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Biochemistry Courses

Key to Course Descriptions

For Distribution Requirement purposes, all BCH courses are classified as SCIENCE courses.

| Course Winter Timetable |

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Courses

See page 32 for Key to Course Descriptions.For Distribution Requirement purposes, all BCB courses are classified as SCIENCE courses (see page 26). For details on BCB courses, see www.biochemistry.utoronto.ca/bcb

BCB410H1 Applied Bioinformatics [26L, 13P]
Practical introduction to concepts, standards and tools for the implementation of strategies in bioinformatics and computational biology.
Prerequisite: CSC263H1, CSC373H1, MGY311Y1/ (BIO260H1, BIO349H1) or special permission

BCB420H1 Computational Systems Biology [26L]
Current approaches to using the computer for analysing and modeling biology as integrated molecular systems. The course complements an introductory Bioinformatics course such as BCH441H1. (Enrolment limited).
Prerequisite: MGY311Y1 / (BIO260H1, BIO349H1), BCB441H1/CSB472H1 or special permission

BCB430Y1 Special Project in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology [TBA]
An opportunity for specialized individual research in bioinformatics and computational biology by arrangement with the course coordinator and a supervisor.
Prerequisite: GPA 3.0 and written acceptance by coordinator and supervisor.Corequisite: BCB410H1, BCB420H1
Exclusion: Any other 4th year special project course taken at the same time.

Biochemistry Courses

BCH299Y1
Research Opportunity Program

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. See page 48 for details.

BCH210H1
Biochemistry I: Proteins, Lipids and Metabolism [39L, 26T]

Proteins, enzymes, membranes and the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. This course is intended for students who are NOT taking BCH 242Y1 as part of their program.
Exclusion: BCH242Y1/310H1/320Y1/321Y1/CHM265H5(UTM)/ 361H5(UTM)/362H5(UTM)
Prerequisite: (CHM138H1, 139H1)/CHM151Y

NOTE: CHM1** WITH COURSE EXCLUSION TO CHM138H AND CHM139H meet the prerequisite requirement for BCH210H. SCI1** DOES NOT COUNT AS A PREREQUISITE. CHM140Y1 (UTM) is equivalent to CMH139H1 ONLY. Students that have an SDF for CHM138/139 are not permitted to take BCH210H1 until a final mark appears on the transcript.

BCH242Y1
Biochemistry [78L]

An introduction to biochemistry for students specializing in biochemistry and related specialist programs. The major topics include protein structure, enzyme mechanisms, carbohydrates, metabolism and bioenenergetics, lipids, membranes, structure of DNA and RNA.
Exclusion: BCH210H1/310H1/320Y1/321Y1/CHM265H5(UTM)/ 361H5(UTM)/362H5(UTM)
Prerequisite: (CHM138H1, 139H1)/CHM151Y

BCH304H1
Cell Dynamics & Interactions [28L, 11T]

Principles and concepts of cell biology; structure, molecular organization and dynamic cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions during cell migration, cell adhesion, cell polarity and tissue organization and the role of cytoskeletal components and cell surface receptors in these processes. Approaches and imaging techniques used; contributions of cell biology to advances in medicine. cGPA of 2.5 is required for non-Biochemistry Major and Specialists.
Exclusion: ANA304Y1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BCH210H1/242Y1

BCH311H1
Biochemistry II: Nucleic Acids and Biologic Information Flow [26L, 26T]

Nucleic acids and flow of information in biological systems. Information storage and transmission by nucleic acids, as well as new molecular technologies will be discussed.
Prerequisite: BCH210H1, CHM247H1/249H1
Exclusion: BIO349H1/CSB349H1, PSL350H1

BCH335H1
Nucleic Acids and Recombinant DNA Technology [39L]

Structure of DNA and RNA. Catalytic RNAs (ribozymes). Aspects of DNA topology and chromatin structure. Restriction/modification and fundamentals of recombinant DNA technology.
Exclusion: BCH430H1
Prerequisite: BCH242Y1

BCH340H1
Proteins: from Structure to Proteomics [39L]

Proteins are the main functional units of the cell. In this course, a detailed overview of protein structure, stability, folding, and protein-ligand interactions will be given with strong emphasis on discussing the basic principles in the field. Biophysical methods as well as theoretical approaches to studying protein stability and folding will be pre-sented. Finally, proteomics approaches to map protein-protein interactions will be discussed. Priority will be given to students in the specialist programs listed in the Arts & Science Registration Handbook & Timetable.
Exclusion: BCH421H1
Prerequisite: BCH242Y1


BCH370H1
Laboratory Course in Biochemical Techniques [13L, 39P]

This course reinforces theoretical principles through experiments that encompass pH and buffers, spectrophotometry, chromatography, electrophoresis and enzyme kinetics. Intended for students who are not proceeding further in biochemistry. It is highly recommended that students take this course in their third year as space is limited and priority will go to third-year students. cGPA of 2.5 is required for non-Biochemistry Major and Specialists.
No enrolment will be permitted five days after the start of class. (Enrolment limited)
Exclusion: BCH371H1, CHM379H1
Prerequisite: BCH210H1

BCH371H1
A Laboratory Course in Biochemistry [ 75P]

An introduction to laboratory techniques of modern biochemistry. Experiments illustrate and develop the concepts described in lecture courses, and prepare the student for advanced training in biochemical laboratory techniques. (Enrolment limited)
Exclusion: BCH370H1, CHM379H1
Prerequisite: BCH242Y1

Note

Students who have completed University of Toronto at Mississauga’s CHM361H5 and 362H5 may enroll in 400-series lecture courses if they obtain permission of the Department

BCH422H1
Membrane Proteins: Structure, and Function [26L]

Structural features of membrane proteins and methods of analysis. Function of membrane proteins as transporters, channels, pumps and receptors. Molecular aspects of disease processes linked to membrane proteins.
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/242Y1, MGY311Y1/BIO349H1/PSL350H1

BCH425H1
Structural Biology: Principles and Practice [26L]

Theory and practice of modern biophysical techniques as applied in the study of structure and function of macromolecules; emphasis on protein X-ray crystallography, NMR, and other spectroscopic methods; discussion of selected examples.
Prerequisite: BCH 210H1/242Y1, CHM220H1. Analytical problem solving skills are highly recommended for this course.

BCH426H1
Regulation of Signalling Pathways [26L]

A variety of questions relating to signal transduction are investigated. How is calcium regulated in the cell and how does calcium regulate cell function? How are extracellular signals received and transmitted by intracellular proteins to control cellular prolifera-tion and differentiation? What signaling paths are triggered by insulin?
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/242Y1, MGY311Y1/BIO349H1/PSL350H1

BCH427H1
Advanced Molecular Biophysics [26L]

This course provides a focused study of concepts in thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics through examples dealing with important current problems in molecular biophysics. Concepts in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics will be surveyed through applications to protein folding, while principles of quantum mechanics will be emphasized through a study of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Prerequisite: CHM326H1/PHY355H1, CHM328H1

JBI428H1
Molecular Immunology [26L]

Molecular mechanisms involved in innate and adaptive immunity including the structure and function of immunoglobulins, the complement system, antigen processing and presentation and membrane signalling events. Emphasis is on experimental approaches and quantitative aspects. (Given jointly by the Departments of Biochemistry and Immunology)
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/242Y1, IMM334Y1/335Y
Recommended preparation: BIO349H1/MGY311Y1/PSL350H1

BCH440H1
Protein Biosynthesis [26L]

Mechanisms of translation initiation and translational control, ribosome assembly and structure. Protein folding and molecular chaperones. Protein targeting and transport. Regulation of protein degradation.
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/242Y1, MGY 311Y1/BIO 349H1/PSL350H1

BCH441H1
Bioinformatics [26L, 13T]

This course covers computational methods and internet resources in modern biochemistry and molecular biology. The main topics include: sequence and genome databases, sequence alignment and homology search, use and interpretation of molecular structure, and phylogenetic analysis. Assignments focus on competence building with essential, web-based bioinformatics tools. Tutorials are optional and will be offered based on needs.
Exclusion: CSB472H1, BIO472H1
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/242Y1, MGY311Y1/(CSB349H1/BIO349H1)/PSL350H1 or special permission

BCH444H1
Protein Trafficking in the Secretory & Endocytic Pathways [26L]

This course examines the molecular details of the secretory and endocytic pathways in the cell. Some of the specific topics covered will include protein translocation into the ER, chaperones and protein folding in the ER, retrotranslocation and protein degradation, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), vesicle biogenesis and ER-Golgi transport, regulated secretion, basic concepts in endocytosis and protein sorting in polarized cells.
Prerequisite: BCH 242Y1/210H1, MGY311Y1/PSL 350H1/BIO349H1

BCH445H1
Organelles and Cell Function [26L]

Principles and concepts of cell biology are covered including structure, biogenesis, and dynamic behaviour of cell organelles. The roles of sub-nuclear structure in DNA replica-tion and of vesicular transport in endocytosis, exocytosis and phagocytosis are empha-sized, as are modern imaging techniques and contributions of cell biology to advances in medicine.
**Please note in the past academic session this course was presented as BCH 305H1
Exclusion: ANA304Y1, BCH305H1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BCH210H1/242Y1, MGY311/BIO349/PSL350

BCH471Y1
Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory [168P]

Experiments demonstrating modern concepts of biochemistry and molecular biology. (Enrol-ment limited)
Prerequisite: (BCH335H1 + 340H1 + 371H1)/(CHM361H5 [UTM] + 362H5 [UTM] + 371H5 [UTM]) + MGY311Y1

BCH473Y1
Advanced Research Project in Biochemistry [154P]

Research in a particular area of biochemistry, by arrangement with the Department and the instructor concerned. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Prerequisite: BCH335H1 + 340H1 + 371H1, and permission of Department
Co-requisite: BCH471Y1