Biochemistry aims to understand how living things work at the molecular level. This knowledge drives important developments in biomedical research, from the development of new drugs to treat neurodegenerative disorders, to cancer therapies and coronavirus vaccines.
Your biochemistry degree will provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular processes that underpin life. It is an interdisciplinary course that integrates principles from chemistry and biology, equipping you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medicine, and research.
The first year introduces the molecular building blocks of cells and how they orchestrate the cellular processes that sustain life. Lectures in chemistry build on your existing knowledge and provide a rigorous grounding in the basic physical and chemical concepts that form the foundation of biochemistry as a molecular science. The skills modules will build your practical, numeracy and problem-solving skills, and develop your understanding of the lecture material.
The second year involves in-depth and increasingly research-led study of the major areas of modern biochemistry such as metabolism, gene regulation and ‘omics approaches. The second year skills modules involve more extended projects requiring you to utilise multiple approaches (combining laboratory and computational methods, for example) and take greater responsibility for your work.
The third year of the course is focused on research-led teaching. Lectures are delivered in advanced topic modules that bring you up to the forefront of modern research. In addition, you will perform a research project of your choice, allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your degree, develop expertise in a research area and further build on your analytical and communication skills.
This course will prepare you for a variety of future careers both within scientific research and beyond. We place a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, group teaching, digital literacy and problem solving. As such, you’ll gain a broad range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. As such, our graduates have, for many years, experienced high employment rates and a significant proportion quickly gain employment upon graduation.
This 3-year BSc can be converted into a 4-year integrated Masters (MBiol), subject to suitable academic performance and availability. In years 3 and 4 you would receive additional specialist training, study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project. In addition, students could spend a year working in industry or take a study year abroad. These would take place between years two and three of the degree programme.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOC1202 | Introductory Skills in Biochemistry | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| BIOC1203 | Genes to Proteins | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| BIOL1110 | Introductory Skills in the Molecular Biosciences | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| BLGY1237 | Introduction to Genetics | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM1151 | Chemistry for Biochemists | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| FOBS1135 | The Basis of Life | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLGY1124 | The Diversity of Life | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BMSC1112 | Short Introduction to human body systems | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM1204 | Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology & Synthesis | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR1202 | The Microbial World | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR1221 | Introduction to Immunology | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| NATS1180 | Mathematics for Scientists | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
NATS1180 - Mathematics for Scientists is compulsory for candidates who have not studied A-level mathematics.
Alternatively, candidates have the option to study up to 20 credits of discovery modules
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOC2103 | Enzymes, Metabolism, Health and Disease | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOC2202 | Intermediate Skills in Biochemistry | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| BIOC2203 | The Molecular Cell and Therapeutic Development | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL2109 | Intermediate skills in the molecular biosciences | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| BIOL2114 | Omics and Big Data Biology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL2211 | Human Diseases | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL2221 | Fundamentals in Cell and Cancer Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM2242 | Introduction to Drug Design | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2211 | Medical Microbiology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2221 | Medical Immunology | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Alternatively, candidates have the option to study up to 20 credits of discovery modules in semester 2.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study 120 credits.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOC3234 | Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Structural Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOC3303 | Advanced Biochemistry: Skills | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| BIOL3114 | Advanced Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates will be required to take ONE 40 credit final year research project chosen from the following two options (A or B):
Option A:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3396 | Molecular & Cellular Biology Research Projects | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Option B: This subset of modules can only be offered to students who meet the selection criteria and are approved to take the module BIOL3330: Covid-19 LAMP testing placement.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3330 | COVID-19 LAMP Testing Placement | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| BIOL3397 | Biotechnology Research Project | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Candidates must also take ONE of the following modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3215 | Cancer Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR3202 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology 2 | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 12/06/2025 16:28:24
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