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

Biochemistry is the application of molecular-biological, chemical, genetic, biophysical, and computational approaches to study the molecular bases of biological processes. Members and associate members of the Department of Biochemistry pursue research in a variety of biomedically important fields, including the following:

• The molecular bases of cancer; atherosclerosis and heart disease; Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders; cystic fibrosis and infectious diseases; and the development of more effective therapies to treat these diseases;
• Control of cell growth, death, and differentiation;
• The organization and function of complex, dynamic cellular structures like the nuclear genome, cellular membranes, and the cytoskeleton;
• Molecular mechanisms and control of gene expression, at levels ranging from chromosome structure and RNA synthesis (transcription) to protein synthesis, trafficking, and degradation.

Lying at the crossroads of biology, chemistry, and medicine, modern biochemistry seeks to provide an integrated understanding of phenomena like these from the molecular level all the way to the whole-cell and whole-organism level. Research tools used in contemporary biochemistry and molecular biology include high-throughput and genome-wide screening methodologies; biophysical methods to study single molecules in living cells and to determine the structures of molecules in atomic detail; sophisticated microscopic approaches to studying phenomena like protein trafficking and gene expression at the single-cell level; transgenic and genome-editing approaches to elucidating the function of individual genes in living organisms in unprecedented detail; and bioinformatics approaches to analyzing large datasets and to investigating the complex workings of living systems through computational simulations.

The Department of Biochemistry offers three undergraduate programs: Major, Honours, and Liberal. The Major and Honours programs provide a sound background for students who wish to pursue a career in biochemistry or related disciplines, and can lead to postgraduate studies in Medicine, as well as to research and technical careers. The Liberal program is less specialized, allowing a greater number and variety of courses in other fields of interest.

During the first year, each program provides introductory lecture and laboratory courses in biochemistry, as well as basic courses in cell and molecular biology and organic and physical chemistry. In the second and third years, the programs offer an expanded focus in biochemistry through lecture courses, a second laboratory course in biochemistry, and opportunities to carry out research projects in faculty members' laboratories through our BIOC 396, BIOC 462 and BIOC 491 courses. Students can also take a variety of complementary courses in other biological, biomedical, and chemical disciplines in their second and third years.

Undergraduate programs in Biochemistry provide students with a solid conceptual understanding of our expanding knowledge of the molecular bases of biology and medicine, together with practical laboratory training in modern methods of biochemical analysis. This training provides students with a strong and well-rounded background for postgraduate study in a variety of biomedical disciplines, for careers in the health professions; in the biotechnology, biomedical, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries; and for research and technical positions in the government and academic sectors.

Further information is available on the Department of Biochemistry website.