Biochemistry is a direct-entry undergraduate program offered through the Life Sciences and Biochemistry Program in the Faculty of Health Sciences, leading to a Bachelor of Science (Honours). Students share a common first year with the Life Sciences program, taking core courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and computing, before choosing to continue in Biochemistry. The program explores the structures and chemical processes of molecules in living organisms, including the mechanisms of cancer progression, cellular communication, and the molecular and chemical basis of infection, inheritance, and disease. Upper years provide in-depth study of biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology, with extensive hands-on laboratory experience. Students can also explore molecular genetics, biomolecule metabolism, bioengineering, and regenerative medicine through research training in faculty labs, and have flexibility to take elective courses from the Life Sciences program.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Queen's Faculty of Health Sciences admits Life Sciences and Biochemistry as a single direct-entry Life Science and Biochemistry category (QL). Ontario Secondary School Diploma applicants need six 4U/4M courses, with English 4U, Calculus and Vectors 4U, Biology 4U and Chemistry 4U mandatory and two further courses at the 4U or 4M level. Recent admission cycles have required a mid-80s overall average for this category. Students admitted under QL complete a common first year before selecting between the Life Sciences and the Biochemistry plan during the plan-declaration period; the Faculty confirms this internal plan choice is not gated by a further GPA threshold. Applicants apply through the OUAC and submit official transcripts; applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not studied in English long enough, must also meet Queen's English Language Proficiency requirement. No supplementary application is required.
