Fall, even-numbered years

2008 course starts October 30.

GOALS FOR THE COURSE: You should learn basic uses of IR and optical spectroscopy to study macromolecules. Electromagnetic waves (light) are used by biological organisms for energy, for seeing and for sensing heat.  Some organisms can produce light. Understanding how life is dependent upon light requires us to understand at some level how light interacts with matter.  We are emphasizing understanding principles, rather than have you memorize facts.  We will demonstrate some of the instruments available for use in our department but this course is not designed to teach you how to use particular instruments.  Because we will be having a minisymposium on water in the Spring, we will be giving examples how water interactions with biological molecules can be detected by spectroscopy.

HOW THE COURSE WILL BE RUN: We will be giving you homework and your grade for the course will be based upon the homework and class participation.  We encourage you to do the homework with someone and you are free to ask anyone you want about the homework. Please use a word processor to answer the questions – no handwritten papers.  The homework is absolutely due on the given date.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR THIS COURSE:
Physics:  Energy diagram, Uncertainty principle, Boltzmann equation
Chemistry: Functional groups: amide, ketone, aldehyde, acid, alcohol, hydrogen bond
Biology:  Amino acids, nucleic acids

Lecture

Topics

Lecturer

1

Basic Principles

Vanderkooi

2

What influences absorbance and fluorescence spectra?

3

What influences fluorescence and phosphorescence decay?

4

Discussion of homework

5

Vibrational spectroscopy

6

Vibrational spectroscopy applications

7

Discussion of homework

8

Photosynthesis

9

Bioluminescence

10

Discussion of homework

11

Examples of neat experiments

12

Demonstration of instruments

13

Special topic or excursion