CHEM& 131 Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry

5 credits

This course meets the Natural Science  with lab general education distribution requirement.

Prerequisites: CHEM& 121  

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• Examine the relationship between organic and biochemistry and living systems including the role of chemistry in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cellular physiology, metabolism, and health
• Classify organic chemistry and understand the role of carbon and nitrogen in organic chemistry and biochemistry, including the carbon and nitrogen cycles
• Distinguish between the different classes of organic compounds (including alkanes, alenes, alkynes, aromatics, alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, esters, ketones, aldehydes, and amides) and be able to assign a simple compound to the correct class
• Identify basic functional groups and understand how each group affects the chemical and physical properties of the molecule
• Determine the name and structure of organic compounds including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, esters, ketones, aldehydes and amides
• Contrast organic molecules and their structural and geometric isomers and the concept of chirality
• Apply acid/base and redox chemistry to living systems
• Contrast aerobic metabolism against anaerobic metabolism
• Generalize the application of nuclear chemistry in allied health occupations and environmental issues
• Interpret the environmental impact of hydrocarbons on the environment
• Identify the four organic chemistry groups: proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids
• Describe the general function of enzymes and how the shape of substrates affects them, including toxins
• Apply general chemistry principles to basic mechanisms of common dental and medical drugs
• Examine organic molecules and the role they play in energy release and metabolism based on bond types, structure, and function
• Identify the effect of organic molecules in the environment and within living systems

• Use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate the accuracy of data/information relative to the natural world
• Identify and locate appropriate resources to answer questions concerning living systems and/or matter 
• Apply principles of science in our daily lives