Introduction

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of living organisms. Biochemists seek a molecular explanation of life by attempting to understand its underlying principles. Biochemistry is concerned with the relevance of a molecule to an organism and the correlations between its structure and its function.
Modern biochemistry grew out of the application of chemical techniques to biological problems and is the foundation of biological science and medicine. In many ways it combines biology and chemistry but the subject now covers such a broad range of activity that it is difficult to draw a neat border around biochemistry. Some of the most exciting areas of current biochemistry research include:

• structural biology
• enzyme mechanisms
• signal transduction
• biotechnology
• cell biology
• gene expression and development
• metabolic diseases
• bioinformatics
• molecular evolution
  

The Biochemistry Specialist Program is academically oriented and designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline. The program offers training in problem solving specifically using a molecular approach. Biochemistry specialists will gain experience in critical thinking and the skills required to evaluate scientific rationale. Frequently, students who have completed a B.Sc. in biochemistry continue their studies in graduate programs in Biochemistry and other biological sciences. Graduates from either the undergraduate or graduate programs often find employment in research and teaching. Employers include universities and colleges, government laboratories, clinical biochemistry laboratories, forensic laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and many other industries. Knowledge of biochemistry is also helpful in other areas such as marketing, finance, and law. Some biochemistry graduates continue their studies in medicine, dentistry or other health related programs.

Undergraduate Coordinator: R. R. Baker, roy.baker@utoronto.ca

Enquiries: Medical Sciences Building, Room 5207 (416-978-2700)
Brenda Bradshaw (brenda.bradshaw@utoronto.ca)
Web site: www.biochemistry.utoronto.ca

Biochemistry Programs

Biochemistry (Science program)

The Biochemistry Specialist Program is a Type 3 program. Enrolment is limited and selection is based on performance in First year required courses. Students apply via the Faculty's Subject POSt web site. See the departmental web site at www.biochemistry.utoronto.ca for more information.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least three 400-series courses)

First Year:
BIO150Y1; CHM151Y1/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY110Y1/PHY138Y1/PHY140Y1 (PHY138Y1 recommended)

Second Year:
BCH242Y1; BIO250Y1; CHM220H1, CHM247H1

Third Year:
1. BCH335H1, BCH340H1, BCH371H1; MGY311Y1
2. CHM345H1/CHM347H1
3. One full-course equivalent from the following list:
Any 300-level course(s) in BIO/BOT/CHM/ HMB/IMM/LMP/MGY/PCL/PSL/ZOO, BIO260H1, CHM217H1, BCH304H1, BCH305H1 (departmental approval required)

Fourth Year:
1. BCH471Y1
2. Four of: BCH422H1/BCH425H1/BCH426H1/BCH440H1/BCH441H1/CHM447H1/JBI428H1/MGY420H1/MGY425H1