Note: This is the 2023–2024 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
** This program is currently not offered. **
The Graduate Option in Chemical Biology is centered on the pursuit of an original research project under the direction of one or more program mentors. This research training is augmented by student participation in lecture and seminar courses and in a series of thematic workshops, all of which are designed to expose students to the diverse approaches and research issues that characterize the current state of the field. Students with training in this interdisciplinary approach will be highly qualified to seek careers in academic research as well as the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (11 credits)
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BIOC 610 Seminars in Chemical Biology 1 (1 credit)
Overview
Biochemistry : First multidisciplinary seminar in chemical biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Restrictions: Open only to students registered for the M.Sc. or Ph.D. Graduate Option in Chemical Biology.
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BIOC 611 Seminars in Chemical Biology 3 (1 credit)
Overview
Biochemistry : Third multidisciplinary seminar in chemical biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Restrictions: Open only to students registered for the M.Sc. or Ph.D. Graduate Option in Chemical Biology.
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BIOC 689 Seminars in Chemical Biology 2 (1 credit)
Overview
Biochemistry : Second multidisciplinary seminar in chemical biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Restrictions: Open only to students registered for the M.Sc. or Ph.D. Graduate Option in Chemical Biology. Not open to students who have taken CHEM 689.
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BIOC 690 Seminars in Chemical Biology 4 (1 credit)
Overview
Biochemistry : Fourth multidisciplinary seminar in chemical biology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Restrictions: Open only to students registered for the M.Sc. or Ph.D. Graduate Option in Chemical Biology. Not open to students who have taken CHEM 690.
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PHGY 604 Responsible Conduct in Research
Overview
Physiology : This course provides students with information on the following areas: 1) an ethics overview; 2) scientific conduct and misconduct; 3) research authorship and peer review; and 4) research on human and animal subjects.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Vollrath, Melissa; White, John H (Fall)
Students having taken this course during the M.Sc. in Physiology will not be obliged to re-take the course if transferring to the Ph.D.
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PHGY 701 Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination
Overview
Physiology : The Ph.D. comprehensive exam will be completed between 12-18 months of commencing the program and is designed to ensure that the student's research encompasses the i) acquisition of a comprehensive knowledge of scientific literature; ii) the development of experimental skills and technical expertise with a deep understanding of the experimental design thus iii) ensuring a high degree of scholarship in the thesis submission.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
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PHGY 703 Ph.D. Progress Seminar 1 (1 credit)
Overview
Physiology : The Progress Seminar is a "work in progress" seminar on what the student has accomplished to date. Following completion of the comprehensive exam, the seminar should be presented to the student's supervisory committee as a formal presentation of approximately 30 minutes followed by a question and discussion period.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Shrier, Alvin (Fall)
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PHGY 704 Ph.D. Progress Seminar 2 (1 credit)
Overview
Physiology : A "work in progress" seminar, intended as a report on student progress following the Thesis Proposal Seminar.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
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PHGY 720 Ph.D. Seminar Course 1 (1 credit)
Overview
Physiology : Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions.
Terms: Fall 2023
Instructors: Orlowski, John (Fall)
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PHGY 721 Ph.D. Seminar Course 2 (1 credit)
Overview
Physiology : Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Orlowski, John (Fall) Orlowski, John (Winter)
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PHGY 722 Ph.D. Seminar Course 3 (1 credit)
Overview
Physiology : Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Orlowski, John (Fall) Orlowski, John (Winter)
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PHGY 723 Ph.D. Seminar Course 4 (1 credit)
Overview
Physiology : Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Orlowski, John (Fall) Orlowski, John (Winter)
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PHGY 724 Ph.D. Seminar Course 5 (1 credit)
Overview
Physiology : Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Orlowski, John (Fall) Orlowski, John (Winter)
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits from the following:
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CHEM 502 Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Auclair, Karine; Gleason, James L; Tsantrizos, Youla S (Winter)
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CHEM 503 Drug Discovery (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the overall drug discovery process. The main focus of the course will be on medicinal chemistry, synthesis and catalysis, as they relate to large-scale production of pharmaceutical agents. However, other aspects of drug discovery, including structural research (e.g. NMR, X-ray), biochemistry, drug metabolism and bioavailability will also be included.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Tsantrizos, Youla S; Perepichka, Dima (Winter)
- PHAR 503 Drug Discovery and Development 1 (3 credits)