Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science

Program Overview

The Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Forensic Science program at UBC and BCIT is a four-year interdisciplinary program that combines biochemistry and forensic science. Graduates have multiple career paths in government, private laboratories, and biochemistry and molecular biology-related fields, as well as opportunities for graduate-level education and professional schools.

Program Outline

Outline:

The Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Forensic Science program is a four-year, full-time Bachelor of Science program that combines the strengths of the University of British Columbia (UBC) and BCIT to provide students with an exceptional interdisciplinary educational experience in biochemistry and forensic science.

Program Structure

• Year 1 (Pre-entry)
Students complete 34.0 credits at UBC, including courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and communication.
• Year 2
Students complete 9.0 credits at BCIT and 24.0 credits at UBC. BCIT courses include report writing and workplace communication for forensic investigation, introduction to forensic science, and applied ethics. UBC courses include fundamentals of biochemistry, fundamentals of cell biology, fundamentals of genetics, introduction to organic chemistry, introduction to chemical analysis, organic chemistry, and intermediate organic chemistry lab.
• Year 3
Students complete 18.0 credits at BCIT and 15.0 credits at UBC. UBC courses include biochemistry laboratory, molecular biochemistry, molecular genetics, and electives.
• Year 4
Students complete 11.0 credits at BCIT and 21.0 credits at UBC. UBC courses include fundamentals of evolutionary biology, proteins: structure and function, nucleic acid: structure and function, electives, and either an honours thesis and advanced biochemistry electives or advanced biochemical techniques and advanced biochemistry electives. Graduates could also work in other areas of life science, as a police officer, coroner, or crime scene investigator.
• Private laboratory: Graduates could work in a private forensic laboratory either in Canada or internationally, as scientists or quality assurance personnel within a testing or calibration laboratory, or in other areas pertaining to the life sciences such as biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology related career paths: For more information see UBC’s Biochemistry department website for further details.
Graduates of this program can also continue on to graduate-level education in biochemistry, molecular biology, forensic science, or any other life science. Graduates can also apply to various professional schools: medicine (including forensic pathology), law, dentistry (including forensic odontology), pharmacy, medical laboratory sciences, public health, medical administration, journalism, or an MBA program.