Chemistry – Chemical Biology specialization

General information

Chemical biology, at the interface of chemistry and biology, is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary area in science. This specialization within the Chemistry program  provides an orientation towards biological processes at the molecular level. Through the synthesis and use of small molecules, probes, or chemically‑modified biological macromolecules, chemistry is applied to help answer questions of biological importance.

In addition to the regular program, a co-op program is also available. Students in Chemical Biology interested in the co-op program , should refer to the Co-op education website for up-to-date information.

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), or Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all four MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U be taken. All other applicants should refer to admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Program details and degree requirements

Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change.

Year 1 (30 credit hours)

• Two electives*
• BIOL 1010U – Biology I: Molecular and Cellular Systems
• BIOL 1020U – Biology II: Diversity of Life and Principles of Ecology
• CHEM 1010U – Chemistry I
• CHEM 1020U – Chemistry II
• MATH 1020U – Calculus II
• PHY 1020U – Physics II

• One of:

• MATH 1000U – Introductory Calculus ⁺ or
• MATH 1010U – Calculus I ⁺

• One of:

• PHY 1010U – Physics I ⁺ or
• PHY 1030U – Introductory Physics ⁺

•  

  ⁺All students who have completed Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) should take MATH 1010U  and PHY 1010U . Students without one of these high school courses or equivalent are directed to take MATH 1000U  and PHY 1030U .

Year 2 (30 credit hours)

• Elective*
• BIOL 2020U – Genetics and Molecular Biology
• BIOL 2030U – Cell Biology
• BIOL 2080U – Biochemistry I
• CHEM 2010U – Structure and Bonding
• CHEM 2020U – Introduction to Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 2030U – Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM 2040U – Thermodynamics and Kinetics
• CHEM 2120U – Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 2220U – Molecular Structure Determination from Spectroscopic Data

Year 3 (30 credit hours)

• Three electives*
• BIOL 3080U – Biochemistry II
• CHEM 3040U – Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry
• CHEM 3120U – Advanced Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 3510U – Inorganic Chemistry I: Transition Metals and Main Group Elements
• CHEM 3520U – Inorganic Chemistry II: Organometallics
• CHEM 3530U – Instrumental Analytical Chemistry I
• CHEM 3540U – Instrumental Analytical Chemistry II

Year 4 (30 credit hours)

• Two senior Chemistry electives*
• Three electives*
• BIOL 4070U – Advanced Biochemistry
• CHEM 4110U – Bio-Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology
• CHEM 4120U – Advanced Topics in Chemical Biology

• One of:

• CHEM 4410U – Chemistry Thesis Project I ** or
• Senior Chemistry elective*

• One of:

• CHEM 4420U – Chemistry Thesis Project II ** or
• Senior Chemistry elective*

Note:

No more than 42 credit hours may be taken at the first-year level.

*Electives and breadth requirements

All students must complete a total of 33 elective credit hours including six credit hours in Senior Chemistry electives. Students who are not accepted into the thesis option (CHEM 4410U /CHEM 4420U ) must take two additional Senior Chemistry electives for a total of 39 elective credit hours. A Senior Chemistry elective is defined as any combination of CHEM 3090U , CHEM 3250U , CHEM 4010U , CHEM 4040U , CHEM 4041U , CHEM 4042U , CHEM 4060U , CHEM 4080U, CHEM 4510U , CHEM 4520U , and CHEM 4610U . At least 15 elective credit hours must be in courses offered in the Faculty of Science including the Senior Chemistry electives; the additional Senior Chemistry electives required for students who are not enrolled in thesis cannot be used to meet this requirement.

In order to satisfy breadth requirements; at least 12 elective credit hours must be in courses outside the Faculty of Science. Students must take the remaining six elective credit hours in a general elective (offered by the Faculty of Science or outside the Faculty of Science).

**Thesis project or Senior Chemistry electives

Students in clear academic standing who have completed 90 credit hours of their CHEM program and six third-year required courses may optionally apply to take a two-course sequence consisting of CHEM 4410U – Chemistry Thesis Project I and CHEM 4420U – Chemistry Thesis Project II.

Students not accepted to take the thesis courses must complete two additional Senior Chemistry electives instead. A Senior Chemistry elective is defined as any 4000-level chemistry course not specified in the course map. A student meeting the above requirements who does not take CHEM 4410U and CHEM 4420U may optionally apply to take CHEM 4430U as one of the required senior chemistry electives.

Opportunities for the Thesis Project and Directed Studies options are limited; for either of these options, students must apply through Science Advising by March 30 following completion of the first three years of the program.