Colleges and Academic Units > Arts and Science > Biochemistry
Biochemistry
The Biochemistry program provides education and training in the molecular and cellular approaches to the study of the life sciences. Individual student programs in Biochemistry can emphasize cell biochemistry, chemical approaches, metabolism, molecular biology, plant biochemistry, protein structure and function, or signal transduction. Programs in Biochemistry include essential prerequisite courses for life science professional schools (e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine) and graduate studies in many areas of the life sciences. Graduates at all levels find employment in academia, industry and other life science research enterprises.
The six B.Sc. degree programs listed below share a set of courses (the Biomedical Science Common Core) which are to be taken in years 1 & 2. These courses have been incorporated into the C1-C7 requirements.
Anatomy & Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Biochemistry & Biotechnology
Biotechnology, Microbiology & Immunology
Microbiology & Immunology
Physiology & Pharmacology
Programs Offered
The Department of Biochemistry offers 3-year, 4-year and Honours programs leading to B.Sc. degrees. The Department of Biochemistry also offers interdisciplinary programs in Biomolecular Structure Studies and Biochemistry & Biotechnology. See the index for more information on these programs. Double Honours in Biochemistry and other programs (e.g. Biochemistry and Microbiology & Immunology) can also be arranged with careful planning. Students considering a double Honours program must consult an academic advisor within specific departments of interest.
Major Average
The major average in Biochemistry programs includes the grades earned in:
- All BIOC and CHEM and all courses listed in the Major Requirement C6.
Residency Requirements in the Major
To receive a degree in Biochemistry, students must complete at least two-thirds of the following coursework (to the nearest highest multiple of 3 credit units) from the University of Saskatchewan.
- CHEM 112.3 and CHEM 115.3
- Minimum requirements in Major Requirement C6.
See Residency for additional details.
Bachelor of Science Four-year (B.Sc. Four-year) - Biochemistry
C1 Science Requirement (15 credit units)
C2 Humanities Writing Requirement (6 credit units)
ENG 110.6 ENG 111.3 ENG 112.3 ENG 113.3 ENG 114.3 HIST 110.3 HIST 111.3 HIST 114.6 HIST 120.6 HIST 121.3 HIST 122.3 HIST 151.3 HIST 152.3 HIST 170.6 INTS 101.12 LIT 100.6 PHIL 110.6 PHIL 120.3 PHIL 133.3
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
C3 Social Science Requirement (6 credit units)
ANTH 111.3 ARCH 112.3 ARCH 116.3 ECON 111.3 ECON 114.3 GEOG 130.3 LING 111.3 LING 112.3 NS 107.3 POLS 111.3 POLS 112.3 PSY 100.3 PSY 120.3 and PSY 121.3 (formerly PSY 110) SOC 111.3 SOC 112.3 WGST 112.3
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
- Any senior-level social science course provided that the prerequisite is met and not more than 6 credit units in one subject are used for the Social Science Requirement
- Statistics courses in social sciences are not accepted for credit toward the Social Science Requirement (eg. ECON 204.6, PSY 233.3, PSY 234.3, SOC 225.3 and SOC 325.3).
- Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions.
- NRTH 101.3 may not be used to fulfill the Social Science Requirement.
C4 Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (6 credit units)
MATH 125.3 recommended
Choose 3 credit units from the following:
Choose 3 credit units from the following:
C5 General Requirement (6 credit units)
No more than 6 credit units in C1 - C5 from any one subject. For example, if you have received credit for ENG 110.6 in C2, you may not take further ENG courses to fulfill this requirement
Choose 6 credit units from the areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages and/or Fine Arts.
-
Any senior-level humanities course provided that the prerequisite is met.
-
Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions.
-
CLAS 103.3, CLAS 104.3, CLAS 105.3, and CLAS 106.3 may not be used to fulfill the General Requirement.
CHIN 111.6 CHIN 130.6 CLAS 110.3 CLAS 111.3 CMRS 110.3 CMRS 111.3 CREE 101.6 CREE 120.6 ENG 110.6 ENG 111.3 ENG 112.3 ENG 113.3 ENG 114.3 FREN 103.3 FREN 106.3 FREN 122.3 FREN 125.3 FREN 128.3 FREN 218.3 GERM 114.3 GERM 117.3 GRK 112.3 GRK 113.3 HEB 111.6 HIST 110.3 HIST 111.3 HIST 114.6 HIST 120.6 HIST 121.3 HIST 122.3 HIST 151.3 HIST 152.3 HIST 170.6 INTS 101.12 LATN 112.3 LATN 113.3 LING 110.3 LIT 100.6 PHIL 110.6 PHIL 120.3 PHIL 133.3 PHIL 140.3 RLST 110.6 RUSS 114.3 RUSS 117.3 SNSK 101.6 SPAN 114.3 SPAN 117.3 UKR 114.3 UKR 117.3 WGST 112.3 -
Most senior-level social science courses provided that the prerequisite is met.
-
INTS 100.3 (formerly PSY 101.3) and NRTH 101.3 may not be used to fulfill the General Requirement.
-
Most statistics courses are not accepted for credit in the General Requirement
ANTH 111.3 ARCH 112.3 ARCH 116.3 ECON 111.3 ECON 114.3 GEOG 130.3 LING 111.3 LING 112.3 NS 107.3 POLS 111.3 POLS 112.3 PSY 100.3 PSY 120.3 and PSY 121.3 (formerly PSY 110) SOC 111.3 WGST 112.3 - Any senior-level fine arts course provided that the prerequisite is met.
ART 111.6 ART 112.6 ART 113.6 ART 136.3 ART 141.3 ART 161.3 ARTH 120.3 ARTH 121.3 DRAM 101.3 DRAM 104.6 DRAM 110.3 DRAM 113.3 DRAM 118.3 (formerly DRAM 116) DRAM 119.3 (formerly DRAM 117) MUS 101.3 MUS 105.3 MUS 111.3 MUS 120.2 MUS 121.2 MUS 133.3 MUS 134.3 MUS 150.3 MUS 151.3 MUS 184.3 NRTH 101.3
Humanities
Social Sciences
Fine Arts
Courses with No Program Type
C6 Major Requirement (54 credit units)
- BMSC 200.3
- BMSC 210.3
- BMSC 220.3
- BMSC 230.3
- BMSC 240.3
- BIOL 224.3/BMSC 224.3
- BIOC 300.3
- BIOC 310.3
- BIOC 311.3 or MCIM 391.3
- BIOC 412.3
- BIOC 430.3 or BIOC 435.3
- BIOC 436.3
- BIOC 490.0 (attendance in BIOC 490.0 is required in both term 1 and 2)
- BINF 200.3 or BINF 210.3
- CHEM 250.3
Biochemistry Electives (12 credit units)
Choose 3 to 12 credit units from the following:
- BIOC 420.3
- BIOC 430.3
- BIOC 435.3
- BIOC 437.3
- BIOC 489.6
- BMST 305.3
- BMST 406.3
- BMST 408.3
- ACB 325.3
- ACB 404.3
- BINF 300.3
- BIOL 316.3
- BIOL 331.3
- BIOL 420.3
- CHEM 456.3
- MCIM 321.3
- MCIM 390.3
- MCIM 417.3
- PHPY 301.3
- PHPY 302.3
- PHPY 303.3
C7 Electives Requirement (27 credit units)
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Year 1
- BIOL 120.3
- CHEM 112.3
- CHEM 115.3
- MATH 125.3 (or equivalent)
- PHYS 115.3
- PHYS 117.3 or PHYS 125.3
- BMSC 200.3 (T2)
- Other program electives
Year 2
Students entering second year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- BMSC 210.3
- BMSC 220.3
- BMSC 230.3
- BMSC 240.3
- BIOL 224.3/BMSC 224.3
- CHEM 250.3
- BINF 200.3 or BINF 210.3
- Other program electives
Year 3
Students entering third year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- BIOC 300.3
- BIOC 310.3
- BIOC 311.3 or MCIM 391.3
- 3 to 6 credit units from BIOC 412.3, BIOC 430.3, BIOC 435.3
- 0-3 credit units BIOC electives
- Other program electives
Some upper-year biochemistry courses (BIOC 420.3, BIOC 430.3, BIOC 435.3, BIOC 437.3) are offered only in alternate years as are some of the other senior life science courses.
Year 4
Students entering fourth year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- Students should complete the biochemistry and chemistry course requirements as well as any outstanding Program Type C Requirements.
- Enrolment in BIOC 490.0 is required
- 0-3 credit units from BIOC 412.3, BIOC 430.3, BIOC 435.3
- BIOC 436.3
- BIOC 490.0
- 9-12 credit units BIOC electives
Bachelor of Science Three-year (B.Sc. Three-year) - Biochemistry
C1 Science Requirement (15 credit units)
C2 Humanities Writing Requirement (6 credit units)
ENG 110.6 ENG 111.3 ENG 112.3 ENG 113.3 ENG 114.3 HIST 110.3 HIST 111.3 HIST 114.6 HIST 120.6 HIST 121.3 HIST 122.3 HIST 151.3 HIST 152.3 HIST 170.6 INTS 101.12 LIT 100.6 PHIL 110.6 PHIL 120.3 PHIL 133.3
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
C3 Social Science Requirement (6 credit units)
ANTH 111.3 ARCH 112.3 ARCH 116.3 ECON 111.3 ECON 114.3 GEOG 130.3 LING 111.3 LING 112.3 NS 107.3 POLS 111.3 POLS 112.3 PSY 100.3 PSY 120.3 and PSY 121.3 (formerly PSY 110) SOC 111.3 SOC 112.3 WGST 112.3
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
- Any senior-level social science course provided that the prerequisite is met and not more than 6 credit units in one subject are used for the Social Science Requirement
- Statistics courses in social sciences are not accepted for credit toward the Social Science Requirement (eg. ECON 204.6, PSY 233.3, PSY 234.3, SOC 225.3 and SOC 325.3).
- Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions.
- NRTH 101.3 may not be used to fulfill the Social Science Requirement.
C4 Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (3 credit units)
MATH 125.3 recommended
Choose 3 credit units from the following:
C5 General Requirement (6 credit units)
No more than 6 credit units in C1 - C5 from any one subject. For example, if you have received credit for ENG 110.6 in C2, you may not take further ENG courses to fulfill this requirement
Choose 6 credit units from the areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages and/or Fine Arts.
-
Any senior-level humanities course provided that the prerequisite is met.
-
Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions.
-
CLAS 103.3, CLAS 104.3, CLAS 105.3, and CLAS 106.3 may not be used to fulfill the General Requirement.
CHIN 111.6 CHIN 130.6 CLAS 110.3 CLAS 111.3 CMRS 110.3 CMRS 111.3 CREE 101.6 CREE 120.6 ENG 110.6 ENG 111.3 ENG 112.3 ENG 113.3 ENG 114.3 FREN 103.3 FREN 106.3 FREN 122.3 FREN 125.3 FREN 128.3 FREN 218.3 GERM 114.3 GERM 117.3 GRK 112.3 GRK 113.3 HEB 111.6 HIST 110.3 HIST 111.3 HIST 114.6 HIST 120.6 HIST 121.3 HIST 122.3 HIST 151.3 HIST 152.3 HIST 170.6 INTS 101.12 LATN 112.3 LATN 113.3 LING 110.3 LIT 100.6 PHIL 110.6 PHIL 120.3 PHIL 133.3 PHIL 140.3 RLST 110.6 RUSS 114.3 RUSS 117.3 SNSK 101.6 SPAN 114.3 SPAN 117.3 UKR 114.3 UKR 117.3 WGST 112.3 -
Most senior-level social science courses provided that the prerequisite is met.
-
INTS 100.3 (formerly PSY 101.3) and NRTH 101.3 may not be used to fulfill the General Requirement.
-
Most statistics courses are not accepted for credit in the General Requirement
ANTH 111.3 ARCH 112.3 ARCH 116.3 ECON 111.3 ECON 114.3 GEOG 130.3 LING 111.3 LING 112.3 NS 107.3 POLS 111.3 POLS 112.3 PSY 100.3 PSY 120.3 and PSY 121.3 (formerly PSY 110) SOC 111.3 WGST 112.3 - Any senior-level fine arts course provided that the prerequisite is met.
ART 111.6 ART 112.6 ART 113.6 ART 136.3 ART 141.3 ART 161.3 ARTH 120.3 ARTH 121.3 DRAM 101.3 DRAM 104.6 DRAM 110.3 DRAM 113.3 DRAM 118.3 (formerly DRAM 116) DRAM 119.3 (formerly DRAM 117) MUS 101.3 MUS 105.3 MUS 111.3 MUS 120.2 MUS 121.2 MUS 133.3 MUS 134.3 MUS 150.3 MUS 151.3 MUS 184.3 NRTH 101.3
Humanities
Social Sciences
Fine Arts
Courses with No Program Type
C6 Major Requirement (36 credit units)
- BMSC 200.3
- BMSC 210.3
- BMSC 220.3
- BMSC 230.3
- BMSC 240.3
- BIOL 224.3/BMSC 224.3
- BIOC 300.3
- BIOC 310.3 or BIOC 311.3 or MCIM 391.3
- BINF 200.3 or BINF 210.3
- CHEM 250.3
Biochemistry Electives
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
- BIOC 310.3
- BIOC 311.3
- BIOC 412.3
- BIOC 420.3
- BIOC 430.3
- BIOC 435.3
- BIOC 436.3
- BIOC 437.3
- BMST 305.3
- BMST 406.3
- MCIM 391.3
C7 Electives Requirement (18 credit units)
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Year 1
- BIOL 120.3
- CHEM 112.3
- CHEM 115.3
- MATH 125.3 (or equivalent)
- PHYS 115.3
- PHYS 117.3 or PHYS 125.3
- BMSC 200.3 (T2)
- Other program electives
Year 2
Students entering second year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- BMSC 210.3
- BMSC 220.3
- BMSC 230.3
- BMSC 240.3
- BIOL 224.3/BMSC 224.3
- BINF 200.3 or BINF 210.3
- CHEM 250.3
- Other program electives
Year 3
Students entering third year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- BIOC 300.3
- BIOC 310.3 or BIOC 311.3 or MCIM 391.3
- 6 credit units biochemistry electives
- Any outstanding Program Type C requirements
Bachelor of Science Honours (B.Sc. Honours) - Biochemistry
C1 Science Requirement (15 credit units)
C2 Humanities Writing Requirement (6 credit units)
ENG 110.6 ENG 111.3 ENG 112.3 ENG 113.3 ENG 114.3 HIST 110.3 HIST 111.3 HIST 114.6 HIST 120.6 HIST 121.3 HIST 122.3 HIST 151.3 HIST 152.3 HIST 170.6 INTS 101.12 LIT 100.6 PHIL 110.6 PHIL 120.3 PHIL 133.3
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
C3 Social Science Requirement (6 credit units)
ANTH 111.3 ARCH 112.3 ARCH 116.3 ECON 111.3 ECON 114.3 GEOG 130.3 LING 111.3 LING 112.3 NS 107.3 POLS 111.3 POLS 112.3 PSY 100.3 PSY 120.3 and PSY 121.3 (formerly PSY 110) SOC 111.3 SOC 112.3 WGST 112.3
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
- Any senior-level social science course provided that the prerequisite is met and not more than 6 credit units in one subject are used for the Social Science Requirement
- Statistics courses in social sciences are not accepted for credit toward the Social Science Requirement (eg. ECON 204.6, PSY 233.3, PSY 234.3, SOC 225.3 and SOC 325.3).
- Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions.
- NRTH 101.3 may not be used to fulfill the Social Science Requirement.
C4 Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (6 credit units)
MATH 125.3 recommended
Choose 3 credit units from the following:
Choose 3 credit units from the following:
C5 General Requirement (6 credit units)
No more than 6 credit units in C1 - C5 from any one subject. For example, if you have received credit for ENG 110.6 in C2, you may not take further ENG courses to fulfill this requirement
Choose 6 credit units from the areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages and/or Fine Arts.
-
Any senior-level humanities course provided that the prerequisite is met.
-
Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions.
-
CLAS 103.3, CLAS 104.3, CLAS 105.3, and CLAS 106.3 may not be used to fulfill the General Requirement.
CHIN 111.6 CHIN 130.6 CLAS 110.3 CLAS 111.3 CMRS 110.3 CMRS 111.3 CREE 101.6 CREE 120.6 ENG 110.6 ENG 111.3 ENG 112.3 ENG 113.3 ENG 114.3 FREN 103.3 FREN 106.3 FREN 122.3 FREN 125.3 FREN 128.3 FREN 218.3 GERM 114.3 GERM 117.3 GRK 112.3 GRK 113.3 HEB 111.6 HIST 110.3 HIST 111.3 HIST 114.6 HIST 120.6 HIST 121.3 HIST 122.3 HIST 151.3 HIST 152.3 HIST 170.6 INTS 101.12 LATN 112.3 LATN 113.3 LING 110.3 LIT 100.6 PHIL 110.6 PHIL 120.3 PHIL 133.3 PHIL 140.3 RLST 110.6 RUSS 114.3 RUSS 117.3 SNSK 101.6 SPAN 114.3 SPAN 117.3 UKR 114.3 UKR 117.3 WGST 112.3 -
Most senior-level social science courses provided that the prerequisite is met.
-
INTS 100.3 (formerly PSY 101.3) and NRTH 101.3 may not be used to fulfill the General Requirement.
-
Most statistics courses are not accepted for credit in the General Requirement
ANTH 111.3 ARCH 112.3 ARCH 116.3 ECON 111.3 ECON 114.3 GEOG 130.3 LING 111.3 LING 112.3 NS 107.3 POLS 111.3 POLS 112.3 PSY 100.3 PSY 120.3 and PSY 121.3 (formerly PSY 110) SOC 111.3 WGST 112.3 - Any senior-level fine arts course provided that the prerequisite is met.
ART 111.6 ART 112.6 ART 113.6 ART 136.3 ART 141.3 ART 161.3 ARTH 120.3 ARTH 121.3 DRAM 101.3 DRAM 104.6 DRAM 110.3 DRAM 113.3 DRAM 118.3 (formerly DRAM 116) DRAM 119.3 (formerly DRAM 117) MUS 101.3 MUS 105.3 MUS 111.3 MUS 120.2 MUS 121.2 MUS 133.3 MUS 134.3 MUS 150.3 MUS 151.3 MUS 184.3 NRTH 101.3
Humanities
Social Sciences
Fine Arts
Courses with No Program Type
C6 Major Requirement (60 credit units)
- BMSC 200.3
- BMSC 210.3
- BMSC 220.3
- BMSC 230.3
- BMSC 240.3
- BIOL 224.3/BMSC 224.3
- BIOC 300.3
- BIOC 310.3
- BIOC 311.3 or MCIM 391.3
- BIOC 412.3
- BIOC 430.3 or BIOC 435.3
- BIOC 436.3
- BIOC 489.6
- BIOC 490.0 (attendance in BIOC 490.0 is required in both term 1 and 2)
- BINF 200.3 or BINF 210.3
- CHEM 250.3
Choose 6 credit units from the following:
CHEM 255.3 is recommended
Biochemistry Electives (6 credit units)
Choose 3 to 6 credit units from the following:
- BIOC 420.3
- BIOC 430.3
- BIOC 435.3
- BIOC 437.3
- BMST 305.3
- BMST 406.3
- BMST 408.3
Choose 0 to 3 credit units from the following:
- ACB 325.3
- ACB 404.3
- BINF 300.3
- BIOL 316.3
- BIOL 331.3
- BIOL 420.3
- CHEM 456.3
- MCIM 417.3
- MCIM 321.3
- MCIM 390.3
- PHPY 301.3
- PHPY 302.3
- PHPY 303.3
C7 Electives Requirement (21 credit units)
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Year 1
- BIOL 120.3
- CHEM 112.3
- CHEM 115.3
- MATH 125.3 (or equivalent)
- PHYS 115.3
- PHYS 117.3 or PHYS 125.3
- BMSC 200.3 (T2)
- Other program electives
Year 2
Students entering second year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- BMSC 210.3
- BMSC 220.3
- BMSC 230.3
- BMSC 240.3
- BIOL 224.3/BMSC 224.3
- CHEM 250.3
- BINF 200.3 or BINF 210.3
- Other program electives
Year 3
Students entering third year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- BIOC 300.3
- BIOC 310.3
- BIOC 311.3 or MCIM 391.3
- 3 to 6 credit units from BIOC 412.3, BIOC 430.3, BIOC 435.3
- 0-3 credit units BIOC electives
- 3 credit units CHEM elective (CHEM 255.3 recommended)
- Other program electives
Year 4
Students entering fourth year must consult with a faculty advisor in the Biochemistry Department.
- Students should complete the biochemistry and chemistry course requirements as well as any outstanding Program Type C Requirements.
- Enrolment in BIOC 490.0 is required
- BIOC 436.3
- BIOC 489.6
- BIOC 490.0
- 0-3 credit units from BIOC 412.3, BIOC 430.3, BIOC 435.3
- 3-6 credit units from BIOC electives
- 3 credit units CHEM electives (CHEM 255.3 recommended)
- Other program electives
Biochemistry - Double Honours
Double Honours Programs may be taken in combinations of two subjects. In this program at least 36 credit units will normally be taken in each subject. The two departments together may specify up to 84 credit units. For further details, please see the Academic Information and Policies section.
Double Honours programs within the biomedical sciences can also be arranged with careful planning. Students considering a double Honours program must consult an academic advisor within the specific departments of interest.
