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Chemistry & Biochemistry

Biochemistry 2280

Professor: Boffa, McLaughlin, Heinemann

Description: An introduction to biochemistry with emphasis on protein structure and function, intermediary metabolism and nucleic acid structure and function

Past exams: Click here

Our Feedback:​

  • Study lecture notes, use study guide!

  • I took this course in summer 2020 (first time it was offered as a fully online course) but with a different professor

  • Exam was proctored using ProctorTrack (unsure if they will use it during the year as there were many technical difficulties with using this software) 

  • Buy the White booklet from the bookstore - it contains great course notes and practice/past exam questions 

  • They test heavily from lecture, not so much from textbook (textbook is VERY thick, might not be worth it to read through it all if you’re short on time)

Organic Chemistry 2213

Professor: Workentin

Description: An introduction to the basic concepts of structure, stereochemistry and reactions in organic chemistry with an emphasis on its connections to the biological, health or medical sciences.

Textbook Readings Required: Yes

Past exams: make use of the exams at the end of your lab manual

Our Feedback:​

  • Do as many practice problems as possible; don't just memorize the different reactions but know how to apply them to many different situations; use the model kit as it's really helpful for your understanding

  • Although orgo 1 is one of the heaviest second year courses, Prof. Workentin makes learning the material an absolute joy

  • He always emphasizes the big picture and understanding why reactions proceed the way they do; prioritize understanding over brute memorization

  • The textbook is very useful in supplying missed information and the assigned questions are highly recommended 

  • Both the exam and midterm were very fair if you had practiced with sample questions at the end of the lab manual

  • The labs were easy and enjoyable. Reiterate concepts taught in class

Organic Chemistry 2223

Professor: Pagenkopf

Description: An examination of the chemistry of naturally occurring molecules, emphasizing organic compounds of importance in the Biological and Health Sciences

Textbook Readings Required: No

Past exams: make use of the exams at the end of your lab manual

Our Feedback:​

  • Orgo 2 is essentially a continuation of Orgo 1, where many of the learned reaction mechanisms are applied to all four of the major biochemical macromolecules

  • Emphasizes memorization more than Orgo 1 (similar to biochemistry 2280)

  • No textbook is needed; class slides are the only testable material, along with lab experiments

  • While the midterm is fairly easy to do well on, the final exam is cumulative and covers over 250 slides which often causes a drop in the class average. Be prepared for the exam by practicing the provided questions and past exams in the lab manual

  • The labs were easy and enjoyable. Reiterate concepts taught in class

  • Note: Many students take Chem 2223 as it is a prerequisite to Medicinal Chemistry 3393B

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