Learning Format
Course Structure
Biochemistry with a Medical Perspective is an online, university level course taught by faculty from the University of Toronto through a series of intensive, illustrated video lectures.
The course is scheduled three times a year, in the fall, winter, and summer semesters. The 54 video lectures are scheduled three times a week for 18 weeks in the fall and winter semesters, and compressed to 14 weeks in the accelerated summer semester.
The lectures are accompanied by short videos of medical perspectives presented by Dr. Robert Murray, a medical doctor experienced in teaching biochemistry to medical students.
Students are expected to reinforce the online video lectures by reference to the textbook, Biochemistry: A Short Course, by John Tymoczko, Jeremy Berg and Lubert Stryer, 4th edition, 2019.
Independent study is also encouraged.
The course has short web - based quizzes and concludes with an invigilated exam in the student's locality. Please see the Evaluation page for details about tests and grades.
Online Learning on the Canvas/Quercus Platform
Are you a U of T Student?
This course is NOT open to full or part-time students enrolled at the University of Toronto.
Read more about who can take this course.
The course is presented and administered through the Canvas/Quercus learning platform. Canvas/Quercus is a web based user-friendly interface that allows students to access the course documents, video lectures and online quizzes. The course discussion board can be used for extensive communication between the instructors, TAs and other students enrolled in the course.
Canvas/Quercus is accessible through the following url: https://q.utoronto.ca
Video Lectures
Download the Lecture List and Schedule (PDF) for a detailed breakdown of the course lectures, quizzes, important dates, and more.
The Biochemistry with a Medical Perspective course is delivered through streaming video lectures (Windows Media Player, QuickTime, Flash). View a part of a sample lecture.
Online illustrated lectures will be given in 3 lecture hours per week in the fall and winter sessions, and 4 hours of lectures per week in the summer session.
Given the full course equivalent nature and workload of the course, students are required to view lectures on a timely, weekly basis.
Each week's lectures are available for 1 week (starting from Monday 12:00 am Eastern Time until Sunday 11:59 pm Eastern Time of the next week), during which time the students are able to view the current lectures online accessed on the "Lectures" tab on the left navigation bar within Blackboard.
The University's copyright restrictions do not allow the online lecture to be distributed on recordable media like DVDs
Technical Notes
Please note that course lectures are approximately 300MB. A high-speed internet connection is recommended.
The online lecture format and Blackboard system are compatible with both Macintosh and PC computers. Note: The video lectures are not downloadable.
Textbook
The required textbook for the course is Biochemistry: A Short Course, by John Tymoczko, Jeremy Berg and Lubert Stryer, published by W.H.Freeman and Co., New York, 4th ed. 2019.
The textbook can be purchased through any university bookstore or through the publisher's website http://www.whfreeman.com/
Course materials plus a large selection of general reference books are available at the U of T Bookstore located in the Koffler Centre at 214 College Street (St. George and College Streets), Toronto.
You may also place your textbook and course material orders online or by phone and have them delivered to your doorstep. Simply create an account at www.uoftbookstore.com, fill your shopping basket with all of your required texts and submit your order with a credit card number for delivery or pick-up. It's quick and easy. For further information visit the website or call 416-640-5840 or toll free 1-800-665-8810.
Evaluation
The assessment includes online quizzes, participation & assignments, and a written final exam.
Evaluation Breakdown
The evaluations will be distributed as follows:
- Online Quizzes 35%
- Participation and Assignments 20%
- Final Exam 45%
Web - based quizzes (35%) and participation and assignments (20%) contribute towards the term mark which accounts for 55% of the course grade.
The written final examination, administered at exam centers throughout the world by the U of T School of Continuing Studies (SCS), contribute to 45% of the final mark making the total 100%.
The course pass mark is 50%.
Online Quizzes
The online quizzes are every two weeks, covering the assigned material for those weeks. The quizzes are in multiple choice answer format.
Each quiz is 30 minutes long and will include 20 multiple choice questions, with either one CORRECT or one INCORRECT choice. Once you start the quiz online, the system will automatically log you off at 30 minutes after you start.
Each student will be expected to take the quiz independently without any aids (without the textbook or any online resources).
The web - based quizzes are available for 24 hours starting at 12 AM Eastern Standard Time on Monday morning till 11:59 PM on Monday night.
It is your responsibility to arrange your schedule to write the quizzes. Please ensure to take the quiz earlier in the day rather than attempting to take it in the last minute to accommodate any potential internet delays.
If you are unable to take the quiz within the specified period, you will receive a mark of 0 for that quiz. There will NOT be a make-up quiz if you miss a quiz.
The discussion board on Blackboard will not be accessible during the time when the quiz is in progress. Once you have written the quiz, please do not discuss the questions with anyone.
For more information please refer to the School of Continuing Studies policies on evaluation as well as the University of Toronto's Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters.
Participation and Assignments
Participation in the online forum through Blackboard will constitute part of the final grade in the course. It is expected that students will actively participate in the weekly discussions pertaining to the lecture material and the medical vignettes. Assignments will also require some group participation.
Final Exam
The final exam will examine all the material covered in the course and will include multiple choice questions as well as short answer questions.
The final exam will be held during the examination period (please refer to the Schedule) and may include multiple choice questions as well as short answers.
Examinations can be arranged anywhere in the world.
The examination is conducted on a group basis by location at invigilated examination centres. Candidates must use pre-established centres if possible and you may be required to travel up to 30 km. Exams are arranged by SCS.
If, for good reason, you cannot write at one of the established centres, a form is provided on the SCS site to request another location.
Letter of Completion and Grade Report
At the conclusion of the course, students receive a Letter of Completion and an official Grade Report from the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Toronto.
For more details, please review the Grades, Appeals and Records page on the School of Continuing Studies website.
Detailed Evaluation Breakdown
Please note: the quizzes are closed book tests.
The policies and prodecures related to academinc offences are included in the University of Toronto's Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters.
Fall and Winter Semesters
Online Quizzes
Number: 8
Value: Total of 35% of final grade
Time Allotted: 30 mins to complete quiz
Available Online: 24 hours (Posted on the Designated Monday Test Date, 12:00 am to 11:59 pm)
Format: 20 multiple choice questions, 4 choices each
Content: 18 MC on lectures, 2 on Vignettes
Grades: Posted 1 - 2 days later after analysis of statistics
Course Notes: Available for two weeks (Posted Every Monday, 12:00AM to 11:59PM Sunday)
Participation AND ASSIGNMENTS
Value: 20% of final grade
Evaluation: Participation in online forums and assignments
Availability: Every day except for when quizzes are run (every second Monday)
Final exam
Value: 45% of final grade
Format: 45 multiple choice questions (45 marks), and short answer questions (15 marks)
Content: Cumulative with more focus on last two weeks of lectures that were not tested with a quiz.
Summer Semester
Quizzes
Number: 6
Value: Total of 35% of final grade.
Time Allotted: 30 mins to complete quiz
Available Online: 24 hours (Posted on the Designated Monday Test Date, 12:00 am to 11:59 pm)
Format: 20 Multiple Choice Questions, 4 choices
Content: 16 MC on lectures, 4 on vignettes
Grades: Posted 1 - 2 days later after analysis of statistics
Participation AND ASSIGNMENTS
Value: 20% of final grade
Evaluation: Participation in online forums and assignments
Availability: Every day except for when quizzes are run (every second Monday)
Final Exam
Value: 45% of final grade
Format: 50 multiple choice questions (50 marks), and short answer questions (10 marks)
Content: Cumulative with more focus on last two weeks of lectures that were not tested with a quiz.
Schedule
Download the Lecture List and Schedule (PDF) for a detailed breakdown of the course lectures, quizzes, important dates, and more.
Biochemistry with a Medical Perspective is scheduled three times a year, in the fall, winter, and summer semesters.
The 54 video lectures are scheduled three times a week for 18 weeks in the fall and winter semesters, and compressed to 14 weeks in the summer semester. Lectures are made available on a weekly basis over the term.
Please Note: The information to allow access to the course materials is generated three business days after registration. Kindly register in time to start the course on the first day.
Important Dates
Fall 2024
Course Offered
23 Septemeber 2024 to 21 February 2025
Final Exam Date
21 February 2025, 3hrs
Winter 2025
Course Offered
13 January to 23 May 2025
Final Exam Date
23 May 2025, 3hrs
Summer 2025
Course Offered
28 April to 08 August
Final Exam Date
08 August 2025, 3hrs