Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences (Faculty of Health Sciences)

Program Offerings

https://biochem.healthsci.mcmaster.ca
Faculty as of January 15, 2024

CHAIR

Brian Coombes

ASSOCIATE CHAIR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION, BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (HONOURS)

C.E. Mullarkey

ASSOCIATE CHAIRS

Deborah Sloboda (Research)
John Whitney (Graduate Studies)

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

Dawn Lilley

PROFESSORS

Paul J. Berti/B.Sc. (Waterloo), M.Sc. (Ottawa), Ph.D. (McGill)
Mickie Bhatia/B.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Guelph)
Eric D. Brown/B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Guelph)
Lori L. Burrows/B.Sc., Ph.D. (Guelph)
Brian K. Coombes/B.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster)
Cameron Currie/B.Sc., M.Sc. (Alberta), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Cécile Fradin/B.Sc., M.Sc. (Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris), Ph.D. (Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris)
Radhey S. Gupta/B.Sc. (Agra), M.Sc. (New Delhi), Ph.D. (Bombay)
Paul Higgs/Ph.D. (Cambridge)
Yingfu Li/B.Sc. (Anhui, China), M.Sc. (Beijing Agr.), Ph.D. (Simon Fraser)
Jakob Magolan/B.Sc. (Queen’s), Ph.D. (Western Ontario)
Andrew McArthur/H.B.Sc. (Western Ontario), Ph.D. (Victoria)
Giuseppe Melacini/B.Sc., Ph.D. (Milan)
Hendrik Poinar/B.Sc. (California Polytechnic State), Ph.D. (Lüdwig Maximillians Universität München)
Jonathan Schertzer/B.Sc., M.Sc. (Waterloo), Ph.D. (Melbourne)
Deborah Sloboda/B.Sc. (Guelph), M.Sc. (Western Ontario), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Gregory Steinberg/B.Sc., Ph.D. (Guelph)
Michael Surette/B.Sc. (Newfoundland), Ph.D. (Western)
Bernardo L. Trigatti/B.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster)
Ray Truant/B.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto)
Geoffrey Werstuck/B.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster)
Gerard D. Wright/B.Sc., Ph.D. (Waterloo)
Daniel S.C. Yang/B.Sc., M.Sc. (Alberta), Ph.D. (Pittsburgh)

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS

Russell E. Bishop/B.Sc., Ph.D. (Alberta)
Lindsay Kalan/ B.Sc. (Alberta), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Michelle L. MacDonald/B.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster)
Nathan Magarvey/B.Sc. (Dalhousie), Ph.D. (Minnesota)
Lesley MacNeil/B.Sc. (Guelph), M.Sc. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Matthew Miller/B.Sc., Ph.D. (Western Ontario)
Caitlin Mullarkey/B.A. (Swarthmore College Pennsylvania), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Oxford)
Ishac Nazy/B.Sc. (Guelph, McMaster), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Felicia Vulcu/B.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster)
John Whitney/B.Sc. (Guelph), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Dawit Wolday/M.D., M.Sc. (Addis Ababa), Ph.D. (Karolinska Institute)

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS

Sara Andres/B.Sc. (Guelph), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Monica DePaoli/M.D. (Udine), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Hong Han/B.Sc., (UBC), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Jon Stokes/B.HSc., Ph.D. (McMaster)

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Stephanie A. Atkinson/(Pediatrics) B.A. (Western Ontario), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Tobias Berg/(Medicine) M.D., Ph.D. (University Freiberg, Germany)
Jonathan L. Bramson/(Pathology) B.Sc., Ph.D. (McGill)
Marie Elliot/(Biology) B.Sc., Ph.D. (Alberta)
Thomas Hawke/(Pathology) B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Guelph)
Stephen Hill/(Pathology) B.Sc., Ph.D. (Western)
Alison Holloway/(ObsGyn) B.Sc. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Guelph)
Manel Jordana/(Medicine) M.D. (Barcelona), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Colin Kretz/(Medicine) B.Sc., Ph.D. (McMaster)
Marc Jeschke/(Surgery) M.D. (Tubingen), MMS (Texas), Ph.D. (Regensburg)
Mark Larche/(Medicine) Ph.D. (University of London)
Karen Mossman/(Pathology) B.Sc. (Guelph), Ph.D. (Alberta)
Manali Mukherjee/(Medicine) B.Sc. (Pune), M.Sc., (Dundee), Ph.D.
Guillaume Paré /(Pathology) M.D. (Montreal), M.Sc. (McGill)
Marie Pigeyre/(Medicine) M.Sc. (Paris), M.D., Ph.D. (Lille)
Sandeep Raha/(Pediatrics) B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto)
Anthony F. Rullo/(Medicine) M.D. (Barcelona), Ph.D. (McMaster)
Sheila Singh/(Surgery) B.Sc. (McGill), M.D. (McMaster), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Leyla Soleymani/(Engineering Physics), B.Eng., (McGill), M.Sc. (USC), Ph.D. (Toronto)
Jeffrey I. Weitz/(Medicine) B.Sc., M.D. (Ottawa)
Samantha L. Wilson/(ObsGyn) BHSc (Western), Ph.D. (UBC)

Notes Applicable to all Honours Biochemistry Programs

In addition to the Honours Biochemistry program, the Department offers a Specialization in Biomedical Research. The Honours program has a specified set of basic requirements and a wide choice of electives (including those from outside the Faculty of Health Sciences), allowing for interdisciplinary studies or the opportunity to complete a Minor in another subject. Alternatively, students may wish to apply to the Biomedical Research Specialization which is strongly recommended for students intending to pursue graduate studies.
Admission to the Honours Biochemistry program is limited. Selection is based on academic achievement but requires, as a minimum, completion of the Level I requirements listed below.
Admission to the Honours Biochemistry - Biomedical Research Specialization program is limited. Admission to this program begins at Level III and requires, as a minimum, completion of Level II Honours Biochemistry and completion of a supplementary application.
Students considering graduate studies in Biochemistry are recommended to complete one of BIOCHEM 4F09 A/B or 4T15 A/B .

Program Overview

The Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences offers three distinct Honours Biochemistry degree programs. The Honours Biochemistry (B.H.Sc.) program begins in Level II, while Biomedical Research Specialization and Co-op programs are available beginning at Level III. Program courses will develop scientific understanding in the application of chemistry to the exploration of biological systems at the cellular and molecular level. This knowledge will be further leveraged to examine pertinent topics in health and disease. Additionally, the program will focus on the acquisition of transferable skills in research, oral and written communication, and the application of theory to practice.

Honours Biochemistry programs require the completion of 120 units.

Degree Programs

Honours Biochemistry

The program begins in Level II and leads to the degree Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) upon successful completion of Level IV. A Biomedical Research Specialization is available beginning in Level III for students interested in gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge research. This research-intensive option offers up to 21 units of additional laboratory experience to students who may be interested in pursuing graduate studies or a career in research and development.

Co-op Program

The Honours Biochemistry (B.H.Sc.) degree offers a co-op option, beginning in Level III. Refer to Admission Procedures and Requirements below for admission procedures.

Admission Procedures and Requirements

Please note that the admission policy may be reviewed annually, and the admission requirements may be changed in future years. As places in Honours Biochemistry programs are limited, the admission process is competitive. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to an Honours Biochemistry program.

Application to an Honours Biochemistry program in the Faculty of Health Sciences implies acceptance of the admission policies, procedures and methods by which applicants are chosen.

Admission Procedures

All Level I students who wish to be reviewed for admission to Honours Biochemistry (B.H.Sc.) for the following Fall/Winter Term must submit an Application for Admission to Level II through MOSAIC by the University stated deadline (normally in April). Students may rank up to four program choices. Rank ordering must be done very carefully because once admitted to a program, no further consideration is given to lower ranked choices. Level I students must meet the admission criteria for Honours Biochemistry (B.H.Sc.) according to the Calendar in effect when they registered for Level I. Students must follow the program requirements of the Calendar in effect when they enter Level II, except when a later Calendar explicitly modifies such requirements.

Admission into Honours Biochemistry - Biomedical Research Specialization (B.H.Sc.) is limited and possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission is by selection and is based on completion of the supplementary application by the stated deadline and academic achievement, but requires, as a minimum, completion of Level II Honours Biochemistry with a Grade Point Average of at least 6.0.

Admission into Honours Biochemistry Co-op (B.H.Sc.) is limited and admission is by selection. Students must complete SCIENCE 2D00 and all mandatory orientation activities, including SCIENCE 3D00 , prior to the start of the first work term. Students must complete SCIENCE 2D00 prior to the start of Level III. Employment must be full-time, academically relevant and approved by the Science Career and Cooperative Education office in the (Faculty of) Science. Students enrolled in Co-op programs must be registered in full-time studies, including all prescribed courses, during the academic terms of their program (a minimum of 9 units in a term) and will be charged per unit registered. An annual administrative fee will be charged in each of the three years a student is enrolled in a Co-op program, and additional Science Co-op fees will be charged for each work term of a Co-op program. With written permission from the work term supervisor, academic work may be taken during each four-month period of a work term and the student will be responsible for the additional tuition. For further information, please consult Science Career and Cooperative Education in the Faculty of Science.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants may be admitted to Honours Biochemistry programs and from other post-secondary institutions. The process will be competitive and will be based on the student’s academic qualifications and may require completion of a supplementary application. Enrolment is limited. Students interested in being considered for admission to Level II of Honours Biochemistry must have completed the equivalent admission requirements outlined in the Honours Biochemistry (B.H.Sc.) section of the academic calendar. A Grade Point Average of at least 10.0 (minimum overall average of A-) will be required for admission consideration.

Bursaries

For information about bursaries, please refer to the Office of the Registrar, Aid & Awards website.

Academic Regulations

Student Academic Responsibility

You are responsible for adhering to the statement on student academic responsibility found in the General Academic Regulations of this calendar.

Access to Courses

All undergraduate courses at McMaster have an enrolment capacity. The University is committed to making every effort to accommodate students in required courses so that their program of study is not extended. Unless otherwise specified, registration is on a first-come basis and in some cases, priority is given to students from particular programs or Faculties. Students will be informed of their enrolment periods and are encouraged to enroll as soon as online enrolment is available to them in the Student Centre in Mosaic.
In addition to the regulations in the General Academic Regulations section of this Calendar, the following Program regulations apply.

Minor

This information is directed to Honours Biochemistry students who are interested in completing a minor in another subject area.

A Minor is an option available to a student enrolled in a four- or five‐level program. A Minor consists of a minimum of 24 units in the Minor subject. No more than six of these units can be at Level I, unless otherwise stated in the specific requirements of the Minor. A student is responsible for registering for courses to be applied towards a Minor using elective units only. In the case of cross‐listed courses, students must ensure that they register in the appropriate subject for the Minor designation. Those who have the necessary requirements may apply for recognition of that Minor when they graduate. If recognition for a Minor is granted, this recognition will be recorded on the student’s transcript. Minors cannot be revoked once approved. Students may return for a second degree in the subject in which they have obtained a Minor, but only at the Honours level. For further information please refer to Minors in the General Academic Regulations section in this Calendar.

A Minor in Biochemistry is available. Minors are available to students registered in an Honours program only. At least 12 units (above Level 1) toward the Minor must be considered elective to degree. Please see Minors in the General Academic Regulations section of this Calendar for further information. All courses have an enrolment capacity and the Faculty cannot guarantee registration in courses, even when all requisites have been met. Therefore, the completion of a Minor is not guaranteed.

Continuation in the Program

You must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 6.0 to continue in the program. If your GPA is from 5.5 to 5.9, you may remain in the program, but will be placed on program probation for one reviewing period. You may be on program probation only once. If your GPA is 3.5 to 5.4, you must transfer to another program for which you qualify, or you may enrol in the Bachelor of Heath Science Program as a transition student for one reviewing period. During that period, with permission, you can take B.H.Sc (Honours) Biochemistry required courses (for which all course prerequisites have been met). At the end of the probation period, you may apply for readmission to the B.H.Sc. (Honours) Biochemistry Program . A minimum GPA of 6.0 is required. If your GPA is 3.0 to 3.4, you will be placed on academic probation. You may continue in the program for one reviewing period as a transition student. During that period, with permission, you can take B.H.Sc (Honours) Biochemistry required courses (for which all course prerequisites have been met). You may be on academic probation only once. If your GPA is less than 3.0 you may not continue at the University. A student previously on Academic Probation who fails to achieve good standing (minimum 3.5) at a subsequent review, cannot continue at the university unless granted reinstatement. Please refer to the General Academic Regulations section in the undergraduate calendar.

Letters of Permission

All students in good academic standing, with the exception of students registered in second degree programs, may apply to the BBS Education Services Office to take courses at another university on Letter of Permission. Students must achieve a grade of at least C- for transfer of credit. The transcript designation reads ‘T’, indicating transfer, when a grade of C- or better is attained, or NC, indicating not complete, when a grade of less than C- is attained.

Required courses given by the department offering the program may not be taken elsewhere unless departmental approval is given. Electives may be taken elsewhere.

Courses taken at another university cannot be used to satisfy the University’s minimum residence requirements, will not be included in the calculation of the Grade Point or Term Averages, and therefore cannot be used to raise standing. Students may take up to six units of courses towards a Minor on Letter of Permission.

Level of Registration

A student with six or more units incomplete at any level may proceed to the next level of the program only with the permission of the BBS Education Program Services Office.

Reinstatement

Students with an Academic Standing of May Not Continue at the University who wish to be considered for undergraduate studies must apply for reinstatement. Application for reinstatement must be made to the Office of the Registrar using the Reinstatement Request Form by the stated deadline. The Faculty of Health Sciences does not consider Requests for Reinstatement for the Spring/Summer Term. See the Application Procedures section of this Calendar. Reinstatement forms will be carefully reviewed and the evidence considered will include the student’s academic performance before and after admission to McMaster, a letter of explanation and other appropriate documentation. Students may wish to include an explanation for their inadequate performance, corroborated by two letters of support. If a student was affected by an illness, disability or significant life event, they may choose to include a physician’s letter documenting the impacts of the illness/disability/event on the student’s academic performance. Reinstatement is not automatic or guaranteed. Decisions are normally made after June 30 for September entry.
The Grade Point Average for students who are reinstated is reset to 0.0 on zero units. Credit is retained for courses in which passing grades have been achieved. Note: If at a review after reinstatement the Grade Point Average falls below 3.5, the student will be required to withdraw from the University for a period of at least 12 months.

Registration and Course Changes

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the program of work undertaken meets the requirements for the degree. It is highly recommended that you review your advisement report in MOSAIC each time you drop or add courses and seek academic counselling from the BBS Education Program Services Office if you have any questions. Dates for final registration and course changes appear in the Sessional Dates section of this Calendar and are enforced.

Academic Counselling

Academic counselling is available throughout the year from the BBS Education Program Services Office. It is recommended that students make an appointment with an advisor from the program office if they have any questions.

Graduation

A GPA of 5.0 is required for graduation. Students who successfully complete Level III of the program may request permission from the BBS Education Program Services Office to graduate with a three-level non-honours B.H.Sc. exit degree. Please refer to the General Academic Regulations section in this Calendar for additional information related to graduation.

Students who registered in the Honours B.Sc. Biochemistry program in 2022 or prior and elected to transfer to the Honours B.H.Sc. Biochemistry program should refer to the 2022-23 Undergraduate Calendar or their personal Advisement Report for program requirements. Students may also contact an advisor from the BBS Education Program Services Office for program requirements.

Programs

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)