Biochemistry: Chemical Biology (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Biochemistry (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The Ph.D. in Biochemistry; Chemical Biology is overseen by the Chemical Biology Thematic Group, and it engages in research topics that span structural biology, enzymology, nucleic acid research, signaling pathways, single molecule biophysics, biophysical chemistry of living tissues, and new chemistry and physics from biological systems to develop pharmaceutical applications. The thesis must focus on chemical biology related to biochemistry.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (7 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 610 | Seminars in Chemical Biology 1. 1 | 1.5 |
Seminars in Chemical Biology 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. First multidisciplinary seminar in chemical biology. | ||
| BIOC 611 | Seminars in Chemical Biology 2 1 | 1.5 |
Seminars in Chemical Biology 2 Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Third multidisciplinary seminar in chemical biology. | ||
| BIOC 696D1 | Seminars in Biochemistry. 1 | 1.5 |
Seminars in Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminars in biochemistry. | ||
| BIOC 696D2 | Seminars in Biochemistry. 1 | 1.5 |
Seminars in Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See BIOC 696D1 for course description. | ||
| BIOC 696N1 | Seminars in Biochemistry. 1 | 1.5 |
Seminars in Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminars in biochemistry. | ||
| BIOC 696N2 | Seminars in Biochemistry. 1 | 1.5 |
Seminars in Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. For description see BIOC 696N1. | ||
| BIOC 701 | Research Seminar 1. 2 | 0 |
Research Seminar 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Presentation on original current laboratory research carried out by student. | ||
| BIOC 702 | Ph.D. Thesis Proposal. 2 | 0 |
Ph.D. Thesis Proposal. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Dissertation presented to Committee. | ||
| BIOC 703 | Ph.D. Seminar. 2 | 0 |
Ph.D. Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Presentation of the planned thesis including central findings and original contribution to knowledge in the field of research. | ||
- 1
Students choose either BIOC 696D1/D2 or BIOC 696N1/N2. Students fast-tracking from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D. program, and who registered for and passed BIOC 696 at the M.Sc. level, do not register for BIOC 696 at the Ph.D. level. Likewise, students fast-tracking from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D. program, and who registered for and passed BIOC 610 and 611 at the M.Sc. level, do not register for BIOC 610 and 611 at the Ph.D. level.
- 2
NOTE: Students DO NOT register for these courses until notified by the Student Affairs Officer.
Students must complete BIOC 701 Research Seminar 1. in the third term after admission to the program, BIOC 702 Ph.D. Thesis Proposal. in the fifth or sixth term, and BIOC 703 Ph.D. Seminar. approximately six months prior to submission of the Ph.D. thesis.
Complementary Courses1 (9 credits)
- 1
Complementary courses are chosen in consultation with the Research Director.
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 502 | Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents. | ||
| CHEM 503 | Drug Discovery. | 3 |
Drug Discovery. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the overall drug discovery process. The main focus of the course will be on medicinal chemistry, synthesis and catalysis, as they relate to large-scale production of pharmaceutical agents. However, other aspects of drug discovery, including structural research (e.g. NMR, X-ray), biochemistry, drug metabolism and bioavailability will also be included. | ||
| PHAR 503 | Drug Discovery and Development 1. | 3 |
Drug Discovery and Development 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chemistry, mechanisms of action, and steps in drug discovery and development. | ||
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 600 | Advanced Strategies in Genetics and Genomics. | 3 |
Advanced Strategies in Genetics and Genomics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced technologies and methods in genomics research, presented by experts actively pursuing the experimental approaches discussed. | ||
| BIOC 603 | Genomics and Gene Expression. | 3 |
Genomics and Gene Expression. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of recent developments in analysis of eukaryotic cell genomes and control of gene expression during differentiation and growth control. Molecular genetics; genomics and the bioinformatics of analysis of genomic and functional-genomic data; mechanisms and signal-transduction pathways for regulation of gene expression; applications to human disease with a strong emphasis on cancer. | ||
| BIOC 604 | Macromolecular Structure. | 3 |
Macromolecular Structure. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. X-Ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, Electron Microscopy. Theory and methods used to determine macromolecular structures will be covered. Several practical sessions with hands-on experience for students are included. | ||
| BIOC 605 | Protein Biology and Proteomics. | 3 |
Protein Biology and Proteomics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of recent developments in protein biology and proteomics analysis. Proteomics, modeling and biophysical approaches to characterize the functional interactions of biological macromolecules; applications to biological problems. Lectures and in-class discussions are supplemented by practical training in proteomics. | ||
| BIOC 670 | Biochemistry of Lipoproteins. | 3 |
Biochemistry of Lipoproteins. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Structure, function and metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins as they relate to lipid storage diseases, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. | ||
| EXMD 615 | Essentials of Glycobiology. | 3 |
Essentials of Glycobiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Examination of the structure, function, and biosynthesis of glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans, and the biological role of complex carbohydrates. Lectins, methods for elucidating carbohydrate structure, glycomics, and human diseases due to disorders of glycan synthesis. | ||
| EXMD 635D1 | Experimental/Clinical Oncology. | 3 |
Experimental/Clinical Oncology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course will deal, on a site by site basis, with the incidence of cancer, present treatment, treatment outcome, underlying causes, current research and directions for development of new treatments. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and nutrition as therapy and treatment of cancer will be included. | ||
| EXMD 635D2 | Experimental/Clinical Oncology. | 3 |
Experimental/Clinical Oncology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 See EXMD 635D1 for course description. | ||
Plus additional credits to a total of at least 9 complementary course credits from the following list:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 522 | Stereochemistry. | 3 |
Stereochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Stereoisomers, their nomenclature and configuration. Conformational analysis, separation of stereoisomers, and stereocontrol in organic synthesis. | ||
| CHEM 582 | Supramolecular Chemistry. | 3 |
Supramolecular Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to supramolecular organization will be followed by discussions on the nature of interactions and methodologies to create ordered aggregates of high complexity. Potential of supramolecular chemistry in fabricating smart materials will be explored using specific topics including inclusion chemistry, dendrimers, molecular self-assembly and crystal engineering. | ||
| CHEM 591 | Bioinorganic Chemistry. | 3 |
Bioinorganic Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The roles of transition and main group elements in biology and medicine will be examined with an emphasis on using tools for structure and genome searching as well as becoming acquainted with experimental spectroscopic methods useful for bioinorganic chemistry such as macromolecular X-ray diffraction, EPR and EXAFS. | ||
| CHEM 621 | Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry. | 5 |
Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A systematic survey of the mechanisms of the most common organic reactions from studies of reactions in the current literature. | ||
| CHEM 629 | Organic Synthesis. | 5 |
Organic Synthesis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An advanced course in the synthesis of organic molecules with an emphasis on stereoselective transformations. Topics will include multiple bond formation, functional group interconversions, carbon-carbon bond formation and stereoselective oxidations and reductions. | ||
| EXMD 510 | Bioanalytical Separation Methods. | 3 |
Bioanalytical Separation Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The student will be taught the capabilities and limitations of modern separation methods (gas and high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, hyphenated techniques). Application of these techniques to solve analytical problems relevant to biomedical research will be emphasized, with special attention being paid to the processing of biological samples. | ||
| EXMD 602 | Techniques in Molecular Genetics. | 3 |
Techniques in Molecular Genetics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Precise description of available methods in molecular genetics, and rationales for choosing particular techniques to answer questions posed in research proposals for targeting genes in the mammalian genome. Emphasis placed on analysis of regulation of gene expression and mapping, strategies for gene cloning. Course divided between lectures and student seminars. | ||
| PHAR 504 | Drug Discovery and Development 2. | 3 |
Drug Discovery and Development 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Nobel Prize-winning discoveries as a basis for drug development. | ||
| PHAR 562 | Neuropharmacology. | 3 |
Neuropharmacology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in pharmacology with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms of drug-action and cellular targets in the nervous system. | ||
| PHAR 563 | Endocrine Pharmacology. | 3 |
Endocrine Pharmacology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This advanced course covers selected topics in pharmacology of reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disorders. | ||
| PHAR 707 | Topics in Pharmacology 6. | 3 |
Topics in Pharmacology 6. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in pharmacology. | ||
The Graduate Advisory Committee may stipulate additional coursework depending on the background of the candidate. BIOC 450 Protein Structure and Function. and BIOC 454 Nucleic Acids. are additional requirements for those who have not previously completed equivalent courses in their prior training.