Research Project in Biochemistry - BCH374Y1

BCH374Y1 spans the Fall and Winter terms, and provides real-world individual research opportunities in biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Department of Biochemistry or Molecular Genetics faculty member. Each student, aided and advised by their supervisor, will read relevant literature and plan, execute, analyse, and report on experimental investigations on an appropriate topic. The project must be original experimental or computational work. BCH374Y1 takes advantage of the resources and expertise of the over 100 faculty researchers within the departments. It gives students an appreciation of the scientific method that comes from intensive experimentation. It enhances students’ understanding of theoretical concepts learned in other courses through a better understanding of the experimental approaches upon which those theories are based and provides one-on-one contact with faculty members.

The student is expected to spend at least one full day per week during the academic year on their research project in the supervisor’s laboratory.

To enroll:
Students may approach any of the academic staff in the Department of Biochemistry or the Department of Molecular Genetics about the possibility of doing a research project under their supervision. BCH Specialists can contact their faculty mentors directly for placement assistance. Some of the faculty members who have expressed an interest in supervising a BCH374Y1 student are listed under ‘Instructors’, below, in late May (note that the list is not exhaustive, students can approach faculty members in Biochemistry or Molecular Genetics who are not listed). Once a supervisor is identified, the student and supervisor complete and sign the Enrollment Application Form (see below), and submit it along with your current CV and a copy of your academic transcript to the Course Coordinator. The student is expected to spend at least one full day per week during the academic year on their research project in the supervisor’s laboratory.

Prerequisites:
For BCH Specialists: BCH242Y1 (75% or higher); BIO230H1; CHM247H1 or CHM249H1, Approval of Department
For BCH Majors: BCH210H1 (80% or higher); BIO230H1; CHM247H1 or CHM249H1, Approval of Department

Course Coordinator:
Hue Sun Chan

Method of Student Evaluation:
There are 3 components to the final grade for BCH374Y1:
• Thirty percent of the final grade is contributed by the student's research project supervisor, based on the student's performance in the lab. The supervisor will evaluate the student's progress at the end of the Fall term (15%) and at the end of the Winter term (15%).
• Thirty percent of the final grade is contributed by the course coordinator and faculty members who are not the student's supervisor. This portion includes a 3 page research project proposal (5%), a 5-page midyear report (15%), and a midyear progress presentation (10%).
• Forty percent of the final grade is contributed by the student's exam committee, who will evaluate the final research report (20%) and the oral exam (20%). The presentation and the student's handling of questions during the oral examination will be weighted equally (10% each).

Resources:
Syllabus 2025/2026
Enrollment Application Form
Guidelines for Research Proposal
Guidelines for Midyear Report and Presentation
Guidelines for Final Report and Oral Exam

Faculty:
David Andrews
Liliana Attisano
Grant Brown
Oliver Ernst
Julie Forman-Kay
Walid Houry
Walter Kahr
Peter Kim
Karen Maxwell
Angus McQuibban
Trevor Moraes
Aleixo Muise
Justin Nodwell
Michael Ohh
John Parkinson
James Rini
Andreas Schulze
Carol Schuurmans
Simon Sharpe
Frank Sicheri
Craig Smibert
Christopher Yip

Enrollment Cap:
35