Biochemistry

The programme aims/objectives are to: • attract motivated students of high intellectual calibre, both from within the UK and from overseas, and teach them in a way that encourages originality of thought and breadth of vision; • provide a supportive learning environment, underpinned by world class research; • provide distinctive courses at each level within appropriate areas of biochemistry and / or biotechnology, drawing on the expertise and strengths of our academic staff; • produce first-degree graduates well equipped to pursue careers both in biochemical sciences and more broadly, in industry and the public sector; • provide a training in laboratory and research skills; • foster the ability to work independently and as part of a group, and to develop presentation skills, both written and oral; • ensure that all students gain experience in computing and information technology; • provide all students with a broad education in fundamental aspects of biochemistry and a higher level of knowledge and understanding of subjects chosen in their final year; • enable Biotechnology degree students to follow discrete pathways in the final year;

The BSc Biochemistry (C700) is a three-year degree. In the first two years you will tackle core subjects to ensure that you receive a solid grounding in the fundamentals.

You will then specialise in the final year, making your choice from a wide range of options and research projects.

Our biochemistry and biotechnology courses contain topics covering all aspects of the applied biochemistry and the biotechnology industry, such as intellectual property and patents, commercialising technology, and entrepreneurship, with lectures and case studies from biotechnology business leaders and academics.

In the final year of the Biotechnology programme you are expected to take course options and a project in subjects involving a significant element of biotechnology.

YEAR 1

These courses provide the fundamental building blocks of biochemistry. All students take the following courses, which are run in parallel:

• Biological Chemistry
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Proteins and Enzymes

YEAR 2

All students take the following four core subjects:

• Genes and Genomics
• Intergrative Cell Biology
• Macromolecular Structure and Function 1
• Macromolecular Structure and Function 2
• Supplementary Course from the Centre for Co-Curricular Studies

FINAL YEAR

In the first two terms of the final year, you choose one course from each session. This allows you to specialise in an area of interest and relevance to your future career plans.

Biochemistry and Biotechnology students are given guidance on the selection of three courses from those shown below. Each course comprises a half-term’s work.

Session 1 options

• Damage Repair in Biological Systems
• Macromolecules in 3-D
• Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing
• Medical Microbiology
• Neuroscience Research: From Molecules to Mind
• Advanced Topics in Plant Molecular Biology

Session 2 options

• Cancer 
• Mechanisms of Gene Expression 
• Integrative Systems Biology 
• Advanced Topics in Parasitology & Vector Biology 
• Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 
• Advanced Topics in Infection Immunity

Session 3 options

• Medical Glycobiology
• Biotech Applications of Proteins
• Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
• Bioinformatics
• Systems Neuroscience Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease
• Synthetic Biology
• Biodiversity Genomics

A-levels

The minimum entry requirements for all Biochemistry/Biotechnology courses are AAA overall at A2 level, to include:

• A in Chemistry
• A in another science subject (Biology is preferred but not mandatory) or Mathematics

The ideal combinations would be Chemistry and two further science subjects or Chemistry and one further science subject and Mathematics, but other combinations are considered.

Other qualifications, such as General Studies, Key Skills or Critical Thinking, while useful, will not count towards an offer.

Two AS levels may be acceptable in place of a third A level. This is in addition to Grade B or above in GCSE Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology (or Combined Sciences), and English Language (or an overall score of 7.0 in IELTS with 6.5 in each element).

Applicants for the following courses should also note the following additional requirements:

Research Abroad courses

Applicants must have a relevant foreign language to GCSE (minimum grade B) or AS level.

Languages for Science degrees (C7R1, C7R2, C7R4, J7R1, J7R2, J7R4)

You must achieve a minimum grade B in the relevant foreign language to AS level (or equivalent).

International Baccalaureate

For students following the International Baccalaureate, an overall score of 38 points is required to join the Biochemistry and Biotechnology stream, including 6 in Chemistry and Biology at higher level. Applicants must have a score of 5 in English at standard level.

For Biochemistry/Biotechnology with French, German or Spanish for Science, an overall score of 38 points is required, including 6 in Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics at higher level. Applicants must have a score of 6 in the relevant language at standard level.

INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

We welcome applications from students with overseas or alternative UK qualifications of equivalent standard, including European, French and International Baccalaureates, German Abitur, various maturas, Scottish Advanced Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate, and Advanced Placements (USA), amongst many others.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Thermo Fisher Scholarship
Student Status Open pre-enrolment only
Value $5000
Number Available - 8
Further Eligibility Criteria InformationValue Required    
This scholarship is available to HOME applicants who have received a conditional firm or unconditional offer from Imperial College by the published deadline. Only available to Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Earth, Science and Engineering, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Life Sciences and Mathematics students only.
Your household income must also have been assessed to be £60,000 or less by your government funding authority (e.g. Student Loans Company).
Duration Maximum of 4 years
Application Deadline Date 07-MAY-2015
Selection Process
How to apply
 
There is no separate application form that you need to complete in order to apply for this scholarship. 
Your department will assess your academic merit from your UCAS form and your predicted A-Level results, and will select the best candidate as the scholar.  Each Department will be allocated one award.
Outcome of the Award
The successful candidate will be notified by email no later than 4 July 2015.  If you have not heard from us by this date please assume you have been unsuccessful in your application.
Please note that the successful scholar will be expected to meet informally with the donors on occasions, and will be required to submit a short statement of progress each year that will be shared with the donors.
This award is for students starting in the academic year 2015-16 and cannot be deferred.
Before applying
You must quote your College Identifier (CID) number when corresponding with the College.
The scholarships we offer are limited and highly competitive. You must have sufficient funding in place before enrolling on your course.
Unless otherwise stated, the scholarships advertised are only available to prospective students applying for full-time courses.
The award period will generally commence on the first day of the academic year which you have applied for (e.g. 1 October 2012).
Scholarship applications will only be considered following an offer of admission. Only if you fulfil all the eligibility criteria (that is, if you meet the requirements) of the scholarship, will you be considered.
If there is no separate scholarship application form to be submitted, we will use your admission application form and references provided. These documents may therefore also be passed to stakeholders involved in the selection process.
Please do not send in supporting documents unless the scholarship application process specifically asks you to do so.
Funding deadlines are strictly adhered to and any application received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Successful award recipients
9. Agreeing to these terms and conditions and supplying your UK bank details

a) All scholarship and bursary payments will be made to the UK bank account details held on your Student e-Service account. You are able to log into your Student e-Service account and make changes to your bank details at any time after you’ve accepted your admissions offer.
b) By submitting your bank details via the Student Funding tab in Imperial’s Student e-Service portal, and/or bursary form, you are confirming that you agree with the terms and conditions of the award.
c) It may take a few weeks to set up your bursary payments and your UK bank account (if applicable); therefore you should bring sufficient funds to cover your living expenses during this time. Initial payment dates may vary; it is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of when payments will be made.
d) The award is subject to you fulfilling any outstanding conditions of admission.
e) Funds will only be released in line with your registration at College and you will need to ensure your bank details are up to date.
f) Payment Dates: Payments are normally made on the 7th day of each month; bank details should be updated before the 24th day of the preceding month to ensure payment is not delayed. Undergraduate payments will commence from 7th November. Postgraduate payments will commence on the 7th of the month following your registration.

10. Please make sure that you have completed all the steps necessary to register for the academic year in which you wish to receive payment. Please note that new award holders will also need to have fulfilled all of their conditions of offer before they are able to register.

11. All Imperial scholarships are subject to satisfactory academic progression. If the duration of your scholarship is longer than 12 months, it will be renewable annually.

12. Awards will not generally be made to those already holding a full scholarship from another source; please inform Student Financial Support, and/or any other department which has offered you an award, immediately if you are granted more than one award, even if you have already accepted our award. If you wish to hold several partial awards concurrently, this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

13. Scholarships are not generally awarded to students who are writing-up.

14. Applicants wishing to study at UK partner institutions are not eligible for Imperial College London scholarships.

15. Undergraduate Financial Support / Imperial Bursary Package

a) To be eligible to receive an Imperial Bursary you must have been assessed for means tested funding from Student Finance England (or equivalent funding authority) and have a household income below the Imperial household income threshold for your cohort. You must contact us if this is not the case. Any previous study may affect your entitlement.
b) The College reviews household income information (which it receives from Student Finance England, etc.) on a continuous basis. A change in your household income may result in a change in your Imperial Bursary. Any overpayments will be reclaimed.
c) The Imperial Bursary is available for each year of your course excluding repeat years of study and NHS funded years for Medical courses. If you change from a 3 year to a 4 year course at Imperial you will be awarded a further year’s bursary. You should contact us about any course changes as soon as possible.
d) Students on paid placements might not be eligible for the Imperial Bursary.
e) To be eligible for the Imperial Bursary, we must receive your household income from the Student Loans Company by 1 May following the start of your academic year.

16. If you have been offered funding by the Research Councils, please ensure that you have read the most up-to-date postgraduate funding guide; you will need to adhere to the terms and conditions laid out there.

17. Deferrals, withdrawals and interruption of studies

a) You must inform the Student Financial Support team immediately of any interruptions to your study, particularly if they are likely to affect your attendance and registration status at College.
b) If you withdraw from your course or take an interruption of study (IOS) you must notify us immediately by contacting us here. If you take an IOS your bursary will be postponed until you re-register.
c) Bursaries and scholarships are not transferable. If you transfer to another institution or withdraw from the College, any payments due to you will be cancelled and any overpayments are recoverable.
d) We will not provide scholarship or bursary support for any period of repeat study.
e) Awards cannot be deferred.

18. Student Financial Support may at any time, at their discretion, withdraw or recover an award for breach of any of the above conditions.

19. The College reserves the right to place a limit on financial support where a student is in receipt of other funding.

20. Information on students is shared within the Imperial College community and donors (where applicable and relevant to your award) in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

a) Where awards have specific eligibility criteria (e.g. satisfactory academic progression), supporting evidence may be shared with named donors in order to verify continued eligibility.
b) Award recipients may be expected to meet with donors.

21. If you are in receipt of an award to study that is restricted to students on the basis of nationality or residency; please note that, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, you must not intend to exercise in Great Britain skills you have obtained as a result of your training at the College and you must not be ordinarily resident in an EEA state.

22. These terms and conditions are the formal rules which regulate centrally funded awards. As such, there are no appeal procedures associated with funding from the Student Financial Support team. 

President's Undergraduate Scholarships
The President's Undergraduate Scholarships are the most prestigious awards the College has to offer. They are designed to reward students who demonstrate the highest academic excellence and potential.
They are funded entirely by philanthropic donations from generous alumni and supporters of the College. Scholars are invited to serve as ambassadors for the College.
There are 112 President's Undergraduate Scholarships available for students starting their studies in 2015–16.
Academic departments are responsible for nominating scholarship recipients as part of the admission process. All first time undergraduate applicants who have applied to the College by 15 October will be considered for these awards. However, Graduate Entry Medicine students are not eligible.
Each President's scholar will receive £3,000 for their first year of study.
There is no formal application process and no separate application form for the President's Undergraduate Scholarship.
Your prospective department will use your admission application, references and any entry tests or interviews associated with your department to assess your academic merit and potential.
Recipients of these awards might find reference to these scholarships as part of their admissions offer via UCAS Track. You will then receive separate communication from Imperial’s Student Financial Support team a few days later.
If we think you may be eligible to be considered for this award, you will receive an email with more information about the scholarship after you have applied.
If you do not wish to be considered for this scholarship, please contact us and let us know. Make sure you include the name of the scholarship and your College Identifier (CID) number – you can find this on your application acknowledgement email from the College.
Before applying
You must quote your College Identifier (CID) number when corresponding with the College.
The scholarships we offer are limited and highly competitive. You must have sufficient funding in place before enrolling on your course.
Unless otherwise stated, the scholarships advertised are only available to prospective students applying for full-time courses.
The award period will generally commence on the first day of the academic year which you have applied for (e.g. 1 October 2012).
Scholarship applications will only be considered following an offer of admission. Only if you fulfil all the eligibility criteria (that is, if you meet the requirements) of the scholarship, will you be considered.
If there is no separate scholarship application form to be submitted, we will use your admission application form and references provided. These documents may therefore also be passed to stakeholders involved in the selection process.
Please do not send in supporting documents unless the scholarship application process specifically asks you to do so.
Funding deadlines are strictly adhered to and any application received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Successful award recipients
9. Agreeing to these terms and conditions and supplying your UK bank details

a) All scholarship and bursary payments will be made to the UK bank account details held on your Student e-Service account. You are able to log into your Student e-Service account and make changes to your bank details at any time after you’ve accepted your admissions offer.
b) By submitting your bank details via the Student Funding tab in Imperial’s Student e-Service portal, and/or bursary form, you are confirming that you agree with the terms and conditions of the award.
c) It may take a few weeks to set up your bursary payments and your UK bank account (if applicable); therefore you should bring sufficient funds to cover your living expenses during this time. Initial payment dates may vary; it is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of when payments will be made.
d) The award is subject to you fulfilling any outstanding conditions of admission.
e) Funds will only be released in line with your registration at College and you will need to ensure your bank details are up to date.
f) Payment Dates: Payments are normally made on the 7th day of each month; bank details should be updated before the 24th day of the preceding month to ensure payment is not delayed. Undergraduate payments will commence from 7th November. Postgraduate payments will commence on the 7th of the month following your registration.

10. Please make sure that you have completed all the steps necessary to register for the academic year in which you wish to receive payment. Please note that new award holders will also need to have fulfilled all of their conditions of offer before they are able to register.

11. All Imperial scholarships are subject to satisfactory academic progression. If the duration of your scholarship is longer than 12 months, it will be renewable annually.

12. Awards will not generally be made to those already holding a full scholarship from another source; please inform Student Financial Support, and/or any other department which has offered you an award, immediately if you are granted more than one award, even if you have already accepted our award. If you wish to hold several partial awards concurrently, this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

13. Scholarships are not generally awarded to students who are writing-up.

14. Applicants wishing to study at UK partner institutions are not eligible for Imperial College London scholarships.

15. Undergraduate Financial Support / Imperial Bursary Package

a) To be eligible to receive an Imperial Bursary you must have been assessed for means tested funding from Student Finance England (or equivalent funding authority) and have a household income below the Imperial household income threshold for your cohort. You must contact us if this is not the case. Any previous study may affect your entitlement.
b) The College reviews household income information (which it receives from Student Finance England, etc.) on a continuous basis. A change in your household income may result in a change in your Imperial Bursary. Any overpayments will be reclaimed.
c) The Imperial Bursary is available for each year of your course excluding repeat years of study and NHS funded years for Medical courses. If you change from a 3 year to a 4 year course at Imperial you will be awarded a further year’s bursary. You should contact us about any course changes as soon as possible.
d) Students on paid placements might not be eligible for the Imperial Bursary.
e) To be eligible for the Imperial Bursary, we must receive your household income from the Student Loans Company by 1 May following the start of your academic year.

16. If you have been offered funding by the Research Councils, please ensure that you have read the most up-to-date postgraduate funding guide; you will need to adhere to the terms and conditions laid out there.

17. Deferrals, withdrawals and interruption of studies

a) You must inform the Student Financial Support team immediately of any interruptions to your study, particularly if they are likely to affect your attendance and registration status at College.
b) If you withdraw from your course or take an interruption of study (IOS) you must notify us immediately by contacting us here. If you take an IOS your bursary will be postponed until you re-register.
c) Bursaries and scholarships are not transferable. If you transfer to another institution or withdraw from the College, any payments due to you will be cancelled and any overpayments are recoverable.
d) We will not provide scholarship or bursary support for any period of repeat study.
e) Awards cannot be deferred.

18. Student Financial Support may at any time, at their discretion, withdraw or recover an award for breach of any of the above conditions.

19. The College reserves the right to place a limit on financial support where a student is in receipt of other funding.

20. Information on students is shared within the Imperial College community and donors (where applicable and relevant to your award) in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

a) Where awards have specific eligibility criteria (e.g. satisfactory academic progression), supporting evidence may be shared with named donors in order to verify continued eligibility.
b) Award recipients may be expected to meet with donors.

21. If you are in receipt of an award to study that is restricted to students on the basis of nationality or residency; please note that, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, you must not intend to exercise in Great Britain skills you have obtained as a result of your training at the College and you must not be ordinarily resident in an EEA state.

22. These terms and conditions are the formal rules which regulate centrally funded awards. As such, there are no appeal procedures associated with funding from the Student Financial Support team.