Implementing a Literature-Based, Problem-Solving Course Bridging Mechanistic Organic Chemistry, Enzyme Transformations, and Biomedical Applications

• Brandy A. Smith ^[1] ; Andria J. Hendricks ^[1] ; Averi McFarland ^[1] ; Robert W. Holman ^[1] ; Kenneth J. Rodnick ^[1]
  1. [1] Idaho State University

     Idaho State University

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 97, Nº 2, 2020, págs. 592-594
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • A chemistry course designed as an elective for chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and pharmaceutical science majors is described. The course is designed for second- through fourth-year undergraduate students. The prerequisite is first-semester, second-year undergraduate organic chemistry with the second semester of the organic sequence as a corequisite. The emphasis is on the mechanistic organic chemistry of enzyme transformations. An inductive approach is utilized in which students are initially taught an array of mechanistic probe experiments and learn how to design and implement these experiments to elucidate mechanisms. The intent of this research/hypothesis-driven approach is to enable students to propose experiments to test premises. After proposing probe experiments, the students will receive data so that, upon their interpretation of the data, they can propose potential mechanism(s) and defend their proposals. The primary chemical literature is emphasized throughout the course. Potential syllabi, a detailed overview of the applicable mechanistic probe experiments, multiple problem sets for distribution to students (with a faculty answer guide), a listing of 40 appropriate primary literature research articles utilized in the course, a listing of additional resources, and an extensive student study guide (reviewing applicable organic chemistry and biochemistry review principles) are all provided in the Supporting Information.