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Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry

• B.Sc. Four-year
• B.Sc. Three-year
• B.Sc. Honours
• B.Sc. Double Honours

“Biochemistry seeks to explain life in chemical terms. The basic goal of the science of biochemistry is to determine how the collections of inanimate objects that constitute living organisms interact with each other to maintain and perpetuate life.  Although Biochemistry yields important insights and practical applications in medicine, agriculture, nutrition and industry, it is ultimately concerned with the wonder of life itself."
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Second Edition

Our Biochemistry program provides training in molecular and cellular approaches to studies in the life sciences. Individual student programs in Biochemistry can emphasize cell biochemistry, chemical approaches, metabolism, molecular biology, plant biochemistry, protein structure and function, or signal transduction. Our Biochemistry programs include essential prerequisite courses for life science professional schools (e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine) and graduate studies in many areas of the life sciences. Graduates at all levels find employment in academia, industry and other life science research enterprises.

• The Department of Biochemistry has faculty members with expertise in nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, enzymology, metabolism, cell biochemistry, plant biochemistry and structural biology.  Their research interests encompass topics such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, infectious diseases as well as, bioethanol, nanotechnology, structural studies of proteins by NMR and X-ray crystallography, and cell cycle in plants.
• Funding for research is obtained competitively from CIHR, NSERC, SHRF and other funding agencies. 
• The wealth of expertise in the Department of Biochemistry is enriched by the affiliation of professors who are members of other colleges and departments (e.g., Chemistry, and Plant Sciences), centres (e.g., Saskatchewan Cancer Centre) and research agencies {e.g., Canadian Light Source (CLS), the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), and Plant Biotechnology Institute (PBI)} located on the university campus. These affiliated professors participate in the teaching and training of undergraduate and graduate students.
• In 2012, the research laboratories of the Department of Biochemistry will be relocated to the newly renovated Health Sciences Building with state-of-art research facilities.  The University of Saskatchewan is a home to several high-impact research centers that include the VIDO, PBI, Saskatchewan Cancer Center, Saskatchewan Structural Science Center, Agricultural and Ag-Food Canada and dozens of biotechnology firms within Innovation Place.
• The city of Saskatoon is the proud home of two of Canada’s largest investments in science infrastructure, the CLS and the newly opened International Vaccine Center (InterVac).
• Saskatoon is at the cutting edge of medical and agricultural research. Biochemistry is a core discipline within all these pursuits. The concentration of these research institutions on the campus, together with our own university laboratories provide our students unique research opportunity and advantage.  Many of our graduates find employment at these organizations, and elsewhere.

• BMSC 200: Biomolecules
  An introduction to the structures, general properties, and functions of simple and complex biomolecules: amino acids, peptides, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids as well as membranes and solute transport.
• BIOC 300: Information Transfer DNA to Proteins
  Deals with the structure and function of nucleic acids at an advanced level. Chromosome anatomy, DNA replication, transcription of genes, and translation of mRNA in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes are covered. The various mechanisms whereby gene expression is regulated are also discussed.
• BIOC 436: Advanced Molecular Biology
  Modern and advanced methods and strategies of nucleic acid manipulation, and characterization of genes in cells and whole organisms are presented. Topics include; PCR applications; delivery of genes into cells and animals, generation of transgenic and gene knockout animals, DNA fingerprinting, and aspects of molecular medicine such as screening approaches for genetic diseases.

• Biochemist
• Forensic Lab Technician
• High School, College or University Teacher
• Technical Writer
• Pharmaceutical Representative
• Food Inspection Agent
• Policy Analyst
• Research Scientist

• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Computer skills
• Communication skills: written and/or oral
• Critical and analytical thinking
• Interpreting research findings
• Laboratory skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Research skills and methods
• Technical skills