Biology 335 - Methods in Biochemistry

(Offered as BCBP-335 and CHEM-335.) How do scientists observe, isolate, and manipulate biological molecules to answer questions about life and human health? In this course, students will perform experimental techniques and data analysis to study the structure, function, and interactions of biological molecules, including protein purification and characterization, analysis of enzyme kinetics, gel electrophoresis, and computational biochemistry. Students will develop skills in experimental design, hypothesis generation and testing, troubleshooting, and quantitative reasoning. 

Lab - 1 meeting per week, 4 hours per meeting.

Prerequisites: Required Coursework - BIOL 330 (may be taken either as a prerequisite or as a co-requisite). Enrollment limited to 16 students. Fall 2026, Professor Wu Orr, Lecturer Tashjian.

Note:

For the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 academic years, this will be a half-credit course

Starting in the 2028/2029 academic year, this will be a full-credit course

How to handle overenrollment: Preference will be given to seniors majoring in Biology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Chemistry, or Neuroscience, then juniors of those majors.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: oral presentations, group work, lab work, quantitative analysis, visual analysis, and reading primary literature.