Biomolecular Structure Studies
Administrative Committee
The Department Heads of Biochemistry (R. Khandelwal), and Chemistry (M. Majewski) chair the committee in alternate years: Biochemistry in 2006-07 and Chemistry in 2007-08, etc. Other committee members are D. Dmitriev, S. Moore (Biochemistry), D. Sanders (Chemistry). For further information contact the Department of Biochemistry (College of Medicine) or the Department of Chemistry (College of Arts and Science).
Biomolecular Structure Studies, linked closely to Biochemistry and Chemistry, is a rapidly developing discipline that focuses on biological macromolecular structure and function. Experts in this field are able to identify and isolate the components of biological systems and directly investigate the structural basis of how these systems function at the molecular level.
Students in Biomolecular Structure Studies are provided with insight into how the structure and dynamic behaviour of biological macromolecules are critically and intimately linked to their biological function. Students learn to think critically about how macromolecules fold, and how structure and function are integrated in macromolecules such as proteins. Students will use state-of-the-art equipment such as X-ray crystallographic and NMR instruments.
A degree in Biomolecular Structure Studies prepares students to pursue studies in other areas such as synchrotron science, structural biology, proteomics, bioinformatics, drug design and synthesis, and biomolecule sensing and analysis.
New degree requirements (distribution requirements 1-5) for Type programs came into effect September 2005. Students currently in their third or fourth year of a Type C program may complete the old or the new degree requirements. Students commencing a Type C program in 2005 onward must follow the new Degree Requirements Chart and should refer to Distribution Requirements in the Arts & Science section of the Calendar for details.
B.Sc. Four-year/Honours Biomolecular Structure Studies
C1 Basic Science Requirement (minimum 15 credit units)
BIOL 120.3 and 121.3 (formerly BIOL 110.6); CHEM 112.3, 115.3; PHYS 115.3 and 117.3 (formerly PHYS 111.6).
C2 Humanities Writing Requirement (6 credit units)
6 credit units selected from the following: 100-level English, 100-level History, LIT 100.6, PHIL 120.3, PHIL 133.3.
C3 Social Science Requirement (6 credit units)
6 credit units from the Social Sciences.
C4 Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (6 credit units)
MATH 110.3 and 3 credit units from MATH 112.3, 116.3, 264.3; STAT 245.3, 246.3; PLSC 314.3.
C5 General Requirement (6 credit units)
6 credit units to be selected from the areas of Humanities, Fine Arts, Social Sciences, or Languages, such that no more than 6 credit units in C2, C3, or C5 are from any one subject.
C6 Major Requirement (Four-year: 45 credit units, Honours: 51 credit units)
BIOC 200.3, 310.3 or CHEM 353.3; CHEM 250.3; BIOC 490.0 or CHEM 402.0; BMST 305.3, 406.3, 408.3.
9 additional credit units BIOC
9 additional credit units CHEM
9 additional credit units CHEM and/or BIOC
Students in the Honours program must also complete BMST 485.6. C7 Electives Requirement a) Required Cognate Courses (Minimum 15 credit units)
Minimum 15 credit units science electives; some suggestions are: ACB 200.3; BINF 200.3; BIOL 211.3 (or 226.3), 316.3; MCIM 214.3, 216.3.
b) Open Electives
Courses to complete the requirements for 120 credit unit Four-year/Honours program, of which at least 66 must be at the 200-level or higher.