This three-year course has a student satisfaction rating of 90%.
Did you know that many of the major advances in molecular biology over the last few decades have been made by scientists who trained as chemists? Nobel Laureates Max Perutz , Sydney Brenner and John Walker have all said that their rigorous training in chemistry was essential to their subsequent successes in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry. Bioorganic Chemistry focuses on the molecules of life, their structures and functional behaviour and interactions in biological systems. If you are interested in working at the interface of chemistry and biochemistry or molecular biology, then this degree programme may be for you. This course also provides an ideal foundation for a PhD and future academic career in these disciplines, or a career in the pharmaceutical and life-sciences industries.
Course Structure
Each year contains 120 credits of taught material, which is delivered in modules that are typically worth 10 or 20 credits. In the first three years, you will take 60 credits of core chemistry courses, which cover the fundamental aspects of the subject. These courses include a significant practical component, which not only allows us to develop your practical skills and techniques in a range of experiments, but also to consolidate the theory you will have covered in associated lectures. The remaining 60 credits comprise modules designed to support these core courses and include optional chemistry modules, mathematics courses, laboratory modules, as well as courses which focus on communications skills and employability. Modules in bioorganic chemistry are delivered in Years 2, 3 and 4. There is significant flexibility in your fourth and final year, as you choose 40 credits of taught modules from a range of courses pitched at the cutting edge of the discipline. A major research project in some aspect of bioorganic chemistry makes up the remaining 80 credits. For many, your final-year project is the most exciting and enjoyable part of your degree and often influences the career pathway you choose to follow after graduating.
Generic skills-training, focusing on transferable skills and employability, is embedded throughout the course and from the outset, and will ensure that you are equipped with the ICT, presentation, team-working and problem-solving skills, which are seen as crucial by employers.
BSc or MSci? The first two years of this BSc course are interchangeable with, and identical to, our BSc programme (F163), which means you can delay your final choice of degree (BSc or MSci) until the end of Year 2. MSci study is dependent upon performance so you will need to successfully complete Year 2 with a high 2ii to transfer on to the MSci programme.
First year
In Year 1, you will take substantive core modules in the traditional sub-disciplines of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, all of which include an extensive laboratory work programme. Everyone takes a maths module in Semester 2, and if you don’t have A-level maths at grade B or higher, you will take a further introductory maths module in Semester 1. Both of these modules are taught by staff from Chemistry, which ensures you learn those aspects of maths that you will need to understand and tackle the more physical and theoretical aspects of our courses. A range of non-chemistry option courses is available for those students with maths A-level. A particularly popular choice for students interested in the chemistry of biological systems is ‘Good brain – Bad brain,’ which is delivered by the Department of Pharmacology.
Second year (contributes 20% to overall degree mark)
In Year 2, you will build on material from your first year as we employ a mix of lectures and practicals to further develop your understanding of the fundamental aspects of chemistry. In addition to core courses in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, you will choose courses from our chemical electives, one of which must be a module in bioorganic chemistry. This course provides an introduction to the synthesis, structure, properties and functions of large biological molecules including amino acids in proteins, and nucleic acids in DNA and RNA. Basic ideas used to study enzyme mechanisms, kinetics and catalysis are also introduced.
Third year (contributes 40% to overall degree mark)
Alongside lecture courses in the three core sub-disciplines, you will also take advanced courses in bioorganic chemistry. You will study biosynthesis, which is the term used to describe how Nature makes organic molecules, and learn how a range of compound classes, including fatty acids, polyketides, steroids, terpenes and shikimates, are made. You will also focus in detail on the structure, function and kinetics of enzymes, Nature’s catalysts. This course builds on the material developed in Year 2 and includes computer-based workshops to explore protein structure. You will also undertake an advanced laboratory course, which will prepare you for the research project that you will undertake in your fourth year.
Fourth year (contributes 40% to overall degree mark)
There is a significant level of flexibility in this, your final, year. Our courses at this Masters level reflect the state-of-the-art of the discipline, which not only allows us to showcase the cutting-edge research interests of the School, but also ensures that you are aware of the latest challenges in this rapidly advancing subject. Courses covering metals in medicine, carbohydrate chemistry, and drug design are particularly popular choices if you are interested in the chemistry–life sciences interface. In addition to 40 credits of taught material, you will join one of the School’s research groups, and become a member of the Research School as you undertake a major research project (worth the remaining 80 credits) in some aspect of bioorganic chemistry. You will work closely with your project supervisor to tailor the project to your particular interests and further develop your research skills; indeed many students enjoy the experience so much that they choose to go on to study for a PhD after graduation.
Other options
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Chemists at Birmingham adopt a broad, multi-disciplinary outlook to our subject, which is going to be vital if we are to solve the problems of the 21st Century in healthcare, medicine, sustainability and the environment. The School has a leading research rating and is committed to excellence in teaching. Your lecturers are not only global experts in their field but also passionate about their subject.
We recognise that chemistry is a partnership between practical work and theory, so our degree programmes offer a balanced curriculum, which allows you to develop skills at the bench by putting into practice what you learn in lectures. Our research facilities are among the best in the country and this access to state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories is a vital part of your education.
Read more about why you shoud study Chemistry at Birmingham
Each year contains 120 credits of taught material. This is delivered in modules which are typically worth 10 or 20 credits.
Core Courses (60 credits in each year) are taken by all students enrolled on both single honours and major/minor degree programmes and cover the fundamental aspects of the subject, which we deem essential.
These courses also include a significant practical component in which core practical skills and techniques are developed in a range of experiments, which also allows us to consolidate the theory you will have covered in associated lectures.
Module details are located on the course breakdown page on the School of Chemistry website.
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAB–ABB
Required subjects and grades: A level subjects must include Chemistry; it would be advantageous to include one (or more) from Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics is highly desirable but not essential
General Studies: not accepted; Critical Thinking: not accepted. However, a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer
Additional information:
The decision to remain on (for MSci-registered students) or transfer to (an option for BSc-registered students) an MSci programme is made at the end of Year 2, and is based on your Year 2 mark (and not your A-level results). Our entry requirements are therefore the same for both BSc and MSci degree programmes.
Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements.
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: Typical offer 34–35 points; must have Chemistry at HL; one or more additional science subjects at HL is regarded as advantageous; a minimum of 5 in SL English and 4 in SL Maths is required for those students who do not have a minimum grade C in these subjects at GCSE.
Learn more about international entry requirements
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
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