Course summary

Biochemists study the molecular basis of life. This underpins our fundamental understanding of human health and disease and also supports applied science such as 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. You can tailor the course to suit your interests by combining your study of core biochemistry units with a choice of optional units. These currently include subjects such as anatomy, pathology, 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. This training then supports your third-year research project, which will be affiliated with the work of our internationally-renowned scientists and will allow you to gain a deeper understanding by focusing on one particular aspect of biochemistry. For example, current projects include designing artificial proteins, discovering new drugs from the ocean floor, and understanding mechanisms of wound-healing. We also offer summer studentships and subject-specific employability and enterprise sessions. Recent graduate destinations from our biochemistry programmes include higher degrees such as MSc or 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. This course is available for intercalation.