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Biochemistry (BIOC)

Biochemistry (BIOC)

Location

Location

  • McIntyre Medical Building, 9th Floor
  • 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler
  • Montreal QC H3G 1Y6
  • Christine Laberge, Student Affairs Officer
  • Telephone: 514-398-2423
  • Email: christine.laberge [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/biochemistry

About Biochemistry

About Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the application of chemical, genetic, and biophysical approaches to study the molecular basis of biological processes. Investigators in the Department of Biochemistry are interested in, among other research fields:

  • control of cell growth and differentiation;
  • molecular mechanisms of brain function;
  • the molecular basis of disease;
  • new molecular approaches for treating human diseases.

Researchers seek to determine how specific molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins, and hormones function in various cellular processes. Modern biochemistry seeks to provide an integrated understanding of these processes from high-resolution molecular structures (in atomic detail) all the way to the whole-cell and whole-organism level. Methods developed by biochemistry researchers are applied in all fields of medicine, in many chemical and health-related industries, and in agriculture. Biochemistry is unique in providing basic theoretical training and practical laboratory training, as well as opportunities to participate in research in both protein and genetic engineering, the two basic components in the rapidly expanding field of Biotechnology.

There are three programs offered by the Department of Biochemistry: Major, Honours, and Liberal. The Major and Honours programs provide a sound background for students who wish to have a professional career in biochemistry, and can lead to postgraduate studies and research careers in hospital, university, or industrial laboratories. The Liberal program is less specialized, offering students opportunities to select courses in other fields of interest.

During the first year, each program provides basic training in organic, physical, and analytical chemistry, as well as in biology and physiology. The Honours and Major programs become more specialized in biochemistry during the following two years, with additional work in chemistry and biology.

The increasing involvement of complex technology in modern society requires personnel trained in both chemistry and biology. With the advent of biotechnology, the combination of chemistry, molecular biology, enzymology, and genetic manipulation found in the biochemistry program provides the essential background and training. The researcher is prepared to fulfil this role and to assume a wide variety of positions in industry and health-related fields. These positions include:

  • research and development in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries;
  • testing and research in government and hospital laboratories;
  • management.

Many graduates pursue higher degrees in research and attain academic positions in universities and colleges.

Adviser

Adviser

All new students should take advantage of Orientation that is offered during the last week of August—it’s the perfect way to get to know more about the Biochemistry programs, faculty members, administrative staff, and your fellow students.

New and returning students are welcome to schedule an advising appointment by emailing christine.laberge [at] mcgill.ca.

For more information regarding Orientation and undergraduate advising, see www.mcgill.ca/biochemistry/undergraduates/advising.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 6, 2015) (disclaimer)

Biochemistry (BIOC) Faculty

Biochemistry (BIOC) Faculty

Chair
Albert M. Berghuis (Interim)
Emeritus Professors
Rhoda Blostein; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.), F.R.S.C. (joint appt. with Medicine)
Peter E. Braun; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
Robert E. MacKenzie; B.Sc.(Agr.)(McG.), M.N.S., Ph.D.(Cornell)
Edward A. Meighen; B.Sc.(Alta.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
Walter E. Mushynski; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
Theodore L. Sourkes; M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Cornell), F.R.S.C.
Clifford P. Stanners; B.Sc.(McM.), M.A., Ph.D.(Tor.)
Maria Zannis-Hadjopoulos; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine)
Professors
Nicole Beauchemin; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine)
Albert M. Berghuis; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Rijks Univ. Groningen), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) (Canada Research Chair in Structural Biology) (joint appt. with Microbiology and Immunology)
Philip E. Branton; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.), F.R.S.C. (Gilman Cheney Professor of Biochemistry) (joint appt. with Oncology)
Imed Gallouzi; Maitrise, D.E.A., Ph.D.(Montpellier) (Canada Research Chair in Cellular Information Systems)
Kalle Gehring; B.A.(Brown), M.Sc.(Mich.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.) (Chercheur National du FRSQ)
Vincent Giguère; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Laval) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine)
Philippe Gros; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(McG.), F.R.S.C. (James McGill Professor)
Roderick McInnes; B.Sc., M.D.(Dal.), Ph.D.(McG.) (Canada Research Chair in Neurogenetics) (joint appt. with Human Genetics)
William Muller; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology) (joint appt. with Medicine)
Alain Nepveu; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Sher.) (James McGill Professor) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine)
Morag Park; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Glasgow), F.R.S.C. (Diane & Sal Guerrera Chair in Cancer Genetics) (Director, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center ) (James McGill Professor) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine)
Arnim Pause; B.Sc., M.Sc.(U. Konstanz, Germ.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Jerry Pelletier; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (James McGill Professor) (joint appt. with Oncology)
Gordon C. Shore; B.Sc.(Guelph), Ph.D.(McG.)
Joseph Shuster; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Calif.), M.D.(Alta.) (joint appt. with Medicine)
John R. Silvius; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Alta.)
Nahum Sonenberg; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Weizmann Inst.), F.R.S.C., F.R.S. (James McGill Professor)
David Y. Thomas; B.Sc.(Brist.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Univ. Coll., Lond.), F.R.S.C. (Canada Research Chair in Molecular Genetics) (joint appt. with Human Genetics)
Michel L. Tremblay; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Sher.), Ph.D.(McM.), F.R.S.C. (James McGill Professor) (Jeanne & Jean-Louis Levesque Chair in Cancer Research)
Associate Professors
Maxime Bouchard; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Laval) (Canada Research Chair in Kidney Disease)
Josée Dostie; B.Sc.(Sher.), Ph.D.(McG.) (CIHR New Investigators Award; Chercheur Boursier du FRSQ)
Thomas Duchaine; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.) (Chercheur Boursier du FRSQ)
Bhushan Nagar; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.) (Canada Research Chair in the Structural Biology of Signal Transduction)
Julie St-Pierre; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Laval), Ph.D.(Camb.) (Chercheur Boursier du FRSQ)
Jose Teodoro; B.Sc.(W. Ont.), Ph.D.(McG.) (CIHR New Investigators Award)
Jason C. Young; B.Sc.(Tor.), Ph.D.(McM.) (Canada Research Chair in Molecular Chaperones)
Assistant Professors
Uri David Akavia; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tel Aviv)
Sidong Huang; B.A.(Boston), Ph.D.(Calif.) (CIHR New Investigators Award; Canadian Research Chair in Functional Genomics)
Martin Schmeing; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Yale) (Canada Research Chair in Macromolecular Machines)
Associate Members
Edward A. Fon (Neurology and Neurosurgery)
Jacques Genest (Medicine)
Michael Hallett (Bioinformatics)
Robert Scott Kiss (Medicine)
Gergely Lukacs (Physiology)
Vassilios Papadopoulos (Medicine)
Janusz Rak (Pediatrics)
Stéphane Richard (Medicine/Oncology)
Reza Salavati (Parasitology)
Maya Saleh (Medicine)
Erwin Schurr (Ct. for Study of Host Resistance, MGH)
Peter Siegel (Medicine)
Ivan Topisirovic (Medicine/Oncology)
Youla Tsantrizos (Chemistry)
Bernard Turcotte (Medicine)
Josie Ursini-Siegel (Medicine/Oncology)
Simon Wing (Medicine)
Xiang-Jiao Yang (Medicine)
Adjunct Professors
Philip Awadalla (Montr.)
Mirek Cygler (Biochemistry, Sask.)
Jacques Drouin (IRCM)
Anny Fortin (Dafra Pharma)
Matthias Götte (Alta.)
Enrico Purisima (NRC/BRI)
René Roy (UQAM)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 6, 2015) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Biochemistry (47 credits)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Biochemistry (64 credits)

Students may transfer into the Major program at any time, provided they have met all course requirements.

For more information, see Major Biochemistry (64 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Biochemistry (73 credits)

Admission to the Honours program will not be granted until U2. Students who wish to enter the Honours program in U2 should follow the U1 Major program. Those who satisfactorily complete the U1 Major program with a GPA of at least 3.20 and a mark of B- or better in every required course are eligible for admission to the Honours program. ...

For more information, see Honours Biochemistry (73 credits).

Biochemistry (BIOC) Related Programs

Biochemistry (BIOC) Related Programs

Interdepartmental Honours in Immunology

Interdepartmental Honours in Immunology

For more information, see Immunology. This program is offered by the Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Physiology.

Students interested in the program should contact:

  • Dr. C. Piccirillo
  • Microbiology and Immunology
  • Telephone: 514-934-1934, ext. 45135
  • Email: ciro.piccirillo [at] mcgill.ca

OR

  • Dr. Monroe Cohen
  • Physiology
  • Telephone: 514-398-4342
  • Email: monroe.cohen [at] mcgill.ca
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 17, 2015) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Science—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 6, 2015) (disclaimer)
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