BioC 4960/5960

Course Description:

Synopsis: Humans are now faced with hard choices regarding carbon dioxide emissions, oil pollution, dwindling fossil fuel reserves, and supporting the growing population on earth. Biochemistry as the central discipline in dealing with these problems will be the focus of this course. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere primarily by enzymatic fixation by plants and bacteria. Can this be enhanced and used industrially to produce our fuels and chemicals? Can we harvest energy from the sun to make sufficient fuels, chemicals and food for the world's population? Can biology be used to create materials and energy resources with greater efficiency and less pollution? This course will describe fundamental biochemical processes relevant to these questions and offer ideas for biotechnological solutions to these pressing problems.

Format: Lecture and problem-based learning assignments. Some guest lectures by experts in individual fields; at least one will be from industry.

Readings: No textbook needs to be purchased. Readings will be from publicly-available papers and websites.

Grading: 70% based on assignments; 30% on exams