Biochemistry BSc

Summary

This flexible degree course offers you the opportunity to specialise in areas such as medical biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology and molecular cell biology, and to tailor a bespoke programme of study that matches individual interests and goals. In addition to a solid knowledge base, the course emphasises practical work and the development of a wide range of transferable skills.

Key facts

UCAS code: C700

Duration: 3 years

Start date: September 2013

Places available: 72 (Total number of places for all Biochemistry courses)

Applications in 2011: 468

Entry requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: AAB-ABB

Required subjects and grades: Chemistry A level and one other from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Geography, Geology and Sports Science. GCSE Grade C (minimum) in Biology or Double Integrated Science, and Mathematics if not offered at A or AS level

General Studies: not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer

Additional information:

Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements

International students:

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 32–35 points including Chemistry and one other science at HL

Standard English language requirements apply
Learn more about international entry requirements

Contact details

Admissions Tutor: Dr Klaus Fütterer
Telephone enquiries: +44 (0)121 414 5922
Email: biosciences-admissions@bham.ac.uk
Web: www.birmingham.ac.uk/biosciences 

How to apply

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

Fees and funding

Standard fees apply 
Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships
 Learn more about our scholarships and awards

Programme overview

At the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine, biochemists seek to explore and understand the molecular underpinnings of living organisms and of disease. Biochemistry makes an impact on many fronts, offering graduates exciting and varied careers.

Our flexible degree programme offers you the opportunity to specialise in areas such as medical biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology and molecular cell biology, providing ample scope to tailor a programme of study that matches individual interests and goals. The course particularly emphasises practical training and the development of transferable skills that can be deployed in a wide range of professional settings.

Find out about the School of Biosciences here.

Course structure

A list of course modules can be found on the BSc Biochemistry - Course modules page.

First Year

In the first year you will study key areas such as Cell Biology, Metabolism, Chemistry, Physiology and Genetics. In practical classes you will get hands on experience of a wide range of Biochemical techniques.

Second Year

At this more advanced level, you complete the core of essential training in biochemistry and you begin to specialise.

Final Year

This is the year of specialisation as you devote most of your time to specialist modules. No matter which Biochemistry degree you choose there will always be a choice of final-year modules. These modules integrate different aspects of biochemistry and illustrate the relationships between these and their applications to industry and medicine. In addition, all students take a module covering key aspects of Biochemistry.

Central to your final year studies is your research project, which makes up one-sixth of your final year. We offer you the opportunity to join one of our research groups, of which there are almost 60, providing the fascinating prospect to experience research first hand and to contribute to the current research projects in the department. Project work does not necessarily mean you are in the laboratory; some students will do computer-based projects, others carry out a detailed analysis of the research literature in a particular area.

Your final year project is one of the most exciting parts of your degree. You choose from a very broad range offered by the staff according to ongoing research activities. You may opt for a laboratory project or a two-part project involving laboratory and library research or a literature review project or a computing project. Most students enjoy project work as a highlight of their academic training and experience.

Teaching and assessment

Information about Teaching and Learning can be found Why Birmingham? page here.

Career opportunities

Information about employability can be found on the Why Birmingham? page here.

Which courses should I apply for? 

Applicants may apply either for the main programme or for one of the specialist degree labels eg, Biochemistry (Genetics) BSc. The selection criteria are identical in either case. The design of our courses allows you to delay what you choose to specialise in until the second year or to transfer between specialisations as interests develop or change.

Related links  

School of Biosciences website: www.birmingham.ac.uk/biosciences
Other courses in Biosciences

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Course structure

Our programmes 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.

Biochemistry students in the labIf 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

First Year

Modules

  • Genetics I
  • Cell Biology and Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymes and Metabolism
  • Physical Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Skills for Biosciences

Nora Miroslavova, Biochemistry graduate "The modules were taught by expert members of staff involved in the research field, which I found very interesting and stimulating."

Second Year

Choose optional modules that allow you to follow your own particular interests.

Core modules

  • Proteins and Enzymes
  • Membranes, Energy and Metabolism
  • Molecular Biology and its Applications
  • Chemistry
  • Core Skills

Optional modules - choose 2 from:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Topics in Medical Biosciences
  • Genetics II
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbes and Man

Final Year

Project

  • Advanced Topics in Biochemistry

Optional modules - choose 3 from:

  • Structures of Destruction
  • Pumps, Permeases and Pores
  • Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
  • Cellular Signalling
  • Mechanisms of Toxicity and Human Disease
  • Processes
  • Cancer Biology
  • Eukaryotic Gene Expression
  • Omics - Exploiting Genomic Data
  • Cellular Neurobiology
  • Human Reproductive Biology and
  • Development
  • Molecular and Cellular Immunology
  • Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
  • Genetic Variation in Humans and other
  • Eukaryotes
  • Plant Cell Biology and Development
  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Why study Biochemistry BSc at Birmingham?

 

Biochemistry students in the labWe 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.

Specialist field courses for those involved in the study of animals, plants and ecological aspects are also available. You also have the opportunity to study part of the course abroad or in industry.

2011 National Student Survey "92% of students said that overall they were satisfied with the quality of our Biochemistry courses"

Teaching and Learning

Teaching on the BSc Biological Sciences

As a science student you will have plenty of contact with the staff who teach you. In your first year you should expect 10–12 lectures and 1 or 2 practicals each week.

  • Lectures - As well as traditional whiteboard and pen, our lecture theatres are equipped with the latest techology including movies and animations, molecular graphics and ‘ask the audience’ style electronic voting systems.
  • Practical classes - Laboratory-based practical work is an integral part of our degree. A typical practical session will last 3 hours allowing you to complete the work at your own pace. In addition to delivering important transferable skills, experience of practical work is essential if you wish to move into a research career and is valued by a wide range of employers.
  • Field courses - Biological Sciences students have the opportunity to develop their field skills on a range of field courses in environments including Shropshire, Arctic Norway, the Brazilian Panatanal and Florida.
  • Tutorials - A personal tutorial system is an essential feature of our degree programme and your Tutors will help you in three important areas: supporting your academic progress, developing transferable skills and helping with any welfare issues.
  • Assessment - Each module is assessed independently and all contain some components of continuous assessment, which usually account for about one-third of the marks.
  • Feedback – You will make use of a wide range of types of feedback, such as: written feedback on your a­ssessments, class feedback sessions and discussion 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 - Most students enjoy project work as a highlight of their academic training and experience. We offer a range of projects: practical work in the laboratory, field work, computer based projects, or literature reviews. You choose the topic of your project from a wide range of titles.

Employability

A Biosciences degree from the University of Birmingham is an excellent qualification for securing your future career in a diverse range of industries and employment sectors.

First destinations of University of Birmingham Biosciences graduates six months after graduation

Bioscience UG students career destinations 2009/10

Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education report (DHLE) 2009/10

Advances in the biosciences are having a profound impact on our daily lives in areas from human health to conservation. As such, biosciences has become a really rewarding and exciting area of study and employment. In studying the biosciences, you are given the opportunity to develop the skills to advance human knowledge and understanding allowing you to make a contribution in environments as varied as a laboratory, a zoo, a classroom, a TV studio or in industry.

A large number of our students enjoy their subject so much that they choose to take a further degree, a Masters or PhD. This is an important step in many career paths for scientists particularly those who want a career in research. Our graduates are highly sought after by universities around the world, many stay in Birmingham and join one of our prestigious research groups. Did you know that PhDs are fully funded and that graduate students receive a tax free stipend equivalent to a salary?

Our students are an adventurous bunch; nearly 10% go travelling or work on conservation projects for a time after graduation before settling onto their permanent career path.

Helping you find the right career

The School of Biosciences Careers and Employability Coordinator and the University’s Careers and Employability Centre (CEC) are there to help you to improve your employability and to find the right career for you. Even if you are not yet sure what you want to do, an appointment with a Careers Advisor at the CEC will help you to clarify the kind of direction you want to take, and provide a plan for how to get there.

Professor Bob Michell, FRS, Royal Society Research Professor, School of Biosciences
"When I came to study Medical Biochemistry at Birmingham, I had no idea that almost half a century later I would still be researching and teaching here. Relatively little of what we now teach students was then known, so I have had a wonderful time trying to fill some of those gaps – but there is plenty still to learn!"

2011 National Student Survey "92% of students said that overall they were satisfied with the quality of our Biochemistry course"