Post-Bac Premed Course Descriptions
CHE 540. Principles of Chemistry I + Lab
Introduction to the fields of organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry including
atomic structure, molecular structure, chemical bonding, common types of reactions,
stoichiometry, and acid-base chemistry. Laboratory work will support theoretical principles.
4 credits, Summer 1 Term
CHE 541. Principles of Chemistry II + Lab
Second semester of PBPM chemistry sequence including kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium,
reaction mechanisms, acid-base chemistry, galvanic and electrolytic cells, redox reactions,
electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. 4 credits, Fall semester
CHE 636. Organic Chemistry I + Lab
Chemistry of the compounds of carbon with emphasis on the relation of molecular structure
to chemical and physical behavior. Topics covered include functional groups, nomenclature,
structure, bonding, isomers, conformations, chirality, reactions that proceed through
ionic mechanisms, and structure elucidation using NMR, MS, and IR. Specific reactions
covered include acid-base, nucleophilic substitution, elimination, oxidation, reduction,
carbon-carbon bond formation reactions, carbonyl addition, and acyl transfer. Laboratory
work includes appropriate techniques, synthetic and analytical methods. 4 credits, Summer 2 Term
CHE 637. Organic Chemistry II & Biochemistry + Lab
This intensive and accelerated course fully integrates organic chemistry and biochemistry
topics. It covers chemistry of carbonyl groups, amines, amino acids, carbohydrates,
lipids, and radical reactions. The biochemistry topics covered include protein structure,
purification, and analysis; enzyme kinetics and inhibition; allosteric proteins including
hemoglobin; glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; pyruvate dehydrogenase, TCA cycle; electron
transport chain; ATP synthase; signal transduction; glycogen degradation and synthesis;
pentose phosphate pathway; fatty acid oxidation; reactive oxygen species and antioxidants.
5 credits, Spring semester
PHY 542. Principles of Physics I + Lab
The course is the first half of the Principles of Physics sequence, which focuses
on reasoning from fundamental principles and problem-solving skills. In the first
semester, we focus on principles involving motion, force, and energy. Students will
learn to use mathematical models for these principles; observe and measure many physical
phenomena; and analyze problems by identifying the correct model and using it to derive
solutions. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, kinematics and dynamics of linear and
angular motion, gravity, energy and momentum, fluids, and thermal physics. This course
will use algebra and trigonometry as tools in developing the universal language of
physics, but emphasis will be on intuitive understanding and visualization of various
phenomena in nature governed by physical laws. 4 credits, Fall semester
PHY 543. Principles of Physics II + Lab
This course is the second half of the Principles of Physics sequence that emphasizes
how to reason from fundamental principles to draw conclusions about how the world
works. Topics in this semester include simple harmonic motion, mechanical and electromagnetic
waves, acoustics, the nature of light and color, electricity and magnetism, and geometrical
and physical optics. 4 credits, Spring semester
BIO 547. Biology and Biomedical Sciences I + Lab
This 5-credit intensive biology course for post-baccalaureate students covers the
fundamentals of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and microbiology. The course
provides an understanding of cell structure, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, and
gene expression, followed by a thorough study of the principles of inheritance, genetic
disease and mapping, and gene therapy/engineering. Also included are investigations
of pathogens, cancer, and evolution. Fundamentals of biochemistry integrated as a
foundation for CHE 637 in the spring. 5 credits, Fall semester
BIO 548. Biology & Biomedical Sciences II + Lab
This 5-credit continuation of Bio 547 will cover comparative aspects of physiology
and as it generally relates to humans, including disease-related topics. The lab component
includes histology and anatomy explored through mammalian dissection. Course topics
include: Development; Metabolism; Endocrinology; Digestion; Respiration and Gas Transport;
Cardiovascular & Circulation; Nervous system; Muscle types; Renal Function; Immune
System; Neuropsychology & Behavior. 5 credits, Spring semester