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 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 medicine such as anatomy, pathology, infection and immunity, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology. Your third year focuses on medically-relevant aspects of biochemistry, such as those relating to cancer, cardiovascular disease and drug design. 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. This training supports the centrepiece of the MSci Biochemistry course: 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 also offer summer studentships and subject-specific employability and enterprise sessions. Recent graduate destinations from our biochemistry courses include higher degrees such as a PhD, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies, research institutes, the NHS, graduate medicine, teaching, forensics, civil service, medical publishing, finance, business consultancy, patent law, science communication and more.