The study of how chemical substances change or maintain living systems and their components.
These petri dishes, from our biochemistry lab, hold E. coli transformed with a plasmid containing the fluorescent green protein gene found in the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria. This is what makes them glow when under a black light.
Our bonds are strong.
Study the chemical processes in living organisms, and utilize your foundation in chemistry to better understand biological systems.
In the past 200 years, advances in experimental techniques and instrumentation have allowed biochemists to focus on these fundamental questions: How do organisms use chemical compounds to thrive? How do organisms adjust to changes in their environment, and how can our knowledge of the chemistry of life be applied to improving the human condition? To answer these questions, we study the structures of molecules, such as enzymes, and the diverse metabolic processes, such as the Kreb's cycle, that are fundamental to life.
This multi-disciplinary program provides students with hands-on opportunities to understand the chemistry of life, with access to state-of-the-art labs and equipment. With supportive faculty, as well as an engaging and dynamic program, students who are eager to learn will excel and thrive.
Biochemistry Ambassadors - We'd love to meet you!
Find out more about life as a Waterloo Biochemistry student. Come in for a tour or to one of our open houses and you might even meet them in person!
This major is available in the co-op and regular stream of study
Specialization
Biotechnology
Learn how biochemistry can be integrated into industrial processes through the use of enzymes, microorganisms, and biological processes. One of the most famous examples of biotechnology is the discovery and use of penicillin in the first half of the twentieth century.
Bioinformatics Option
IT'S ALL IN THE CODE! You've decided that pursuing a degree in science makes sense for you - but what if you want something that takes you to the next level in DNA technologies? Our Bioinformatics Option might be what you're looking for. You'll learn how to take vast amounts of scientific and biological data that would take years to sort through manually, and process it in computational terms in just a matter of minutes. Talk to an academic advisor in second year to add this to your degree. This option is open to all Faculty of Science students.
SOME OF THE SKILLS ATTAINED WITHIN THIS MAJOR
- Technical laboratory skills, including designing experiments and manipulating DNA
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Teamwork
- Time management
Explore other biochemistry-related programs
Learn more
- Apply via Life Sciences on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).
- Learn about our minors available to Faculty of Science students.
- Learn more about co-op.
- See more in the science careers list.
- A degree in Biochemistry fulfils the academic requirements for professional membership in the Chemical Institute of Canada.