PCDR

Biochemistry Co-op Information for Employers

Adding Value to Your Team

Biochemistry is the study of processes associated with living cells at the molecular level. A sophisticated knowledge of biochemistry is central to many challenges of today, from biotechnology and genetic engineering to cancer research and drug design. Areas of study include such topics as the relationship of biomolecular structure to function, a molecular-level understanding of the transport of molecules and ions across membranes, and enzymology.

University of Guelph Advantage

  • Practical laboratory training in biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology as well as opportunities to carry out exciting research projects with faculty members
  • Faculty are internationally recognized for their cutting-edge research in areas such as biomembranes and biochemistry of cancer
  • Faculty have won provincial and national awards for the quality of their teaching

Our co-op process responds to your needs. Employers can post, interview and hire throughout the semester and our students are available for 4 or 8 month work terms. The Experience Guelph hiring tool makes hiring Guelph co-op students easy!

Student Strengths

 Knowledge

A sound knowledge of the theoretical foundations of the chemical sub-disciplines of analytical and organic chemistry as well as biochemistry and molecular biology

 Application

Practical laboratory skills in biochemistry including enzymology and laboratory techniques in molecular biology

 Problem Solving

Excellent communication and problem-solving experience

Biochemistry Work Term Schedule

Sequence A

YEAR
 

FALL

 

WINTER

 

SUMMER

ONEAcademicAcademicOff
TWOAcademicWorkAcademic
THREEAcademicWorkWork
FOURAcademicAcademicWork
FIVEAcademic  

Sequence B

YEAR
 

FALL

 

WINTER

 

SUMMER

ONEAcademicAcademicOff
TWOAcademicWorkAcademic
THREEWorkAcademicWork
FOURAcademicAcademicWork
FIVEAcademic  

Biochemistry Course Sequencing

Please see the current undergraduate calendar for more information.

Fall

  • Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • General Chemistry I
  • Elements of Calculus I
  • Physics for Life Sciences
  • 1 Liberal Education elective

Winter

  • Discovering Biodiversity
  • General Chemistry II
  • Elements of Calculus II
  • Physics for Life Sciences II
  • Introduction to Co-operative Education
  • Biological Concepts of Health

Fall

  • Introduction to Biochemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry I: Chemical Analysis
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • 1 Liberal Education elective

Winter

Work Term One

Summer

  • Structure and Function in Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry I: Fundamentals 
  • Introduction to Microbiology
  • Statistics I
  • 1 elective/restricted elective

Sequence A

Fall

  • Analytical Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology of the Cell
  • Organic Chemistry II: Structure and Synthesis
  • Methods in Microbial Culture and Physiology
  • 1 elective/restricted elective

Winter

Work Term Two

Summer

Work Term Three

Fall

  • Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology
  • 3–4 electives/restricted electives

Winter

  • Enzymology
  • 3–4 electives/restricted electives

Summer

Work Term Four

Sequence B

Fall

Work Term Two

Winter

  • Molecular Biology of the Cell
  • Methods in Microbial Culture and Physiology
  • 3 electives/restricted electives

Summer

Work Term Three

Fall

  • Organic Chemistry II: Structure and Synthesis
  • Analytical Biochemistry
  • 3 electives/restricted electives

Winter

  • Enzymology
  • Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology
  • 2 electives/restricted electives

Summer

Work Term Four

  

Fall

  • 5 electives/restricted electives
Restricted Electives

Restricted electives must include 8 courses from the following list:

  • Metabolic Processes
  • Protein and Nucleic Acid Structure
  • Membrane Biochemistry
  • Advanced Cell Biology
  • Biomedical Physiology
  • Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology I
  • Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Applied Bioinformatics
  • Molecular Biology of the Gene
  • Dynamics of Cell Function and Signaling
  • Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • World of Viruses
  • Molecular Virology
  • Crop Physiology
  • Genetic Engineering of Plants
  • Statistics II
  • Biochemical Toxicology
  • Microbial Physiology and Genetics
  • Communication in Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Microbiome and Immunity