Molecule to Organism

Description

This yearlong program develops and interrelates concepts in advanced laboratory-based science, thus providing a foundation for students who plan to continue studies in chemistry, biology (field or laboratory), and/or medicine. Students will carry out upper-division work in biochemistry, microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, and organic chemistry. Students who remain enrolled in the entire program for all three quarters can earn up to 48 credits of upper-division science.

The program examines the subject matter through the central idea of the interrelatedness of structure and function, integrating two themes; one at the cell level and the other at the molecule level. In the cell theme, we start with cellular biology and microbiology and proceed to the whole organism. We examine structure/function relationships at each level of increasing complexity. In the molecule theme, we examine the nature of organic compounds and organic reactions, and carry this theme into biochemistry and the fundamental chemical reactions of living systems. As the year progresses, the two themes continually merge through studies of cellular and molecular processes in biological systems.

Program activities include lecture, laboratory and collaborative problem-solving workshops. Each area of study will contain a significant laboratory component emphasizing bench skills and instrumentation. Students will be expected to write papers and maintain laboratory notebooks. All laboratory work, and approximately half of the non-lecture time will be spent working in collaborative groups. Group work will also include reading scientific literature and discussion of topics of current or historical significance in science. This is an intensive science program; the subjects are complex, and the sophisticated understanding we expect to develop will require students to work for many hours each week, both in and out of class.