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About this course

Principles of Biochemistry integrates an introduction to the structure of macromolecules and a biochemical approach to cellular function. Topics addressing protein function will include enzyme kinetics, the characterization of major metabolic pathways and their interconnection into tightly regulated networks, and the manipulation of enzymes and pathways with mutations or drugs. An exploration of simple cells (red blood cells) to more complex tissues (muscle and liver) will be used as a framework to discuss the progression in metabolic complexity. Learners will also develop problem solving and analytical skills that are more generally applicable to the life sciences.

What you’ll learn

The structure and function of the chemical building blocks of life
How to navigate protein structures using PyMOL
The central role of enzymes in catalyzing the reactions of life
The primary metabolic pathways that power cells
The intricate mechanisms that regulate cellular metabolism
The integration of biochemical processes in the context of cells, tissues, and whole organisms

Prerequisites

College-level Introductory Biology
College-level Introductory General Chemistry, including basic Organic Chemistry

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Meet your instructors

Alain Viel

Senior Lecturer, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University
Alain Viel is Director of Undergraduate Research and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University. He received a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology of Development from Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, France (Paris VI) and did his postdoctoral work at Harvard University. He teaches research-based courses as well as courses in molecular biology and biochemistry. He is a founding member of BioVisions, a collaboration between scientists, teaching faculty, students, and multimedia professionals that focuses on science visualization. He is the co-author of the award winning animation series “The Inner Life of the Cell.”

Rachelle Gaudet

Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University
Rachelle Gaudet received a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Université de Montréal, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University, and did her postdoctoral work at Harvard University. She has been on the faculty in Harvard’s Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology since 2002, where she does research in structural biology of membrane proteins and teaches biochemistry and physical chemistry for the life sciences. In her research, she use x-ray crystallography and biochemistry to provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms of transport and signaling proteins that play important roles in immunity, neuronal development, pain perception, and hearing.

About this course

Structure determines so much about a material: its properties, its potential applications, and its performance within those applications. This course from MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering explores the structure of a wide variety of materials with current-day engineering applications.

The course begins with an introduction to amorphous materials. We explore glasses and polymers, learn about the factors that influence their structure, and learn how materials scientists measure and describe the structure of these materials.

Then we begin a discussion of the crystalline state, exploring what it means for a material to be crystalline, how we describe directions in a crystal, and how we can determine the structure of crystal through x-ray diffraction. We explore the underlying crystalline structures that underpin so many of the materials that surround us. Finally, we look at how tensors can be used to represent the properties of three-dimensional materials, and we consider how symmetry places constraints on the properties of materials.

We move on to an exploration of quasi-, plastic, and liquid crystals. Then, we learn about the point defects that are present in all crystals, and we will learn how the presence of these defects lead to diffusion in materials. Next, we will explore dislocations in materials. We will introduce the descriptors that we use to describe dislocations, we will learn about dislocation motion, and will consider how dislocations dramatically affect the strength of materials. Finally, we will explore how defects can be used to strengthen materials, and we will learn about the properties of higher-order defects such as stacking faults and grain boundaries.

 

What you’ll learn

  • How we characterize the structure of glasses and polymers
  • The principles of x-ray diffraction that allow us to probe the structure of crystals
  • How the symmetry of a material influences its materials properties
  • The properties of liquid crystals and how these materials are used in modern display technologies
  • How defects impact numerous properties of materials—from the conductivity of semiconductors to the strength of structural materials

XSeries Program in Materials for Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Devices

Discover the materials and devices that power our modern world

Structure of Materials
Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials
Electrical, Optical & Magnetic Materials and Devices
Capstone Exam – Materials for Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Devices
4 1 year 8 - 11 hours per week
Complete Program $540.00
Program Details

Prerequisites

  • University-level chemistry
  • Single-variable calculus
  • Some basic linear algebra

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners from one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. EdX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

Meet your instructors

Silvija Gradečak

Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jessica Sandland

Lecturer & Digital Learning Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jessica Sandland is a Lecturer in the Department of Material Science and Engineering and an MITx Digital Learning Scientist. Jessica leads online learning initiatives in DMSE, creating MOOCs and designing blended courses for MIT students. She has coordinated the development of a wide variety of DMSE’s online courses.