The course will introduce the principles of engineering living systems at the atomic, molecular, and cellular levels. Fundamentals covered in the course will include topics such as chemical bonding and reactions; synthesis, structure and function of carbohydrates, polypeptides, nucleic acids, and lipids; as well as analytical and engineering tools for characterization, design, and production of synthetic biological systems. A laboratory component will provide hands on experience including methods important to synthetic biochemistry, protein engineering, cellular reprogramming, and metabolic engineering. Knowledge of college level general chemistry is required. Prerequisite: C or better in BE 1105, BE 1325, BIOL 1441, CHEM 1442, and MATH 2425, or consent of the BE undergraduate advisor.