Faculty of Arts & Science
Biochemistry

What is Biochemistry?

Biochemistry is the study of all living systems at the molecular level. It looks at the chemical and physical basis of life and how these microcosms interact with their environments.

It is a demanding field that combines expertise in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Versatility and intense curiosity are the hallmarks of successful Biochemists, as they draw on knowledge from a variety of fields to investigate the molecules that facilitate life.

From the structure, function and dynamics of molecular machines, to the complex regulation of metabolic pathways and biological processes, Biochemists study the extraordinary molecules that are produced and utilized by living systems. As a consequence, many of the most spectacular advances in the sciences are often driven by discoveries in Biochemistry.

The Biochemistry program will help you develop a strong background in the basic sciences and extensive laboratory skills, while emphasizing the chemical and physical basis of life. As a Biochemistry student, you will gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and technology used in Chemistry, Physics and Biological Sciences, such as molecular biology, protein crystallography and advanced biophysics. You will also develop skills in molecular techniques like DNA sequencing, gene cloning and enzymology.

Additionally, you will have access to state-of-the-art science and research facilities. These facilities support the research interests of our award-winning Faculty - your instructors - as they investigate diverse areas such as cancer research, toxicology, crystallography, bioinformatics and molecular modelling, as well as applied research in medicine, disease research and food development.

Program Planning Session for Chem & Bchm majors

Registration for Summer and Fall 2013 will be starting March 21, 2013 and end April 10, 2013. The online timetable will be available for viewing on approximately February 20, 2013.

To help Chem & Bchm majors make informed choices about what classes to take, the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is having an information session.

How to make the most out of your Program
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
4:40 - 6:30pm
C674
UHall

Faculty members will go over the Program Planning Guides (PPG), identifying which courses must be taken in sequence and what courses are more flexible. This will help you to avoid delays due to lacking pre-requisites, so you can complete your degree in four years.

Please note that your course registration may be cancelled without notification if you lack the course prerequisite(s). Course prerequisites are listed with the other course information in the online and paper timetables. In unique circumstances, students lacking the prerequisite(s) for a course may apply for a waiver. Registration dates online notice

Individual program planning advice will be available for students after the presentation, so bring your completed PPG, tentative timetable for Spring 2013 and Faculty can point out potential scheduling problems.

You can also ask Faculty members about different opportunities to gain lab and research experience while you are a student and careers where you can use your degree.

If you are unable to attend the Program Planning Session but would like advice on your program, please visit the Dept. office in E866 and Susan can book an appointment for you.

Chemistry & Biochemistry 4000 Courses

These are tentative course outlines and are subject to change.

Advanced Chemistry or Biochemistry courses can be taken more than once provided the content, as identified by the title, is different in any two offerings. Chemistry or Biochemistry 4000 courses are usually offered each semester and offerings will normally not be repeated within a two-year cycle (e.g. Practical Spectroscopy and Advanced Molecular Modeling were offered in Spring 2008 and will not be offered again until at least 2010).

Click on the text for a PDF of the course outline or contact the professor for more information about the course. Some courses are scheduled to be taught in the next calendar year. This is indicated by the semester and year in brackets after the professor's name.

Fall 2013

• Chemistry 4000A: Practical NMR Spectroscopy - Dr. Paul Hazendonk
• Chemistry 4000B - Dr. Marc Roussel
• Biochemistry 4000A - Dr. H.J. Wieden

Spring 2013

• Chemistry 4000B - Dr. Wetmore (Spring 2013)

BIOCHEMISTRY
Biochemistry of Antibiotic Activity
Contemporary Methods in Biochemistry - Drs. Kothe, Mosimann, Wieden
Enzyme Structure and Mechanism – Dr. Ute Kothe
Nanomachines in Biochemistry - Dr. Ute Kothe
RNA Biochemistry Structural Biology and Bioinformatics

CHEMISTRY
Advanced Computational Chemistry – Dr. Stacey Wetmore
Advanced Contemporary Chemistry - Dr. Peter Dibble
Advanced Kinetics and Reaction Dynamics – Dr. Marc Roussel
Advanced Organic Chemistry – Dr. Peter Dibble
Chemical Applications of Group Theory – Dr. Michael Gerken
Crystallography - Dr. René Boeré
Foundations of Chemical Kinetics - Dr. Marc Roussel (Fall 2012)
Fluorine Chemistry - Dr. Michael Gerken
Introduction to Molecular Modeling – Dr. Stacey Wetmore
Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry – Dr. Paul Hayes
Modeling Biochemical Reaction Networks - Dr. Marc Roussel
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy – Dr. Paul Hazendonk
Principles of Electrochemistry and EPR Spectroscopy - Dr. René Boeré
Organometallic Chemistry – Dr. Paul Hayes
Statistical Mechanics – Dr. Marc Roussel