Course summary

Advance your understanding of biochemistry on this four-year course, which includes a year spent with an approved university in France. You'll build familiarity with key aspects of the industry, including commercialising technology, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property and patents. The language element of this course will see you explore the theory and practice of translation. This includes opportunities to analyse the history, politics, science and technology of French-speaking countries. You'll also benefit from close interaction with the department's internationally leading research programme, with access to facilities including modern microscopes and tissue culture suites. Through laboratory and computational work, you'll acquire the skills required to design, carry out and analyse data from biochemical experiments. Your third year will be spent at a French-speaking university, where you will attend lectures and conduct a research project as you experience a different cultural environment. The final year offers you increased freedom to follow your own interests in chosen subject areas. You'll choose from a wide range of optional modules on topics such as synthetic biology, cancer and bioinformatics. You'll then apply your expertise to a substantial project or dissertation. Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme, where you'll be trained in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation. Please note: this course is not suitable for native or near-native French speakers. Normally only students who are on track for at least a 2:1 by the end of their second year, will be eligible to spend their third year abroad. As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) on completion of this course.