Sample Courses
- Introduction to chemical principles examines chemical principles as applied to biological systems and the environment. Students study atomic structure, solutions, acids, bases, stoichiometry, equilibrium, biomolecules, and organic functional groups.
- General chemistry teaches laboratory skills through chemical reactions and writing equations, phase diagrams, equilibrium constants, acid-base titrations, volumetric analyses, voltaic cells, exercises in kinetics and inorganic chemistry.
- Organic chemistry of biological molecules focuses on the organic chemistry of the major classes of biomolecules—carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids—with an emphasis on biological aspects.
- Physical chemistry applies methods of physics to chemical problems, including inorganic and organic chemistry and biochemistry. This course introduces chemical thermodynamics, rate processes, and quantum chemistry.
- Biochemistry explores topics such as enzyme mechanisms, stability and conformation of macromolecules, nucleic acids and nucleic acid protein complexes, conformational analysis of macromolecules, and nucleic acid biosynthesis.
- Physical biochemistry examines the physical and chemical properties of biological macromolecules. Topics include the forces and interactions of macromolecular conformations and the physical bases of the spectroscopic, hydrodynamic, and rapid reaction techniques used to investigate these conformations.
- Advanced biochemistry considers enzyme mechanisms, macromolecular structure,
protein-nucleic acid interactions, and selected aspects of biological synthesis.
Hands On Learning
To stay on the cutting edge of research, the UO provides students access to a comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art research facilities. In addition to the facilities themselves, students benefit from comprehensive training from full-time instrumentation specialists,
who also consult on the design and implementation of advanced experiments. What better way to learn, than from those who helped create that microscope, laser and machine shop that you’ll be using in your research?
Students have access to Chemistry Research and Instrumentation Services (CRIS), the Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon (CAMCOR), the Shared Laser Facility and an up-to-date and comprehensive science library.
The University of Oregon has an award-winning network, which includes dedicated supercomputer ports, and hosts an NSF-sponsored logistical networking node, promoting the collaborative research efforts of scientists here and abroad.