The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of British Columbia and the Forensics Science and Technology department at the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) offer a four-year joint degree program that integrates academic study at both institutions. Enrolment is limited. Entry into the specialization is at the second-year level and requires completion of the first-year prerequisites listed below with at least the minimum admission average set by the UBC Faculty of Science for transfer into second year Honours specializations.
Students normally apply for this specialization through the UBC science online second year specialization selection process. Students transferring from other specializations, year levels, or other institutions should see a UBC biochemistry advisor. Applicants should also be aware that most careers in Forensic Science require criminal background checks.
The first year of the specialization is completed at UBC. Transfer students who have completed their first year at another institution may also apply to the program. All subsequent years will be taken at both UBC and BCIT, requiring students to commute between the two campuses (scheduling will reflect travel time). Students must meet the Faculty of Science requirement to continue in this Honours specialization (see Honours Specialization requirements). Students will need to maintain a winter sessional average of 70% or higher to remain in the specialization.
Completion of the requirements for the entire four- year specialization earns a Bachelor of Science (Combined Honours) in Biochemistry and Forensic Science. The credential is awarded jointly by UBC and BCIT. Students who fail to maintain the Faculty of Science requirements for continuing in honours specializations, or who elect not to complete the joint program, but who wish to enrol in a different specialization within the Faculty of Science must apply to receive transfer credit for completed BCIT credits to have the BCIT credits counted towards a new specialization.
Co-operative (Co-op) Education Option
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department offers an optional Co-op Education Option for the Biochemistry and Forensic Science Honours Program. The program is open to interested and qualified students and is intended to provide additional practical and technical biochemical and molecular biological, and forensic science experience in academic, public, and industrial research laboratories or law enforcement agencies. This is normally achieved through a period of 12 to 15 months of approved work placement under the supervision of practicing professionals. Acceptance into the Co-op Option is based upon academic standing and general suitability to perform in a technical research environment.
In order to graduate with the Co-op option students must complete a minimum of three work terms (a work term being a minimum of 14 weeks) in an academic research, public, or industrial laboratory or law enforcement agency (either at UBC or at an off-campus site). 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 FSCT_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 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.
Combined Honours (3508): Biochemistry and Forensic Science
| First Year | |
| Communications 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 | 8 |
| Total Credits | 34 |
| Second Year at UBC campus | |
| BIOC_V 2039 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 200 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 23410 | 3 |
| CHEM_V 20311 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 213, 245 | 4 |
| CHEM_V 21112 | 4 |
| STAT_V 201 or CPSC_V 2036 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 |
| Second Year at BCIT campus | |
| FSCT_V 280, 290 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
| Third Year at UBC campus | |
| BIOC_V 303 | 6 |
| BIOC_V 301 | 3 |
| BIOL_V 335 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
| Third Year at BCIT campus | |
| FSCT_V 380, 390 | 18 |
| Total Credits | 18 |
| Fourth Year at UBC campus | |
| BIOC_V 402, 410 | 6 |
| One of BIOC_V 403, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470 | 3 |
| BIOC_V research option13 | 6 |
| FSCT_V Upper Year Elective14 | 3 |
| Electives8 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 |
| Fourth Year at BCIT campus | |
| FSCT_V 480, 490 | 11 |
| Total Credits | 11 |
| 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. | |
| 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 CHEM_V 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: For this specialization, BCIT’s COMM 7200 and LIBS 7002 count as arts electives. Please see FSCT_V 280 and 290. | |
| 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 may choose from either a) BIOC_V 449 or b) BIOC_V 420 and ONE of BIOC_V 403, 430, 440, 450, 460, or 470. Please note that BIOC_V 403, 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 to fulfill their biochemistry research option. | |
| 14 At least 3 credits of FSCT_V Upper Year elective are required in the third or fourth year from the following list: BIOC_V 306, 403, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470; BIOL_V 301, 336; CPSC_V 330; MEDG_V 421; MICB_V 405; PCTH_V 325. 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 FSCT_V Upper Year Elective. | |