Basic methods of classical and statistical thermodynamics developed at a level appropriate for first-year graduate students and advanced undergraduates. (Spring) Prerequisite: CHEM 302.

Basic theoretical concepts of inorganic chemistry, including a study of the periodic table, the elements and their physical and chemical properties. Several theories of bonding are discussed, as well as the mechanisms of inorganic reactions, coordination chemistry and the chemistry of transition metals. (Fall) Prerequisite: CHEM 352. Corequisite: CHEM 301.

Introduction to the principles of quantum mechanics and their application to chemical systems. Topics include the postulatory basis of quantum mechanics; approximate methods; vibrational, rotational, electronic, nuclear magnetic and electron spin spectro-scopy; atomic structure; the chemical bond, valence bond; and molecular orbital theory. (Fall) Prerequisite: CHEM 302 or 303.

Introduction to statistical mechanics and theoretical aspects of absolute reaction rate theory. Major topics include statistical definition of entropy; compounding of systems; combinational problems; the methods of Gibbs; quantum statistics; partition functions; applications to equilibrium states of gases, solids and liquids; and partition formulation of the theory of absolute reaction rates. (Spring) Prerequisite: CHEM 302

The first semester of a two-semester sequence providing a thorough introduction to the principles of modern biochemistry. Major topics include enzyme kinetics and the structures and properties of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids. (Fall) Prerequisite: BIOL 100 and CHEM 352 or equivalent.

This course is intended primarily for students selecting the non-thesis option for the M.S. degree. Students will be assigned individually supervised laboratory projects designed to increase familiarity with modern experimental techniques in chemistry. Note: In most cases, a single project will be undertaken during any given semester. A detailed account of work completed will be required. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

A discussion of specialized topics in rapidly evolving areas of chemistry. The format of the course will be tutorial and may include varied topics such as applications of mass spectrometry in biochemistry and pharmacology or advanced NMR techniques. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

The purpose of this course is to familiarize graduate students with the different areas of research within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, to expand their knowledge of experimental techniques and to provide the basis for a more informed selection of an advisor for thesis research. Note: For the joint biochemistry program, a student enrolling in the course will work for periods of about six weeks in the laboratories of three faculty members, at least one of whom should be engaged in an area of research different from the student’s preferred area of specialization.

The core skills that will be emphasized in the course are anaerobic synthesis and advanced characterization methods. These methods will be applied to inorganic complexes important in biological/medicinal inorganic chemistry amd nanomaterials. The course aims to combine traditional inorganic chemistry concepts/methods with areas of inorganic chemistry not typically covered in lower-level courses.

The functions of metals in biology and medicine are presented, with emphasis on the structural and catalytic properties of metal centers in metallo-proteins. Topics include catalysis, metallo-enzyme mechanisms, inorganic co-factors and co-enzymes and metal chemotherapeutic agents. Prerequisite: CHEM 405 or consent of instructor.

Discussions of current approaches to problems in theoretical chemistry will be presented in the form of lectures and seminars. Topics to be discussed may include molecular orbital theory, statistical mechanics of non-ideal systems, cooperative systems, phase transitions and critical phenomena, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and rate theory, scattering theory and molecular spectra. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Introduction to statistical mechanics and theoretical aspects of absolute reaction rate theory. Statistical definition of entropy; compounding of systems; combinatorial problems; the methods of Gibbs; quantum statistics; partition functions; applications in equilibrium states of gases, solids and liquids; and partition formulation of the theory of absolute reaction rates. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

An advanced treatment of the chemistry of proteins and protein-containing supramolecular structures. The topics include isolation and purification of proteins, structure of proteins and relation of structure to biological function. Prerequisites: BIOL 430, CHEM 437 or equivalent and consent of instructor.

The topics presented would not normally be covered in any other biochemistry courses and may include an advanced treatment of enzyme kinetics, with emphasis upon two substrate systems, allosteric control mechanisms, replication and transcription, and the biochemistry of specialized tissues. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

A survey of nucleic acid structure and function, with emphasis on chemical aspects. Topics will include DNA and RNA structure, packaging of nucleic acids, chemical and physical properties of nucleic acids, proteins and enzymes of DNA replication, fidelity of nucleic acid synthesis, biochemistry of DNA recombination, enzymology of transcription and RNA processing. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

This course will address the structure and function of the carbohydrates of glycoproteins, glycolipids, proteoglycans and bacterial polysaccharides. Topics also will include carbohydrates as informational macro-molecules and decoding by lectins, biosynthesis, structure, engineering of glycoproteins, bacterial adhesion and virulence and tumor antigens. Prerequisite: CHEM 437 or equivalent.

The student will be required to attend the undergraduate lecture course in biochemistry CHEM 438: Comprehensive Biochemistry), which covers metabolic pathways and selected topics in nucleic acid and membrane biochemistry. In addition, the student will be assigned reading in the research literature in one or more of the above areas and be required to present a seminar or write a paper based on this reading. Note: This course is intended primarily for first-year graduate students who have completed CHEM 437: Comprehensive Biochemistry I.

Discussions of the major physical methods for determining of molecular structure will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on the application of theoretical principles to experimental problems and to computational methods required for interpretation of data. Topics discussed may include X-ray, electron and neutron scattering, molecular spectroscopy (infrared, ultraviolet and microwave), nuclear magnetic and electron spin resonance, dipole moment determination and dielectric relaxation. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Introductory course with emphasis placed on developing broad general concepts applicable to the study of all types of macro-molecules, e.g. synthetic and biological. Topics considered include determination of molecular weight distributions, and conformational properties of high polymers; thermodynamics; and transport properties of polymersolutions, polyelectrolytes and polymerization processes. Techniques such as sedimentation analysis, light scattering, osmometry and viscometry will be discussed. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

Structural determination of proteins and nucleic acids in the solid state and in solution. Transitions between and stability of secondary and tertiary structure. Ligand binding and association processes. Interpretation of spectra, titration curves, multi-component equilibria, hydrodynamic properties and fluorescence polarization. Prerequisites: CHEM 437 or equivalents.

Team-taught course covering theory and applications of advanced spectroscopic techniques used to study the structure and function of bio-macro-molecules (polysaccharides, DNA, co-enzymes and co-factors). Aspects of modem Fourier transform NMR, including one- and two-dimensional methods (COSY, NOESY and HOHAHA) will be presented. Principles of mass spectrometry and examples of the potential, limitations and applications of electron impact; desorption ionization, high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry; and interfaced chromatography/mass spectrometry will be discussed. Theory and applications of other spectroscopic techniques, including molecular vibrational (Raman, resonance Raman and infrared), electron spin resonance (ESR) and laser fluorescence spectroscopies also will be presented. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Survey of theoretical methods for simulation of biopolymer conformation. Force fields, energy maps, energy minimization and molecular dynamics simulation. Influence of solvents. Applications to proteins, nucleic acids, etc. Laboratory section will emphasize practical calculations on biopolymers and use of databases of structural biochemistry. CHEM 437 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.

An in-depth survey of the properties, reactions and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds containing the heteroatoms of oxygen, sulfur and/or nitrogen. The course will consist of lectures based on readings from monographs and current literature. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Advanced general treatment of the study of organic reaction mechanisms, with emphasis on developing of broad principles governing various organic reactions. Description of metastable intermediates, such as carbonium ions, carbanions, carbenes and free radicals; kinetic effects in relation to structure; conformational analysis and stereochemistry.

Introduction to theoretical aspects of organic chemistry. Molecular orbital approximations, linear free-energy relationships, general theory of acid-base catalysis, medium effects and isotope effects. CHEM 451 and consent of instructor.

A survey of organic chemical principles governing structure, properties and reactions of nucleic acids, including synthesis of nucleic acid bases, nucleosides, nucleotides and poly-nucleotides and their important synthetic analogs possessing anti-viral and anti-tumor properties. Study of reactivity of nucleic acid building blocks, including addition and substitution reactions, ring openings and rearrangements, hydrolysis of glycosidic and phosphodiester bonds and photochemical reactions. Study of primary structure, acid-base property, tautomerism and conformation of nucleic acids. Review of secondary structure, base-pairing and stacking interactions, helical structure, stability, conformation, denaturation, renaturation and cross-linking. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

A survey of the basic principles of reactivity, reactions and strategies in organic synthesis. The course will focus on reactions leading to new bond formation, functional group transformation and the combination of these reactions in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Lectures will be based on readings from monographs and current literature. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

A survey of (a) principles and methods of drug design, including modern rational approach aided by computers, disease models, natural products, analogue synthesis and pharmacophore identification; (b) physio-chemical principles of drug action, including solubility; partition co-efficients; surface interactions; stereo-chemical, electronic and quantum chemical factors; chemical bonding; and quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR); (c) receptor concept of drug action, including nature, definition, characterization, models and classical theories of receptor function; (d) mechanisms of drug action, including enzyme stimulation, inhibition and regulation; (e) drug distribution, metabolism and inactivation, including bioavailability, biotransformations, chemical and metabolic stability; pharmaco-kinetic variability and design of pro-drugs; (f) case studies selected from a list of anti-tumor, analgetic, anti-microbial, anti-cholinergic, anti-adrenergic, psychoactive and cardiovascular drugs; and (g) current status and future impact in drug development, including protein therapeutics, gene therapy, anti-sense drugs, cytokines and drug resistance. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

The course will cover the total syntheses of selected natural products from animal, plant, marine, bacterial and fungal sources, including vitamins, alkaloids, hormones, terpenoids and antibiotics. Both historically significant total syntheses of landmarks, such as those of cholesterol, morphine, strychnine and vitamin B12, and the more modern total syntheses, such as those as taxol, bleomycin and enediyne antibiotics, will be elaborated. Students who opt to take the course for graduate credits (CHEM 657) will be required to write an additional term paper and/or make an oral presentation on the total synthesis of a selected natural product.

A course of lectures and seminars devoted to modern methods in analytical chemistry. Two of the following topics will be considered: instrumental methods in spectroscopic analysis, scattering and diffraction methods, electro-analytical and polaro-graphic techniques, chromatography, separation and purification methods and tracer methods. Readings from current literature will be the basis of both lectures and seminars. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

A lecture/laboratory course devoted to the theory, instrumentation and application of modem electro-chemical, spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Advantages and limitations of different instrumental methods are discussed using selected topics of environmental, clinical and toxicological analyses. Journal articles will be used to review recent advances and new trends in developing analytical techniques. Laboratory experiments may include polarography and pulse voltammetry, anodic stripping analysis, potentiometry with ion selective electrodes, flame and electro-thermal atomic absorption, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, electrophoresis, capillary gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. (Spring) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

An advanced course in spectroscopic methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis, with emphasis on instrumental design, construction and operation. Topics will include atomic spectroscopy, light scattering and electronic and vibrational molecular spectroscopy. The role of lasers in modem spectroscopic methods will be explored.

An advanced course in separation science, with emphasis on chromatographic techniques. This course will cover the theory of chemical separations, physical description and operation of various chromatographic instruments and general application of these techniques. Readings from current literature will supplement the lectures.

A lecture-lab course designed to introduce chemists to a wide range of electronic principles from electron theory to digital computer technology. This course will cover alternating and direct current electronics, semi-conductor technology and signal processing. Emphasis will be placed on circuits and electronic applications commonly found in chemical research laboratories.

Discussions of the major methods and approaches to the study of chemical kinetics and other rate processes as applied to the elucidation of mechanisms of organic, inorganic and biochemical reactions. One or two of the following topics may form the basis of a semester’s work in this course: rapid-reaction techniques; stopped-flow, pressure and temperature jump methods; ultrasonics; inorganic reaction mechanism solvation; electron and proton transfer and substitution reactions; biocatalysis inhibition activation and allosteric effects; kinetics of structural transitions and phase transformation; gas-phase kinetics and heterogeneous catalysis. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

The mechanism of enzyme action will be examined, with emphasis on the following topics: three-dimensional structure of enzymes, chemical catalysis, methods of determining enzyme mechanisms, sterochemistry of enzymatic reactions, detection of intermediates, affinity labels and suicide inhibitors, transition state analogs, energy relationships, evolutionarily “perfect” enzymes, genetic engineering and enzymes and use of binding energy in catalysis. Instruction will be in both lecture and seminar format, with emphasis on recent literature. CHEM 437 or consent of instructor. Note: CHEM 651 recommended.

A series of lectures and weekly seminars dealing with current developments in the field of biophysical chemistry.

A series of weekly lectures and seminars dealing with topics of current research interest in the field of biochemistry. A single area in which advances of major significance have been made may be chosen.

A series of weekly lectures and seminars dealing with recent or current important developments in chemistry. A single area in which advances of major significance have been made, or a given term, e.g., physical, organic or inorganic chemistry, will be selected.

A series of weekly seminars devoted to a wide range of topics encompassing current literature in all fields of chemistry. Note: Each student will be required to present an extensive written paper based on the seminar and on collateral readings from current literature. Enrollment will be limited to ensure each participating student has an opportunity to present at least one major seminar. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Intensive tutorial seminar on current topics of research actively pursued by the faculty member directing the course.

This core course will be given to first- and second-year graduate students. A varied background in the biochemistry/chemistry current research fields will be presented. Note: Students will be required to attend eight seminars in the semester either at the UMB Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or the UMBC Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Also listed as GPLS 713 (UMB).

This course is specifically tailored for CBI students. The class is designed to introduce CBI students to areas of research at the interface that they might not otherwise encounter.

Master’s thesis research conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Recommended: Six credit hours are required for the master’s degree.

Research on doctoral dissertation conducted under the direction of a faculty advisor before candidacy.

Research on doctoral dissertation conducted under the direction of a faculty advisor. Note: A minimum of 12 credit hours are required for the doctoral degree.