2018-2019 Academic Catalog

May 06, 2024

2018-2019 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CHEM 289 - Research Methods

Deals with the application of analytical tools widely used in the laboratory. Topics include NMR, EPR, IR, Raman, UV-visible, mass and fluorescence spectroscopy, chromatography, electrophoresis, electrochemistry and other techniques. Emphasizes practical knowledge for data interpretation and instrument operation. Quarter-credit courses lasting four to five weeks are offered periodically. May be repeatable for credit.

FALL 2018 Topics:
INSTRUMENTATION: Performing bioluminecence assays to measure kinase activity and effect of small molecule kinase inhibitor using Spectramax M5. In this course, you will get acquainted with a gold standard instrument used in a majority of industrial and academic laboratories, the Spectramax M5 plate reader. This instrument can do measurements of luminescence, time-resolved fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, and Homogeneous Time Resolved Fluorescence, in addition to measuring standard absorbance. You will learn to use measure kinase activity using bioluminescence as a readout on the SpectraMax M5, and do an assay to measure the effect of an inhibitor on the kinase activity.
This instrumentation course is recommended for graduate students, and for seniors and juniors who plan to work in an industrial biotech laboratory setting or pursue higher studies. Being able to perform such luminescence / fluorescence-based assays will strengthen your Curriculum Vitae significantly.

LEEPING INTO A SCIENTIFIC CAREER: This course is intended for science students interested in learning how to successfully navigate the job market and secure a scientific job after completing their studies at Clark. Topics to be discussed include searching for job postings, having a professional online presence, assembling an application package, how to prepare for an interview, networking, and now to approach and groom your reference letter writers. Guest speakers from different professional scientific backgrounds will join the class to share their career paths. Attendance and class participation are mandatory.

SCIENTIFIC WRITING AND COMMUNICATIONS: This course aims to help students develop practical skills that are broadly useful within an array of professional and academic settings. Topics to be covered include how to create better figures, posters, presentations, paragraphs, sentences, and written documents such as research proposals.

Prerequisites: CHEM 262 or CHEM 264 or permission.

Anticipated Terms Offered: Offered periodically