Introduction

Mission Statement

 

Department of Biochemistry was established in 1950 during the founding period of Taipei Medical University. On August 1^st, 2014 the name was changed to "Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology". Its primary purpose is teaching chemistry and biochemistry related courses in the university. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology belongs to the School of Medicine, but its courses are covered in most schools of the university, including the School of Medicine, College of Oral Medicine, School of Pharmacy, College of Public Health and Nutrition, College of Medical Science and Technology, and College of Nursing. Our aims are to implement the establishment of chemical-related knowledge and skills of medical education, to converge smoothly with various departments of the university students to attend professional courses and clinical courses, and to develop the student’s logical thinking, active learning attitude and ability to solve problems themselves.

Location

The department was located on 2F and 3F in the 型態大樓 (now building of the College of Medical Science and Technology), and moved to 11F of the United Medical Building after its completion in April 2005, according to the school planning. Regarding teaching space, the department is responsible for management of chemistry and biochemistry related laboratories teaching curriculum where it can accommodate 160 students for experimental courses.  The main laboratory courses include general chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Further studies also support the experimental operation of the course during winter and summer camps.

 

Characteristic

1. Subject Diversities

This subject is responsible for providing basic chemistry lessons to six colleges of undergraduate schools including: School of Medicine, College of Oral Medicine, School of Pharmacy, College of Public Health and Nutrition, College of Medical Science and Technology, and College of Nursing. The subject contains general chemistry, general chemistry experiment, analysis chemistry, analytical chemistry experiment, chemistry, organic chemistry experiment, biochemistry, biochemistry and biochemical experiments integration courses, undergraduate courses totaling 66 commencements. Teachers of the subject assist the Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences to provide 7 doctoral courses and 14 master class courses. With its diversities, the subject is the course most taken by students of the medical school.

2. Spatial integrity

Located on the 11th floor of the United Medical Building, every teacher has an individual office, and planning three separated researching areas, including the general and analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry research. In addition, three cell compartments, one chemical storeroom, utility equipment rooms, a darkroom, four seminar rooms, and various other resources are concentrated for easy access and operation.

 

3. Well-equipped

Teaching facilities:

The Chemical laboratory of the Department is equipped with teaching facilities: laboratory equipment video systems can provide synchronous teaching photography. The students’ experimental courses include general chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. The department also provides newly purchased equipment for students to accommodate new curriculum reform.

Research Equipment:

The department has modern chemistry teaching laboratories and areas for precious instruments. Excluding instruments used for teaching purposes, there are also a variety of important instruments for research purposes, such as: ICP, AA, GC, HPLC, Rotary evaporator, FTIR, UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, Melting point analyzer, Laminar hood…etc. The instruments are well-equipped. The common equipment room on the 11th floor of equipment includes: ELISA reader, Gel documentation, PCR machine, Water purification system, High-speed centrifuge, tabletop cold centrifuge, Flow cytometer, UV/Vis Spectrophotometer, etc., for teachers and students to provide the best adequacy of the research environment.