SCHEDULE | CHEM 3521: Biochemistry I |
Course Description: How did life begin? This deceptively simple question demands scientific reasoning at the limits of evidence. We do not know the answer—someday we will.
The question resists conventional disciplinary boundaries, requiring the integration of concepts from chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and planetary sciences. This course will teach students to think critically and analytically about scientific reasoning broadly and the origins of life specifically. We will study common logical fallacies alongside useful logical constructs, evaluating competing models—including the RNA World, Clay World, Vent World, Metabolism-First, and Chemical Evolution models. Students will learn to evaluate claims rigorously, identify hidden assumptions, and examine how scientific models can illuminate understanding or constrain it. This class is designed for chemists, biochemists, biologists, geologists, physicists, and engineers willing to engage with some of science’s hardest and most consequential questions.
Background Knowledge: This course is directed at students from a broad variety of backgrounds. Students are expected learn and know chemical structures and principles as directed by the Professor and outlined on the course calendar.
Communication and Interaction: Canvas, email, office hours and the course homepage (here) will be important for exchanging information. Students are invited to meet weekly at office hours (coffee provided by the professor) at coffee shops nearby to Tech. The PI's office is also an option.
Grades: This course is intended to be safe, informative, helpful, and fun. There are no exams. Grades are determined by class participation only. To receive a grade of A, a student must obtain a 90% average. To receive a grade of B, a student must obtain a 80% average.
Class Participation: This class will run like a group meeting. Before each class session, students are expected to read a short narrative and come prepared for discussion. Participation is evaluated throughout the semester to reward active engagement. Each class meeting is worth 100 participation points, with 50 base points automatically awarded for being present, attentive, and prepared, and up to 50 additional points earned through active, high-quality participation.
A high participation grade reflects the quality of thought and level of engagement a student brings to class. Excellent participation includes contributing insightful or creative ideas about the assigned reading, posing questions that advance understanding, connecting concepts across lectures and disciplines, and responding constructively to the ideas of others. Grades will be posted regularly on Canvas throughout the semester. If you have any questions regarding the basis of a specific grade, please contact the professor within 24 hours of posting.
Extra credit will be afforded for small group presentations to be conducted during the time allocated to the final exam..
Students are expected to attend each lecture unless there is a compelling reason to miss. Students are expected to check their email, monitor the course syllabus, and the course Canvas page. Students are expected to read the assigned material before class.
Course Materials: All materials required for this course will be posted on this page. There is no textbook.
Accommodation: Any student requiring special accommodation should confer with the Professor and consult with Disability Services.
Honor Code: In this class we will adhere to the Georgia Tech Honor Code. However, students are allowed to collaborate and should feel free to work together. Plagiarism is not allowed. For any written assignmet, each student must compile and write-up their own work.
Instructor Information:
Professor: Loren Williams
Office: Room 1309 IBB
Website: here
Office Hours: Immediately after class
Email Protocol: Please send email directly, not through Canvas (even if the instructor sends email through Canvas). Please put the following information in the subject line:
Origins of Life, firstname lastname, subject
Example: Origins of Life, Marie Curie, request for radiation badge.
| Date | Meeting Number |
Topic | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 14 | 1 | The Nature of Science and the Origins of Life | Kuhn / OOL |
| Monday, October 19 | 2 | The Central Molecule | Water |
| Wednesday, October 21 | 3 | Logical Fallacies 1 | Foresight |
| Monday, October 26 | 4 | Logical Fallacies 2 | Continuity |
| Wednesday, October 28 | 5 | Logical Fallacies 3 | Survivorship Bias |
| Monday, November 2 | 6 | Logical Constructs 1 | Emergence |
| Wednesday, November 4 | 7 | Logical Constructs 2 | Evolution |
| Thursday, November 5 | 8 | Logical Constructs 3 | Networking |
| Monday, November 9 | 9 | Large Molecules | Polymers |
| Wednesday, November 11 | 10 | Chirality | Homochirality |
| Monday, November 16 | 11 | OOL Models | Worlds |
| Wednesday, November 18 | 12 | Motivation | Centrality |
| Tuesday, November 24 | 13 | Student Presentations (3:30-6:30) |