arranged between the student and faculty member. The specific research topics vary each term and are described on a special project form for each student. A substantial paper is required. The number of units varies with the student’s project, contact hours, and method of assessment, as defined on the student’s special study project form.

This course introduces the basic energetic principles governing metabolism and concepts of bioenegetics including discussions on enzymes and regulatory mechanisms in catabolic and anabolic pathways.   

As the second part of Biochemistry 1, Biochemistry 2 covers chemical reactions in biology on the basis of the molecular system. The course examines metabolism of lipids, amino acids, and carbohydrates; the anabolism of lipids, amino acids, and carbohydrates. Topics include gene expression, regulation of prokaryotes and ehkaryotes, protein targeting, protein synthesis, RNA processing, and DNA rearrangement. 

This course studies basic concepts of biochemistry and chemistry of food as well as the basic principles of food science and natural products chemistry.  The course covers the following topics: food allergens; novel functions of dietary vitamins and its contribution to our health; food and bioactive natural products for human health; beneficial health effects of dietary lipids; chemistry and biochemistry of marine toxins; application of high pressure to food processing; protein chemistry; bioactive molecules and their application for drug discovery; medicinal chemistry of antibacterial and antiviral agents; synthetic and medicinal chemistry of marine natural products, and nutrient-inspired biomaterials and its applications for the health purposes. 

This course provides a strong foundation in the study of protein structure and function. Topics include structures and structural complexity of proteins and methods used to determine their primary, secondary and tertiary structures; biological functions of proteins in terms of their regulatory, structural, protective and transport roles; the catalytic action of enzymes, their mechanism of action and regulation; and various approaches used in studying the structure-function relationships of proteins. The course has a prerequisite of Biochemistry.

This course offers a study of the basic and advanced guidelines in academia and the pharmaceutical sector on the selection of drug targets, the design of new drugs, and the procedures for real-life drug discovery settings.