This course is based on The Great Courses series of lectures by Professor Kevin Ahern of Oregon State University. Part 1 will cover the first 23 lectures, concerned with biochemistry. We will view and discuss two half-hour lectures each session. The course will cover topics including amino acids, proteins, ATP and energy transformation, carbs and fats, hormones, neurotransmitters, and many others. This will provide the background for Part 2 immediately following, comprising the final 13 lectures on molecular biology and covering topics such as DNA, RNA and protein building, as well as genetic diseases and cancer. Craig Stephan is a retired industrial physicist who has led many previous OLLI courses including The Science of Climate Change, Cosmology, The Aging Brain, Music and the Brain, and Astrophysics. The course will bring in UM experts from time to time to answer questions. See www.thegreatcourses.com/ courses/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology- how-life-works.html. (I found the course preview a little off-putting, but the actual lectures are much better, and Prof. Ahern, with the aid of some good graphics, does a very good job of explaining a complex subject.)

This study group will be held on Tuesdays from October 20 through January 12.

Pre-registration is required via the OLLI website or phone. A link to access the study group will be e-mailed to you approximately one week prior to the first session.