Chemistry
Oh Chemistry. How we love to hate you. :) I promise you it won't be too bad.
Chemistry (especially organic chemistry, or as students refer to it, "Orgo") can present a daunting challenge for many undergraduates. However, it doesn't have to be the notorious "weeder" course that stands between you and your future in the scientific and health professions. It is a requirement in most science fields so it is important to understand the basics.
The organic chemistry material that I will cover are designed for those of you intending to go into the biological and health professions. A good number of students who take organic chemistry plan to attend medical school, pharmacy school, or are more interested in organic chemistry's applications to the biological field.
It can be challenging, but it is also very fascinating. When you see the connection of how statins (drugs that reduce cholesterol levels) work to lower a person's risk of coronary heart disease or how ripe bananas release ethylene gas which can ripen fruits, you'll have a stronger appreciation for organic chemistry (hopefully!).
I have divided the Chemistry information into two sections:
Survey of Organic and Biochemistry
This is designed for those of you interested in learning about the foundations of organic and biological chemistry without going into too many complex details. This is for those in the nursing, nutrition, and allied health fields who just need to know the relevant information in organic chemistry for their careers.
Organic chemistry topics and information will include (but are not limited to):
Naming organic compounds
Functional groups and substituents
Properties of organic compounds
Drawing organic structures
Common reactions
Applications of organic chemistry
Biochemistry topics and information will include (but are not limited to):
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Metabolism
Vitamins and Enzymes
Introduction to genetics
Body fluids (such as blood, urine, body water)
Organic Chemistry (Biological focus)
This is designed to be more in depth and will cover more details which you will need for scientific research and encounter in entrance examinations to medical and pharmacy schools. We will begin with a review of organic structure and bonding where we will review electron configurations and the theories describing covalent bonding then address IUPAC nomenclature, acids and bases, organic reactions, spectroscopy, and finish with organic reactions in biochemistry.
Please don't be scared after reading the descriptions! I try to break things down step by step as simply as I can. It's like driving. In the beginning you have to think about hitting the left or right signal to turn or adjusting the speed when driving down the highway by looking back and forth at the speedometer and the road. After you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. You'll be counting the carbons in the beginning, but later on you'll look at an organic compound and say, "Oh, *yawn* that's just 1-chloro-2,2,-dimethylpropane." haha
Chemistry (especially organic chemistry, or as students refer to it, "Orgo") can present a daunting challenge for many undergraduates. However, it doesn't have to be the notorious "weeder" course that stands between you and your future in the scientific and health professions. It is a requirement in most science fields so it is important to understand the basics.
The organic chemistry material that I will cover are designed for those of you intending to go into the biological and health professions. A good number of students who take organic chemistry plan to attend medical school, pharmacy school, or are more interested in organic chemistry's applications to the biological field.
It can be challenging, but it is also very fascinating. When you see the connection of how statins (drugs that reduce cholesterol levels) work to lower a person's risk of coronary heart disease or how ripe bananas release ethylene gas which can ripen fruits, you'll have a stronger appreciation for organic chemistry (hopefully!).
I have divided the Chemistry information into two sections:
Survey of Organic and Biochemistry
This is designed for those of you interested in learning about the foundations of organic and biological chemistry without going into too many complex details. This is for those in the nursing, nutrition, and allied health fields who just need to know the relevant information in organic chemistry for their careers.
Organic chemistry topics and information will include (but are not limited to):
Naming organic compounds
Functional groups and substituents
Properties of organic compounds
Drawing organic structures
Common reactions
Applications of organic chemistry
Biochemistry topics and information will include (but are not limited to):
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Metabolism
Vitamins and Enzymes
Introduction to genetics
Body fluids (such as blood, urine, body water)
Organic Chemistry (Biological focus)
This is designed to be more in depth and will cover more details which you will need for scientific research and encounter in entrance examinations to medical and pharmacy schools. We will begin with a review of organic structure and bonding where we will review electron configurations and the theories describing covalent bonding then address IUPAC nomenclature, acids and bases, organic reactions, spectroscopy, and finish with organic reactions in biochemistry.
Please don't be scared after reading the descriptions! I try to break things down step by step as simply as I can. It's like driving. In the beginning you have to think about hitting the left or right signal to turn or adjusting the speed when driving down the highway by looking back and forth at the speedometer and the road. After you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. You'll be counting the carbons in the beginning, but later on you'll look at an organic compound and say, "Oh, *yawn* that's just 1-chloro-2,2,-dimethylpropane." haha