BIOC 2001 (3CR)
INTRODUCTORY BIOCHEMISTRY

The structures, properties and reactions of the principal molecules present in living cells will be discussed. All of the major classes of biological molecules (carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids and amino acids) and their polymers (e.g. polysaccharides, proteins) will be discussed: there will be a major emphasis on the relationships between their structure and their function. The central place of water in biological systems will also be discussed. There will be a major emphasis on the structure/function relationships of the above molecules. The importance of acid-base equilibria, the principles of elementary bio-energetics and elementary enzyme kinetics will be explored. In addition basic primary metabolism (glycolysis, citric acid cycle, betaoxidation, electron transport, photosynthesis and fatty acid synthesis) will be introduced. Weekly 3-hour laboratory sessions will provide first hand experience in the study of biological molecules and biochemical techniques.

Prereq: BIOL 1501, CHEM 2101 or 2111; or permission of the Department

BIOC 3501 (3CR)
METABOLISM

Life depends on the coordinated biochemical transformations of matter, energy and information through metabolic pathways. Many of these paths are conserved in a wide range of organisms. We will cover the central metabolic strategies and pathways, including chemoautotrophic, respiratory and photosynthetic electron transport, chemiosmotic generation of ATP, the Calvin cycle and carbohydrate metabolism, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, fatty acid and lipid metabolism, along with selected topics in secondary metabolism. There is a strong emphasis on how organisms integrate the various metabolic paths, and how fluxes through the paths are balanced. Weekly 3-hour laboratory sessions will provide first hand experience in the study of metabolic biochemistry.

Prereq: BIOC 2001, BIOL 1501; or permission of the Department

BIOC 3531 (3CR)
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

This course will focus on the "central dogma" of molecular biology - DNA makes RNA makes protein. Lectures and laboratory exercises will encompass a study of the nucleus and its relationship to gene expression, and the structure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes. The genetic code, replication and repair of DNA, synthesis and translation of RNA in to protein primary structure and the evolution and preservation of DNA sequences will be examined. Genetic recombination mechanisms and their application in biotechnology will also be explored.

Prereq: BIOL 2601 and 3101 and BIOC 2001; or permission of the Department

BIOC 4501 (3CR)
METABOLIC REGULATION

Intact biochemical systems are webs of reactions and interactions functioning both temporally and spatially: biochemical/physiological processes function through finite time, and are molded by distance and volume. The response of biochemical webs of reactions to internal and external information is referred to as metabolic regulation. These responses may take place in a time window measured in seconds or, in the case of seasonal effects, months, and even years. Biochemistry 4501 will examine 'traditional' theories and modeling of regulation, regulation at the substrate, enzyme (particularly phosphorylation networks), gene transcription and protein translation levels. This traditional approach will be compared to alternative systems-based approaches of metabolic control theory. In this light we will look at how animal systems adapt to drastic modification eg. gene knockout or protein over expression and how some of these recent observations pose a serious challenge to conventional biochemical/physiological thinking.

Prereq: BIOC 3501; or permission of the Department

BIOC 4511 (3CR)
SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOCHEMISTRY

This course provides an opportunity for a student to undertake the study of a topic in which she/he has a special interest. The course work will deal with different selected areas in modern Biochemistry. The programme of study will be jointly planned by the student and a faculty member. The content, format, and prerequisite will vary depending upon the particular area of Biochemistry to be covered, but generally will require the agreement of an instructor and permission of the Biochemistry programme director. The course can be carried out in one term or throughout the year for three credits.

BIOC 4521 (3CR)
PROTEIN BIOCHEMISTRY

The topics covered in Biochemistry 4521 include protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary); the relationship between structure and biological function; enzyme catalysis and mechanism; isolation, purification and characterization of proteins; metabolism of proteins (synthesis and degradation) and recent trends in protein design. This course relies heavily on the internet resources that have become highly developed during the last decade. Students will become familiar with sequence comparison, motif searching and development of visual protein structures constructed from the protein structural data bases available over the web. The laboratory will give students practical experience with the fun and frustration of protein isolation, enzyme purfication and kinetics, and protein/ligand binding phenomena.

Prereq: BIOC 3501; or permission of the Department

BIOC 4531 (3CR)
TOPICS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Our new abilities to decode, analyze and manipulate genetic information through molecular biology are transforming biology and society. In this course we will use lectures, discussion, directed research and student seminars to examine applications of molecular and genomic biology to biological, medical and technological activities. The content will include: current advances in molecular biology, chosen in consultation with students; introductory, practical bioinformatics; directed student research and presentations.

Prereq: BIOL 2601, BIOC 3501; or permission of the Department

BIOC 4541 (3CR)
BIOCHEMICAL ADAPTATION OF ANIMALS

The biochemistry of adaptations that animals have evolved to allow them to survive and exploit harsh environments has become a firmly established field during the last couple of decades. The advent of proteomic and molecular biological tools, added to more familiar study of enzyme structure and catalysis, has advanced the field rapidly and has allowed us to understand many of these survival strategies at the molecular level. This course will examine the biochemical adaptations to stresses such as oxygen limitation, temperature, pressure and water availability. The major topics that will be examined are the biochemistry of hibernation, freeze tolerance, anoxia, high pressure (e.g. animals at sea floor rifts) and anhydrobiosis.

Prereq: BIOC 3501; or permission of the Department

BIOC 4551 (3CR)
PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY

This course will deal with the role of compartmentation in the regulation of plant metabolism. Following discussion of the plant cell and its organelles, the location of metabolic routes will be examined, including the synthetic and degradative metabolism of carbon and nitrogen compounds. Other topics to be examined will include; membrane structure and transport of metabolites, shuttles and photorespiration; symbiotic metabolism of lichens, root nodules; algal-invertebrate associations. Laboratory studies will complement classroom discussion.

Prereq: BIOC 3501; or permission of the Department

BIOC 4903 (3CR)
CURRENT ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMISTRY

A seminar course for Honours students in Biochemistry, which will critically evaluate a wide range of topics from the current literature. Students will be expected to deliver seminars on topics outside their thesis areas and present preliminary thesis results.

Coreq: Registration in BIOC 4990; or permission of the Department

BIOC 4990 (6CR)
HONOURS THESIS

Prereq: Consent of supervising staff member prior to registration and permission of the Chair of the Biochemistry Programme