Biochemistry (MSc Program)
Todd Whitcombe, Professor and Chair
Sarah Gray, Professor
Chow Lee, Professor
Geoffrey Payne, Professor
Stephen Rader, Professor
Kerry Reimer, Professor
Andrea Gorrell, Associate Professor
Kendra Furber, Assistant Professor
Maggie Li, Adjunct Professor
Martha Stark, Adjunct Professor
Daniel Erasmus, Senior Lab Instructor
Sarah Gray, Professor
Chow Lee, Professor
Geoffrey Payne, Professor
Stephen Rader, Professor
Kerry Reimer, Professor
Andrea Gorrell, Associate Professor
Kendra Furber, Assistant Professor
Maggie Li, Adjunct Professor
Martha Stark, Adjunct Professor
Daniel Erasmus, Senior Lab Instructor
Website: www.unbc.ca/biochemistry
Thesis and project options are available. The thesis option prepares graduate students for careers in research or further academic study by requiring the design and completion of an original research program and preparation of a thesis. The project option provides training across disciplines particularly suitable to individuals with more defined career objectives, as well as providing a mechanism for non-traditional students (e.g., working students, teachers, and professionals) to upgrade their skills.
All students must participate in the Graduate Seminar course BCMB 704-1.5 for at least two semesters during their course of studies.
Thesis Option
The Master of Science thesis option is designed for candidates who wish to develop career interests related to scientific research or who intend to pursue further academic research degrees. MSc students within the Biochemistry thesis stream are required to complete 3 credit hours of Graduate Seminar (two semesters), a minimum of 12 credit hours of approved graduate-level electives (i.e., at or above the 600 level), and a 12 credit-hour thesis (BCMB 794-12). It is expected that the electives consist of scientifically-oriented courses and that the thesis involves an independent investigation resulting in an original scientific contribution.
A maximum of 6 credit hours from independent studies can be counted towards the elective requirement. Specific details of coursework are determined by the research area undertaken by the student. The supervisory committee ensures the selection of appropriate elective courses, and may require a student to complete more than 12 elective credit hours if, for example, weaknesses in the student’s background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.
Students are required to (a) make an oral presentation of the thesis proposal to the supervisory committee, (b) write an original thesis based on the research completed (in accordance with established UNBC guidelines), and (c) present a public oral defence of the thesis to the examining committee. All course requirements must have been satisfied prior to the oral defence.
A maximum of 6 credit hours from independent studies can be counted towards the elective requirement. Specific details of coursework are determined by the research area undertaken by the student. The supervisory committee ensures the selection of appropriate elective courses, and may require a student to complete more than 12 elective credit hours if, for example, weaknesses in the student’s background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.
Students are required to (a) make an oral presentation of the thesis proposal to the supervisory committee, (b) write an original thesis based on the research completed (in accordance with established UNBC guidelines), and (c) present a public oral defence of the thesis to the examining committee. All course requirements must have been satisfied prior to the oral defence.
Summary of Thesis Option
| Graduate Seminar | 3 credit hours |
| Elective Courses | 12 credit hours |
| MSc Thesis | 12 credit hours |
| Total Required | 27 credit hours |
Project Option
The Master of Science project option is designed for candidates who wish to upgrade their skills, or who are constrained in their ability to undertake a traditional research thesis. MSc students within the BCMB project stream are required to complete 3 credit hours of Graduate Seminar (two semesters), a minimum of 18 credit hours of approved electives, and a 6 credit-hour project (BCMB 793-6). Given the course-intensive nature of this option, MSc projects are limited, subject to sufficient teaching resources and a critical mass of faculty within an area of defined specialization. It is expected the electives consist of scientifically-oriented courses, and the project involves an independent investigation resulting in a scientific contribution, although this contribution need not include original research. Because of the number of courses required for this option, it is restricted to designated specializations that have been decided upon within each program area.
The 18 elective credit hours must be graduate-level study (i.e., at or above the 600 level) selected from the science courses available within the designated specialization. A maximum of 6 credit hours from independent studies can be counted towards the elective course requirement. Specific details of coursework are determined by the nature of the project undertaken by each student. The supervisory committee ensures the selection of appropriate elective courses, and may require a student to complete more than 18 credit hours if weaknesses in the student’s background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.
In order to complete an MSc project successfully, a student is required to (a) make a presentation of the project proposal to the supervisory committee, (b) write a project report, and (c) present a public oral defence of the project to the examining committee. All core and elective course requirements must have been satisfied prior to the oral presentation of the project.
The 18 elective credit hours must be graduate-level study (i.e., at or above the 600 level) selected from the science courses available within the designated specialization. A maximum of 6 credit hours from independent studies can be counted towards the elective course requirement. Specific details of coursework are determined by the nature of the project undertaken by each student. The supervisory committee ensures the selection of appropriate elective courses, and may require a student to complete more than 18 credit hours if weaknesses in the student’s background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.
In order to complete an MSc project successfully, a student is required to (a) make a presentation of the project proposal to the supervisory committee, (b) write a project report, and (c) present a public oral defence of the project to the examining committee. All core and elective course requirements must have been satisfied prior to the oral presentation of the project.
Summary of Project Option
| Graduate Seminar | 3 credit hours |
| Elective Courses | 18 credit hours |
| MSc Project | 6 credit hours |
| Total Required | 27 credit hours |
Recommended Progression
Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Academic Calendar, acceptance to the MSc program is contingent upon the prospective student finding a member of the faculty to serve as their supervisor. Normally three letters of recommendation are required with two being from individuals who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic and research potential.
Additional information about graduate admissions, including application deadlines, is available on the website www.unbc.ca/admissions/graduate.
Normal Time Required for Completion
Normally, the degree should be completed in two years or less. Students may take longer to complete the degree depending on their personal circumstances and the nature of their research or project involvement.
The normal time for completion of the MSc is two academic years. While this is the recommended timeline, it may be adjusted at the discretion of the supervisory committee to suit a particular student’s research and program needs.
The Graduate Seminar courses are offered during all September and January Semesters. Students are expected to enrol in a seminar course at least two times during their degree program.
Electives may be taken at any time during Years I and II. The sequencing of electives is determined by the student in discussion with the supervisory committee. Over the September and January Semesters of Year I, the student, under the direction of the supervisory committee, develops a thesis or project proposal. By the end of the second semester, the student should have successfully defended their proposal to the supervisory committee. It is expected that the student has successfully defended the thesis or completed the evaluation phase of the project by the end of Year II.
The Graduate Seminar courses are offered during all September and January Semesters. Students are expected to enrol in a seminar course at least two times during their degree program.
Electives may be taken at any time during Years I and II. The sequencing of electives is determined by the student in discussion with the supervisory committee. Over the September and January Semesters of Year I, the student, under the direction of the supervisory committee, develops a thesis or project proposal. By the end of the second semester, the student should have successfully defended their proposal to the supervisory committee. It is expected that the student has successfully defended the thesis or completed the evaluation phase of the project by the end of Year II.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Academic Calendar, acceptance to the MSc program is contingent upon the prospective student finding a member of the faculty to serve as their supervisor. Normally three letters of recommendation are required with two being from individuals who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic and research potential.
Additional information about graduate admissions, including application deadlines, is available on the website www.unbc.ca/admissions/graduate.
Normal Time Required for Completion
Normally, the degree should be completed in two years or less. Students may take longer to complete the degree depending on their personal circumstances and the nature of their research or project involvement.
Updated: June 27, 2023
