CHEM 468

Fundamental Concepts in Four Principal Areas

Describe conceptually the fundamental concepts in the four principal areas of physical chemistry: classical thermodynamics, statistical thermodynamics kinetics and quantum mechanics

Define and Manipulate Concepts Mathematically

Define mathematically the concepts outlined in 1) and manipulate the fundamental and derived equations associated with these concepts

Use Skills to Calculate or Predict Conditions

Use the above skills to calculate or predict the equilibrium conditions or direction of spontaneous biochemical processes that are involved in metabolism or energy transfer events given appropriate thermodynamic data and initial system conditions

Mathematical and Graphical Techniques

Employ mathematical and graphical techniques on enzyme kinetic data to extract key parameters and to identify inhibition mechanisms

Solve Schroedinger Equation Problems

Solve simple Schroedinger equation problems (e.g., particle in a box), identify boundary conditions, and explain the significance of boundary conditions on the observance of quantized effects

Predictions of Behavior

Relate the simple Hamiltonians from above to biological molecules and systems and generalize from the simple results to make predictions regarding behavior in the biological systems

Nature of Electronic Energy Levels

Identify the nature of electronic energy levels in key photoactive biological molecules and use spectroscopic data to probe these levels

Apply Concepts to Photosynthesis and Vision

Apply fundamental concepts of electronic structure and reaction kinetics to the steps in photosynthesis and vision

Physical Chemistry Perspectives Lead to Deeper Understanding

Provide examples in which physical chemistry perspectives have enabled a deeper more complete understanding of the structure and function of biological molecules and complex biological systems