The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers opportunities for study leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. For information on advanced degrees, see graduate Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Students wishing to enter second-year Biochemistry Major, Honours, or Combined Honours specializations must apply using the online process administered by the Faculty of Science. Students will receive an email communication regarding the process in late May or early June. Due to the similarity between the major and honours biochemistry specializations in second year, the Faculty of Science only admits students directly to either the Major or Combined Honours. Qualified students wishing to transfer to Honours Biochemistry should contact the Undergraduate Advisor for advice. Only students in the second year Combined Majors or Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Chemistry specializations will be required to register using a Standard Timetable (STT) available on the registration system. The progress of continuing biochemistry students will be reviewed at the end of each academic year. Students making satisfactory progress do not require annual specialization approval. The Department will contact students with unsatisfactory standing in honours or combined honours.
The major specialization provides a strong background in biochemistry and is sufficiently flexible for students to develop their interests in allied fields (e.g., microbiology, food science, and chemistry). It is also appropriate for students who anticipate a professional career in the health sciences. The honours specialization is the recommended route for students interested in graduate studies in biochemistry or related disciplines. However, students enrolled in a major specialization with a strong academic record may also apply for graduate studies. For more information, see Biochemistry.
Co-operative (Co-op) Education Option
The department offers an optional Co-op Education Option (honours and majors). The program is open to interested and qualified students and is intended to provide additional practical and technical biochemical and molecular biological experience in academic and industrial research laboratories. This is normally achieved through a period of 12 to 15 months of approved work placement under the supervision of practising professionals. A faculty advisor will be assigned to each internship student. Acceptance into the Co-op Option is based upon academic standing and general suitability to perform in a technical research environment. The first phase is a placement for three or four months (summer following third year) in an academic research or industrial laboratory (either at UBC or at an off-campus site). This is normally followed by placement in off-site laboratories for three consecutive, four-month terms. Placements are arranged by mutual agreement of the student, employer, and faculty advisor through the Office of Co-operative Education. Students participating in the Co-op Option must register for off-site placements by using BIOC_V 398, 399, 498 and, where appropriate, 499, and pay the co-op education program fee for each course. After completion of the work terms, students return to the University for completion of the normal fourth-year major or honours academic requirements. This option requires five years and is not a requirement for admission to the graduate program in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Enrolment in the Co-op Education Option is limited; continuation in the option is contingent on the availability of suitable work placements. For more information contact the Co-operative Education Program.
Specializations
Major (0244): Biochemistry (BIOC_V)
| First Year | Credits |
| Communication Requirement1 | 6 |
| BIOL_V 1122 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 121 (or 111 or 141)3 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 1234 | 4 |
| MATH_V 100 or 102 or 1045 | 3 |
| DSCI_V 100 or CPSC_V 1036 | 3 |
| PHYS_V 100-level7 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
| BIOC_V 2039 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 200 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 23410 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 20511 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 20312 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 213, 245 | 4 |
| STAT_V 201 or CPSC_V 2036 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 7 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third Year | |
| BIOC_V 301 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 303 | 6 |
| BIOC_V 306 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 335 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 313 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 12 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Fourth Year | |
| BIOC_V 402, 410 | 6 |
| One of BIOC_V 403, 421, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470 | 3 |
| BIOC_V Upper Year Elective13 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 18 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Total Credits for Degree | 120 |
| 1 A total of 6 credits of coursework is required to meet the Communication Requirement. For a full list of acceptable courses see Communication Requirement. | |
| 2 Students without one of Biology 11 or Biology 12 must take BIOL_V 111 before taking BIOL_V 112. | |
| 3 Students who do not have B.C. High School Chemistry 12 (or its equivalent) must write the UBC Chemistry Basic Skills Test and may be required to take CHEM_V 100. CHEM_V 110 and 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 111. CHEM_V 120 and CHEM_V 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 121. | |
| 4 CHEM_V 130 and 135 may substitute for CHEM_V 123. | |
| 5 MATH_V 180 or 184 or 120 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 1 credit. MATH_V 110 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 3 credits. | |
| 6 Students taking DSCI_V 100 should take STAT_V 201 in year 2. Students taking CPSC_V 103 should take CPSC_V 203 in year 2. | |
| 7 Students require 3 credits of 100-level physics beyond PHYS_V 100. Students lacking Physics 12 must take PHYS_V 100 before taking any other 100-level PHYS_V course, using PHYS_V 100 as an elective. Students are encouraged to complete this specialization requirement in their first year. | |
| 8 Elective credits together with required courses must fulfill the Faculty of Science’s: a) Foundational Requirement; b) Laboratory Science Requirement; c) Science Breadth Requirement; d) Science and Arts Requirements; e) Upper-level Requirement; f) General Degree Requirements. Any extra elective credit taken in the first, second, or third years can be applied to later elective credit requirements. Students wishing to transfer to honours should see Faculty of Science Requirements. | |
| 9 Students with a mark of 76% or higher in BIOL_V 201 or BIOC_V 202 may apply for admission to the Biochemistry specialization and will be allowed to use these courses in place of BIOC_V 203. However, BIOC_V 203 is the preferred route into biochemistry specializations. | |
| 10 Students with a mark of 70% or higher in BIOL_V 233 may use BIOL_V 233 in place of BIOL_V 234. | |
| 11 Students may replace CHEM_V 205 with CHEM_V 304. | |
| 12 CHEM_V 223 and 225 may substitute for CHEM_V 203. Students with CHEM_V 235 and a mark of 76% or higher in CHEM_V 233 may apply for admission to this specialization and will be allowed to use CHEM_V 233 and 235 in place of CHEM_V 203. | |
| 13 At least 3 credits of BIOC_V Upper Year Elective are required in the third or fourth year from the following list: BIOC_V 403, 421, 430, 440, 448, 450, 460, 470; BIOL_V 301, 462; CHEM_V 413, 461; CPSC_V 330; MEDG_V 421; MICB_V 405. Please note that BIOC_V 403, 421, 430, 440, 450, 460, or 470 cannot be double counted. If a student uses one of these courses to complete their specialization requirements, they cannot use the same course as a BIOC_V Upper Year Elective. | |
Honours (0186): Biochemistry (BIOC)
| First Year | |
| Communication Requirement1 | 6 |
| BIOL_V 1122 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 1212 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 121 (or 111 or 141)3 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 1234 | 4 |
| MATH_V 100 or 102 or 1045 | 3 |
| DSCI_V 100 or CPSC_V 1036 | 3 |
| PHYS_V 100-level7 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 5 |
| Total Credits | 34 |
| Second Year | |
| BIOC_V 2039 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 200 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 23410 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 20311 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 213, 245 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 20512 | 3 |
| STAT_V 201 or CPSC_V 2036 | 3 |
| One of MICB_V 202, 211 or 212 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 7 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
| Third Year | |
| BIOC_V 303 | 6 |
| BIOC_V 301 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 306 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 335 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 313 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 14 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
| Fourth Year | |
| BIOC_V 402, 410 | 6 |
| BIOC_V 404 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 420 | 3 |
| One of BIOC_V 403, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 44913 | 6 |
| BIOC_V Upper Year Elective14 | 6 |
| Electives8 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
| Total Credits for Degree | 132 |
| 1 A total of 6 credits of coursework is required to meet the Communication Requirement. For a full list of acceptable courses, see Communication Requirement. | |
| 2 Students without one of Biology 11 or Biology 12 must take BIOL_V 111 before taking BIOL_V 112 or 121. | |
| 3 Students who do not have B.C. High School Chemistry 12 (or its equivalent) must write the UBC Chemistry Basic Skills Test and may be required to take CHEM_V 100. CHEM_V 110 and 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 111. CHEM_V 120 and 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 121. | |
| 4 CHEM_V 130 and 135 may substitute for CHEM_V 123. | |
| 5 MATH_V 180 or 184 or 120 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 1 credit. MATH_V 110 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 3 credits. | |
| 6 Students taking DSCI_V 100 should take STAT_V 201 in year 2. Students taking CPSC_V 103 should take CPSC_V 203 in year 2. | |
| 7 Students require 3 credits of 100-level physics beyond PHYS_V 100. Students lacking Physics 12 must take PHYS_V 100 before taking any other 100-level PHYS_V course, using PHYS_V 100 as an elective. Students are encouraged to complete this specialization requirement in their first year. | |
| 8 Elective credits together with required courses must fulfill the Faculty of Science’s: a) Foundational Requirement; b) Laboratory Science Requirement; c) Science Breadth Requirement; d) Science and Arts Requirements; e) Upper-level Requirement; f) General Degree Requirements. Any extra elective credit taken in the first, second, or third years can be applied to later elective credit requirements. Students wishing to transfer to honours should see Faculty of Science requirements. | |
| 9 Students with a mark of 76% or higher in BIOL_V 201 or BIOC_V 202 may apply for admission to the Biochemistry specialization and will be allowed to use these courses in place of BIOC_V 203. However, BIOC_V 203 is the preferred route into biochemistry specializations. | |
| 10 Students with a mark of 70% or higher in BIOL_V 233 may use BIOL_V 233 in place of BIOL_V 234. | |
| 11 CHEM_V 223 and 225 may substitute for CHEM_V 203. Students with CHEM_V 235 and a mark of 76% or higher in CHEM_V 233 may apply for admission to this specialization and will be allowed to use CHEM_V 233 and 235 in place of CHEM_V 203. | |
| 12 Students may replace CHEM_V 205 with CHEM_V 304. | |
| 13 Alternatively, under exceptional circumstances and with the prior agreement of the Biochemistry Advisor, this requirement may be substituted with BIOC_V 421 and an additional 3 credits of BIOC_V Upper Year Elective (see footnote 14). | |
| 14 At least 6 credits of BIOC_V Upper-Year Elective are required in the third or fourth year from the following list: BIOC_V 403, 421, 430, 440, 448, 450, 460, 470; BIOL_V 301, 462; CPSC_V 330; MEDG_V 421; MICB_V 405. Please note that BIOC_V 403, 421, 430, 440, 460, or 470 cannot be double counted. If a student uses one of these courses to complete their specialization requirements, they cannot use the same course as a BIOC_V Upper Year Elective. | |
Combined Major (3382): Biochemistry and Chemistry (BIOC, CHEM)
| First Year | |
| Communication Requirement1 | 6 |
| BIOL_V 1122 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 180 (or 140)2 | 2 |
| CHEM_V 121 (or 111 or 141)3 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 1234 | 4 |
| MATH_V 100 or 102 or 1045 | 3 |
| MATH_V 101 or 103 or 1056 | 3 |
| PHYS_V 100-level7 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 2 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
| BIOC_V 2039 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 200 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 23410 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 20311 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 208 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 21112 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 213, 245 | 4 |
| MATH_V 200 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third Year | |
| BIOC_V 301 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 303 | 6 |
| BIOL_V 335 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 304 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 313 or CHEM_V 330 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 315, 33513 | 2 |
| One of CHEM_V 218, 305, 311, 312, 327 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 7 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Fourth Year | |
| BIOC_V 402, 410 | 6 |
| One of BIOC_V 403, 440, 450, 460, 470 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 421 or CHEM_V 44514 | 3 |
| CHEM_V selections15 | 6 |
| Electives8 | 12 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Total Credits for Degree | 120 |
| 1 A total of 6 credits of coursework is required to meet the Communication Requirement. For a full list of acceptable courses see Communication Requirement. Students taking CHEM_V 300 defer 3 credits of the Communication Requirement to third year. | |
| 2 Students without Biology 11 or Biology 12 must take BIOL_V 111 before taking BIOL_V 112 or BIOL_V 180. | |
| 3 Students who do not have B.C. High School Chemistry 12 (or its equivalent) must write the UBC Chemistry Basic Skills Test and may be required to take CHEM_V 100. CHEM_V 110 and 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 111. CHEM_V 120 and 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 121. | |
| 4 CHEM_V 130 and 135 may substitute for CHEM_V 123. | |
| 5 MATH_V 180 or 184 or 120 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 1 credit. MATH_V 110 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 3 credits. | |
| 6 MATH_V 121 may substitute for any of the specified integral calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 1 credit. | |
| 7 Students require 3 credits of 100-level physics beyond PHYS_V 100. Students lacking Physics 12 must take PHYS_V 100 before taking any other 100-level PHYS_V course, using PHYS_V 100 as an elective. Students are encouraged to complete this specialization requirement in their first year. | |
| 8 Elective credits together with required courses must fulfill the Faculty of Science’s: a) Foundational Requirement; b) Laboratory Science Requirement; c) Science Breadth Requirement; d) Science and Arts Requirements; e) Upper-level Requirement; f) General Degree Requirements. Any extra elective credit taken in the first, second, or third years can be applied to later elective credit requirements. Students wishing to transfer to honours should see Faculty of Science Requirements | |
| 9 Students with a mark of 76% or higher in BIOL_V 201 or BIOC_V 202 may apply for admission to the Biochemistry specialization and will be allowed to use these courses in place of BIOC_V 203. However, BIOC_V 203 is the preferred route into biochemistry specializations. | |
| 10 Students with a mark of 70% or higher in BIOL_V 233 may use BIOL_V 233 in place of BIOL_V 234. | |
| 11 CHEM_V 223 and 225 may substitute for CHEM_V 203. Students with CHEM_V 235 and a score of 76% or higher in CHEM_V 233 may apply for admission to this specialization and will be allowed to use CHEM_V 233 and 235 in place of CHEM_V 203. | |
| 12 CHEM_V 210 and 215 may substitute for CHEM_V 211. | |
| 13 CHEM_V 325 (2) can substitute for CHEM_V 315 (1) and CHEM_V 335 (1). Students with either CHEM_V 325 or CHEM_V 335 can take CHEM_V 345 (2) to substitute for 2 credits of CHEM_V 300-level lecture electives. | |
| 14 With permission, CHEM_V 449 or 6 credits of CHEM_V 445 may be substituted for 3 credits of CHEM_V 445 and 3 credits of 400-level CHEM_V lecture selections. | |
| 15 Chosen from 400-level CHEM_V lecture courses. | |
Combined Honours (0565): Biochemistry and Chemistry (BIOC, CHEM)
| First Year | |
| Communication Requirement1 | 6 |
| BIOL_V 1122 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 180 (or 140)2 | 2 |
| CHEM_V 121 (or 111 or 141)3 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 1234 | 4 |
| MATH_V 100 or 102 or 1045 | 3 |
| MATH_V 101 or 103 or 1056 | 3 |
| PHYS_V 100-level7 | 6 |
| Electives8 | 2 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
| Second Year | |
| BIOC_V 2039 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 200 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 23410 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 20311 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 208 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 21112 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 213, 245 | 4 |
| MATH_V 200 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
| Third Year | |
| BIOC_V 301 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 303 | 6 |
| BIOL_V 335 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 304 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 313 or CHEM_V 330 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 319, 329 | 2 |
| Laboratory Requirement13 | 4 |
| One of CHEM_V 218, 305, 311, 312, 327 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
| Fourth Year | |
| BIOC_V 402, 404, 410 | 9 |
| One of BIOC_V 403, 440, 450, 460, 470 | 3 |
| BIOC_V 449 or CHEM_V 449 | 6 |
| CHEM_V Electives14 | 9 |
| Electives8 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
| Total Credits for Degree | 132 |
| 1 A total of 6 credits of coursework is required to meet the Communication Requirement. For a full list of acceptable courses see Communication Requirement. Students taking CHEM_V 300 defer 3 credits of the Communication Requirement to third year. | |
| 2 Students without one of Biology 11 or Biology 12 must take BIOL_V 111 before taking BIOL_V 112 or BIOL_V 180. | |
| 3 Students who do not have B.C. High School Chemistry 12 (or its equivalent) must write the UBC Chemistry Basic Skills Test and may be required to take CHEM_V 100. CHEM_V 110 and 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 111. CHEM_V 120 and 115 may substitute for CHEM_V 121. | |
| 4 CHEM_V 130 and 135 may substitute for CHEM_V 123. | |
| 5 MATH_V 180 or 184 or 120 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 1 credit. MATH_V 110 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 3 credits. | |
| 6 MATH_V 121 may substitute for any of the specified integral calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives in a later year by 1 credit. | |
| 7 Chosen from 100-level PHYS_V courses, excluding PHYS_V 100. PHYS_V 109 or 119 are recommended. Students without Physics 12 must take PHYS_V 100 before taking other 100-level PHYS_V courses. | |
| 8 Elective credits together with required courses must fulfill the Faculty of Science’s: a) Foundational Requirement; b) Laboratory Science Requirement; c) Science Breadth Requirement; d) Science and Arts Requirements; e) Upper-level Requirement; f) General Degree Requirements. Any extra elective credit taken in the first, second, or third years can be applied to later elective credit requirements. Students wishing to transfer to honours should see Faculty of Science Requirements. | |
| 9 Students with a mark of 76% or higher in BIOL_V 201 or BIOC_V 202 may apply for admission to the Biochemistry specialization and will be allowed to use these courses in place of BIOC_V 203. However, BIOC_V 203 is the preferred route into biochemistry specializations. | |
| 10 Students with a mark of 70% or higher in BIOL_V 233 may use BIOL_V 233 in place of BIOL_V 234. | |
| 11 CHEM_V 223 and 225 may substitute for CHEM_V 203. Students with CHEM_V 235 and a score of 76% or higher in CHEM_V 233 may apply for admission to this specialization and will be allowed to use CHEM_V 233 and 235 in place of CHEM_V 203. | |
| 12 CHEM_V 210 and 215 may substitute for CHEM_V 211. | |
| 13 Students select either a) CHEM_V 325 and CHEM_V 345 or b) CHEM_V 315 and CHEM_V 335 and BIOC_V 420. With option b), the number of electives is decreased by 1 credit, and BIOC_V 420 is taken in fourth-year. Students should select the option best suited to their preference for fourth-year thesis project. | |
| 14 Chosen from 300- and 400-level CHEM_V lecture courses. At least 6 credits must be chosen from 400-level CHEM_V lecture courses. | |
Combined Honours (3508): Biochemistry and Forensic Science
See Forensic Science.
Minor (1184): Biochemistry (BIOC)
Biochemistry Minor course requirements vary depending on the first area of specialization (e.g., Major, Honours) of the student and must be decided upon in consultation with the Biochemistry advisor. A maximum of 6 credits of overlap between the requirements of the two areas of specialization is allowed.
In general the Biochemistry Minor consists of all of BIOC_V 303, 402, and 410; and 6 credits selected, in consultation with the Biochemistry advisor, from: BIOC_V 403, 440, 450, 460; BIOL_V 335; CHEM_V 305, 313; MICB_V 302, 306, 325, 405, 425. BIOC_V 302 can be substituted for BIOC_V 303, with an additional 3 credits of upper level credit selected from the list provided.
For Chemistry Major or Honours students, the Biochemistry Minor consists of all of BIOC_V 303, 402 and 410; one of BIOC_V 403, 440, 450, 460; and one of BIOL_V 335, MICB_V 325. BIOC_V 302 can be substituted for BIOC_V 303, with an additional 3 credits of upper level credit selected from the list provided.