Class description:
Analysis of biological samples and samples in biological matrixes using chemical and biochemical techniques. Emphasis on statistical analysis of experimental data, spectroscopic methods of quantitation, advanced concepts in equilibrium chemistry, chromatographic and electrophoretic separations and electrochemical methods of analysis. Course format includes laboratories, special projects and discussions of current literature and reviews. Prerequisite: Chemistry 382.
Welcome to Chemistry 345! Hold on for a swift introduction to analytical techniques and instrumentation most commonly used in biochemistry. This class is foremost a class in analytical chemistry that has been adapted for students majoring in biochemistry and/or pursuing careers in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology and medicine. The class emphasizes the statistical treatment of experimental data, experimental design, chemical separations and spectroscopic and electrochemical instrumental methods of analysis. For a more quantitative view of some of these phenomena, you will most certainly enjoy physical chemistry. For a more detailed view of the instruments and statistical design of experiments, I suggest you enroll in Chemistry 342.
Besides gaining a better understanding about analytical theory, the primary expectation of this class is that you will learn to read the literature of (bio)analytical chemistry and design and evaluate the quality of your own experiments. You will note that we will provide you with guidelines for experimentation, but you will provide the specifics of most experiments. In this fashion, after the first week of class, your instructor will act as a guide to help you in experimental design but not as the designer of your experiments. However, it would be best to check in with me or my assistants before marching off to mix your reagents or operate an instrument because the materials are expensive and the instruments are even more so.
The CH 345 class of 2005 had this to offer future students who take the class:
The new knowledge and insights you will gain include:
• What makes data significant or experiments meaningful
• A general awareness of good lab technique
• Ability to identify and minimize error before the lab
• New ways to look at everything you've already learned
• How to critically read scientific literature to gain enough knowledge and understanding to explain it to someone else
• Using Excel!
Our advice to you is:
• Clear out the rest of your schedule
• Try not to get overwhelmed-do what you have time but don't put off sleep; otherwise you won't pick up class theory
• Ask questions-Howard is very receptive and responsive
• Stay organized and manage your time well (multi-task as possible)
• Learning records can be a useful tool for reflection but don't get too caught up in them
• The first week is horrendous but it gets better-really!