Biochemistry
About Biochemistry
Biochemistry is much more then a mix of biology and chemistry. It's the drive to understand life at the molecular level. An undergraduate degree in biochemistry will give you an excellent foundation for many areas of the life sciences, biotechnology, forensic sciences and medicine. UBC offers a research-intensive program where you can engage in research through work-learn, summer student positions and directed studies and honours theses. The program is housed in the state-of-the-art Life Sciences Centre, a multi-disciplinary research space where more than 80 faculty investigators and approximately 600 trainees and research staff conduct innovative research in many areas of the life and biomedical sciences.
Program Details
Biochemistry can also be studied as an elective in programs in biology, chemistry, microbiology and immunology, and physiology. UBC's Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is housed in the Faculty of Medicine and focuses on the biochemistry of the human body.
Skills
- Analytical method development or validation
- Advanced quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
- Logical and systematic critical thinking
- Integration of appropriate theories with laboratory tools or procedures
- Drawing connections across complex processes
- Collaboration with laboratory teams across disciplines
- Technical skills in ELISA, PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, western blots, southern transfers, DNA hybridization, protein assays, and enzyme digests
- Usage of specialized instruments like pH meter, IR, and UV/VIS spectrophotometers
Programs offered
- Major or Honours, Biochemistry
- Co-op
Resources
Career Options
With an undergraduate degree
- Beer and wine maker
- Bio-animator and filmmaker
- Bioinformatician
- Biological and medical illustrator
- Brewery laboratory analyst
- Clinical research assistant
- Consumer protection specialist
- Crime scene investigator
- Food and drug inspector
- Food safety expert
- Forensic laboratory analyst
- Health officer
- Lab assistant/technician
- Medical and clinical lab technologist
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
- Public health inspector
- Quality control technician
- Technical writer
- Technical sales representative
- Science journalist
With additional study
- Agricultural scientist
- Analytical chemist
- Bacteriologist
- Biochemist
- Biomedical engineer
- Biostatician
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Environmental attorney
- Environmental scientist
- Epidemiologist
- Food scientist
- Forensic scientist
- Genetic counselor
- Medical geneticist
- Occupational therapist
- Patent agent
- Pharmacist
- Physical therapist
- Regulatory affairs expert
- Teacher/Professor
- Toxicologist
- Veterinarian
UBC Science Biochemistry Graduates Work As
- PhD Candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia
- Associate Attorney, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
- Dentist, Baker Hill Dental Clinic
- Medical Student, University of British Columbia
- PhD Candidate in Membrane Biology, University of Alberta
- Graduate Student in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota