ChemformationChemformationVolume 12, Number 15
Friday, April 12, 1996
Next Issue: Friday, April 19, 1996. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, April 16. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Earle, Room 18-393, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-4080; 617/258-7500 (fax) or e-mail to lkn@mit.edu. Back issues of Chemformation can be accessed via the Chemistry Department Website.
Visit the Chemistry Department Website at http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/www/
SEMINAR CALENDAR
Congratulations!!
Congratulations to Marcus Sarofim, '96 for receiving the American Institute of Chemists Award, given in recognition of a demonstrated record of ability, leadership, and professional promise.
Biological Chemistry Added as a Required Course for Chemistry Majors!
Recent breakthroughs in biological chemistry, molecular medicine, and biotechnology have altered our lives. In recognition of the increasing importance of biochemical principles to society, and particularly to preparation for professional careers and graduate study in all areas of chemistry, the Department has revised the requirements for the Major in Chemistry. Biological Chemistry (Chemistry 5.07) will be a required lecture subject, and 5.64 (Biophysical Chemistry) will be added to the list of restricted electives.
Biological Chemistry 5.07 provides an introduction to the structure, reactivity, and mechanisms of biological macromolecules found in living organisms. Emphasis is placed on the structure of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and membranes, the relationship of conformation to mechanism, thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, the biochemical mechanisms and logic of metabolic pathways, and the mechanisms of information transfer in the living cell. Next fall 5.07 will again be taught by Professors Klibanov and Stern.
Biophysical Chemistry 5.64 covers protein and nucleic acid structure, introduction to X-ray crystallography and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of protein folding, and principles of protein-nucleic acid interactions. The course is based on an understanding of the forces that shape macromolecular structure, including bonding, van der Waals and electrostatic interactions. Jamie Williamson and Carl Pabo will be teaching 5.64 again next fall. Biological Chemistry 5.07 will be required beginning with the Class of 2000, and 5.64 will be included as a restricted elective beginning with the Class of 1996.
The revised requirements for the Chemistry major are:
Sign up for Chemical Abstracts Online Search Workshop
The science library and STN/CAS is offering an online search workshop for students, postdocs, visiting scientists, and faculty in the departments of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials sicence on Wednesday, April 24 from 9:00 to 4:00 pm in Room 14-0645 in the Hayden Library basement. Since space in the training room and the number of pc's is limited, preference will be given to those who can attend the entire day, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please register by contacting Heahyun Yoo, Assistant Librarian for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Room 14S-144, MIT Science Library , ext. 3-3528, or email: hyoo@mit.edu.
Applications Sought for the Kristin E. Finnegan Prize for Outstanding Instruction in Writing to Undergraduates by a Graduate Student
This award was established in memory of Kristen E. Finnegan who was a graduate student in Architecture and an outstanding teacher of writing, both as the Phase Two reader for that department and as a Writing Fellow teaching in the Writing Practicum. It is hoped that this award will honor her memory by both recognizing and encouraging the efforts of graduate students throughout the Institute in helping undergraduates to write well. All MIT students enrolled in any MIT affiliated graduate program are eligible including students officially enrolled in joint/undergraduate/graduate degree programs. Any member of the MIT community may nominate a graduate student for the prize and nominations should consist of a letter describing the nominee's specific achievements in helping undergraduates to improve their writing and speaking skills, and any relevant supporting materials (e.g., student evaluations, letters from students, examples of comments on student papers). Nominations should be sent to: Kristen E. Finnegan Prize: c/o the Committee on the Writing Requirement, Room 20B-140.
Faculty Positions