We have a large and internationally recognised School of Biosciences offering expertise that is the foundation of our research-led teaching.

You will encounter a broad range of topics on our courses, ranging from studies on the three-dimensional structure of individual molecules through to the study of whole ecosystems. We pride ourselves in our ‘enquiry-based learning’ strategy that will equip you with the skills to achieve full potential in your future career.

We increasingly incorporate new areas of science relating to biology, such as bioinformatics, and the School has major high-technology facilities for research in genomics, structural biology and optical imaging.

2012 National Student Survey "100% of students said that overall they were satisfied with the quality of our Biochemistry courses"

Our courses are modular with a wide range of options in the latter stages of the degree. These choices build on the core knowledge and skills developed through Years One and Two. We aim to ensure that all our students leave Birmingham with highly developed written, oral and IT skills, and the ability to work and communicate effectively with others.

These choices build on the core knowledge and skills developed through Years One and Two. We aim to ensure that all our students leave Birmingham with highly developed written, oral and IT skills, and the ability to work and communicate effectively with others.These choices build on the core knowledge and skills developed through Years One and Two. We aim to ensure that all our students leave Birmingham with highly developed written, oral and IT skills, and the ability to work and communicate effectively with others.

If you have chosen one of our specialist degree programmes in biochemistry second and third year options allow you to choose an appropriate pathways through the degree.

For full descriptions of modules download Biochemistry Module Descriptions (PDF 348KB)

First year

The first year core modules include:

• Cell Biology & Physiology
• Genetics I
• Chemistry
• Enzymes and Metabolism
• Biochemistry 
• Physical Biochemistry

Up to a third of the time will be spent doing practical work. This hands-on experience in the laboratory, in part working with living organisms, will greatly enhance your understanding of central biochemical concepts.

Bevan Lin, Biochemistry student "A unique combination of two disciplines, Biochemistry provides the molecular insights into disease, giving great potential for future drug development."

Second year

A set of core modules in biochemistry and chemistry is complemented with elective modules allowing you to follow your particular interests:

• Chemistry
• Molecular biology and its applications
• Proteins and enzymes
• Membranes, Energy and Metabolism 
• Genetics II
• Topics in Medical Biosciences
• Microbes and Man
• Cell biology

Third year

In addition to two core modules, you have the choice between some 15 specialist modules. The topics of these modules draw on the research interests and academic expertise of our staff, and reflect exciting developments in the field of biochemistry. Choices include:

• Molecular and Cellular Immunology
• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Neurobiology
• Omics – exploiting genomic data
• Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
• Mechnaisms of Toxicity and Disease
• Human Reproductive Biology and Development

• Structures of Destruction

In the third year, you have the opportunity to perform a small research project, which can involve either laboratory-based research or an extensive review of the current research literature in a given area.

Fourth year (Masters year)

The final year is devoted to developing and honing research skills. The central element to achieve competence in research is the research project, which extends over both semesters of the year and which takes up about 50% of the work effort. In addition, you will attend two skills modules Research Development and Research Techniques, as well as a taught module drawn from the specialist modules of the third year.

The programme involves mandatory attendance at research seminars given by external researchers visiting the School, which are documented through extended summaries, and data handling and problem solving sessions, including the development of a grant proposal and business plan.

Dr Eva Hyde, Leader of the Undergraduate Masters programme "The MSci course was inaugurated in October 2009 and, with my colleagues, I have tried to create a course in which individual students can largely pursue their own biological interests. At the same time, we aim to further develop skills that are important not only for scientific research but in a wide range of careers."

Standard fees apply 
Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships
Learn more about our scholarships and awards

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: AAA-AAB

Required subjects and grades: Chemistry A level and one other from Biology/Human Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, ICT, Maths, Physics, Psychology or Sports Studies/PE. Five GCSEs at grade C (minimum) in Double Award/Integrated Science, English and Mathematics.

General Studies: We do not accept General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Applied Science, Communication and Culture, Critical Studies, Global Perspectives, Science in Society and World Development.

Additional information:

International students:

Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com 
Learn more about applying

NB. You should apply through UCAS for your preferred four-year option at the outset. You will still retain the flexibility of switching your registration to one of our three-year BSc degree courses during the second year. 

Key Information Sets (KIS) are comparable sets of information about full or part time undergraduate courses and are designed to meet the information needs of prospective students.

From September 2012 all KIS information will be published on the Unistats website and can also be accessed via the small advert, or ‘widget’, below. On the Unistats website you will be able to compare all the KIS data for each course with data for other courses.

The development of Key Information Sets (KIS) forms part of HEFCE’s work to enhance the information that is available about higher education. It will give you access to robust, reliable and comparable information in order to help you make informed decisions about what and where to study.

The KIS contains information which prospective students have identified as useful, such as student satisfaction, graduate outcomes, learning and teaching activities, assessment methods, tuition fees and student finance, accommodation and professional accreditation.

Studying at degree-level is likely to be very different from your previous experience of learning and teaching. You will be assessed in a variety of ways and each module is assessed independently. All modules contain some components of continuous assessment, that is, assessment taking place during the teaching terms. Continuous assessment usually accounts for about one-third of the mark for a given module, while two thirds are contributed by the end-of-year examination in the summer term. A subset of modules is assessed through course work, without an end-of-year examination. More information about assessment methods and feedback is given below:

• Feedback - You will make use of a wide range of types of feedback, such as: written feedback on your assessments, class feedback sessions and discussions with your tutor.
• Examinations – The formal end-of-year examinations (in May/June of each year) are complemented by course work in the form of essays or reports, data handling or interpretation exercises, poster presentations, seminar presentations, group work and lab reports.
• Projects and dissertations – You will choose the topic of your project from a wide range of titles. We offer a range of projects including practical work in the laboratory, field work, computer based projects, or literature reviews.

We are one of the first universities in the UK to be awarded Society of Biology accreditation for our undergraduate MSci degree course in Biochemistry.