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Biochemistry BSc Honours

A biochemistry degree gives you the theoretical knowledge and lab-based practical skills to put you at the forefront of the next generation of biochemistry professionals.
Code
C79A
Start
October 2023
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years with placement
5-6 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK) *
£15,100 (EU / INT) *
Course leader
Dirk Wildeboer

Why study biochemistry with us

Our BSc Biochemistry lets you build on your existing scientific interest while you develop practical biochemistry skills over a study period that’s tailored to suit your career ambitions.

You’ll learn the core themes from a range of science subjects and have access to our world-class facilities to help develop your laboratory, research and analytical skills. With the flexibility to study over three years (full-time), four years (with a paid, year-long work placement, subject to any restrictions that may apply in light of the ongoing Covid 19 outbreak), or six years (part-time), you’ll also get plenty of unique work placement opportunities that will let you put your newfound skills into practice and build your professional experience.

Build your practical biochemistry skills

Our London location gives you access to unique leading companies, experts and industry links placements. You’ll have access to the latest research and analytical laboratory facilities (on campus, through pre-recorded demonstrations based in our labs and virtual labs), along with the support to develop the essential skills, techniques and confidence to take your skills from the campus to real, working projects.

We’ll also give you the help and support you need to develop your exit portfolio, CV and career entry plan to prepare you for a successful career in a wide range of areas within biochemistry.

Get the support you need to succeed

While you are an undergraduate or foundation year student, you’ll have a Personal Tutor directly related to your course. If you need support with academic writing, numeracy and library skills, we’ll be sure to provide it. Our Student Learning and Graduate Academic Assistants have studied your subject and can support you based on their own experience.

We’ll also help you develop the analytical, problem solving, team work and communication skills you need to succeed in private and public sector fields such as biochemicals, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and food.


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What will you study on the BSc Biochemistry?

This degree programme in biochemistry focuses on core themes from a wide range of science subjects including chemistry, molecular biology and immunology. After your first year, you will focus on cellular biochemistry and as you progress a wide choice of biochemistry module options is available.

Unique to this course are the two opportunities to gain relevant work experience - the one-year placement of 120 credits and a 30 credit work experience module. You can use the Placement Office to help secure relevant placements. These experiences are under the control of our employer partners who may restrict access to placement learning during the ongoing Covid 19 outbreak.

What will you gain?

As well as a deep understanding of the subject, you will also gain a wide range of knowledge and skills related to some of the biggest current issues in public health as well as first-hand experience in our cancer and microbiology research groups. You will have developed the techniques required in the microbiology, immunology and bioscience industries along with the knowledge and skills that employers want in medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and public health education. You will also have the chance to become a member of the Middlesex Biochemical Society.

Modules

  • Year 1 - Compulsory

    • Biological Techniques (15 credits)

      The analysis and communication of scientific knowledge is an integral component of biochemistry and this module aims to provide you with a number of key skills used widely by biochemists. These include: i) mathematics, ii) communication skills and iii) employability skills.

      The mathematics component of the module provides you with applied mathematical techniques needed to support your studies in biochemistry. In addition to providing the necessary tools to solving quantitative problems it also helps you present data effectively and interpret the meaning of analyses.

      The communication and employability skills component of the module aims to develop you communicational, organisational and writing skills and promote career awareness and opportunities for personal and professional development within and outside your course.

    • Genetics (15 credits)

      This module teaches key concepts in prokaryote, eukaryote and virus genetics. It will provide you with a detailed understanding of the genetic processes that are operating at molecular, organism, population and species levels, processes that ultimately underlie adaptive change.

    • Physiology and Anatomy (15 credits)

      This module aims to provide you with a knowledge of human anatomy and its hierarchical organisation from cell to organ system. An understanding of how the main body systems and mechanisms involved maintaining a "state of health" will be developed along with an introduction to how these systems can malfunction. Grounding in practical anatomy will be provided which includes “hands on” and laboratory exercises to support identification and recognition of the main anatomical features of organs and structures of the body.

    • Introduction to Chemistry (30 credits)

      This module provides you with the skills and knowledge of chemistry that will underpin your future studies. You will build your knowledge around key academic concepts in chemistry using examples from health and the environment to reinforce ideas. You will acquire a range of laboratory practical skills and learn how to analyse and interpret experimental results and put these into context with theoretical concepts.

    • Cell Biology (15 credits)

      This module explores the structure and physiology of eukaryote, prokaryote, and archael cells, function and methods of replication of these cells as well as acellular units (viruses). You will also be introduced to core theory and experimental techniques used to investigate physiology, growth and death of cells.

    • Metabolic Biochemistry (30 credits)

      The main aim of this module is to introduce and familiarise you with the key metabolic pathways of energy metabolism. You will acquire the skills and underpinning knowledge to pursue further studies in biochemistry.

  • Year 2 - Compulsory

    • Research Methods and Project Planning (30 credits)

      The module aims to provide you with the skills necessary to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work with focus on preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline. Specific research skills will be explored to meet individual programme requirements.

    • Molecular Biology (15 credits)

      This module aims to extend your knowledge and appreciation of the molecular basis of life, the structure and function of genomes and the processes that drive evolutionary change at the molecular level.

      In addition, you will gain experience in the principles, quality assurance and application of commonly employed molecular (genetic) tools and techniques.

    • Analytical Techniques (15 credits)

      This module provides you with the knowledge of important “state of the art” analytical methods in biological sciences. There is a focus on developing your practical skills in analytical methods and the analysis and interpretation of results. Particular emphasis will be on proteins in the context of biochemical research and analysis.

    • Advanced Organic Chemistry I (15 credits)

      This module builds upon the principles and concepts of inorganic and organic chemistry developed through the year 1 module Fundamentals of Chemistry. In this module you will develop a more complete appreciation of some of the chemical reactions relevant to biochemical processes and drug synthesis with emphasis on carbonyl chemistry and pericyclic reactions, integrating mechanisms and arrow pushing.

    • Immunology and Endocrinology (15 credits)

      This module aims to introduce the concepts and language of immunology that are, or may be, applied clinically. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the different cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the development of a range of different immunopathologies.  Regulation of the human endocrine system will also be introduced and explored by developing an understanding of what happens when regulation is lost leading to the onset of common endocrine pathologies. Knowledge of laboratory skills and analysis of data will be developed using immunological and endocrinological techniques.

    • Functional Biochemistry (30 credits)

      This module provides you with the knowledge of biochemical molecules and their physiological functions. Particular emphasis is placed on the molecular structure and its relationship with the biological function. Reaction mechanisms and kinetics of biochemical reactions will be explored with a particular emphasis on enzyme kinetics.

  • Optional Sandwich Year

    • Biology Placement (120 credits)

      The year-long placement is an opportunity for you to work in an industrial, field or laboratory based setting gaining important and relevant skills related to their biology degree programme. The module aims to enhance your employability skills, embed transferable and graduate skills and enable you to reflect on how the knowledge gained is relevant to your degree and the field of biology. Through the work placement you will gain experience of working in a team, facilitate your understanding of the workplace and enhance their skills of self-reliance and communication. The placement experience provides you with the opportunity to enhance your skills of self-reliance, communication, self-expression and co-operation.

  • Year 3 - Compulsory

    • Bioinformatics (15 credits)

      This module will provide an introduction to bioinformatics and aims to give you an overview of the computational tools that are commonly used. The module will follow a hands-on approach. Data will be retrieved from public repositories and analysed for biological patterns using command line and graphical user interface tools.

    • Advanced Biochemical Techniques (15 credits)

      This module provides you with practical skills on laboratory techniques important for research and analysis in the field of biochemistry. You will build on your learning from year 2 module in Analytical Techniques to plan, set-up and carry out experiments and analyse results and critically evaluate these and the methodology.

    • Dissertation (30 credits)

      This module fosters academic curiosity; an inquiry based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. You will select a topic of personal interest that you wish to study in-depth and will manage your own learning with the support of an academic supervisor.

    • Gene Expression and Control (15 credits)

      This module aims to provide an understanding of processes involved in regulation of gene expression and current methods available for investigation. It also aims to provide an understanding of how gene expression may be modulated according to changes in the cellular environment, how environmental conditions can trigger changes in these processes and how aberrations in gene expression can lead to disease.

    • Biochemistry of Human Disease (15 credits)

      The module will develop key concepts in specialist areas of biochemistry in relation to human diseases. Advanced topics on molecular basis of disease will be delivered, based primarily around the research specialisations of staff within the biochemistry teaching group.

  • Year 3 - Optional

    • Gene Technology (15 credits)

      The module considers current approaches to genetic manipulation and the widening fields of application. You will learn how to use vectors and tools for DNA/RNA manipulation for modification of prokaryotes and eukaryotes organisms for biotechnology, research and detection. Ethical issues and regulation of the field of gene technology will be explored.

    • Computational Chemistry (15 credits)

      This module aims to introduce you to the fundamental theory that underpins computational chemistry. It is designed to help you understand what molecular modelling programmes do and how to interpret results from such experiments with an eye for providing insight to discovery chemistry. This is a practical module comprising weekly workshops where you can learn and practice various methods of energy calculations along with workshops devoted to drug discovery tools.

    • Advanced Organic Chemistry II (15 credits)

      This module aims to provide you with an overview of reactions of particular utility in the synthetic organic laboratory. You will be trained in designing synthetic routes for complex organic molecules integrating mechanistic aspects and stereochemistry control. Examples from recent literature will be discussed.

    • Work Experience (30 credits)

      This module enables you to formalise and integrate professional experience into your degree. It aims to link academic learning to professional work-based skills. The module provides you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience from the process of applying for work in relevant organisations and enhance your skills of self-expression, communication and self-reliance.

More information about this course

See the course specification for more information:

Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

  1. Overview
  2. Teaching and learning
  3. Assessment and feedback
  1. Standard entry requirements
  2. International (inc. EU)
  3. How to apply
  1. UK
  2. EU / International
  3. Additional costs

How can the BSc Biochemistry support your career?

A degree in Biochemistry will help you develop a wide range of essential skills such as analytical problem solving, team work and communicating information, to make you an asset from day one of your career.

You will be prepared for careers in the following industries:

  • Biochemicals
  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmaceuticals or food
  • Private or public sector laboratories, including health services.

You may choose to continue your studies at postgraduate or PhD level, following graduation.

Whatever you choose to do, your Biochemistry degree will stand you in good stead, with excellent employment prospects and transferable skills.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

Medical Biochemistry BSc Honours

Start: October 2023

Duration: BSC: 3 years full-time, 4 years with placement, 6 years part-time

Code: BSc: C74A

Biomedical Science BSc/DipHE

Start: September 2023, September 2023: EU/INT induction

Duration: 3 years full-time

Code: BSc: C700, DipHE: B904

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