This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ESI-9819377. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This course explores the nature of biomolecules. This course assumes some prior knowledge of general and organic chemistry. In addition to college-level chemistry, it would be an advantage to have at least one college-level course in biology.

The material in this course deals with the diverse molecules found in living systems. Many are relatively small, whereas others are very large, complex macromolecules. Students will be directed toward programs that they can load on their own computers that will enable them to view the structures of many biomolecules. The nature of enzymes as biological catalysts will also be explored .

There are three courses in this series related to biochemistry. This course examines the nature of the molecules found in cells and living organisms. Energy and Metabolism examines the matrix of reactions that comprise catabolic (energy producing) and anabolic (biosynthetic) metabolism. Molecular Biology examines the transmission and regulation of biological information commonly termed molecular biology. Students with a prior course in biochemistry can probably start any of these courses, but those with a minimal exposure to biochemistry are advised to start with this course.

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