Medicinal and Biological Chemistry | Academic Advising & Career Centre

Admissions Category: Life Sciences

Program Overview

Chemistry is an integral component of medical science, and fundamentally impacts key aspects of modern medicine, including diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and understanding of diseases. The Medicinal & Biological Chemistry program is intended for students who want to specialize in chemistry, and in particular, its applications to medicine and broader scientific areas related to human health. The combination of coursework and research experience makes this program ideally suited for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in medicinal, pharmaceutical and biological chemistry or a related discipline, or to work in health-related industries. It is also excellent preparation for students wishing to pursue professional schools such as medicine, pharmacy or law.

Complementary Programs:

This program cannot be combined with the Major Program in Chemistry.

Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

Competencies & Skills

Apply modern analytical instrumentation to biological problems
Research, analysis and problem solving
Design and conduct laboratory research including data collection, analysis and interpretation
Write technical reports and project proposals
Present research findings in an organized and succinct manner

Careers for Graduates

Pharmaceutical Research Scientist
Medicinal Chemist
Bioanalytical Chemist
Biotechnology Scientist
Clinical Research Associate
Patent Examiner
Medical Writer
Forensic Scientist
Nanotechnologist

Further Education

Professional schools (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, law, engineering...)
Graduate school (masters, PhD, technology, education...)

Program Pathway

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely

BIOA01H3 Life On Earth: Unifying Principles

BIOA02H3 Life on Earth: Form, Function and Interactions

CHMA10H3 Introductory Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding

[CHMA11H3 Introductory Chemistry II: Reactions and Mechanisms or CHMA12H3 Advanced General Chemistry]

[MATA29H3 Calculus I for Life Sciences or MATA30H3 Calculus I for Physical Sciences]

[MATA35H3 Calculus II for Biological Sciences or MATA36H3 Calculus II for Physical Sciences]

[PHYA10H3 Physics I for the Physical Sciences or PHYA11H3 Physics I for Life Sciences]

STAB22H3 Introduction to Statistics

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Attend Facilitated Study Groups.
Schedule an appointment with your Program Librarian for in-depth library research assistance.
Writing support is available at the Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL) Writing Centre.
Chemistry support is available at the Chemistry Help Centre.

Apply Theory to Practice

Attend the UTSC Faculty Mix & Mingle Fair to connect with professors and learn more about their specialties.
Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Join the Environmental and Physical Sciences Students’ Association (EPSA) and Chemistry Society (CSU) and get involved in their activities.
Volunteer in DSL’s Alternative Reading Week program to gain experience and knowledge about social change and community development.

Plan for Your Future Career

Volunteer with organizations to explore your interests; check listings on CLNx.
Attend the UTSC Get Experience Fair in September and register with SCSU's Volunteer Network Program to explore opportunities.

Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely

BIOB10H3 Cell Biology

BIOB11H3 Molecular Aspect of Cellular and Genetic Processes

BIOB12H3 Laboratory for Cell and Molecular Biology

CHMB16H3 Techniques in Analytical Chemistry

CHMB21H3 Chemical Structure and Spectroscopy

CHMB23H3 Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics: Theory and Practice

CHMB31H3 Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry

CHMB41H3 Organic Chemistry I

CHMB42H3 Organic Chemistry II

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Check the Research Catalogue and jobs on CLNx for possible research opportunities.
Drop by the Math & Statistics Learning Centre to have your course-related questions answered.
Consider doing a directed research course: PSCB90H3 - Physical Sciences Research Experience.

Apply Theory to Practice

Check out Global Research Abroad opportunities through the International Student Centre (ISC) to gain valuable international and research experiences.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Look into International Student Centre’s (ISC) Global Learning opportunities, such as the Summer Abroad, Explore, or Student Exchange Programs.
Participate in outreach events organized by EPSA and the Chemistry Society.

Plan for Your Future Career

Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).
Considering grad school? Speak to professors and advisors early so you are on track.
Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.

Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely

BIOC12H3 Biochemistry I: Proteins and Enzymes

BIOC13H3 Biochemistry II: Bioenergetics and Metabolism

BIOC23H3 Practical Approaches to Biochemistry

CHMC11H3 Principles of Analytical Instrumentation

CHMC42H3 Organic Synthesis

CHMC47H3 Bio-Organic Chemistry

CHMC71H3/(CHMD71H3) Medicinal Chemistry

and

0.5 credit from:

CHMC16H3 Analytical Instrumentation

CHMC21H3 Topics in Biophysical Chemistry

CHMC31Y3 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Volunteer in a research lab to gain experience for graduate or professional school.
Enter to win the UTSC Library Undergraduate Research Prize or Poster Forum.

Apply Theory to Practice

Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through your department, student groups, DSL and the AA&CC.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Run for an elected position in EPSA or the Chemistry Society or another campus club.

Plan for Your Future Career

Plan a career path with a staff member at the AA&CC.
Check CLNx for networking events and employer information sessions to attend.
Attend the Graduate & Professional School Fair in September.

Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely

CHMD79H3 Topics in Biological Chemistry

1.5 credits in D-level CHM courses

including

0.5-1.0 credits from the following:

CHMD90Y3 Directed Research

CHMD91H3 Directed Research

CHMD92H3 Advanced Chemistry Laboratory Course

and

0.5 credit from the following:

CHMD41H3/(CHMC41H3) Physical Organic Chemistry

CHMD47H3 Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry

CHMD69H3 Chemical Elements in Living Systems

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Apply for the Academic Travel Fund through DSL to conduct research, present at a conference, or engage with the academic community internationally.

Apply Theory to Practice

Attend the Summer & Full-time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for summer and full-time positions relevant to your field.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning into the work field or further education.

Plan for Your Future Career

Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course” and for access to full-time job listings.
Discuss grad school plans early with staff at the AA&CC and your professors; get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.

Glossary

AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
CSU - Chemistry Society (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/programs/csu)
SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)