Organic and Biochemistry: Key Pathways to Success for the Pre-Med Student

Course Description

Organic and biochemistry are the foundation sciences for the life sciences discipline. Students hoping to have a medical career need to have a strong foundation in chemistry. The MCAT exams given to college students hoping to enter medical, dental, or veterinary schools contain a number of sections devoted to general, organic, and biochemistry.

The course begins with the study of organic compounds and concentrates on their structure and reactions. Organic functional groups studied include carbohydrates, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, amines and amides, and finally carboxylic acids. We will then progress to molecules of physiological significance, such as amino acids and proteins, hydrocarbons, fats and lipids, enzymes, and finally nucleic acids. Students will learn the health-related connection between the science they are studying and the role that science plays in human health. This course will prepare students well for future courses in organic and biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology.

By the end of the course, students will have learned a number of laboratory skills, such as titration, chromatography, and the use of laboratory glassware. In addition, they will have met and spoken with biotechnology researchers in a variety of visits to research laboratories.

Prerequisites: One year of high school chemistry is highly recommended.