Biochemistry (Co-op and Regular)
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- About
- Beyond the Classroom
- First Year Courses
- Upper Year Courses
- Co-op
- Beyond UW
- Important Information
About
Spanning a broad area of science, biochemistry appeals to those who like to understand how life works. If you're interested in an expanding field with almost unlimited potential for enriching our quality of life, biochemistry offers the opportunity for a fulfilling and rewarding career. Biochemists work in medical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research facilities; forensics; food and agriculture industries; and many other diverse areas.
Beyond the Classroom
Chemical synthesis, virology, enzymology, and microbiology are just a few of the areas of study available to you, providing you with opportunities to work on interesting and practical projects. You'll learn scientific methods specific to biochemistry through hands-on labs common to most courses. Modern equipment will give you experience in analytical techniques like chromatography, electrophoresis, and nuclear magnetic resonance. If you choose to add the Biotechnology specialization to your program, you can explore biological and biochemical processes used to make new products, including novel drugs to treat disease.
First Year Courses
Beginning in first year, you'll have access to a large number and variety of state-of-the-art labs. Informal seminars and research lab tours can keep you current with the latest research being conducted by your professors.
First-year courses you'll take:
| fall term | winter term |
Upper Year Courses
Here is a list of some of our upper-year courses in biochemistry.
- Structure and Bonding
- Analytical Chemistry/Laboratory
- Molecular Biology
- Organic Chemistry 1
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry/Laboratory
- Spectroscopy and Structure
- Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
- Physical Biochemistry
- Advanced Cell Biology
- Metabolism 1
View a detailed list of all biochemistry courses.
Find out what courses you will be taking in your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years (including specializations).
Top
Co-op
What is co-op?
In the second term of your second year, you are able to begin a co-op job. You will complete 4 months of co-op, then return for 4 months of school. This pattern will continue the rest of your stay at UW.
Additional information about Co-op can be found at the Waterloo Co-op site.
Biochemistry Co-op Students at Work
- Forensics Technician, Canada Customs And Revenue Agency
- Research Assistant, Harvard University
- Biopolymer Technician, Dalton Chemical Laboratories Inc.
- Viral Lab Research Assistant, Health & Welfare Canada Communications
- Organic Synthetic Chemist, Torcan Chemical Ltd.
- Biotechnology Researcher, National Research Council
Biochemistry Co-op Earnings
| work term | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| earnings/week (avg $) | 545 | 585 | 619 | 661 | 673 |
Beyond UW
Because our biochemistry program emphasizes research and computer skills, employers find that our students are valuable team members who quickly learn new techniques and who are able to quickly problem solve.
What Our Grads are Doing Now
- DNA Forensic Technologist, The Centre for Forensic Sciences
- Microbiologist, Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada Inc.
- Regulatory Affairs Officer, Procter & Gamble
- Toxicologist, Environment Canada
- Product Development Chemist, 3M of Canada Ltd.
To see what other careers biochemistry students are following, visit the careers in biochemistry page.
Important Information
Last reviewed: January 24, 2012
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