Fall 2026 OLLI Digital Catalog

BASICS OF HUMAN BIOCHEMISTRY: PART 1 (P290)

P – Life Sciences

Prerequisite: Science background is preferable but not required. In the first semester of this three-part course, we learn about the biological properties and structural features of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, polysaccharides, fatty acids, fats, lipids and other components, as well as their functional roles in living organisms. Cellular metabolism, bioenergetics, and enzymatic reactions of several important metabolic pathways will be introduced. Medical, dietary and health-related topics associated with these areas will be discussed.

This offering meets for a total of 13 session(s).

INSTRUCTORS: Howard Barth, Bruce Neff, Dennis Witmer

BARTH, HOWARD G. — B.A. and Ph.D., chemistry, Northeastern University. After a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical chemistry at Hahnemann Medical College, held research positions at Hercules and DuPont. Although retired, continues to publish scientific papers. Previously taught OLLI quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and physics courses.

NEFF, BRUCE — B.S., mathematics, Tulane University, Ph.D., physical chemistry, MIT, postdoctoral fellow at MIT. Retired from DuPont after a long career in research, research management and chemical regulatory management.

WITMER, DENNIS — B.A., chemistry, Messiah University; graduate studies in biochemistry, Kent State University; MD, Jefferson Medical College; general surgery residency ChristianaCare; board certified in general surgery; former chief of surgery, Wilmington Veterans Hospital; former vice chair of surgery, ChristianaCare.

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