Program Overview

Chemical Biology Program

The Chemical Biology program at Virginia Commonwealth University offers a comprehensive curriculum that explores the structure and function of biological macromolecules from a chemical biology perspective.

Course Offerings

• CHEB 601: Chemical Biology I
  • 3 Hours, semester course; 3 lecture hours, 3 credits
  • Provides an overview of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, including nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates
  • Focuses on thermodynamic properties, energetics of folding, thermodynamics of interactions, and kinetics of catalysis
• CHEB 602: Chemical Biology II
  • 3 Hours, semester course; 3 lecture hours, 3 credits
  • Explores four broad areas of chemical biology: drug discovery, natural product synthesis, signal transduction, and protein translation
  • Includes examples based on current literature
• CHEB 690: Research Seminars in Chemical Biology
  • 1 Hour, semester course; 1 lecture hour, 1 credit
  • May be repeated for credit
  • Seminars presented by students, staff, and visiting lecturers on current problems and developments in chemical biology
  • Graded as P/R
• CHEB 697: Chemical Biology Research Rotations
  • 1-2 Hours, research rotation laboratory course
  • Provides students with different research experiences and allows them to choose a research supervisor
  • Students learn advanced chemical biology research methods in a research lab setting
  • Graded as S/U/F

Research Areas

The program covers various research areas, including:

• Drug discovery
• Natural product synthesis
• Signal transduction
• Protein translation

Program Details

The Chemical Biology program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of chemical biology. The program includes a combination of lecture courses, research seminars, and laboratory rotations, which provide students with hands-on experience in advanced chemical biology research methods.