Biochemistry, PhD

Biochemistry is used to study living systems at the molecular level. The research of our PhD students spans a variety of interconnected fields that aim to understand and treat human disease and improve human health and well-being.

Several groups are studying human genetics, genome dynamics and epigenetics, and the regulation of gene expression, including the regulatory roles of RNA. Others are focused on protein structure and function, proteomics, and cellular signalling. Computational approaches and bioinformatics are becoming increasingly integrated into biochemical research. And new technologies are enabling efforts to engineer biological systems for research and biotechnology, ushering in the exciting new era of synthetic biology that includes the editing and synthesis of genomes, genetic code expansion, and the creation of new biosynthetic pathways and even new organisms.

Admission Requirements

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 600 for the paper and pencil version, 250 for the computer version, or 90 for the internet version with no individual score below 22. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). Minimum acceptable score is 6 out of 9.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). Minimum acceptable score is 60.