Course Description

Chemistry and various life processes are perceived as independent concepts, with chemistry widely known as a weed-out/challenging subject. However, chemistry serves as a foundation for a couple of life processes that occur in our bodies. In our Chem-Life and Bioscience class, we will delve into the intricate connections between chemistry and biological activities. We will aim to shed light on how the various functional groups and chemical reactions control life processes. While there is no prerequisite for this course, your high school introductory Biology and chemistry knowledge will be highly valued and can enhance your learning. Although I will provide short lectures on the content, a substantial part of each class will be devoted to hands-on, experiential learning. You are encouraged to actively participate in class and collaborate with your peers. Weekly assignments will be provided to further reinforce your understanding.

Texts

We will use the books listed below, but students are not supposed to buy them.

• Nelson, Cox, Hoskins; "Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry" MacMillan Learning
• Solomons' Organic Chemistry by Craig B. Fryhle, Scott A. Snyder, and T. W. Graham Solomons

These books are suggested readings materials. The short lecture notes I will provide will be comprehensive and sufficient for the course. All the other reading materials will be available on Canvas.

Requirements

For this course, students will be graded on:

1. Attendance
2. Class Participation
3. Weekly in-class assignments (Total of 13 assignments but would graded on their best 10 assignments)
4. At least 1500 words reflection final essay on how Chemistry controls biological activities in our body

About the Instructor(s): Kwabena Dabie

Kwabena Dabie, a PhD Candidate and teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at UNM, is a respected figure in the field of Organic and Biological Chemistry. His expertise in teaching was acknowledged when he was honored with the UNM Outstanding Teaching Assistant for the 2023-2024 academic year. Also, the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest prestigious scientific organization and the premier home of chemistry professionals, has recognized him as a talented graduate student in chemical science and his exemplary achievements, and outstanding efforts in research and safety mentoring in 2024. With a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, he is currently engrossed in research on metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, a field that not only intrigues him but also inspires his commitment to making a difference.