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Note: This is the 2012–2013 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Note: This is the 2012–2013 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Biochemistry is the application of chemical, genetic, and biophysical approaches to the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. We are interested in, for example, mechanisms of brain function; cellular differentiation; energy utilization by animals and microorganisms; and in the molecular basis of inheritance and disease. The researcher seeks to determine how specific molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins, and hormones function in various cellular processes. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulation of reactions in living cells. The knowledge and methods developed by researchers are applied in all fields of medicine, in agriculture, and in many chemical and health-related industries. Biochemistry is unique in providing basic theoretical training, as well as basic practical laboratory training and research in both enzymology and genetic engineering, which are the two basic components in the rapidly expanding field of Biotechnology.
There are three programs offered by the Department of Biochemistry: Major, Honours, and Liberal. The Major and Honours programs provide a sound background for students who wish to have a professional career in biochemistry, and can lead to postgraduate studies and research careers in hospital, university, or industrial laboratories. The Liberal program is less specialized, offering students opportunities to select courses in other fields of interest.
During the first year, each program provides basic training in organic, physical, and analytical chemistry, as well as in biology and physiology. The Honours and Major programs become more specialized in biochemistry during the following two years, with additional work in chemistry and biology.
Students interested in pursuing an ad hoc Joint Major or Joint Honours degree between Biochemistry and a second discipline may consult with our Chief Academic Adviser, Dr. Albert Berghuis (albert.berghuis [at] mcgill.ca).
The increasing involvement of complex technology in modern society requires personnel trained in both chemistry and biology. With the advent of biotechnology, the combination of chemistry, molecular biology, enzymology, and genetic engineering found in the biochemistry program provides the essential background and training. The researcher is in an advantageous position to fulfil this role and assume a wide variety of positions in industry and the health field. These positions include: research and development in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries; testing and research in government and hospital laboratories; and management. Many graduates pursue higher degrees in research and attain academic positions in universities and colleges.
New students interested in Biochemistry should refer to our website for information regarding orientation and program advising: www.mcgill.ca/biochemistry/undergraduates/advising.
Returning students must schedule an advising appointment directly with the academic adviser assigned to them in their first year in Biochemistry.
Chair |
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David Y. Thomas |
Associate Chair |
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Kalle Gehring |
Emeritus Professors |
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Rhoda Blostein; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.), F.R.S.C. (joint appt. with Medicine) |
Peter E. Braun; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.) |
Robert E. MacKenzie; B.Sc.(Agr.)(McG.), M.N.S., Ph.D.(C'nell.) |
Edward A. Meighen; B.Sc.(Alta.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.) |
Walter E. Mushynski; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) |
Theodore L. Sourkes; M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(C’nell), F.R.S.C. |
Clifford P. Stanners; B.Sc.(McM.), M.A., Ph.D.(Tor.) |
Professors |
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Nicole Beauchemin; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine) |
Albert Berghuis; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Rijks Univ. Groningen, The Netherlands), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) (Canada Research Chair in Structural Biology) |
Philip E. Branton; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.), F.R.S.C. (Gilman Cheney Professor of Biochemistry) |
Kalle Gehring; B.A.(Brown), M.Sc.(Mich.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.) (Chercheur National du FRSQ) |
Vincent Giguère; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Laval) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine) |
Philippe Gros; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(McG.), F.R.S.C. (James ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Professor) |
Roderick McInnes; B.Sc., M.D.(Dal.), Ph.D.(McG.) (Canada Research Chair in Neurogenetics) (joint appt. with Human Genetics) |
William Muller; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology) |
Alain Nepveu; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Sher.) (James ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Professor) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine) |
Morag Park; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Glasgow), F.R.S.C. (Diane & Sal Guerrera Chair in Cancer Genetics) (James ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Professor) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine) |
Jerry Pelletier; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (James ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Professor) |
Gordon C. Shore; B.Sc.(Guelph), Ph.D.(McG.) |
Joseph Shuster; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Calif.), M.D.(Alta.) |
John R. Silvius; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Alta.) |
Nahum Sonenberg; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Weizmann Inst.), F.R.S.C., F.R.S. (James ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Professor) |
David Y. Thomas; B.Sc.(Brist.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Univ. Coll., Lond.), F.R.S.C. (Canada Research Chair in Molecular Genetics) |
Michel L. Tremblay; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Sher.), Ph.D.(McM.), F.R.S.C. (James ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Professor) (Jeanne & Jean-Louis Levesque Chair in Cancer Research) |
Maria Zannis-Hadjopoulos; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with Oncology and Medicine) |
Associate Professors |
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Maxime Bouchard; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Laval) (Canada Research Chair in Kidney Disease) |
Imed Gallouzi; Maitrise, DEA, Ph.D.(Montpellier, France) (Canada Research Chair in Cellular Information Systems) |
Bhushan Nagar; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.) (Canada Research Chair in the Structural Biology of Signal Transduction) |
Arnim Pause; B.Sc., M.Sc.(U. Konstanz, Germ.), Ph.D.(McG.) (Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology) |
Jason C. Young; B.Sc.(Tor.), Ph.D.(McM.) (Canada Research Chair in Molecular Chaperones) |
Assistant Professors |
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Josée Dostie; B.Sc.(Sher.), Ph.D.(McG.) (CIHR New Investigators Award; Chercheur Boursier du FRSQ) |
Thomas Duchaine; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.) (Chercheur Boursier du FRSQ) |
Martin Schmeing; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Yale) |
Julie St-Pierre; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Laval), Ph.D.(Camb.) |
Jose Teodoro; B.Sc.(W. Ont.), Ph.D.(McG.) (CIHR New Investigators Award;Chercheur Boursier du FRSQ) |
Associate Members |
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Karine Auclair (Chemistry) |
Jacques Genest (Medicine) |
Matthias Götte (Microbiology and Immunology) |
Michael Hallett (Bioinformatics) |
Qutayba Hamid (Medicine and Pathology Meakins-Christie Labs) |
Robert Scott Kiss (Medicine) |
Vassilios Papadopoulos (Medicine) |
Janusz Rak (Pediatrics) |
Reza Salavati (Parasitology) |
Maya Saleh (Medicine) |
Erwin Schurr (Ct. for Study of Host Resistance, MGH) |
Peter Siegel (Medicine) |
Youla Tsantrizos (Chemistry) |
Bernard Turcotte (Medicine) |
Simon Wing (Medicine) |
Xiang-Jiao Yang (Medicine) |
Adjunct Professors |
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Mirek Cygler (Biochemistry, Sask.) |
Jacques Drouin (IRCM) |
Anny Fortin (Dafra Pharma) |
Tarik Möröy (IRCM) |
Donald Nicholson (Merck Frosst) |
Maureen D. O'Connor-McCourt (NRC/BRI) |
Enrico Purisima (NRC/BRI) |
René Roy (UQAM) |
Alex Therien (Merck Frosst) |
For more information, see Liberal Program - Core Science Component Biochemistry (47 credits).
Students may transfer into the Major program at any time, provided they have met all course requirements.
For more information, see Major Biochemistry (67 credits).
Admission to the Honours program will not be granted until U2. Students who wish to enter the Honours program in U2 should follow the U1 Major program. Those who satisfactorily complete the U1 Major program with a GPA of at least 3.20 and a mark of B- or better in every required course are eligible for admission to the Honours program. ...
For more information, see Honours Biochemistry (76 credits).
For more information, see Immunology Interdepartmental Honours. This program is offered by the departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Physiology. Students interested in the program should contact Dr. C. Piccirillo, Microbiology and Immunology (ciro.piccirillo [at] mcgill.ca, 514-934-1934 extension 45135), or Dr. Monroe Cohen, Physiology (monroe.cohen [at] mcgill.ca, 514-398-4342).