Biochemistry Honours (B.Sc.) (67-71 credits)
Offered by: Biochemistry (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 67-71
Program Description
Admission to the Honours program will not be granted until U2. Students who wish to enter the Honours program in U2 should follow the U1 Major program. Those who satisfactorily complete the U1 Major program with a GPA of at least 3.20 and a mark of B- or better in every required course are eligible for admission to the Honours program.
Students seeking admission to the Honours program must obtain permission from the Departmental Student Affairs Administrator (undergrad.biochem@mcgill.ca) during the Add/Drop period in September of their second year.
Promotion to U3 year is based on satisfactory completion of U2 courses with a GPA of at least 3.20 and a mark of B- or better in every required course. In borderline cases, the marks received in BIOC 311 Metabolic Biochemistry. and BIOC 312 Biochemistry of Macromolecules. will be of particular importance for continuation in the U3 Honours year.
For graduation in the Honours program, students must complete a minimum of 90 credits, pass all required courses with no grade less than B-, and achieve a CGPA of at least 3.20.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Courses
U1 Required Courses (20-24 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 212 | Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. | 3 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function. Terms offered: Winter 2027 An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division. | ||
| BIOC 220 | Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1. | 3 |
Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Introduction to key methodologies for the isolation, detection and characterization of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and subcellular fractions, including spectrophotometry, assays of enzymatic activities and chromatographic and electrophoretic methods. Analysis of biochemical data. | ||
| BIOC 301 | Written Communication in Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
Written Communication in Biomedical Sciences Terms offered: Winter 2027 The structure of scientific papers, the interpretation of scientific data, and citation management. Emphasizes practice in writing manuscript-style papers. | ||
| BIOL 200 | Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Molecular Biology. Terms offered: Fall 2026 The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression. | ||
| BIOL 202 | Basic Genetics. | 3 |
Basic Genetics. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences. | ||
| CHEM 204 | Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 1. | 3 |
Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 1. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Similar to CHEM 223/CHEM 243. Emphasis on the use of biological examples to illustrate the principles of physical chemistry. The relevance of physical chemistry to biology is stressed. | ||
| CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. 1 | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2026 A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. | ||
| CHEM 252 | Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2027 A fundamental study of aromatic and polar unsaturated functional groups including reaction mechanisms, multi-step synthesis, regioselectivity, and modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. | ||
- 1
Note: Students with CEGEP-level credit for the equivalents of CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. (see http://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/plan/transfer/ for accepted equivalents) may not take this course at McGill and should replace it with an elective course to satisfy the total credit requirement for their degree.
U1 Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 205 | Functional Biology of Plants and Animals. | 3 |
Functional Biology of Plants and Animals. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Unified view of form and function in animals and plants. Focus on how the laws of chemistry and physics illuminate biological processes relating to the acquisition of energy and materials and their use in movement, growth, development, reproduction and responses to environmental stress. | ||
| MIMM 211 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: Fall 2026 A general treatment of microbiology bearing specifically on the biological properties of microorganisms. Emphasis will be on procaryotic cells. Basic principles of microbial genetics are also introduced. | ||
| MIMM 214 | Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. | 3 |
Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Basic immunology, organs and cells, elements of innate immunity, phagocytes, complement, elements of adaptive immunity, B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, MHC genes and molecules, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis on anatomy and the molecular and cellular players working together as a physiological system to maintain human health. | ||
| PHGY 209 | Mammalian Physiology 1. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 1. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Physiology of body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, muscle, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems. | ||
| PHGY 210 | Mammalian Physiology 2. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 2. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems. | ||
U2 Required Courses (17 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 311 | Metabolic Biochemistry. | 3 |
Metabolic Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2026 The generation of metabolic energy in higher organisms with an emphasis on its regulation at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Chemical concepts and mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are also emphasized. Included: selected topics in carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism; complex lipids and biological membranes; hormonal signal transduction. | ||
| BIOC 312 | Biochemistry of Macromolecules. | 3 |
Biochemistry of Macromolecules. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Gene expression from the start of transcription to the synthesis of proteins, their modifications and degradation. Topics covered: purine and pyrimidine metabolism; transcription and its regulation; mRNA processing; translation; targeting of proteins to specific cellular sites; protein glycosylation; protein phosphorylation; protein turn-over; programmed cell death (apoptosis). | ||
| BIOC 320 | Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2. | 3 |
Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Modern molecular-biological methods for isolation and characterization of nucleic acids and for analysis of RNA and protein expression, including: plasmid expression, isolation, restriction and ligation; electrophoretic methods and Western blotting; PCR and qPCR applications; immunofluorescence microscopy and basic bioinformatics approaches. | ||
| CHEM 214 | Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 2. | 3 |
Physical Chemistry/Biological Sciences 2. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Emphasis is placed on the use of biological examples to illustrate the principles of physical chemistry. The relevance of physical chemistry to biology is stressed. | ||
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA. | ||
| CHEM 362 | Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory. | 2 |
Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 An advanced laboratory with experiments related to the theoretical principles and synthetic methods of modern organic chemistry. | ||
U2 Complementary Courses (3 credits)
3 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 309 | Mathematical Models in Biology. | 3 |
Mathematical Models in Biology. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data. | ||
| BIOL 373 | Biometry. | 3 |
Biometry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages. | ||
| CHEM 267 | Introductory Chemical Analysis. | 3 |
Introductory Chemical Analysis. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods. The laboratory component includes introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis. | ||
| COMP 202 | Foundations of Programming. | 3 |
Foundations of Programming. Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Introduction to computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, primitive types, methods, conditionals, loops. Introduction to algorithms, data structures (arrays, strings), modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging, exception handling. Selected topics. | ||
| COMP 204 | Computer Programming for Life Sciences. | 3 |
Computer Programming for Life Sciences. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Computer Science (Sci): Computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms, modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in the life sciences. | ||
| MATH 203 | Principles of Statistics 1. | 3 |
Principles of Statistics 1. Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Examples of statistical data and the use of graphical means to summarize the data. Basic distributions arising in the natural and behavioural sciences. The logical meaning of a test of significance and a confidence interval. Tests of significance and confidence intervals in the one and two sample setting (means, variances and proportions). | ||
| MATH 222 | Calculus 3. | 3 |
Calculus 3. Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals. | ||
| PSYC 204 | Introduction to Psychological Statistics. | 3 |
Introduction to Psychological Statistics. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 The statistical analysis of research data; frequency distributions; graphic representation; measures of central tendency and variability; elementary sampling theory and tests of significance. | ||
U3 Required Courses (15 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 404 | Biophysical Methods in Biochemistry. | 3 |
Biophysical Methods in Biochemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Applications and fundamental bases of important biophysical techniques used in modern biochemistry research laboratories to isolate, characterize and determine the structure and dynamics of proteins, nucleic acids, small molecules and complexes that underlie life and disease. | ||
| BIOC 450 | Protein Structure and Function. | 3 |
Protein Structure and Function. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of enzymes. Active site mapping and site-specific mutagenesis of enzymes. Enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis. Multienzyme complexes. | ||
| BIOC 454 | Nucleic Acids. | 3 |
Nucleic Acids. Terms offered: Fall 2026 RNA processing, localization and stability. RNAi mechanisms, regulation and applications. Regulation of DNA replication. Genomics: human genome sequence, regulation and organization. DNA repair mechanisms. Special topics on transgenics, genetic diseases and cancer. | ||
| BIOC 462 | Research Laboratory in Biochemistry. | 6 |
Research Laboratory in Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2026 A laboratory research project and related written review article all performed under the supervision of the same professor. | ||
U3 Complementary Courses (6 credits)
3-6 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 458 | Membranes and Cellular Signaling. | 3 |
Membranes and Cellular Signaling. Terms offered: Winter 2027 An integrated treatment of the properties of biological membranes and of intracellular signaling, including the major role that membranes play in transducing and integrating cellular regulatory signals. Biological membrane organization and dynamics: membrane transport; membrane receptors and their associated effectors; mechanisms of regulation of cell growth, morphology, differentiation and death. | ||
| BIOC 470 | Lipids and Lipoproteins in Disease. | 3 |
Lipids and Lipoproteins in Disease. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Structure, function and metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins as they relate to lipid storage diseases, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimers disease and other neurological diseases. Transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms governing the synthesis and degradation of important enzymes, lipids, and lipid transport molecules; role of lipid mediators in signaling pathways and protein modification; assembly and dynamics of lipoproteins and biological membranes; genetic disruptions of lipid regulatory proteins such as cell surface receptors leading to human disease. | ||
| BIOC 491 | Independent Research. | 6 |
Independent Research. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Individual work on a project to be performed in a research laboratory. | ||
| BIOC 503 | Biochemistry of Immune Diseases. | 3 |
Biochemistry of Immune Diseases. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Current selected topics in immunology. The biochemical mechanisms underlying various immuno-pathologies and the clinical significance of therapeutic interventions. | ||
| BIOC 504 | Molecular Mechanisms of Disease | 3 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Terms offered: Fall 2026 Reflecting on and communicating the molecular underpinnings of human disease, their clinical significance, and relevance to diagnosis and treatment. The underlying molecular causes of disease, going from mutations in DNA, RNA stability and proteins structure and function. | ||
| BIOC 505 | RNA in Disease and Therapeutics | 3 |
RNA in Disease and Therapeutics Terms offered: Winter 2027 Recent advances in understanding the complex role of versatile RNA molecules and related biochemical processes that play a central role in homeostasis. The broad spectrum of pathological states resulting from dysregulated RNA and RNA-based therapeutics are presented. | ||
The remainder, if any, to be selected from the following list:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 300 | Molecular Biology of the Gene. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of the Gene. Terms offered: Fall 2026 A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction. | ||
| BIOL 303 | Developmental Biology. | 3 |
Developmental Biology. Terms offered: Winter 2027 A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena. | ||
| BIOL 304 | Evolution. | 3 |
Evolution. Terms offered: Fall 2026 A comprehensive introduction to evolutionary biology. It covers both short-term and long-term evolutionary processes. Topics include the history of life, the origin of species, adaptation, natural selection and sexual selection. | ||
| BIOL 313 | Eukaryotic Cell Biology. | 3 |
Eukaryotic Cell Biology. Terms offered: Fall 2026 In-depth examination of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, with an emphasis on experimental design and interpretation. Examination of the molecular mechanisms of various cellular processes, including protein homeostasis, intracellular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, multicellular organization and cell proliferation. | ||
| BIOL 314 | Molecular Biology of Cancer. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of Cancer. Terms offered: Winter 2027 The molecular basis of human cancers, including analyzing the events that promote the formation of oncogenes and inhibit tumour suppressor genes, the biochemical properties of the proteins encoded by these genes, and their functions. Current molecular targets for cancer therapy and the concepts and consequences of inheriting mutations in genes that predispose to cancer. | ||
| CHEM 267 | Introductory Chemical Analysis. | 3 |
Introductory Chemical Analysis. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods. The laboratory component includes introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis. | ||
| CHEM 482 | Organic Chemistry: Natural Products. | 3 |
Organic Chemistry: Natural Products. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Structure, synthesis, stereochemistry and biosynthesis of terpenes, alkaloids, antibiotics and selected molecules of medicinal interest. | ||
| CHEM 502 | Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2027 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 532 | Structural Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Structural Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2026 A practical course on the application of modern spectroscopic methods for the determination of structures of complex organic and organometallic compounds. | ||
| CHEM 552 | Physical Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Physical Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2026 The correlation of theory with physical measurements on organic systems; an introduction to photochemistry; solvent and substituent effects on organic reaction rates, etc.; reaction mechanisms. | ||
| CHEM 572 | Synthetic Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Synthetic Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Synthetic methods in organic chemistry and their application to the synthesis of complex molecules. | ||
| EXMD 502 | Advanced Endocrinology 1. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 1. Terms offered: Fall 2026 This course is designed for U3 students who are in a major or honours program in anatomy, biology, biochemistry or physiology and for graduate students. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to teach biosynthesis and processing of hormones, their regulation, function and mechanism of action. The material will cover hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid, atrial and adrenal hormones as well as prostaglandins and related substances. | ||
| EXMD 503 | Advanced Endocrinology 02. | 3 |
Advanced Endocrinology 02. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Study of the parathyroids, gut and pancreatic hormones and growth factors. In addition, the role of hormones and growth factors in reproduction and fetal maturation will be discussed. | ||
| MIMM 324 | Fundamental Virology. | 3 |
Fundamental Virology. Terms offered: Fall 2026 A study of the fundamental properties of viruses and their interactions with host cells. Bacteriophages, DNA- and RNA-containing animal viruses, and retroviruses are covered. Emphasis will be on phenomena occurring at the molecular level and on the regulated control of gene expression in virus-infected cells. | ||
| PHAR 300 | Drug Action. | 3 |
Drug Action. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Principles of pharmacology and toxicology. Frequently encountered drugs will be used as a focus to illustrate sites and mechanisms of action, distribution, metabolism, elimination and adverse side effects. | ||
| PHGY 311 | Channels, Synapses and Hormones. | 3 |
Channels, Synapses and Hormones. Terms offered: Fall 2026 In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system. | ||