Course summary

Explore the basis of life at the molecular level. Combining a placement year with our MBiolSci course allows you to gain work experience in industry, before adding an extra year of research training back in the lab in your final year. Our five-year MBiolsci Biochemistry with an Industrial Placement Year course allows you to investigate the structure and function of biological systems at a molecular level. Kick-start your career by spending a year on placement, and then complete a major research project in your final year (known as an integrated masters). Bringing together biology and chemistry, you’ll study the science that’s behind many medical discoveries. You'll learn about proteins, enzymes, hormones, and receptors, and explore the various ways that biochemistry can be applied to major challenges affecting humanity today, from how we sustainably feed a global population, to healthy ageing and how new drugs are designed. At Sheffield, you’ll be encouraged to be creative, think independently, and express your ideas. In the lab you’ll be studying the basis of life right down to the atomic level, completing practicals across molecular genetics, DNA manipulation, and protein structure analysis. Outside of the lab, you'll get the chance to develop IT solutions to global challenges that could range from how we deliver a sustainable food supply, to how we detect and treat heritable disease. As you progress through your degree, you'll have the option to specialise in the area of molecular bioscience that interests you across biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, or even biotechnology. No matter what areas of biochemistry you choose to study at Sheffield, you'll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers, including project management, problem-solving, communication skills, and data analysis. Your placement year will give you the chance to test out a career path that you're considering. This will take place in year three. Our students have found placements in science and non-science-based roles with a range of organisations including GSK, Thermofisher, the UK Health Security Agency, and the Institute of Cancer Research. Some students have even been offered graduate-level jobs at the end of their placement. All this experience will prepare you for your research project in year four where you could be laboratory-based, focus on computer modelling, science education, or even science communication. Your final year is designed to equip you with advanced laboratory skills, ready for a rewarding career in science. You'll spend the bulk of this year focussed on a major research project in an area of biochemistry of your choice and graduate with a masters degree. This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology which shows employers that you've developed the practical skills and scientific knowledge that they're looking for. Why study this course?

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology: Shows employers that you've developed the practical skills and scientific knowledge that they're looking for.

• Make the course your own: Study the full range of biochemistry or specialise in areas such as biotechnology, molecular genetics, antibiotic resistance or sustainability.

• Five-year course: The ultimate kick-start to your career. Gain real-word experience with a placement year, and graduate with a masters degree.