Description: (Formerly numbered Biomedical Engineering C204.) Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours; outside study, seven hours. Requisites: Chemistry 20A, 20B, 30A, Life Sciences 2, 3, 23L. To understand biological materials and design synthetic replacements, it is imperative to understand their physical chemistry. Biomacromolecules such as protein or DNA can be analyzed and characterized by applying fundamentals of polymer physical chemistry. Investigation of polymer structure and conformation, bulk and solution thermodynamics and phase behavior, polymer networks, and viscoelasticity. Application of engineering principles to problems involving biomacromolecules such as protein conformation, solvation of charged species, and separation and characterization of biomacromolecules. Concurrently scheduled with course C104. Letter grading.

Units: 4.0