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 integrated Masters (MBiol) degree in biochemistry will provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular processes that underpin life. It is an interdisciplinary course that integrates principles from chemistry and biology, and culminates in an extended individual research project in one of our research groups, equipping you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to compete worldwide with other students for high quality research opportunities within appropriate industries or for PhD positions to pursue research careers.
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 underpin 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 that underpin 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 and take greater responsibility for your work.
The third year of the course centres around research-led teaching. Lectures are delivered in advanced topic modules that bring you up to the forefront of modern research. In addition, you will begin to work with your research project supervisor to explore their research area and define a project in year four. This is supplemented with training in advanced research skills (both inside and outside of the laboratory environment), as you work as part of an interdisciplinary group to answer a research question.
In the final, masters, year of the programme you will commence your extended research project and become integrated into the group of your research supervisor. This will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your degree, develop your research skills in greater depth and produce a report containing material of publishable quality that could contribute to a research publication. To further enhance your subject-matter knowledge and skills, you will be required to enrol on 30 credits of specialist Masters-level modules with options ranging from Advanced Biomolecular Technologies through to Medical Diagnostics.
[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) | PFP |
| 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) | PFP |
| 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) | |
| BIOL3398 | Research Tools and Applications | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| BIOL3399 | Extended Research Project Preparation | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional 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) |
[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 module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL5382M | Extended Research Project | 90 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Candidates must study 30 credits of optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL5147M | Advanced Immunology | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5178M | High-Throughput Technologies | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5201M | Advanced Biomolecular Technologies | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL5207M | Medical Diagnostics | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL5209M | Treatment of Infectious Disease and Cancer | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Last updated: 25/06/2025 16:05:39
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