    * Skip to Content
    * AZ Index
    * Catalog Home
    * U Ottawa Home
      * FR (switch to the French version of this page)
      * person arrow_drop_down Login
          + uoZone
          + Brightspace
          + VirtuO
      * search Search
      * menu Toggle Navigation
        search Search menu Close Navigation
        * Study
        * Campus life
        * Research and innovation
        * About us
        * Current Students
        * Faculty and Staff
        * Alumni
        * Giving
      * Study
      * Campus life
      * Research and innovation
      * About us
      * search Search
      * FR (switch to the French version of this page)
      * person arrow_drop_down Toggle Navigation
          + uoZone
          + Brightspace
          + VirtuO
    * home Home
    * Programs and courses
    * Undergraduate Programs
    * Minor in Biochemistry

  Minor in Biochemistry

      39 Units

      * Programs arrow_drop_down
          + All programs
          + Undergraduate
          + Graduate
      * Courses
      * Archives
    Download Page (PDF)
      * Overview
      * Program Requirements

        Biochemistry is the chemistry of life. It provides the foundation for understanding all biological processes as well as the molecular basis and treatment of human disease.

        The biochemistry bachelor's provides you with the education you need to play a leading role in new and exciting areas of medical research. You will be exposed to cutting-edge research and knowledge. Our program prepares you for graduate studies and for an academic or research career in the medical sciences. What's more, biochemistry provides an excellent foundation for further studies in medicine and other areas of health care.

        You can choose an Honours BSc in Biochemistry, a major or a minor.

        If you want to pursue a career in experimental biochemistry, choose the Honours program. If you prefer a basic biochemistry education, choose a major. And if you want to focus on another discipline but are interested in biochemistry, choose a minor.

        If you have a particular interest in microorganisms and the role that the immune system plays in health and disease, you can also choose an Honours BSc in biochemistry with an option in microbiology and immunology. We also offer an integrated biotechnology program that lets you combine studies in biochemistry and chemical engineering and receive both a BSc in biochemistry and a BASc in chemical engineering in five years.

        As for the language of instruction, compulsory courses and many optional course units are available in either English or French.

        If you choose the Honours in Biochemistry, you have the opportunity to complete a full-year research project under the supervision of a professor from the departments of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Biology, Physics, or Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, or under the supervision of an affiliated principle investigator from one of the many research institutes in the National Capital Region. Given the breadth of research expertise within our program, you can conduct research in many areas of modern biomedicine, including biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, chemical biology, molecular biology, cell biology, proteomics, genomics, systems biology and bioinformatics.

        This program is offered in English and in French.

      The table below includes only discipline-specific courses. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for information on including a minor to your degree.

      Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2025-2026 calendars for the previous requirements.

      Course List
        Code                                                                              Title                                       Units  
        Compulsory courses at the 1000 level                                                                                        
        BIO 1131                                                                          Introduction to Organismal Biology          3 Units
        BIO 1141                                                                          Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology  3 Units
        CHM 1311                                                                          Principles of Chemistry                     3 Units
        CHM 1321                                                                          Organic Chemistry I                         3 Units
        Compulsory courses at the 2000 level                                                                                        
        BCH 2333                                                                          Introduction to Biochemistry                3 Units
        BIO 2133                                                                          Genetics                                    3 Units
        CHM 2120                                                                          Organic Chemistry II                        3 Units
        Compulsory courses at the 3000 level                                                                                        
        BCH 3120                                                                          General Intermediary Metabolism             3 Units
        BCH 3125                                                                          Protein Structure and Function              3 Units
        BCH 3170                                                                          Molecular Biology                           3 Units
        Optional courses                                                                                                            
        9 course units from:                                                              9 Units                                   
          BCH 3346                                                                        Biochemistry Laboratory II                         
          BCH 3356                                                                        Molecular Biology Laboratory                       
          BCH 4122                                                                        Structural Biology of Proteins 1                   
          BCH 4125                                                                        Cellular Regulation and Control                    
          BIO 3124                                                                        General Microbiology                               
          BIO 3153                                                                        Cell Biology                                       
          BPS 3101                                                                        Genomics                                           
          BCH 4101                                                                        Human Genome Structure and Function                
          CHM 2132                                                                        Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences           
          STA 2392                                                                        Introduction to Biostatistics                      
          3 optional course units at the 4000 level in biochemistry (BCH)                                                           
          3 optional course units at the 4000 level in microbiology and immunology (MIC)                                            
        Total:                                                                            39 Units                                  
        

        Note(s)

        1 This course may not be available every year.
  Back to top

      Contact us

          Undergraduate Studies

          For more information about undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your faculty.

          Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

          For more information about graduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your academic unit.

        Contact

          * General
            613-562-5700 call
            * General contact chevron_right
            * Find an expert chevron_right
            * Hire a CO-OP student chevron_right

        Explore

            * Careers chevron_right
            * News chevron_right
            * Media chevron_right
            * Health and wellness chevron_right
            * uoZone chevron_right
            * Human Resources chevron_right

        Visit

            * Campus tours chevron_right
            * Parking and sustainable transportation chevron_right
            * Campus map chevron_right
            * Library chevron_right
            * Book an event chevron_right

        Emergency

            * Emergency resources chevron_right
            * Immediate support chevron_right
        * 
        * 
        * 
        * 
        * 
        * Privacy
        * Accessibility Hub
        * Website feedback
      Close this window

      Print Options

        * Send Page to Printer

          Print this page.

        * Download Page (PDF)

          The PDF will include all information unique to this page.
