1. Purdue Chemistry for the Life Sciences Curriculum Reform Advisory Committee

2. CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES
PHYSICS
+ EVOLUTION
LIFE SCIENCES

3. WHY DO LIFE-SCIENCE DEPARTMENTS REQUIRE THEIR UNDERGRADUATES TO STUDY CHEMISTRY?
The goal is to ensure that the students possess the understanding of chemistry necessary for a modern biology curriculum
It follows that upper-level life-science courses should be able to depend on mastery of biologically relevant organic chemistry and biochemistry

4. WHY DO LIFE-SCIENCE DEPARTMENTS REQUIRE THEIR UNDERGRADUATES TO STUDY CHEMISTRY?
Increased focus on providing laboratory experience for undergraduate students means an increased necessity for early facility with biochemical concepts

5. NOW 2 semesters of General Chemistry + 2 semesters of laboratory
2 semesters of Organic Chemistry

6. 30 YEARS AGO 2 semesters of General Chemistry +
2 semesters of laboratory
2 semesters of Organic Chemistry

7. NOW
Less than 1/3 of life-science undergraduates study biochemistry--many take the course more than a year after completing organic chemistry
Incomplete coordination of general-chemistry and organic-chemistry curriculum
Insufficient focus on precisely the organic chemistry needed for preparation for biochemistry

8. 30 YEARS AGO
Less than 1/3 of life-science undergraduates study biochemistry--many take the course more than a year after completing organic chemistry
Incomplete coordination of general-chemistry and organic-chemistry curriculum
Insufficient focus on precisely the organic chemistry needed for preparation for biochemistry

9. NOW
No exposure of students to computer-based tools for analysis of structures, reactivity, mechanism, synthesis, etc.
Standard laboratories that lack substantial discovery component

10. 30 YEARS AGO
No exposure of students to computer-based tools for analysis of structures, reactivity, mechanism, synthesis, etc.
Standard laboratories that lack substantial discovery component