• Instructor 2024/2025: Dr. Monica de Paoli, Dr. Yingfu Li
• Fundamental concepts and experimental methods in studying both DNA and RNA. Nature of genetic information and its storage. Molecular basis of replication, transcription, and translation. Students will be required to participate in a seminar outside of regular class hours.
• Three lectures; one term
• Course outline 2024/2025 (PDF)

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Daniel Yang
• Fundamental concepts and experimental methods in studying structures of proteins, including membrane proteins. Nature of enzyme catalysis. Introduction to enzyme kinetics and mechanism.
• Three lectures, one tutorial; second term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (.pdf)

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Julian Yabut
• A brief introduction to proteins, enzymes and gene expression followed by a more detailed treatment of energy and intermediary metabolism with emphasis on physiological chemistry.
• Online, web modules; one term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (PDF)

• Instructor 2024/2025: Dr. Felicia Vulcu
• An inquiry approach to learning about current techniques in biochemistry research. Students will work in small groups in labs and workshops with a focus on how to search the primary literature, prepare and deliver written and oral presentations.
• Two lectures (one hour), one lab or workshop (three hours); two terms
• Course outline 2024/2025 (PDF)

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Michelle MacDonald
• An inquiry-based course that will explore careers related to biochemistry and biomedical sciences, coupled with an exploration of the science behind each career. The course will include examination of the primary literature as it relates to each topic, culminating in a final presentation.
• Three hours; one term
• For BIOMEDDC course information, refer to the BDC Program Website

• Coordinator 2024/2025: Administrative Staff
• Course permission form (PDF)
• A twelve week research project undertaken in a biochemistry laboratory during the fall, winter or summer term, which requires the submission of a formal report. Students are responsible to arrange a suitable project, location and agreement of the supervisor. Learn more about applying for a position.
• Course outline Fall 2024 (.docx)

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Jon Stokes
• This course explores the history of antibiotic discovery and the influence of these drugs on modern medicine. We will explore (a) the array of antibiotic classes that are currently employed in the clinic; (b) the methods through which our current antibiotics were discovered; (c) next-generation methods to identify novel antibiotics; and (d) mechanisms to overcome the economic disincentives that limit antibiotic discovery and development by for-profit entities.
• Two lectures (one hour), one tutorial (one hour); one term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (.PDF)

• Instructor 2024/2025: Dr. Andrew McArthur
• Introduction to bioinformatics theory, tools and practice with an emphasis upon high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies. Areas of emphasis include gene sequence analysis, functional prediction, genome assembly and annotation, gene expression analysis, gene regulation analysis, genome databases and microbial genomics. Course includes an introduction to the command line, software development and cloud computing.
• Two lectures, one tutorial; first term
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Instructor 2024/2025: Dr. Ray Truant
• Students will critically evaluate and present primary manuscripts in basic cellular biology and cellular biochemistry on theme areas related to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ER stress, intracellular protein trafficking and cytoskeleton actin and tubulin.
• Three lectures (one hour each); one term
• Prerequisites: BIOCHEM 2B03 and 2BB3
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.pdf)

• Instructor 2024/2025: Dr. Michelle MacDonald
• Principles of bioenergetics. Major pathways for carbohydrates and lipids in energy production. Photosynthesis. Nitrogen metabolism. Biosynthesis of small biomolecules. Integration and regulation of metabolic activities.
• Three lectures; one term
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Instructors 2024/2025: Dr. Daniel Yang and Dr. Russell Bishop
• Chemical and conformational properties of proteins and relationships to their function including regulation of enzyme activity. Chemical and physical structure of DNA and RNA relevant to biological function.
• Three lectures; one term
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Coordinator 2023/2024: Dr. Monica de Paoli
• An outline of clinical chemistry, its relation to disease and relevance to health care.
• Three lectures; one term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (.docx)

• Instructors 2023/2024: Dr. Monica de Paoli
• Laboratory course focusing on module-based advanced biochemistry techniques such as protein purification and analysis using Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) and Immunodetection techniques, CRISPR-Cas9, quantitative PCR, cell culture techniques, etc.
• One lecture (two hours), one lab (three hours); one term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (PDF)

• Laboratory course that will introduce fundamental and applied biochemical techniques. Lab sessions will explore molecular biology and protein methods with an emphasis on advanced techniques such as qPCR and cell-culture.
  One lecture
• (two hours), one lab (three hours); one term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (PDF)

Note: This course is restricted to Level III Honours Biochemistry (B.H.Sc.) transfer and Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering students

• Instructor 2024/2025: Dr. John Whitney & Dr. Lindsay Kalan
• This course examines how interactions with bacteria influence all cellular life on earth. Topics include conflict and collaboration between bacteria, host-pathogen and host-symbiont interactions and biological innovations arising from battles between bacteria and bacteriophages.
• Two lectures, one tutorial; first term
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Coordinator 2024/2025: Administrative Staff
• A one-term research project undertaken under the supervision of a Faculty of Health Sciences research supervisor during the fall, winter or summer term which requires the submission of a formal report. Project may involve clinical research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Students are responsible to arrange a suitable project, location and agreement of the supervisor. Refer to https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/biochem/education/undergraduate/forms-and-procedures for information about applying for a position.
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Coordinator 2024/2025: Administrative Staff
• A project supervised by a member or associate member of the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences. Assessment is based on laboratory work, a poster presentation and a final report. Learn more about applying for a position.
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• This course will develop fundamental writing skills with application to writing for the biomedical sciences. We will review basic principles of effective scientific writing and review good and bad writing. Students will be given practical examples of science writing and will be given writing exercises with opportunities for frequent feedback and review to advance their written communications.
• One two-hour lecture, one one-hour tutorial; one term
• For BIOMEDDC course information, refer to the BDC Program Website

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Sara Andres
• Introduction to methods used in the determination of protein and macromolecular structures, which include x-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray scattering. Interpretation of protein structure data with practical emphasis on solving structures by x-ray crystallography.
• One lecture, three hours; one term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (.docx)

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Russell Bishop
• Broader aspects of biochemistry such as those relating to food, drugs, health and environment discussed in small groups. Group and individual projects, seminars and lectures as appropriate to the subject matter.
• Three hours; second term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (PDF)

• Instructors 2024/2025: Dr. Mick Bhatia
• Mechanisms of gene regulation, emerging concepts in transcriptional regulation, fundamental aspects of stem cell biology, gene expression in cancer, clinical applications of human stem cells.
• Three lectures; first term
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Instructors 2024/2025: Dr. Caitlin Mullarkey
• A thesis based on a major research project supervised by a member of the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences. The results will also be presented to the department in a seminar. Learn more about applying for a position.
• Occasional tutorial (one hour); two terms
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Nathan Magarvey
• Selected topics on genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics illustrating the modern application of molecular biology and biochemistry to pharmaceutical and other research.
• Three lectures; second term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (.docx)

• Instructor 2022/2023: Dr.Caitlin Mullarkey
• This advanced course applies problem-based learning to immunological problems. Topics concern development of immunoassays, resistance to infection and immunity in health and disease.
• One session (three hours), one tutorial; one term
• Course outline 2022/2023 (PDF)

*BIOCHEM 4J03 is administered by the bachelor of health sciences (honours) program, and cross-listed with HTHSCI 4J03.

• Instructors 2023/2024: Dr. Jonathan Schertzer & Dr. Greg Steinberg
• Study of nutritional biochemistry and the regulation of metabolism; the role of specific nutrients in functional processes of the body in health and disease.
• Three lectures; second term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (PDF)

* Course previously offered as BIOCHEM 3N03.

• Instructor 2023/2024: Dr. Russell Bishop
• Properties and structures of membranes, molecular components of biological membranes and their interactions, strategies for signal transduction cascades, hormones, receptors.
• Three lectures; one term
• Course outline 2023/2024 (PDF)

• Instructor 2024/2025: Dr. Radhey Gupta
• Introduction to the basic concepts of pharmacology. Mechanisms of action of antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anticancer drugs, toxins and how cellular resistance to such agents develop. Applications of drug-resistant mutants for genetic, biochemical pharmacological and cell biological studies.
• Three lectures; first term
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• A presentation of recent contributions made to the fields of molecular and cell biology by the use of physical approaches. In particular, the following topics are discussed: physical properties of biomolecules, protein folding, molecular motors, cell motion and cell adhesion. Emphasis on the critical evaluation of current research literature.
• Three lectures; one term

*BIOCHEM 4S03 is administered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and cross-listed with BIOPHYS 4S03.

• Coordinators 2024/2025: Dr. Caitlin Mullarkey
• A thesis based on a major research project supervised by a member of the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences. The results will also be presented to the department in a seminar. Learn more about applying for a position.
• Occasional tutorial (one hour); two terms
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Instructor 2024/2025: Administrative Staff
• A project supervised by a member of the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences. Areas of study can include pedagogical research, literature reviews and data analysis as well as traditional lab-based projects. Assessment is based on lab/research performance and a final report. Learn more about applying for a position.
• Course outline 2024/2025 (.docx)

• Biochemistry Laboratory I – BIOCHEM 3L03
• Nutrition and Metabolism – BIOCHEM 3N03
• Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory – BIOCHEM 3P03
• Introduction to Computational Biochemistry – BIOCHEM 3Y03
• Genomes and Evolution – BIOCHEM 4Y03
• Senior Research Project – BIOCHEM 4B06
• Biofuels – BIOCHEM 4EA3
• Advanced Topics in Gene Expression – BIOCHEM 4EE3
• Structure and Function of Membranes and Macromolecules – BIOCHEM 4K03
• Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory – BIOCHEM 4L03
• Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Laboratory- BIOCHEM 4LL3
• Research Project – BIOCHEM 4P03
• Senior Thesis – BIOCHEM 4R12