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Biochemistry Major Program

What are the goals of the Biochemistry Major program?

The overall goal of the Biochemistry Major program is to provide undergraduate students with a fundamental educational experience in biochemistry that will complement and extend their experience in another discipline in Science or the Arts and Humanities.

This experience includes:

  • The acquisition of practical and theoretical principles in biochemistry.
  • The ability to utilize ongoing biochemical training in studies of a second discipline.
  • The development of fundamental laboratory skills including practical methods, data analysis, and problem solving.
  • Knowledge of the variety of different disciplines within biochemistry and an appreciation of scientific literature supporting current research topics.
  • The application of academic experience within two disciplines in pursuits of marketplace careers or entry into professional programs.

What can I combine my Biochemistry Major With?

Almost anything!

Students are required to enrol in at least one and no more than three programs. Students accepted into the Biochemistry Major program will be required to combine it with either a second major; two minors or a specialist program. Biochemistry students often select other related science programs, such as Pharmacology and Toxicology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Physiology, Chemistry, Immunology, Biology, Cell Systems Biology, and Human Biology - (Neuroscience, Health and Disease, or Genetics). Other options available within the faculty of Arts and Sciences, include English, French, Statistics, Maths, Economics and Public Policy.

Entry Requirements

Program Code ASMAJ1762

This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol.

Variable Minimum Grade Average
A minimum grade average is needed for entry, and this minimum changes each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses or their equivalents must be completed:

To ensure that students admitted to the program will be successful, applicants with a final grade lower than 60%, or a grade average lower than 70% in these required courses will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining this minimum final grade or minimum grade average does not guarantee admission to the program. While it is difficult to predict what will be competitive course marks and average in a given year, based on previous years, the estimate is: course marks = mid 70s; average = mid 70s. The underlying numeric final mark in each of your courses required for program enrolment will be used by the relevant academic unit to determine your eligibility.

Applications from students lacking numerical grades in one or more of the specified prerequisites, or students applying in their second or later years, may be considered on the basis of their entire academic record and the availability of space in the program. In addition to applying through ACORN, students applying in their second year or later are asked to please contact the department directly at biochemistry.undergrad@utoronto.ca, specify which program you would like to be considered for, and provide your student number.

Please consult the Arts & Science Program Toolkit for more information.

Program Requirements  

Biochemistry Major Program Requirements:

8 full courses or their equivalent, including two 400-series half-year courses are required for completion of the Biochemistry Major program.

First Year:

1. BIO120H1, BIOH130H1
2. (CHM135H1 and CHM136H1) / CHM151Y1
3. (MAT135H1 and MAT136H1) / MAT137Y1 / MAT157Y1

Second Year:

1. BCH210H1
2. BIO230H1 / BIO255H1
3. CHM247H1 / CHM249H1

Third Year:

1. BCH311H1
2. BCH370H1
3. CHM217H1 / CHM220H1 / BCH340H1
4. 1.0 credit from BIO220H1/​ one of BIO260H1 or HMB265H1/​ JPM300H1 and the department is open to the use of 300-level lecture based course(s) in CHM/CSB/EEB/HMB/IMM/LMP/MGY/PCL/PSL, but students must seek approval from the department prior to course enrolment.
Note: Field courses and lab courses are not accepted. 

Fourth Year:

Two of: BCH422H1 / BCH425H1 / BCH426H1 / BCH428H1/ BCH440H1 / BCH445H1 / BCH448H1 /BCH449H1/BCH479H1/CHM447H1/ MGY441H1