Teaching Chemical Biology at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution

Abstract

Chemical biology is a cutting edge subject that is constantly turning out new advances. Many of these advances are particularly interesting as they involve interdisciplinary science and give rise to novel solutions to traditional problems. As chemical biology becomes more established as a field, classes teaching the important concepts of the discipline are needed. Herein is described a chemical biology course that is offered at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) and that is aimed at third and fourth year students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. The material for this course is derived entirely from the primary literature and follows current trends in the field. Currently, the course is divided into four units that reflect four important topics in chemical biology: observing and characterizing protein‐protein interactions involved in transcription, modifying genes and gene expression, bioorthogonal tag and capture studies, and studies involving bacterial quorum sensing. These topics are used to give students a thorough grounding in the types of questions chemical biologists ask, and serve as a basis for introducing students to the techniques that are central to chemical biology. A blended lecture/seminar style is used in this course to accomplish three major course goals: introducing students to relevant techniques in chemical biology, increasing students' ability to read and analyze the current chemical biology literature, and increasing students' ability to present and discuss science with their peers. A discussion of the details of the course (including specific topics covered, assignments given, and grading metrics), and the tactics that have been employed in bringing a traditionally graduate‐level course to an undergraduate setting will be given. Data gathered from student performance and feedback indicate that chemical biology is a valuable and enjoyable course that can be successfully taught to undergraduates at PUIs.