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Academic Services > Health Professions Advising > The Brandeis University Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program > The Curriculum

The Curriculum

Students are expected to have little or no science background. As such, they take two semesters of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics and Biology, along with accompanying laboratories. Post-bacs take courses with undergraduate students, and all of our classes are taught during the day, although some lab and smaller discussion sections may occur in the evenings. Students work closely with the Assistant Dean for Health Professions Advising to create a curriculum that will best serve their needs.  The following are descriptions of the courses taken by most post-bac students.

One Year of General Chemistry with Labs

General Chemistry I (CHEM 11a): A basic course in chemical principles, with examples drawn from the chemistry of living systems as well as from environmental chemistry and materials science. Topics covered include stoichiometry, acid-base chemistry, chemical equilibrium, atomic structure and periodicity, molecular structure and bonding, and states of matter. Three class hours and one ninety-minute recitation per week. In addition, daily tutoring sessions will be available for students seeking extra help.

General Chemistry II (CHEM 11b): A basic course in chemical principles, with examples drawn from the chemistry of living systems as well as from environmental chemistry and materials science. Topics covered include kinetics, properties of solutions, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, coordination compounds, nuclear chemistry, and descriptive chemistry. Three class hours and one ninety-minute recitation per week. In addition, daily tutoring sessions will be available for students seeking extra help.

General Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM 18a): Introduction to basic laboratory methods and methods of qualitative and quantitative analyses. Included in the analytical methods are gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and infrared measurements. A synthesis project that includes analyzing the product by titration. Calorimetric experiment using probes interfaced with computers. Identification of unknowns based on physical and chemical properties. Analysis of the metal content of substances by atomic absorption. One laboratory lecture per week. One afternoon of laboratory per week.

General Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM 18b): Continued use of probes interfaced with computers to monitor pH and electrical conductivity changes in titrating weak monoprotic and polyprotic amino acids, to monitor pressure changes as part of a kinetics study, and to monitor voltage changes of electrochemical cells with temperature so as to establish thermodynamic parameters for redox reactions. Also included is identification of unknowns based on selective precipitation and chromatography.

One Year of Organic Chemistry with Labs

Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 25a): Structure, reactions, preparations, and uses of the compounds of carbon. Three class hours and one ninety-minute recitation per week.

Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 25b):  A continuation of CHEM 25a. Three class hours and one ninety-minute recitation per week.

Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM 29a): Gives experience in the important techniques of organic chemical laboratory practice of isolation and purification of organic compounds by crystallization, distillation, and chromatography, and their characterization using analytical and instrumental methods. One afternoon of laboratory per week. One ninety-minute laboratory lecture per week.

Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM 29b): A continuation of CHEM 29a with an emphasis on the synthesis of typical organic compounds. One afternoon of laboratory per week. One ninety-minute laboratory lecture per week.

One Year of Physics with Labs

Introduction to Physical Laws and Phenomena (PHYS 10a): An introduction to Newtonian mechanics, kinetic theory, and thermodynamics.

Introduction to Physical Laws and Phenomena II (PHYS 10b): An introduction to electricity and magnetism, optics, special theory of relativity, and the structure of the atom.

Introductory Laboratory I (PHYS 18a): Laboratory course consisting of basic physics experiments designed to accompany PHYS 10a. One two-and-a-half-hour laboratory per week. One one-hour lecture per week.

Introductory laboratory II (PHYS 18b): Laboratory course consisting of basic physics experiments designed to accompany PHYS 10b. One two-and-a-half-hour laboratory per week. One one-hour lecture per week.

One Year of Biology with Labs

Genetics and Molecular Biology (BIOL 22a): An introduction to our current understanding of hereditary mechanisms and the cellular and molecular basis of gene transmission and expression.

Cell Structure and Function (BIOL 22b): An introduction to the architecture and function of cells, organelles, and their macromolecular components. Topics include fundamental processes that are common to all cells, and the functions of specialized cells.

General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 18a): Provides firsthand experience with a wide array of organisms and illustrates basic approaches to experimental design and problem solving in genetics and genomics.

General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 18b): Provides firsthand experience with modern molecular biology techniques and illustrates basic approaches to experimental design and problem solving in molecular and cellular biology.