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Major Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry (66 credits)

Offered by: Chemistry     Degree: Bachelor of Science

Program Requirements

This program trains students in the fundamentals of chemistry and develops the physical science, computational, and mathematical skills needed for advanced biophysical chemistry research in the biomedical and biotechnology industries. The program features integrative, interdisciplinary courses in bio-physical sciences.

Program Prerequisites

Pre-Program Requirements: Students entering from the Freshman program must have included CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 or CHEM 115, BIOL 111 or BIOL 112, MATH 133, MATH 140/MATH 141 or MATH 150/MATH 151, PHYS 131/PHYS 142, or their equivalents in their Freshman year. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses. Note that students who have successfully completed MATH 150 and MATH 151 do not have to take MATH 222.

Required Courses (59 credits)

The courses marked with an asterisk (*) are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level. Students completing the program will not be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec without additional chemistry electives. This program is not currently accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.

Completion of Mathematics MATH 222 and MATH 315 during U1 is strongly recommended.

* Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
** Students who have successfully completed MATH 150 and MATH 151 are not required to take MATH 222.

Bio-Physical Sciences Core

  • BIOL 219 Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology (4 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Hendricks, Adam; Watt, Alanna; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Fall)

    • Prerequisite(s): BIOL 112; CHEM 110 and CHEM 120; MATH 140, MATH 141 and MATH 133; PHYS 131 and PHYS 142; or the equivalents of these courses.

    • Corequisite(s): MATH 222 or equivalent

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking ANAT 212, BIOC 212, BIOL 200, and BIOL 201, or BIEN 219. Only open to students in Bioengineering, Computer Science-Biology, Biology-Mathematics, Biology-Quantitative Biology, Chemistry-Biophysical Chemistry, and Physics-Biological Physics Options.

    • This course is meant to prepare students for related 300-level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics.

  • BIOL 319 Introduction to Biophysics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies. These principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and RNA.

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: Reisner, Walter (Winter)

    • Winter. Students with training in physics and biology will be well-suited to the course. .

    • Prerequisites: BIOL 200 or BIOL 219; MATH 222; PHYS 230 and (PHYS 232 or PHYS 253), or permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking PHYS 319

  • BIOL 395 Quantitative Biology Seminar (1 credit)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Hayer, Arnold; Wiseman, Paul; Hendry, Andrew; Guichard, Frederic; Fussmann, Gregor; Leung, Brian; Abouheif, Ehab; Kleinman, Claudia; Oeffinger, Marlene; Hendricks, Michael (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: BIOL 219; or BIOL 200 plus BIOL 201 or ANAT 212 or BIOC 212; CHEM 212; COMP 202 or COMP 204 or COMP 250; MATH 222; or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Only open to U2 students in the following programs: B.Sc.; Major and Honours in Biology; Quantitative Biology, B.Sc.; Major and Honours Computer Science and Biology, B.Sc.; Major Biology and Mathematics, B.Sc.; Major Physiology and Mathematics, B.Sc.; Major Physiology and Physics, B.Sc.; Major and Honours Chemistry; Biophysical Chemistry, and B.Sc.; Major and Honours Physics; Biological Physics.

  • CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits) *

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Summer 2024

    Instructors: Pavelka, Laura; Luedtke, Nathan; Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell (Fall) Vlaho, Danielle; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Denisova, Irina; Pavelka, Laura (Summer)

    • Fall, Winter, Summer

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.

    • Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 211 or equivalent

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

    • Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page ().

    • **Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.

  • MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits) **

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024

    Instructors: Sabok, Marcin; Allen, Patrick (Fall) Trudeau, Sidney (Winter) Bibby, Sean (Summer)

  • MATH 223 Linear Algebra (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024

    Instructors: Kelome, Djivede; Pichot, Mikael (Fall) Pichot, Mikael (Winter)

    • Fall and Winter

    • Prerequisite: MATH 133 or equivalent

    • Restriction: Not open to students in Mathematics programs nor to students who have taken or are taking MATH 236, MATH 247 or MATH 251. It is open to students in Faculty Programs

  • MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024

    Instructors: Hurtubise, Jacques Claude (Fall) Bélanger-Rioux, Rosalie (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: MATH 222.

    • Corequisite: MATH 133.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 325.

  • MATH 323 Probability (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024

    Instructors: Sajjad, Alia; Nadarajah, Tharshanna (Fall) Sajjad, Alia; Nadarajah, Tharshanna (Winter) Kelome, Djivede (Summer)

    • Prerequisites: MATH 141 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Intended for students in Science, Engineering and related disciplines, who have had differential and integral calculus

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 356

  • PHYS 329 Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : This interdisciplinary course introduces Statistical Physics illustrated with modern biophysical applications. Principles covered include partition functions, Boltzmann distribution, bosons, fermions, Bose Einstein condensates, Ferni gases, chemical potential, thermodynamical forces, biochemical kinetics, and an introduction to noise and phase transitions in biology.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Chemistry

  • CHEM 213 Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Thermodynamics. Topics include gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies, the entropy and free energy functions, absolute entropies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states, phase rule and phase diagrams, ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility, electrochemistry, Debye-Hückel Theory.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Blum, Amy (Fall)

  • CHEM 222 Introductory Organic Chemistry 2 (4 credits) *

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics.

    Terms: Winter 2024, Summer 2024

    Instructors: Pavelka, Laura; Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell; Luedtke, Nathan (Winter) Vlaho, Danielle; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Denisova, Irina; Pavelka, Laura (Summer)

    • Fall, Winter

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 212 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken an equivalent Organic 2 at CEGEP (see ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Basic Math and Sciences Equivalence Table at ) or who have or are taking CHEM 234.

  • CHEM 267 Introductory Chemical Analysis (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods. The laboratory component includes introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Fall)

  • CHEM 273 Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Kinetics: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry. Methods: physical chemistry laboratory, differential equations and linear algebra applied to physical chemistry, computation methods for data analysis and modeling

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: McCalla, Eric Russell; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Winter)

  • CHEM 281 Inorganic Chemistry 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Basic concepts of electronic structure and molecular bonding will be developed and applied to the understanding of common materials. Acid-base chemistry. Survey of the chemistry of the main group elements. Introduction to coordination and organometallic chemistry.

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: Légaré, Marc-Andre; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Kakkar, Ashok K; Bohle, Scott (Winter)

  • CHEM 345 Introduction to Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : An introduction to quantum chemistry covering the historical development, wave theory, methods of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum chemistry.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Kambhampati, Patanjali (Fall)

  • CHEM 355 Applications of Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A survey of the principles of electronic, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance and computational methods.

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: Siwick, Bradley (Winter)

  • CHEM 367 Instrumental Analysis 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : An introduction to modern instrumental analysis emphasizing chromatography, atomic spectroscopy and computational data analysis. Analytical methods to be examined in detail include gas-liquid and high performance liquid chromatography, LC mass spectrometry, and common methods of atomic determinations using flames/furnaces/plasma sources.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Andrews, Mark P; Wahba, Alexander (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite(s): CHEM 267.

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

  • CHEM 377 Instrumental Analysis 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Spectroscopic methods of analysis will be studied with respect to fundamentals, operational aspects and instrument design. Topics will range from UV-visible to x-ray spectrometry. Methodologies will be evaluated with respect to their application in spectrometric systems. Laboratory automation will be studied and applied in the laboratory.

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: Preston, Thomas; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 367

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

  • CHEM 493 Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024

    Instructors: Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Fall) Sewall, Samuel Lewis (Winter)

    • Prerequisite(s): CHEM 273 and CHEM 345 or permission of the instructor.

    • Corequisite(s): CHEM 355

    • Fall, Winter

    • Each lab section has limited enrolment.

  • PHYS 242 Electricity and Magnetism (2 credits)

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Properties of electromagnetic fields, dipole and quadropole fields and their interactions, chemical binding of molecules, electromagnetic properties of materials, Maxwell's equations and properties of electromagnetic waves, propagation of waves in media.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Rutledge, Robert (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lectures

    • Prerequisites: CEGEP Physics, MATH 222

Complementary Courses

(6-7 credits)
3 credits of:

  • CHEM 302 Introductory Organic Chemistry 3 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Damha, Masad J (Fall)

    • Fall, Winter

    • Prerequisites: CHEM 222, or permission of the instructor.

  • CHEM 381 Inorganic Chemistry 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Bohle, Scott (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 281.

    • Restriction: For Honours and Major Chemistry students

3-4 credits of:

  • BIOL 300 Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Schöck, Frieder; Moon, Nam Sung (Fall)

  • BIOL 301 Cell and Molecular Laboratory (4 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024

    Instructors: Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo; Harrison, Paul; Leroux, Maxime (Fall) Hayer, Arnold; Harrison, Paul; Leroux, Maxime (Winter)

    • Fall or Winter

    • 1 hour lecture and one 6-hour laboratory

    • Prerequisites: BIOL 200, BIOL 201 (or ANAT 212/BIOC 212); or BIOL 219

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOC 300, or BIOC 220 and BIOC 320. Requires departmental approval.

    • For approval email maxime.leroux [at] mcgill.ca. Specify your ID number as well as the term and two lab day preferences.

  • BIOL 316 Biomembranes and Organelles (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : The course focuses on biomembranes and subcellular organelles and their implications for disease. The topics include: protein and lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and transport; intracellular compartmentalization, protein sorting and modification, intracellular membrane trafficking; energy transfer, organization and dynamics of chloroplasts and mitochondria; extracellular matrix and cell walls.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Zheng, Huanquan (Fall)

  • BIOL 551 Principles of Cellular Control (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells..

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: Vogel, Jacalyn (Winter)

  • CHEM 302 Introductory Organic Chemistry 3 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Damha, Masad J (Fall)

    • Fall, Winter

    • Prerequisites: CHEM 222, or permission of the instructor.

  • CHEM 381 Inorganic Chemistry 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Bohle, Scott (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 281.

    • Restriction: For Honours and Major Chemistry students

  • CHEM 502 Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents.

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: Auclair, Karine; Gleason, James L; Tsantrizos, Youla S (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 302

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CHEM 402.

  • CHEM 514 Biophysical Chemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Physical chemistry concepts needed to understand the function of biological systems at the molecular level, including the structure, stability, transport, and interactions of biological macromolecules.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.

  • CHEM 520 Methods in Chemical Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : An overview of advanced techniques at the leading edge of Chemical Biology, including some or all of: biological imaging, kinetics of enzyme inhibition, combinatorial synthesis, atomic force microscopy of biological molecules, self assembling biomimetic structures, oligonucleotide therapeutics, biomolecular X-ray crystallography, computational methods, and nuclear magnetic resonance applied to protein interactions.

    Terms: Fall 2023

    Instructors: Mittermaier, Anthony; Wahba, Alexander; Cosa, Gonzalo; Kostikov, Alexey (Fall)

  • CHEM 555 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : The fundamental principles underlying Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Electron Paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be covered and applied to biomolecules and materials chemistry. Topics include multidimensional spectra, molecular dynamics, the density matrix, and the product operator formalism.

    Terms: Winter 2024

    Instructors: Reven, Linda; Mittermaier, Anthony (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 355 or equivalent

  • CHEM 575 Chemical Kinetics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Kinetic laws, measurement of reaction rates, transition state and collision theory, experimental techniques in reaction kinetics, reaction mechanisms, RRKM theory, Marcus theory of electron transfer, photochemistry and catalysis. Recent developments and their application to chemical and biological problems. Elementary reactions in gas, solution and solid phases and on surfaces.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.

  • COMP 208 Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and Engineering (3 credits)

    Offered by: Computer Science (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Computer Science (Sci) : Programming and problem solving in a high level computer language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms such as searching and sorting. Modular software design, libraries, file input and output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in Physical Sciences and Engineering, such as root finding, numerical integration, diffusion, Monte Carlo methods.

    Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024

    Instructors: Langer, Michael; Campbell, Jonathan (Fall) Parekh, Deven (Winter)

    • 3 hours

    • Corequisite: MATH 133 and MATH 141, or equivalents.

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 202, COMP 204, orGEOG 333; not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 206 or COMP 250.

    • COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 208 is intended for students with sufficient math background and in (non-life) science or engineering fields.

Faculty of Science—2023-2024 (last updated Sep. 12, 2023) (disclaimer)
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