Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry Major (B.Sc.) (66 credits)
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 66
Program Description
This program trains students in the fundamentals of chemistry and develops the physical science, computational, and mathematical skills needed for advanced biophysical chemistry research in the biomedical and biotechnology industries. The program features integrative, interdisciplinary courses in bio-physical sciences. The program may be completed in 65 or 66 credits.
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.
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.
Program Prerequisites
Pre-Program Prerequisites
Pre-Program Requirements: Students entering from the Freshman program must have included CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1. and CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2.. BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology., MATH 133 Linear Algebra and Geometry., MATH 140 Calculus 1./MATH 141 Calculus 2. or MATH 150 Calculus A./MATH 151 Calculus B., PHYS 101 Introductory Physics - Mechanics./PHYS 102 Introductory Physics - Electromagnetism., PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves./PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics., or their equivalents in their Freshman year. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses. Note that students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. do not have to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Required Courses (59 credits)
Completion of Mathematics MATH 222 Calculus 3. and MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations. during U1 is strongly recommended.
Bio-Physical Sciences Core
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 219 | Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology. | 4 |
Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module. | ||
| BIOL 319 | Introduction to Biophysics. | 3 |
Introduction to Biophysics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies. These principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and RNA. | ||
| BIOL 395 | Quantitative Biology Seminar. | 1 |
Quantitative Biology Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology. | ||
| CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. 1 | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. | ||
| MATH 222 | Calculus 3. 2 | 3 |
Calculus 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
| MATH 223 | Linear Algebra. | 3 |
Linear Algebra. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications. | ||
| MATH 315 | Ordinary Differential Equations. | 3 |
Ordinary Differential Equations. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions. | ||
| MATH 323 | Probability. | 3 |
Probability. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem. | ||
| PHYS 329 | Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications. | 3 |
Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This interdisciplinary course introduces Statistical Physics illustrated with modern biophysical applications. Principles covered include partition functions, Boltzmann distribution, bosons, fermions, Bose Einstein condensates, Ferni gases, chemical potential, thermodynamical forces, biochemical kinetics, and an introduction to noise and phase transitions in biology. | ||
- 1
Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
The courses are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level. Students completing the program will not be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec without additional chemistry electives. This program is not currently accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
- 2
Students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. are not required to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Chemistry
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 213 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Thermodynamics. Topics include gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies, the entropy and free energy functions, absolute entropies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states, phase rule and phase diagrams, ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility, electrochemistry, Debye-Hückel Theory. | ||
| CHEM 252 | Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. 1 | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A fundamental study of aromatic and polar unsaturated functional groups including reaction mechanisms, multi-step synthesis, regioselectivity, and modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. | ||
| CHEM 267 | Introductory Chemical Analysis. | 3 |
Introductory Chemical Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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 273 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Kinetics: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry. Methods: physical chemistry laboratory, differential equations and linear algebra applied to physical chemistry, computation methods for data analysis and modeling | ||
| CHEM 281 | Inorganic Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Basic concepts of electronic structure and molecular bonding will be developed and applied to the understanding of common materials. Acid-base chemistry. Survey of the chemistry of the main group elements. Introduction to coordination and organometallic chemistry. | ||
| CHEM 345 | Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to quantum chemistry covering the historical development, wave theory, methods of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum chemistry. | ||
| CHEM 355 | Applications of Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Applications of Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of the principles of electronic, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance and computational methods. | ||
| CHEM 367 | Instrumental Analysis 1. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to modern instrumental analysis emphasizing chromatography, atomic spectroscopy and computational data analysis. Analytical methods to be examined in detail include gas-liquid and high performance liquid chromatography, LC mass spectrometry, and common methods of atomic determinations using flames/furnaces/plasma sources. | ||
| CHEM 377 | Instrumental Analysis 2. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Spectroscopic methods of analysis will be studied with respect to fundamentals, operational aspects and instrument design. Topics will range from UV-visible to x-ray spectrometry. Methodologies will be evaluated with respect to their application in spectrometric systems. Laboratory automation will be studied and applied in the laboratory. | ||
| CHEM 493 | Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. | 2 |
Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles. | ||
| PHYS 242 | Electricity and Magnetism. | 2 |
Electricity and Magnetism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Properties of electromagnetic fields, dipole and quadropole fields and their interactions, chemical binding of molecules, electromagnetic properties of materials, Maxwell's equations and properties of electromagnetic waves, propagation of waves in media. | ||
- 1
Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
The courses are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level. Students completing the program will not be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec without additional chemistry electives. This program is not currently accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
Complementary Courses
(6-7 credits)
3 credits of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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 381 | Inorganic Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed. | ||
3-4 credits of:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 300 | Molecular Biology of the Gene. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of the Gene. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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 301 | Cell and Molecular Laboratory. | 4 |
Cell and Molecular Laboratory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided. | ||
| BIOL 316 | Biomembranes and Organelles. | 3 |
Biomembranes and Organelles. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course focuses on biomembranes and subcellular organelles and their implications for disease. The topics include: protein and lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and transport; intracellular compartmentalization, protein sorting and modification, intracellular membrane trafficking; energy transfer, organization and dynamics of chloroplasts and mitochondria; extracellular matrix and cell walls. | ||
| BIOL 551 | Principles of Cellular Control. | 3 |
Principles of Cellular Control. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells.. | ||
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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 381 | Inorganic Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed. | ||
| 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 514 | Biophysical Chemistry. | 3 |
Biophysical Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physical chemistry concepts needed to understand the function of biological systems at the molecular level, including the structure, stability, transport, and interactions of biological macromolecules. | ||
| CHEM 520 | Methods in Chemical Biology. | 3 |
Methods in Chemical Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of advanced techniques at the leading edge of Chemical Biology, including some or all of: biological imaging, kinetics of enzyme inhibition, combinatorial synthesis, atomic force microscopy of biological molecules, self assembling biomimetic structures, oligonucleotide therapeutics, biomolecular X-ray crystallography, computational methods, and nuclear magnetic resonance applied to protein interactions. | ||
| CHEM 555 | Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. | 3 |
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The fundamental principles underlying Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Electron Paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be covered and applied to biomolecules and materials chemistry. Topics include multidimensional spectra, molecular dynamics, the density matrix, and the product operator formalism. | ||
| CHEM 575 | Chemical Kinetics. | 3 |
Chemical Kinetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Kinetic laws, measurement of reaction rates, transition state and collision theory, experimental techniques in reaction kinetics, reaction mechanisms, RRKM theory, Marcus theory of electron transfer, photochemistry and catalysis. Recent developments and their application to chemical and biological problems. Elementary reactions in gas, solution and solid phases and on surfaces. | ||
| COMP 208 | Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and Engineering . | 3 |
Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and Engineering . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Programming and problem solving in a high level computer language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms such as searching and sorting. Modular software design, libraries, file input and output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in Physical Sciences and Engineering, such as root finding, numerical integration, diffusion, Monte Carlo methods. | ||