Biochemistry

Are you interested in understanding how lightning bugs give off (cool) light or why some bacteria can thrive at freezing temperatures whereas others thrive at boiling temperatures? Do you wonder how anti-cancer drugs work and why vitamins are necessary for human health? If so, you may be a potential biochemist. Biochemists are curious about how and why biological processes happen, and they want answers right down to the nitty-gritty molecular level. They use novel techniques to get structural information far past the resolution of even the most sophisticated microscope! Yet biochemists are also biologists because they want to know how molecular properties influence life processes. Therefore, biochemistry forms the backbone of many other subjects.

Why Study Biochemistry?

The Biochemistry program imparts a comprehensive understanding of the chemistry of the building blocks of biological molecules, complex biomolecules and their structure and biological function. You’ll learn how kinetics and thermodynamics apply to biological systems and how DNA is transcribed into RNA and translated into proteins. Throughout your degree you’ll gain an understanding of the theory and practical use of current techniques used in biochemistry research as well as exposure to newly evolving fields such as bioinformatics and functional proteomics.

What do I need to get in?

You’ll need to meet the admission requirements of the Faculty of Science.

What will I study in my first two years?

All students entering programs in the Department of Biological Sciences will complete a common Biological Sciences core (20 half-courses) before selecting one of the six major programs (Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Botany, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology, Ecology, Zoology).

The first and second years in Biological Sciences serve as the interlocked foundation for all programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. During these two years, you will complete the core Biology courses that are required of all Biological Science students. These courses will expose you to the diversity and unity of life and provide a foundation allowing you to appreciate the factual and conceptual context of specialized disciplines in Biological Sciences. In addition, these courses will expose you to the language of biology and a common set of tools that will allow you to analyze life from a variety of perspectives.

You will also complete supporting courses in Biochemistry, Chemistry and Mathematics during your first two years. Courses in Biochemistry and Chemistry provide you with a basis for understanding the chemical context of life. Required courses in Mathematics give you a basic understanding of calculus and/or linear algebra for application in subsequent major field courses. Throughout these two years there is a heavy emphasis on experiential learning in biology and chemistry courses.

What will I study in later years?

In your third and fourth years as a Biochemistry major you’ll study chemistry fundamentals giving you a basic understanding of molecular structures and chemical reactions as well as quantitative and instrumental analysis. In your biochemistry courses you’ll gain an understanding of the structures of biological molecules and learn the principles and practice of up-to-date biochemical experimentation. You’ll also learn about both the structures and function of biological molecules and the skills required for the characterization and manipulation allowing you to understand the applications of biochemistry in research, medical or technical settings.

In addition to your core biochemistry courses you’ll select from a number of related Science options giving you the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of biochemistry and/or prepare yourself for professional schools or careers in academics or industry.

The Biochemistry Honours Programs extend the regular program to prepare students for additional education (M.Sc. and/or Ph.D.) leading to a research career. In addition to the courses required of all Biochemistry students, Honours students complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty member. Honours students are also encouraged to take 600-level seminar courses to develop an advanced understanding of topics of particular interest.

You will also have the opportunity to take courses off main campus that will enhance their undergraduate experience including exchange programs, travel study courses and field schools. You might wish to spend Fall term taking courses at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre located off the west coast of Vancouver Island, or take spring or summer courses at the Biogeoscience Institute in Kananaskis Country 80 km west of Calgary. You could also look further afield and participate in an overseas field schools offered frequently to destinations such Belize, Costa Rice, Ghana or Madagascar or embark on a term or full year exchange program to one of the U of C’s numerous partner institutions.

During your degree you are also expected to take a number of courses from outside your major field and are encouraged to take courses that will provide breadth and contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of your degree.

What can I do with my degree?

Biochemistry graduates find employment in university, hospital, government and industry laboratories with analytical or research needs. It is a stepping stone to careers in allied agricultural and health fields of biotechnology, toxicology, biomedical engineering, clinical chemistry, plant pathology, or animal science. Biochemistry programs provide preparation for graduate study and also for professional schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and more.

Who can I contact for more information?

We recommend that you contact the Department of Biological Sciences via phone (220-3140) or email (biosci@ucalgary.ca) to book an appointment with an advisor.