CHEM 4830
Bioorganic Chemistry
This course presents a molecule-centered perspective on the current state of the art in antibiotic drug discovery and natural products chemistry. The molecular mechanisms of antibiotic drug action and pathogen resistance will be covered along with the biosynthetic origins of antibiotics from plants and microbes. The course is taught from the perspective of understanding how organic chemistry plays out in biological systems, with an emphasis on small organic molecules and enzymes. Curved arrow mechanisms will be used frequently in learning activities and assignments. A working knowledge of protein structure and function is helpful. Students are encouraged (but not required) to take General Biochemistry I and/or General Biochemistry II in preparation for this course. Students will be responsible for writing a review article on an assigned antibiotic molecule and presenting their paper to the class.
Instructors
Reviews
Rating Chem 481: Tim is smart, but he expects too much from his students. He covers multiple chapters of a textbook in 1 lecture and is ambiguous about what will be covered on the exams. The entire Biochem 1/2 series is an absolute mess and the only way to succeed is to memorize the textbook.
4/15/2024
Rating Chem 481:\nTim is smart, but he expects too much from his students. He covers multiple chapters of a textbook in 1 lecture and is ambiguous about what will be covered on the exams. The entire Biochem 1/2 series is an absolute mess and the only way to succeed is to memorize the textbook.
4/15/2024
Professor Wencewicz brings enthusiasm and curiosity to every lecture. He is an expert in antibiotics and bioorganic chemistry, running a research lab in the field. Start the paper early and seek feedback often. Even from just attending lecture and reading the textbook, you will learn so much from this class. The paper is just the cherry on top.
12/28/2022
Took Orgo II as well as Bioorganic Chem with him. Super nice guy, good lecturer, clear expectations. If you need to take a chem elective, take Bioorganic with him for sure.
11/21/2018
Great class! I took bioorganic chemistry, and it was all based on antibiotics. There are a couple recommended textbooks, but there are also a lot of literature papers provided.
1/30/2015