Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry

Program Description

Biochemistry is the study of living organisms at the molecular level. As part of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mount Allison's biochemistry program is designed to provide students with a solid science foundation in the first two years, with paths for specialization in third and fourth years. 

Students will begin their studies by examining the world around them at the molecular level, with courses including:

• introductory biochemistry
  
• introductory chemistry
• cell biology
• organic or analytical chemistry
• enzymology and metabolism

Third year is a pivotal year in the program as students will take core lab courses that lay the foundation for research in biochemistry, including lab only courses like Molecular Analyses and Experiential Biochemistry.

Upper year courses concentrate on sub-disciplines of biochemistry, with topics like:

• nucleic acids
• molecular structure of the immune system
• animal, bacterial, and plant viruses
• protein structures and function
• biochemical ecology
• lipids and membranes
• signal transduction
• animal physiology

Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary program, which means students may also take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and mathematics. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry emphasizes experiential learning — students will graduate with 600 to 1,200 hours of lab experience, developing important analytical and presentation skills along the way.