CBGP Course Recommendations
All CBGP students take Chem 271 A,B, and C and MCB 293 C, described below.
CBGP Course Examples
Synthetic chemistry-oriented student:
FALL OF YEAR 1:
1. Chem 200 – Chemistry Fundamentals (first 5-week module)
This course provides a broad overview of the fundamental principles of organic structure, reactivity and mechanism. Topics include stereochemical course of reactions, molecular orbital theory, electronic principles, solvent effects, thermodynamics and kinetics, catalysis and applications of physical measurements to mechanistic analysis.
and
Chem 260A and B – Reaction Mechanisms (second and third 5-week module)
Advanced methods for studying organic reaction mechanisms. Topics include kinetic isotope effects, behavior of reactive intermediates, chain reactions, concerted reactions, molecular orbital theory and aromaticity, solvent and substituent effects, linear free energy relationships, photochemistry.
2. Chem 261 A, B, and C- Organic Reactions (three 5-week modules)
Examines the reactions that comprise the vocabulary of synthetic organic chemistry including pericyclic reactions such as cycloadditions, electrocyclizations, and sigmatropic rearrangements.
SPRING OF YEAR 1:
1. Chem 271A, B and C aka MCB C212A, B, and C – Chemical Biology (three 5-week modules)
This course is a CBGP required course and covers structure, synthesis, and function of biomolecules.; enzyme reaction mechanisms,; and contemporary topics in chemical biology
2. Chem 213 – Spectroscopy and Instrumentation (Full semester)
This course provides hands-on training in NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, as well as didactic training in the fundamental principles of the techniques. The course has a light work-load and minimal prerequisites (basic undergraduate science training).
3. MCB 293C – Mandatory Course on Responsible Conduct of Research
This course addresses issues of ethical practice of science, cases of scientific fraud, issues of intellectual and experimental contribution and credit, and authorship on publications. Case studies of historical significance are presented and discussed. Biochemistry- or biology-oriented student:
FALL OF YEAR 1:
1. MCB 200 – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (full semester)
This course is a broad survey of biochemical processes inside the cell, including transcription, translation, and protein folding and trafficking through the secretory pathway. Regulatory mechanisms are highlighted and experimental techniques are covered in the context of literature-based discussion sections. Last year’s course website: http://mcb.Berkeley.EDU/courses/mcb200/ 08-09 Instructors: Berger, Rio, and Thorner
2. MCB 206 – Physical Biochemistry (full semester)
This course overviews thermodynamic and kinetic principles as they apply to biomolecules and their activities. Protein and nucleic acid structure and dynamics are addressed via case studies. Physical properties of biomolecules are discusses, along with the techniques used to elucidate them. The course is team-taught by faculty with expertise in X-ray and NMR structure analysis and protein folding dynamics.
SPRING OF YEAR 1:
1. Chem 271A, B and C aka MCB C212A, B, and C – Chemical Biology (three 5-week modules)
This course is a CBGP required course and covers structure, synthesis, and function of biomolecules.; enzyme reaction mechanisms,; and contemporary topics in chemical biology
2. MCB 211 – Structural Biology (full semester) OR Chem 270A and B – Biophysical Chemistry (two 5-week modules)
MCB 211 An Introduction to Structural Biology and Physical Biochemistry. It will teach principles of protein and nucleic acid structure and outline basic experimental methods for conformation studies. The classical problems of structural biology, as well as new approaches and methods, will be emphasized.
270 A&B This course has focuses on the physical chemistry of biological systems processes including protein folding, reaction networks, and membrane phenomena. The course adopts considerable mathematical rigor, oriented toward those with an interest in more quantitative physical chemistry of biological molecules. Computational methods in chemical biology are also covered in this course.
3. MCB 293C – Mandatory Course on Responsible Conduct of Research
This course addresses issues of ethical practice of science, cases of scientific fraud, issues of intellectual and experimental contribution and credit, and authorship on publications. Case studies of historical significance are presented and discussed.
Student with physical interests:
A good option for Fall semester for students who are physically inclined:
Chem 270AB – Advanced Biophysical Chemistry.
Based on teaching modern concepts in biophysical chemistry in the context of current research developments. A way of exploring the physical side of chemical biology.
Examples of Elective Courses for Later Years:
MCB 200 – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2 1.5-hour lectures/week)
MCB 240 – Genetics (2 1.5-hour lectures/week)
MCB 250 – Immunology (2 1.5-hour lectures/week)
MCB 230 – Cell Biology (2 1.5-hour lectures/week)
MCB C246 – Genomics and Computational Biology (2 1.5-hour lectures/week)
Chem 295 – Combinatorial Chemistry (Ellman) (2 1.5-hour lectures/week)
Chem 295 – Polymer Chemistry (Frechet) (2 1.5-hour lectures/week)
Chem Eng 170 – Biochemical Engineering (Keasling) (2 2-hour lectures/week)
Chem Eng 295D – Development of Biopharmaceuticals (taught by a series of visiting lecturers from local biotech and pharmaceutical industry) (1 lecture/week)
MCB 290 – Special topics seminar courses that meet one day per week and focus on a topic chosen by the instructor. Some examples are:
Transcription (Tjian)
Chemical Probes for Biological Systems (Bertozzi)
Signaling (Martin)
Protein Structure Elucidation (Berger)
Bioinformatics (Eisen)
Telomere Biology (Collins)
Metals in Biology (Marletta)
MCB 294 Life After Graduate School: Careers for Bioscience Ph.D.s
Important Contact information
06-07 First Year Advisors:
Jamie Cate
Carolyn Bertozzi
Michael Marletta
**MCB students please also use your MCB advisors & follow all MCB policies
Program Coordinator:
Carisa Orwig
510-642-9430
409 Hildebrand Hall |
