In my opinion (Prof. Yarger), the learning technique that works best for any scientific or mathematical subject/topic is problem solving and/or direct application of the concepts and techniques being taught (‘learn by doing‘). A teacher, instructor and/or professor can provide material, help with abstract or complex concepts, provide examples and work tons of example problems, HOWEVER, this really does little to help students really learn and remember the subject/topic in the long term. Students directly working tons and tons of problems and developing better and better problem solving skills is really one of the keys to learning. Basically, its this professors opinion that the vast majority of students learn by doing not by watching.
The suggested problems below are meant to show the real world application of the fundamental subject matter covered in biophysical chemistry (specifically BCH 341). The primary source for suggested homework this semester (spring 2019) will come from P. Atkin and J. De Paula, Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences, 2nd Ed. textbook. This textbook provides a good set of discussion questions, practical exercise problems and projects which we feel combine to make a complete and good set of problems to ‘learn by doing’.
BCH 341 – Spring 2019
- MODULE 0 – Background Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics and Mathematics
- Atkins, Fundamentals: 5, 7, 9, 27, 28, 31, 33
- Allen, Chapter 1: Problems 1, 2, 6 & 10
- Tinoco, Chapter 1: Problems 1 & 2
- MODULE 1 – 1st Law of Thermodynamics
- Atkins, Chapter 1: Problems 1, 5, 7, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42 & 47
- Allen, Chapter 2: Problems 5, 9, 14 & 16.
- MODULE 2 – 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
- Atkins, Chapter 2, Problems 2, 3, 6, 11, 19, 24, 30, 31 & 32
- Allen, Chapter 3, Problems 5, 14, 15 & 17
- MODULE 3 – Phase Equilibria
- Atkins, Chapter 3, Problems 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 20, 21 31, 38, 39 & 40
- Allen, Chapter 4, Problems 3, 8, 16, 18 & 20
- MODULE 4 – Chemical Equilibria
- Atkins, Chapter 4, Problems 1, 5, 7, 12, 14, 21, 22, 29, 33, 40 & 50
- Allen, Chapter 5, Problems 6, 7, 12, 13 & 18
- MODULE 5 – Thermodynamics of Ion & Electron Transport
- Atkins, Chapter 5, Problems 2, 6, 10, 12, 17, 23, 27, 35, 50, 51 & 52
- Allen, Chapter 6, Problems 2, 8, 9, 12, 15 & 16
- MODULE 6 – Kinetics of Life Processes
- Atkins, Chapter 6, Problems 1, 2, 6, 19, 29, 39 & 42
- Atkins, Chapter 7, Problems 1, 2, 18, 38 & 40
- Allen, Chapter 7, Problems 1, 8, 13, 16 & 19.
- MODULE 7 – Comprehensive Biological Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- Atkins, Chapter 8, Problems 1 & 42
- COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW – FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
Atkins refers to P. Atkin and J. De Paula, Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences, 2nd Ed. textbook.
Allen refers to J.P. Allen, BioPhysical Chemistry, Wiley-Blackwell, 1st Ed. textbook.
Tinoco refers to I. Tinoco, et.al., Physical Chemistry: Principles and Applications in Biological Sciences, 5th Ed. textbook.
BioPchem 