Biochemistry Undergraduate Program

Academic Inquires:
Undergraduate Program in Biochemistry
Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences
813 Botterell Hall
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Denise Cameron, Program Assistant
Telephone: (613) 533-6000 ext 75896
Fax: (613) 533-6796
E-mail: biochem@queensu.ca

Department Student Council Representative List

Biochemistry offers undergraduate degree programs through the Faculty of Arts and Science.

The flagship program is the four year Honours Subject of Specialization Program (BSCH-SSP). This program provides the student with an in-depth training in modern experimental Biochemistry and is a preparation for entry into graduate programs. The first two years of the program are background preparation in Chemistry (organic, analytical and physical), Biology (genetics), general Physics and Mathematics. In the third year, courses in general Biochemistry, Physical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are mandatory. In the fourth year students take four full credits in Biochemistry two of which are laboratory courses, one a winter term research project with thesis. The program has enough flexibility for students to take elective courses in Microbiology, Physiology or other subjects in the Faculty of Arts and Science for which they are eligible.

A Cooperative program in Biochemistry is available that is integrated into the Honours-SSP program. It provides two relevant work experiences of eight months duration each in industry, business, research institutes or government but requires that the student complete their degree requirements in five years, not four. Click here for more co-op program information.

A medial between the Departments of Biochemistry and Computing and Information Science (BSCH-CISC-MED) provides the student with a training in the new area of Bioinformatics. This is also a four year program and as with the SSP program the first two years are spent obtaining a solid background in Chemistry, Biology (genetics), Mathematics and Computing Science.

A four year honours degree program, available as a major concentration, is designed for those students who want an honours training in Biochemistry but have alternate plans than graduate studies in experimental Biochemistry. The program is identical to the first two years of the SSP program and includes twelve courses in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. There are opportunities for more elective credits in the third and fourth years of study compared to the SSP program. BCHM 421 and 422 are not available to students in the Major program.

The three year general degree program (BSC-GEN), requires a concentration in Biochemistry with a minimum of eight Science courses.

Two Dual Degree programs, a BSc in Biochemistry with Chemical Engineering and a BSc in Biochemistry with Engineering Chemistry are available. Each program has five additional credit requirements for the dual degree designation and usually requires five years of study.

The Department is also a full participant, with the other Basic Science Departments in the Faculty of Health Sciences, in the Life Science program leading to the four year Honours Subject of Specialization degree (LISC-SSP)

Complete descriptions of all programs, including course requirements, can be found in the Arts and Science Calendar.

Location Codes for Campus Buildings can be found at the Registrars website.