Course Descriptions

CHEM 051 - Chemistry Co-op Work Term

Four-month co-op work term #1 approved by the department and arranged by the co-op co-ordinator.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 104 and CHEM 140***

CHEM 052 - Chemistry Co-op Work Term #2

Four-month Co-op work term #2 approved by the department and arranged by the Co-op coordinator.
*** Prerequisite: CHEM 051 ***

CHEM 053 - Chemistry Co-op Work Term #3

Four-month co-op work term #3 approved by the department and arranged by the co-op coordinator.
*** Prerequisite: CHEM 052 ***

CHEM 054 - Chemistry Co-op Work Term #4

Four-month co-op work term #4 approved by the department and arranged by the co-op coordinator.
*** Prerequisite: CHEM 053 ***

CHEM 100 - Introductory Chemistry

An introduction to the basic principles of chemistry. This course serves as an equivalent to high school chemistry and is intended primarily for students who require it as a prerequisite for CHEM 104.

CHEM 101 - Chemistry of Food and Cooking

An introductory science course connecting chemical and biochemical principles with food and its preparation. Major components of food (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, water) will be discussed alongside chemical foundations (atomic structure, acids and bases, enthalpy, reactivity). Traditional Knowledge of food preparation by First Nations will also be explored. Lab component: A kitchen-based food lab will highlight the scientific method. ***Prerequisites: CHEM 30 or CHEM 100 (minimum 65%), BIOL 30 (minimum 65%)***
*Note: Biochemistry and Chemistry majors can use this course in their program as an open elective only.*

CHEM 104 - General Chemistry I

An introduction to the fundamental principles of chemistry. Topics discussed will include atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, enthalpy, solutions, organic compounds. Lab component: Introduction to standard chemistry laboratory techniques.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 30 or CHEM 100 (minimum 65%); and Precalculus 30 or Mathematics C30 with a grade of at least 65%, or PMTH 092 with a grade of at least 70%, or MATH 102.***
*Note: Students cannot receive credit for both CHEM 102 and CHEM 104*

CHEM 105 - General Chemistry II

A continuation of CHEM 104. Topics discussed will include kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, buffers, plastics, entropy and free energy, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry. Lab component: Basic experiments demonstrating principles of equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and acids and bases.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 104***

CHEM 140 - Organic Chemistry I

An introduction to organic chemistry. Organic functional groups, nomenclature, reactions and mechanisms. Lab component: Introduction to organic laboratory techniques.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 104***

CHEM 210 - Analytical Chemistry I

An introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of quantitative analysis. Primary analyses, error analyses, data handling; solution equilibria and acid base titrations; spectrophotometry. Lab component: An introduction to analytical laboratory techniques.
*** Prerequisite: CHEM 105 and 140, and PHYS 30 or PHYS 109 ***

CHEM 215 - Analytical Chemistry II - Spectrochemical Analysis

Spectroscopic methods for structural characterization of organic and inorganic compounds: symmetry, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. This course will emphasize practical aspects of spectroscopic methods. Lab component: Experimental spectroscopic techniques, spectral interpretation, and compound characterization.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 210***

CHEM 230 - Inorganic Chemistry I

Properties of the elements; structure and bonding in inorganic molecules and materials; periodic trends. Descriptive chemistry of main group elements. Lab component: Synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 105***

CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry II

Organic functional groups, reactions and mechanisms. Carbonyl compounds, aromatic compounds, heterocyclic compounds. Lab component: Synthesis and characterization of organic compounds: aromatic, heterocyclic, and carbonyl compounds.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 105 and 140***

CHEM 250 - Physical Chemistry I

Equilibrium and chemical thermodynamics. Lab component: Experiments in equilibria and thermodynamics.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 105 and MATH 110***

CHEM 251 - Physical Chemistry II

Chemical kinetics and an introduction to molecular electronic spectroscopy. Lab component: Experiments in chemical kinetics and techniques in absorption and fluorescence.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 250 and MATH 111***

CHEM 252 - Chemistry of Nanomaterials and at Surfaces

Chemistry that occurs at the nano-scale and on surfaces including heterogeneous catalysis, and thin films. Nanomaterial discussion includes: nanoparticles/nanotubes, fullerenes, quantum dots, and graphene.
***Prerequisites: CHEM 140 and CHEM 250***
**Note: Biochemistry and Chemistry majors can use this course in their program as a science elective only.**

CHEM 312 - Analytical Chemistry III - Instrumental Analysis

Introduction to instrumental chemical analysis techniques including: GC, HPLC, ion chromatography, flame AAS and OES, GFAAS, capillary electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography. Lab component: Experiments in instrumental analysis.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 210 and 215***
*Note: Students can only receive credit for one of CHEM 312 and BIOC 312*

CHEM 330 - Inorganic Chemistry II

Chemistry of the transition metals. Coordination chemistry: structure and bonding, reactions, mechanisms, and spectroscopic properties. Organometallic chemistry. Lab component: Synthesis and characterization of coordination compounds.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 215 and 230***

CHEM 340 - Organic Chemistry III

Stereochemistry and chemical reactivity of organic compounds. Lab component: Advanced organic lab techniques.
*** Prerequisite: CHEM 241 ***

CHEM 360 - Quantum Chemistry

Fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. Application of quantum mechanics to chemical and spectroscopic problems. Introduction to computational chemistry.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 230, MATH 111, and PHYS 119 or 112***

CHEM 390AB - Chemistry of Nanomaterials and at Surfaces

Chemistry that occurs at the nano-scale and on surfaces including heterogeneous catalysis, and thin films. Nanomaterial discussion includes: nanoparticles/nanotubes, fullerenes, quantum dots, and graphene.
***Prerequisites: CHEM 140 and CHEM 250***
*Note: Biochemistry and Chemistry majors can use this course in their program as a science elective only.*

CHEM 391 - Research Experience

This course is intended for students who wish to gain experience in chemical research under the supervision of a Chemistry/Biochemistry faculty member or a Chemistry professor at a Federated College. Students will carry out an independent research project, and will have an opportunity to develop an appreciation for experimental preparation, methods, analysis, and scientific report writing.
***Prerequisite: Permission of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Department Head and the faculty member***
*Note: Students can only receive credit for one of CHEM 391 and BIOC 391*

CHEM 401 - Honours Research

Honours chemistry students will carry out independent research under the supervision of a Chemistry/Biochemistry faculty member. Students are required to present a summation of their research progress.
***Prerequisite: Permission of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Department Head and the faculty member***
*Note: Students can only receive credit for one of CHEM 401 and BIOC 401*

CHEM 402 - Honours Thesis

A continuation of the research project started in CHEM 401. Students will complete their research projects, submit a written research thesis and give an oral presentation and defence of the thesis.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 401 (minimum 70%) ***
* Note: Students can only receive credit for one of CHEM 402 and BIOC 402. *

CHEM 411 - Organic Chemical Analysis

An examination of analytical techniques applicable to analysis of organic compounds. Mainly focusing on principles of mass spectroscopy detection coupled to GC and LC chromatography techniques. Interpretation of mass spectra fragmentation patterns.
*** Prerequisite: CHEM 312 ***

CHEM 431 - Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Inorganic Chemistry

Application of EPR and multinuclear NMR to the characterization of inorganic compounds and materials.
*** Prerequisite: CHEM 330 ***

CHEM 433 - Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals

Basic principles of organometallic chemistry; synthesis, structure, bonding, and reactivity of organometallic compounds of the transition metals; reaction mechanisms; catalysis and metal mediated organic synthesis.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 241 and 330***

CHEM 440 - Stereocontrol in Organic Synthesis

This course will emphasize the fundamentals and applications of key concepts in stereocontrolled organic reactions. Lab component: Synthesis of compounds that are either naturally occurring or structurally interesting.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 215 and 340***

CHEM 441 - Modern Organic Synthesis

This course will discuss the concepts and strategies in synthesis of organic molecules. Lab component: Synthesis of compounds that are either naturally occurring or structurally interesting.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 215 and 340***

CHEM 444 - Photochemistry

This course will be an introduction to molecular photochemistry. The primary photophysical and photochemical processes that occur in molecular systems will be discussed. Applications of photochemistry in synthesis, sensors, biomedicine, photovoltaics, photosynthesis, and vision will be examined.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 241 and 251***

CHEM 445 - Supramolecular Chemistry

This course will be an introduction to supramolecular chemistry. The structure, stability, and dynamics of supramolecular complexes and assemblies will be discussed. Applications of supramolecular systems in biomolecular recognition, soft materials, and stimuli-responsive materials will be examined.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 241 and 250***

CHEM 461 - Computational Chemistry

Electronic structure of molecules, molecular orbital theory, semi-empirical methods, ab initio methods, molecular mechanisms, use of computer programs.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 251 and CHEM 360***

CHEM 490AF - Physical Methods and their Chemical Applications

This course will be an introduction to the principles of physical methods. Practical aspects of these methods will be examined.

CHEM 490AG - Group Theory and Electrochemical Methods

This course covers the principles of symmetry, group theory, and electrochemical methods used by chemists. Applications in chemical bonding, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy, electroanalytical chemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, electrocatalysis, energy systems, and environment and water analysis will be discussed.
**Prerequisite: CHEM 250 and CHEM 312***

CHEM 490AH - Electrochemistry and Photochemistry

This course will be an introduction to molecular photochemistry and electrochemistry. Photophysical, photochemical and electrochemical processes and their theories will be discussed. Applications of electrochemistry and photochemistry in biomedicine, catalysis, energy systems, photosynthesis, photovoltaics, sensors, synthesis, and vision will be examined.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 251***

CHEM 490AI - Selected Topics in Pure and Applied Inorganic Chemistry

Selected advanced topics in inorganic chemistry will be discussed, including spectroscopy, solid state chemistry, magnetic materials and catalysis. ***Prerequisite: CHEM 330***

CHEM 490AJ - Industrial Chemistry

Overview of industrial chemistry including business considerations and chemical evaluations, patents, and process chemistry. Agrichemicals, blends and additives, basic inorganic chemicals, oil extraction, emulsions, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, polymer, water issues, and Saskatchewan chemical industries will be covered. ***Prerequisites: CHEM 230, 241, and 251 (CHEM 251 may be taken concurrently***

CHEM 490AK - The Mechanics of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

This course will explore foundational aspects of nuclear magnetic resonance, including introductions to: spin operators; density matrix theory; coherences; NMR interactions; and the NMR spectrometer. Discussion of data processing, multidimensional NMR and NMR crystallography will also be provided.
***Prerequisites: CHEM 215 and CHEM 251***

CHEM 490AL - Electrochemistry

This course will be an introduction to molecular electrochemistry. Electrochemical processes and their theories will be discussed. Applications of electrochemistry in analytical chemistry, catalysis, energy systems, and synthesis will be examined.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 250 and CHEM 251.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of CHEM 490AL or CHEM 857AG.*

CHEM 490AM - Synthetic Methods and Applications or Aromatic Compounds

Modern synthetic methods for the construction of aromatic compounds. Introduction to the use of aromatic molecules in various applications. ***Prerequisite: CHEM 340.***

CHEM 491AB - Advanced Analytical Chemistry

The course involves a detailed study of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for detection and quantification of inorganic compounds. The course will emphasize mass spectrometer instrument design including sample introduction and sample preparation particularly for industrial and environmental applications for quantitative analysis. *** Prerequisite: CHEM 312 or BIOC 312 ***

CHEM 491AF - Main Group Chemistry

Structure, bonding and applications of compounds of the main group elements. Topics discussed will include atomic structure and periodic trends of the main group elements, noble gas chemistry, solid state chemistry, and atmospheric chemistry.
***Prerequisite: Chemistry 330***

CHEM 491AG - Mass Spectrometry in Chromatography

The course involves a detailed study of mass spectrometric (MS) detection in chromatography for confirmation of organic compound identity and quantitative analysis. The lectures will enphasize mass spectrometer instrument design and applications including gas and liquid chromatography coupled with MS and MS/MS for environmental, pharmaceutical and biochemical applications.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 312 or BIOC 312.***

CHEM 491AH - Ionic Solutions

his reading course studies Volume I (Ionics) of Modern Electrochemistry (2nd edition, print 1998, e-book 2002), by Bockris and Reddy; e-book available via our Archer Library. The student will learn more about ionic solutions: solvation structure and energies, activity coefficients, ion diffusion and conductivity, and ionic liquids.

CHEM 492AB - Advanced Topics in Supramolecular Organic Photochemistry

This course will be a research focused course with a directed reading component. This course will emphasize practical aspects of methods used in supramolecular chemistry and organic photochemistry.
**Prerequisite: CHEM 241.***

BIOC 200 - Medicinal Plants and Culture

The course will introduce students to key indigenous bioactive (medicinal) plants, their biologically active compounds, and their importance in Indigenous culture. The class will use multidisciplinary and cross-cultural approaches to understanding plants and their medicinal properties.
*** Prerequisite: 30 credit hours and one of the following courses at the 100 level: Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, English, Indigenous Studies, or Psychology.***
* Note: Biochemistry, Biology and Chemistry students can use this course in their program as an elective only. *

BIOC 220 - Biochemistry I - Biomolecules

This course is intended to offer an introduction to the world of Biochemistry. The course deals with the structure, properties, and significance of the major groups of biochemical compounds (amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, and vitamins). Related areas such as pH and buffers will also be discussed and typical procedures for investigation of these materials will be performed in the laboratory.
***Prerequisite: BIOL 100 and CHEM 105***

BIOC 221 - Biochemistry II - Metabolism

This course will present the bioenergetic principles, enzyme mechanisms and regulation of the central metabolic pathways. Topics include glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, the citric acid cycle, metabolic regulation of glucose and glycogen metabolism, the urea cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis. The laboratory experiments will demonstrate metabolic principles.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 220 and CHEM 140***
*Note: BIOC 221 replaces BIOC 320 and students cannot receive credit for both.*

BIOC 312 - Analytical Chemisty III - Instrumental Analysis

Introduction to instrumental chemical analysis techniques including: GC, HPLC, ion chromatography, flame AAS and OES, GFAAS, capillary electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography. Lab component: Experiments in instrumental analysis.
***Prerequisite: CHEM 210 and 215***
*Note: Students can only receive credit for one of BIOC 312 and CHEM 312.*

BIOC 321 - Biochemistry III - Macromolecules

This class examines the biochemical properties of biomacromolecules including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The structure and functional roles of the macromolecules as well as the regulation of their bioactivities will be studied. The laboratory will deal with the isolation, characterization, and quantitative determination of macromolecules.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 221***

BIOC 330 - Enzymes

Lectures will discuss the fundamentals of enzyme chemistry: kinetics, inhibition, structure and mechanism, activity control, and protein folding and evolution.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 221***
*Note: BIOC 330 replaces BIOC 420 and students cannot receive credit for both.*

BIOC 340 - Biological Microscopy

Introductory microscopy examines the theoretical concepts and instrumentation design of optical-, electron-, and scanning probe microscopes used to probe biochemical and biological systems, while cultivating critical thinking and communication. Hands on laboratories and site visits include bright-field-, phase-contrast-, fluorescence-, scanning and transmission electron-, and atomic force microscopy.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 321 (may be taken concurrently)***

BIOC 390AE - Biochemical Basis of Toxicology

The biochemical principles, mechanisms and molecular actions underlying the toxicity will provide the foundation for the course. Selected discussion topics include acute poisoning, natural toxins, environmental toxicants, endocrine disruptors and food toxicology. The course will consist of 6 lecture modules, a project and in-class discussion/presentation.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 221***

BIOC 390AF - Drug Discovery and Development

This course surveys the drug discovery and development processes. The course focuses on drug target identification and the various drug discovery strategies. Other aspects of drug development, including preclinical and clinical development phases bringing new small molecule and biological products to the market, will also be covered.
**Corequisite: BIOC 321.**

BIOC 391 - Research Experience

This course is intended for students who wish to gain experience in biochemical research under the supervision of a Biochemistry/Chemistry faculty member or a Biochemistry professor at a Federated College. Students will carry out an independent research project, and will have an opportunity to develop an appreciation for experimental preparation, methods, analysis, and scientific report writing.
***Prerequisite: Permission of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Department Head and the faculty member***
*Note: Students can only receive credit for one of BIOC 391 and CHEM 391*
*Note: Students can use this course in their program as an elective only*

BIOC 401 - Honours Research

Honours biochemistry students will carry out independent research under the supervision of a Biochemistry/Chemistry faculty member. Students are required to present a summation of their research progress.
***Prerequisite: Permission of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Department Head and the faculty member***
*Note: Students can only receive credit for one of BIOC 401 and CHEM 401*

BIOC 402 - Honours Thesis

A continuation of the research project started in BIOC 401. Students will complete their research projects, submit a written research thesis and give an oral presentation and defence of the thesis.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 401 (minimum 70%) ***
* Note: Students can only receive credit for one of BIOC 402 and CHEM 402. *

BIOC 428AC - Mapping the Physical Interactome of Cell Envelope Proteins in Escherichia coli

This reading class is focussed on gathering lecture materials pertaining to the "Bacterial physical interactome of cell envelope proteins". The students are asked to write a chapter on this topic by gathering literature materials. Grading will be done primarily on the chapter contribution and review of literature articles.
*** Prerequisite: BIOC 321 ***

BIOC 428AD - Systems Biology and Network Medicine

This is a fourth year undergraduate level course, focused on interactive lectures and open classroom discussions on understanding how complex systems as networks can be useful in understanding protein function and disease mechanisms. The course will also cover the principles of systems and network biology to pharmacology (i.e., Network Medicine).
***Prerequisite: Any second or third year Biochemistry course (however BIOC 321 would be beneficial)***

BIOC 428AE - Advanced Microscopy with Application to Medicine

We will focus on advanced microscopic methods and laser-based technology that supports current and future medical diagnostics, and is enabling the development of new medical imaging techniques.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 340***

BIOC 428AF - Biochemistry: Mechanisms of Toxicity

Toxicology is the basic science of poisons. The course focuses on the toxicology of mammalian body system emphasizing the sites of action of major groups of chemical toxicants, biological toxins and the toxic effects of radiation. Topics include biochemical underpinning of the science, mechanisms of toxicity, cellular responses, biomarkers of exposure and modes of toxic action.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 220 and BIOC 221***

BIOC 428AG - Systems Biology and Network Medicine

The course will focus on interactive lectures and open classroom discussions on understanding how complex systems as networks can be useful in understanding protein function and disease mechanisms, as well as will cover the principles of systems and network biology. During this course, students will develop practical skills in writing and evaluating research papers as part of the course curriculum.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 321***

BIOC 428AH - Chemical Basis of Biological Systems

The course will address contemporary topics of chemical biology demonstrating the integration of chemical, biochemical and biological approaches to problems of relevance to medicine, the environment and drug design.
***Prerequisite BIOC 221***

BIOC 428AI - Selected Topics in Chemical Biology and Nanotheranostics

Selected topics in the development of theranostic nanoparticle systems will be discussed in terms of their structure, stability, and dynamics. In addition, recent developments in protein engineering, chemical genetics, ribozymes and nucleic acid aptamers will be introduced.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 330***

BIOC 428AJ - Uncovering Disease Biomarkers by Proteomics and Microscopy

This team taught class will cover the theoretical aspects of proteomics and confocal microscopy, used to discover and validate, respectively, disease biomarkers for diagnosing clinical conditions. Learning to conduct a critical analysis of research articles, based on the scientific method and our knowledge of the techniques, will be an overarching goal the class. For each of the two major topics, we will start from first principles, examine the key facets of the method, tackle sample problems, and then dive into the current literature for examples of how the two methods are used to establish and validate key biomarkers. ***Prerequisite: BIOC 321***

BIOC 428AK - Chemogenomics

This course surveys the field of chemogenomics, which analyzes biological problems at the whole-genome level using chemicals. Topics covered include: chemogenomic methodologies; applications in comprehensively studying compound-target relationships and the interdependent biological networks that respond to chemical and metabolic stress; applications in drug discovery and mode of action determination.
*** Prerequisite: BIOC 321***

BIOC 430 - Chemical Biology

Chemical biology can be defined as an interdisciplinary science where chemistry is applied to problems in biology. Topics include protein engineering/directed enzyme evolution, chemical genetics, unnatural amino acids, genomics/proteomics, catalytic antibody, ribozyme/riboswitch, combinatorial biosynthesis, metabolic engineering, DNA nanotechnology, chemical ecology/antibiotics, biosensors, etc.
***Prerequisite: BIOC 330***

BIOC 440 - Advanced Microscopy

This advanced biophysics course examines the theoretical concepts and instrumentation associated with scanning probe microscopy techniques, such as atomic force- and near-field scanning optical microscopies, that are used to address biochemical/biological questions.There will be a special focus on lipid systems, but applications to proteins, carbohydrates and whole cells will also be discussed.
*** Prerequisite: BIOC 340 ***