Courses

The Department of Biochemistry currently offers twenty courses at the graduate level. Learn more about our course offerings by reading the descriptions below. If you are interested in enrolling, take note of the prerequisites and special notes for each course to ensure you are eligible.
BIOCH 510 Signal Transduction
Principles of the biochemistry of cell communication and signal transduction through receptor activation, the generation of second messengers, and the control of protein modifications. The course will emphasize the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of cell migration, division and death.

Prerequisites:

BIOCH 310, 320 and 330, or BIOCH 203 and 205 all with a minimum grade of B-, or consent of the Department

Notes:

  1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 410, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
  2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 410
BIOCH 520 Protein Chemistry, Structure and Function

Protein chemistry and purification. The intra- and intermolecular forces that determine protein structure. Principles of protein folding and dynamics. Enzyme mechanisms and ligand binding interactions.

Prerequisites:

BIOCH 320, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes:

  1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 420, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
  2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 420
BIOCH 525 Proteomics
An advanced course focusing on the analysis of the protein function and protein-protein interactions within the context of the entire protein complement of a cell. Some aspects of protein structure as it pertains to the principles of protein-protein interactions will be covered along with genetic and biochemical methods for the analysis of protein complexes, protein interaction networks and system wide protein identification and dynamics. This course is intended for students in Biochemistry. Students in other programs may be admitted subject to availability and with the consent of the Department.
Prerequisite(s): BIOCH 420 and BIOCH 430 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in these courses.
BIOCH 530 Biochemistry of Eukaryotic Gene Expression

The organization and expression at the molecular level of information encoded in the nucleic acids of eukaryotic cells. The focus will be on genome structure and the regulation of gene expression at the levels of transcription, post-transcriptional processing, translation, post-translational modification and protein sorting. Recombinant DNA technologies and genetic engineering will be discussed as methods for studying the cellular processing of genetic information.

Prerequisites :

BIOCH 320 and 330, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes:

  1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 430, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
  2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 430
BIOCH 541 Structure and Function of Biological Membranes

Survey of the structure and function of biological membranes. Topics include the structure, properties and composition of biomembranes, characterization and structural principles of membrane lipids and proteins, lateral and transverse asymmetry, dynamics, lipid-protein interactions, membrane enzymology, permeability, and biogenesis.

Prerequisites:

BIOCH 320, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes:

  1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 441, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
  2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 441
BIOCH 550 The Molecular Biology of Mammalian Viruses

This course will focus on virus structure, replication, and interaction with host cells at the molecular level. Lytic viruses with single- or double-stranded DNA or RNA genomes will be discussed, as will the mechanisms of viral oncogenesis.

Prerequisites :

BIOCH 320 and 330, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes :

  1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 450, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
  2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 450
BIOCH 555 Biochemistry of Lipids and Lipoproteins

Advanced course focusing on specific aspects of the regulation of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Topics include the transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms governing the synthesis and degradation of important enzymes, lipids, and lipid transport molecules; the role of lipid mediators in signaling pathways and protein modification; the assembly and dynamics of lipoproteins and biological membranes; genetic disruptions of lipid regulatory proteins such as cell surface receptors leading to human disease.

Prerequisites :

BIOCH 310, 320, and 330, or BIOCH 203 and 205
all with a minimum grade of B- or consent of Department

Notes :

  1. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 455, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies
  2. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 455
BIOCH 565 Methods in Molecular Biophysics

Survey of biophysical methods used in the characterization and structural determination of biological macromolecules, from ensemble measurements to single-molecule detection. Topics include mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, light microscopy, X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, molecular dynamics and nuclear magnetic resonance. Emphasis is on using techniques in evaluating structure-function relationships through the discussion of representative macromolecular systems.

Prerequisites :

BIOCH 320 with a minimum grade of B- or consent of the Department
This course cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 460

Coordinator :

Dr. H. Young

BIOCH 609 Macromolecular Structure Analysis

Principles of X-ray crystallography as applied to the study of protein and nucleic acid structure. Practical aspects of diffraction and structure solution are demonstrated by a collaborative study of a suitable small molecule of biological interest. Designed for senior honors and graduate students.

Prerequisite :

consent of Instructor

Notes :

  1. Maximum enrolment of 10 students
  2. Offered in alternate years
BIOCH 620 Selected Topics in Protein Structure, Function and Regulation

Directed reading and seminar course, based on papers taken from recent literature of protein research. Students critically discuss the papers and give oral presentations to the class. Designed for graduate students.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 420 or equivalent, or consent of Department

BIOCH 623 Special Topics in Research on Polynucleotides

This course is a journal club and discussion group in which current research topics on nucleic acids are discussed. Specific talks range from biochemistry, genetics and microbiology to nuclear biology and clinical aspects.

BIOCH 626 Special Topics in Protein Research

Seminar course for advanced students. Detailed consideration is given to recent advances in research on protein structure and function and mechanism of enzyme action.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 420 or consent of Department

BIOCH 630 Selected Topics in Modern Molecular Biology

Directed reading and seminar course, based on papers taken from the recent literature of molecular biology. Students critically discuss the papers and give oral presentations.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 530 and consent of the Department

Note :

  1. designed for graduate students; offered yearly
BIOCH 640 Special Topics in Research on Biomembranes

Seminar course for advanced students covering selected topics from the current literature in the field of membrane structure and function.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 441 or consent of Department

BIOCH 641 Selected Topics on the Structure and Function of Biological Membranes

Directed reading and seminar course on the structure and function of biological membranes. Topics include membrane biogenesis, bioenergetics, transport and structural aspects of membrane lipids and proteins.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 441 or consent of the Department

BIOCH 650 Signal Transduction

A journal club and discussion group addressing topics in the general area of signalling mechanisms that control cell activation, growth, apoptosis and vesicle trafficking. Specific talks range from biochemistry, genetics and microbiology to molecular biology and clinical aspects.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 410/510 or consent of Department

BIOCH 651 Special Topics in Lipid and Lipoprotein Researc

Seminar for advanced students covering selected topics from the current literature in the field of lipid and lipoprotein research.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 555 or consent of Department

BIOCH 655 Advances in Lipid and Lipoprotein Research

Recent developments and use of the current literature are emphasized. Topics include regulation of lipid metabolism, intracellular lipid trafficking, regulation of lipoprotein secretion, lipid transfer among lipoproteins, reverse cholesterol transport, and atherosclerosis.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 455, or 555, or consent of Department

Note :

  1. Offered in alternate years
BIOCH 660 Professional Development for Career Success

This course will enhance skills for graduate students beyond graduate
school to prepare them for employment situations. Each session will be presented as a
seminar by one or two invited speakers, followed by a round-table discussion.
Assignments will need to be prepared either before coming to the session or during the
session. Audits and drop-ins welcome.

Note :

Open to graduate students in the Department of Biochemistry and other graduate students with permission of the course instructor.
Classroom hours in this course count toward FGSR-mandated Professional
Development hours (8 h/ yr).
BIOCH 665 Special Topics in Protein Folding and Prion Diseases

Seminar course for advanced students focused on recent advances in research into mechanisms of protein folding and disease states caused by protein misfolding, including prion diseases.

Prerequisite :

BIOCH 520 or consent of Department

BIOCH 670 Recent Advances in Biochemistry

A seminar course on topics of current interest in biochemistry. Students will contribute to a presentation based on recent developments published in first rate journals. Attendance at all seminars is expected.

Note :

Open only to graduate students in Biochemistry
BIOCH 671 Recent Advances in Biochemistry

A seminar course on topics of current interest in biochemistry. Students will contribute a presentation on their research project that includes original data. Attendance at all seminars is expected.
Prerequisite:

BIOCH 670 or consent of the Department

Note :

Open only to graduate students in Biochemistry
BIOCH 675 Magnetic Resonance in Biology and Medicine II

Designed for advanced honors and graduate students interested in the application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to biological systems. Topics include quantum mechanical basis of NMR, multinuclear multidimensional NMR experiments, NMR relaxation theory, new NMR applications.
Prerequisite:

Consent of Instructor.

Note :

  1. Offered in alternate years.