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. Our broad and varied curriculum currently includes contemporary topics such as molecular genetics, immunology, synthetic biology, drug discovery, recombinant engineering, enzymology, cellular homeostasis, cancer cell biology, developmental biology, and neurobiochemistry. The first two years of the MSci are identical to our BSc programmes. You can tailor the course to suit your interests by combining your study of biochemistry with a choice of optional units. These currently include subjects relevant to molecular biology and biotechnology such as infection and immunity, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology. Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive workshops and small-group tutorials. You are assigned a personal tutor at the start of the course who will usually remain with you throughout your degree. We focus on the development of your practical and research skills throughout the first two years. As part of your third year you will also participate in a laboratory-based research training unit where you will further develop the skills needed to define and solve research problems. The centrepiece of the MSci Biochemistry course 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. You will spend up to 16 weeks on an individual research project under the supervision of one of our research group leaders. This project is complemented by a unit on the wider context of scientific research called Science and Society. You will complete your studies by choosing two advanced units 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 communication and more.