Biochemistry Program

Program Director: Dr. Alain Stintzi
Tel: 613-562-5800 ext. 8216
E-mail: astintzi@uottawa.ca

Academic Administration Officer: Victoria Stewart
Tel: 613-562-5800 x8229 Fax: 613-562-5365
E-mail: vstewart@uottawa.ca

Biochemistry Graduate Studies Committee: Drs. Alain Stintzi (Director), Vas Mezl (Associate Director), D. Picketts, D. Bulman, J.F. Couture, J. Lee, K. Baetz, M.Pelchat, T. Lagace, X. Zha

Members of the Program

Link to research interest

The objectives of the program are to give students the molecular fundamentals of life processes and appropriate research training at the MSc or the PhD level. Such research encompasses projects ranging from the analysis of detailed aspects of molecular structures to the study of the integration of metabolism in whole animal systems (see web site). This broad and basic background prepares students for a career in teaching and research in an academic setting, for scientist and administrator positions in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry or for a career in a number of health- related disciplines in the public or private sector.

Some of the topics covered by members of the program: proteomics/ molecular genetics/ protein chemistry/ membrane proteins/ physical biochemistry/ protein structure-function relationships/ structural biology/ molecular recognition/ bioenergetics and metabolism/ obesity/ developmental genetics/ neuromuscular disease/ oral vaccines/molecular bio-pharming in transgenic plants/host resistance/ cancer biology/ development of novel molecular therapeutics/ growth and development/ molecular biology of plants/ viruses, bacteria and parasites/ animal models of human disease/ molecular aspects of signal transduction. The poster day abstracts give some examples of projects that our students are doing.

Financial Support of Graduate Students

Graduate Awards Administered by the Biochemistry Program
(The graduate program no longer offers funding for undergrad student summer research)

Free 8 language translating program for students

General Information

Apply online

Admission:

Students are admitted for full-time or part-time graduate work in biochemistry under the general regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The minimum requirement for entry into the M.Sc. program is an Hons. B.Sc., an M.D. or a D.V.M. degree or equivalent with an overall "B+" average. All students who do not already hold an M.Sc. degree must enter this program, but it is possible for outstanding candidates to transfer to the Ph.D. program after a minimum of one year of study.

Once you have submitted your official on-line application, please send your supporting documents to the program's Academic Administration Officer;
- Official documents:
  All university-level transcripts
  Two recommendation letters (please use the Recommendation for Admission form)
  Proof of residency
  English language competency i.e. IELTS, TOEFL, CANtest - international students only
- Via e-mail:
  Curriculum Vitae
  Statement of Purpose
  Abstract of your undergraduate research project

Masters Program:

Six credits from BCH 8000 level courses or from other approved graduate courses in related disciplines approved by the Department;
Enrolment in the BCH 5366 seminar course (every semester) which involve the presentation of one seminar, compulsory attendance at all seminars and participation in a journal club.
Presentation and successful defence of a thesis based on original research carried out under the direct supervision of a staff member of the Department.

The minimum residence requirement is one year, and full-time students should normally have completed all the requirements, including submission of their M.Sc. theses, within two years. Students enrolled in the M.Sc., intending to transfer directly to the Ph.D., must obtain permission from the Graduate Studies Committee between the fourth and sixth academic session of study. In instances where permission to transfer is granted, students must also have successfully passed the Ph.D. comprehensive examination (BCH 9998) prior to the end of the sixth academic session of study.

Doctoral Program:

Admission to the Ph.D. program is restricted to students with an M.Sc. (see exception for outstanding students below) with a 75% (B+) average with no failures in required courses. Ph.D. students who hold an M.Sc. must complete the Ph.D. comprehensive examination within the first three academic sessions of study.

Outstanding students enrolled in the M.Sc. program who have maintained an average of 80% (A-) during their graduate studies and during their last two undergraduate years, with no failures in required courses, may transfer to the Ph.D. program without submission to an M.Sc. thesis, provided:

They are recommended by the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee;
They have completed the core courses required for the M.Sc.;
They have passed the Ph.D. comprehensive examination (BCH 9998) within the specified time limits;
The transfer has been approved by the School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Requirements for the Ph.D. in Biochemistry, additional to those listed above, are as follows:

Six credits from BCH 8000 level courses or from other approved graduate courses in related disciplines approved by the Department
Enrolment in the BCH 8366 seminar course (every semester) which involve the presentation of one seminar, compulsory attendance at all seminars and participation in a journal club.
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination (BCH 9998);
Presentation of a seminar based on original research (BCH 9997);
Presentation and successful defence of a thesis based on original research carried out under the direct supervision of a staff member of the Department for at least three years after the Hons.B.Sc. Or two years after the M.Sc.

Biochemistry Guidelines to the Comprehensive/Transfer Exam

All courses of study must be approved by the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee.

Courses and Important Dates 2011-2012 Biochemistry

Not all of the following courses are necessarily given each year.

BCH 7999. MSc. Thesis Research

For students doing research leading to the M.Sc. degree. Students are responsible for ensuring that a detailed outline of the proposed research is on file with the Department and that they have an annual meeting with an advisory committee. Yearly progress reports must also be submitted to the Department.

BCH 7999. Recherche pour la thèse de maitrise

À l'intention des étudiants et étudiantes faisant de la recherche en vue de l'obtention de la maîtrise. Les étudiants et étudiantes doivent soumettre au Comité des études supérieures du Département un plan détaillé de la recherche qu'ils se proposent de faire. Chaque année une rencontre avec un comité consultatif doit avoir lieu et un rapport de progrès doit être soumis au comité des études supérieures.

BCH 8101. Physical and Chemical Methods in Biochemistry (3 cr.)

Current applications of physical and chemical methods to the study of macromolecule structure-function relationships.

BCH 8102. Selected Topics in Protein Structure and Function (3 cr.)

An advanced study of recent literature dealing with structure-function relationships in selected proteins.

BCH 8103/MIC8228. Advanced Topics in Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis (3 cr.) An advanced study of the recent literature dealing with the chemistry, metabolism and function of nucleic acids, the biosynthesis of proteins, biochemical and genetic control mechanisms, genetic engineering and control of gene expression.

BCH 8104. Advanced Topics in Cell Regulation (3 cr.)

An advanced study of recent literature dealing with signal transduction processes and the regulation of metabolism, cell proliferation and differentiation.

BCH 8105. Advanced Topics in the Molecular Biology of Human Diseases (3 cr.) A survey of recent literature dealing with examples of how modern molecular biological techniques are being used to understand, diagnose, and ultimately treat human diseases. Three areas to be covered in three blocks: viruses as pathogens and expression vectors, heritable disease, and cancer. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: advanced course in molecular biology and permission of instructor. Cannot be combined for credit with MIC 8227.

BCH 8106. Advanced Topics in Nutrition and Regulation of Metabolism (3 cr.) An advanced study of the recent literature dealing with metabolism, nutrition and metabolic control theory, with emphasis on both whole body and cell metabolism in metabolic and nutritional disorders such as obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

BCH 8107. Advanced Topics in Structure and Function of Plasma Lipoproteins (3 cr.) Recent advances in our knowledge of the plasma lipoproteins with a special emphasis on their role in the etiology of atherosclerosis. The subject will be introduced by an overview of the general structural properties of lipoproteins which will be followed by detailed discussion of the structure, metabolism and genetics of the apolipoproteins, the proteins and enzymes that modify lipoproteins and cell surface lipoprotein receptors. Other topics will include cholesterol homeostasis, plasma cholesterol transport and disorders of lipoprotein metabolism.

BCH 8108. Advanced Methods of Macromolecular Structure Determination (3 cr) A detailed examination of modern methods used to determine the structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. May include X-ray crystallography, electron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, and other spectroscopic methods.

BCH 8109/MIC 8123. Advanced Topics in Cell Death (3 cr). An advanced study of the recent literature dealing with molecular mechanisms of cell death. Particular attention will be paid to role of aberrant cell death in human disease.

BCH 8165. Special Topics in Biochemistry I (2 cr.)

A survey of recent advances in selected areas of biochemistry.

BCH 8166. Special Topics in Biochemistry II (2 cr.)

A survey of recent advances in selected areas of biochemistry.

BCH 8366. Seminars (3 cr.)

Registration in every semester throughout their graduate program, until they are granted permission to write their thesis. See "Seminars" for more information.

BCH 9997. Séminaire de recherche

À l'intention des étudiants et étudiantes faisant de la recherche en vue de l'obtention du Ph.D. Un séminaire, fondé sur les résultats originaux de leur recherche, doit être présenté par les étudiants et étudiantes au cours de la dernière session d'inscription précédant la soumission de la thèse de Ph.D.

BCH 9997. Research Seminar

For students doing research leading to the Ph.D. A seminar, based on the student's original results, to be presented in the last academic session prior to the submission of the Ph.D. thesis.

BCH 9998. Examen de synthèse (doctorat) À l'intention des étudiants et étudiantes inscrits au programme de Ph.D. L'inscription à ce cours est limitée à deux sessions consécutives.

BCH 9998. Comprehensive examination (Ph.D.)

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For information about this page: Victoria Stewart