Please note:
To view the current Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar.html.
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Minor
Grade Requirements
Acceptance into and continuance in the program requires a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) upon completion of lower division required courses.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
An introduction to the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of living organisms. Topics covered include cell structure and function, DNA replication and the flow of genetic information, enzyme function, metabolism and physiology of microorganisms, plants, and animals. Prerequisite: High school Biology 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or BISC 100 with C- or better, or BISC 113 with C+ or better, or HSCI 100 with C+ or better; and High school Chemistry 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or CHEM 111 with a C- or better. Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Onkar Bains |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 9:30β11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 11:30 a.m.β1:20 p.m.
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 11:30 a.m.β1:20 p.m.
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 1:30β3:20 p.m.
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 1:30β3:20 p.m.
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30β3:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β1:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β1:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Survey of the diversity of life, and its evolutionary history on earth. The student is introduced to the study of genetics, development, and evolution, giving an overview of how these processes interact to produce form and function. Also included are principles of behavior and ecological relationships of organisms to each other and their environment. Prerequisite: High school biology 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or BISC 100 with C- or better, or BISC 113 with C+ or better, or HSCI 100 with C+ or better. Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Rolf Mathewes Miranda Meents |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D201 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D202 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D203 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D204 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D205 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D206 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D207 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D208 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D209 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D210 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Atomic and molecular structure; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; elements; periodic table; gases liquids, solids, and solutions. This course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: Chemistry 12 with a minimum grade of C, or CHEM 109 or 111 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CHEM 120 or 125 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Chemical equilibria; electrochemistry; chemical thermodynamics; kinetics. Students who intend to take further laboratory courses in chemistry should take CHEM 122 concurrently with CHEM 126. Prerequisite: CHEM 120 or 121 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CHEM 124 or CHEM 180 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Hogan Yu |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Experiments in chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, qualitative analysis, electrochemistry and chemical kinetics. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: CHEM 122. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Garry Mund |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 8:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Garry Mund |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 1:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Garry Mund |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 8:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Garry Mund |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 1:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Garry Mund |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 8:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Garry Mund |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 1:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Structure, bonding, physical and chemical properties of simple organic compounds. Introduction to spectroscopy. Kinetics and mechanisms of organic reactions. This course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: CHEM 122. Students with credit for CHEM 280 or CHEM 285 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
The structure, function and synthesis of proteins, RNA and DNA and their interrelated biological functions within the cell. An introduction to molecular biology techniques and methods of protein purification and analysis. Prerequisite: or Corequisite CHEM 281.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Irina Kovalyova |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
A study of the molecular processes which underlie cell structure and function, integrating ultrastructural, physiological and biochemical approaches. Modern techniques used in the analysis of organelle and cell function are integral parts of the course. Prerequisite: MBB 222, BISC 101, CHEM 281 with grades of C- or better. Corequisite or Prerequisite: CHEM 282 or CHEM 283.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Sophie Sneddon |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one of
Polyfunctional organic compounds and complex organic reactions. Introduction to natural products. Prerequisite: CHEM 281 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CHEM 283 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Vance Williams |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An advanced treatment of Organic Chemistry II. Topics include dienes and their reactivity, conjugation and aromaticity, aromatic substitution reactions, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, ketones and aldehydes, biological molecules, radical reactions, organometallic reagents, pericyclic reactions and planning multi-step synthesis. Prerequisite: CHEM 281 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CHEM 282 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Vance Williams |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one of
Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Topics as for Math 151 with a more extensive review of functions, their properties and their graphs. Recommended for students with no previous knowledge of Calculus. In addition to regularly scheduled lectures, students enrolled in this course are encouraged to come for assistance to the Calculus Workshop (Burnaby), or Math Open Lab (Surrey). Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B+, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B-, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 151, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 150 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Seyyed Aliasghar Hosseini |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, Newton's method. Introduction to modeling with differential equations. Polar coordinates, parametric curves. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least A, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 151 for further credit. Quantitative.
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; elementary functions, optimization and approximation methods, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 157 may not take MATH 154 for further credit. Quantitative.
and one of
Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations and growth models. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence and applications of power series. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151, with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 154 or 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 155 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Vijaykumar Singh |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: the integral, partial derivatives, differential equations, linear systems, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: MATH 150, 151 or 154, with a minimum grade of C-; or MATH 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 152 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Mahdieh Malekian |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OPO1 | TBD |
and one of
Force and motion, conservation of energy and momentum, fluids, properties of soft matter and thermal physics with applications taken from the life sciences. Prerequisite: BC Principles of Physics 12 or PHYS 100 or equivalent, with a minimum grade of C-. This prerequisite may be waived, at the discretion of the department, as determined by the student's performance on a regularly scheduled PHYS 100 final exam. Please consult the physics advisor for further details. Corequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154 or 157; BISC 100 or 101 or 102. Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 132. Students with credit for PHYS 120, 125 or 140 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew DeBenedictis |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
A general calculus-based introduction to mechanics. Topics include translational and rotational motion, momentum, energy, gravitation, and selected topics in modern physics. Prerequisite: BC Principles of Physics 12 or PHYS 100 or equivalent, with a minimum grade of C-. This prerequisite may be waived, at the discretion of the department, as determined by the student's performance on a regularly scheduled PHYS 100 final exam. Please consult the physics advisor for further details. Corequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154. Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 132. Students with credit for PHYS 101, 125 or 140 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
An enriched course in mechanics for students with good preparation in physics and mathematics. Special relativity and classical topics such as translational and rotational dynamics and conservation laws will be given a much more sophisticated treatment than in our other first-year courses. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Corequisite: MATH 151. Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 132. Students with credit for PHYS 101, 120 or PHYS 140 may not take PHYS 125 for further credit. Quantitative.
A general calculus-based introduction to mechanics taught in an integrated lecture-laboratory environment. Topics include translational and rotational motion, momentum, energy, gravitation, and selected topics in modern physics. Prerequisite: BC Principles of Physics 12, or PHYS 100 or equivalent, with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154. Students with credit for PHYS 125 or 120 or 101 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
and one of
Waves and optics; electricity and magnetism; modern physics emphasizing radioactivity, with applications taken from the life sciences. Prerequisite: PHYS 101 or 120 or 125 or 140; MATH 150 or 151 or 154 or 157; both with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: BISC 100 or 101 or 102. Recommended Corequisites: MATH 152, 155 or 158; PHYS 133. Students with credit for PHYS 121, 126, or 141 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew DeBenedictis |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Fri, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
A general calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics. Topics include electricity, magnetism, simple circuits, optics and topics from applied physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 120 or 125 or 140, with a minimum grade of C-, or PHYS 101 with a minimum grade of B. Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155. Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 133. Students with credit for PHYS 102, 126 or 141 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Sarah Johnson |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 12 β Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An enriched course in electromagnetism for students with good preparation in physics and mathematics. Classical topics such as waves, electricity and magnetism, as well as wave particle duality and the birth of Quantum Mechanics, will be given a much more sophisticated treatment than in our other first year courses. Prerequisite: PHYS 125 or permission of the department. Corequisite: MATH 152. Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 133. Students with credit in PHYS 102, 121 or 141 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
A general calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics taught in an integrated lecture-laboratory environment. Topics include electricity, magnetism, simple circuits, optics and topics from applied physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 120 or PHYS 125 or PHYS 140, with a minimum grade of C-, or PHYS 101 with a minimum grade of B. Corequisite: MATH 152 or MATH 155. Students with credit for PHYS 126 or 121 or 102 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of five upper division MBB courses (some of which may have lower division prerequisites), which may include one of
MBB 491 is offered as a stand-alone Directed Research course open to MBB Majors, or as the first of two courses taken consecutively to fulfill the requirements of the MBB Honours program (Option B). This course provides students with the opportunity to carry out part time laboratory research in an area of molecular biology or biochemistry under the supervision of an MBB faculty member or associate. MBB 491 coursework includes preparation of a research proposal and a report and oral presentation on the results of the project. Prerequisite: MBB 308 or MBB 309W and permission of the MBB department. Upper level standing in an MBB major, minor or honours program is required.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD |
Part time laboratory research in an area of molecular biology or biochemistry under the supervision of an MBB faculty member or associate. MBB 498 coursework includes preparation of a research proposal, a report and an oral presentation on the results of the project. Prerequisite: MBB 308 or 309W; Students may not take MBB 498 concurrently with MBB 481, 482, 483, 491 or 492 or BISC 490, 491, 492W, 498 or 499.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD | |||
TBD |
but excludes MBB 471, 481, 482, 483 and 492.