Ken Otter, Professor and Co-Chair
Todd Whitcombe, Professor and Co-Chair
Dezene Huber, Professor
Chow Lee, Professor
Kathy Lewis, Professor
Brent Murray, Professor
Geoffrey Payne, Professor
Stephen Rader, Professor
Kerry Reimer, Professor
Mark Shrimpton, Professor
Andrea Gorrell, Associate Professor 
Kalindi Morgan, Assistant Professor
Daniel Erasmus, Senior Lab Instructor

Website: www.unbc.ca/biochemistry

Major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BSc)
Major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BSc Honours)
Minor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) investigates how molecules work in living systems. There is no clear line dividing living from non-living systems; rather, there is a gradual increase in complexity from clearly inanimate molecules up to obviously complex organisms. The goal of biochemistry and molecular biology is to understand how simple, inanimate molecular interactions support life and how living systems are shaped by their molecular foundation.

The BCMB degree has two main components: learning about molecules, and learning about the scientific method. The former involves acquiring expertise in the foundations of biochemistry, such as organic and physical chemistry, and then exploring biological molecules and how they operate in living systems. The latter involves exploring how science asks questions to understand the workings of nature, while developing competence in laboratory skills and analysis. These two aspects are linked in that understanding how information is acquired is as important as the information itself, since different experimental systems can yield different insights into complex biological problems.

BCMB majors continue on to successful careers in a diverse range of fields, notably medicine, teaching, pharmacy, the biotechnology industry, science policy, and law. BCMB majors acquire strong skills in laboratory techniques, and are therefore qualified for many kinds of research positions, including graduate programs such as immunology, molecular genetics, and developmental biology. For students with interests in human health but not necessarily its molecular basis, UNBC also offers a degree in Health Science (the BHSc degree), which focuses on the social determinants of health and how health care is delivered. BCMB majors are encouraged to pursue their interests by combining the BCMB degree with minors in other fields, such as computer science, physics, business, or education.

The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology requires students to take at least 74 credit hours of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-oriented courses, of which 33 credit hours must be upper division (i.e., 300 or 400 level). The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is 127 credit hours.

Program Requirements

Lower-Division Requirement

100 Level

BIOL 103-3		Introductory Biology I
BIOL 104-3		Introductory Biology II
BIOL 123-1		Introductory Biology I Laboratory
BIOL 124-1		Introductory Biology II Laboratory
CHEM 100-3		General Chemistry I
CHEM 101-3		General Chemistry II
CHEM 120-1		General Chemistry Lab I
CHEM 121-1		General Chemistry Lab II
MATH 100-3		Calculus I
MATH 101-3		Calculus II
PHYS 100-4		Introduction to Physics I
or PHYS 110-4		Introductory Physics I: Mechanics
PHYS 101-4		Introduction to Physics II
or PHYS 111-4		Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity

200 Level

BCMB 255-2		Introduction to Biochemical Methods
BIOL 203-3		Microbiology
BIOL 210-3		Genetics
CHEM 201-3		Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 203-3		Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 204-3		Introductory Biochemistry
CHEM 250-1		Organic Chemistry Lab I
CHEM 251-1		Organic Chemistry Lab II
STAT 240-3		Basic Statistics
or STAT 371-3		Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers

Upper-Division Requirements

300 Level

BCMB 306-3		Intermediary Metabolism
BCMB 310-3		Molecular Biology Methods
BCMB 320-3		Biochemical Methods
BCMB 340-3		Physical Biochemistry
BIOL 311-3		Cell and Molecular Biology

400 Level

BCMB 404-3		Proteins and Enzymology
Four of the following:
BCMB 401-3		Basic Science of Oncology
BCMB 402-3		Macromolecular Structure
BCMB 403-3		Advanced Nucleic Acids
BCMB 405-3		Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
BIOL 312-3		Molecular Cell Physiology
BIOL 323-3		Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 423-3		Molecular Evolution and Ecology
BIOL 425-3		Applied Genetics and Biotechnology

Any 200-level or above BCMB, BIOL or CHEM courses
CPSC 450-3		Bioinformatics
HHSC 305-3		Human Physiology I
HHSC 306-3		Human Physiology II
PSYC 318-3		Sensation and Perception
PSYC 421-3		Advanced Biopsychology

The BSc Honours in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers students a higher level of specialization and research experience, especially for students planning to pursue postgraduate work.   

Honours students must complete the degree requirements for the BSc – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major. In addition to the total number of credit hours required for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major, each student must complete 6 credit hours of undergraduate thesis coursework, normally BCMB 430-6, under the supervision of a faculty member. Another undergraduate thesis course can be substituted with approval of the BCMB Curriculum Chair. 

Students may apply to the BCMB Honours Program after completion of 60 credit hours in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major with a Cumulative GPA of not less than 3.33. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee entry to the Honours Program. Entrance to the Honours Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is at the discretion of the BCMB Program, and is contingent on the availability of a faculty member willing to supervise the undergraduate research thesis. Maintenance of a Cumulative GPA of 3.33 is required to remain in the Honours Program.  

The minimum requirement for completion of a BSc Honours – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is 133 credit hours.

BIOL 103-3	Introductory Biology I
BIOL 104-3	Introductory Biology II
BIOL 123-1	Introductory Biology I Laboratory
BIOL 124-1	Introductory Biology II Laboratory
CHEM 100-3	General Chemistry I
CHEM 101-3	General Chemistry II
CHEM 120-1	General Chemistry Lab I
CHEM 121-1	General Chemistry Lab II

 200 Level

Note: Students are allowed to double-count all applicable first- and second-year courses; however, they must take upper-division courses for the minor that are not included in their major requirements or upper-division subject requirements to ensure completion of 12 upper-division credit hours outside of their major. Students must ensure that all prerequisites are fulfilled prior to taking a course at the 300 and 400 level.

300 and 400 Level

Twelve credit hours must be chosen from the following: