Course summary

Biochemists study the molecular basis of life. This underpins our fundamental understanding of human health and disease, and also supports applied science like drug discovery, diagnostics and biotechnology. Our Biochemistry course immerses you in ground-breaking research and gives you the opportunity to develop high-level analytical and problem-solving skills that prepare you for a diverse range of careers. The centrepiece of the MSci Biochemistry degree is an extended research project that allows you to develop in-depth expertise in your area of specialism and acquire the skills required to embark on a research career. The MSci covers all the major aspects of biochemistry with an emphasis on cutting-edge research. In your first two years you will supplement your study of biochemistry with optional units that are relevant to molecular biology and biotechnology. Recent options have included Fundamentals of Molecular Microbiology, Disease and Defence, and Infection and Immunity. Your third year introduces specialist, cutting-edge aspects of biochemistry such as synthetic biology, DNA-protein interactions, and protein science in therapy and technology. You will also participate in a laboratory-based research training unit where you will develop the skills needed to define and solve research problems. This prepares you for a research-intensive fourth year, where you will spend up to 16 weeks on an individual research project under the supervision of one of our research group leaders. You will learn about the context in which scientific research is undertaken through the Science and Society unit and complete your studies by choosing two advanced options, which could include Synthetic Biology, Cell Biology of Development and Disease, and Protein Assemblies and Molecular Machines. We prepare you for your future career with subject-specific employability and enterprise sessions and the chance to gain additional research experience in a summer studentship. Recent graduate destinations from our biochemistry programmes include higher degrees such as a PhD, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies, research institutes, the NHS, graduate medicine, teaching, forensics, the civil service, medical publishing, finance, business consultancy, patent law, science communications and more.