Biochemistry

Since its emergence as a discipline, biochemistry has worked to illuminate many of the problems that have fascinated and perplexed molecular bioscientists for generations. The Biochemistry BSc aims to equip students with the essential knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology that is at the heart of much of modern life sciences research. As such, it is a valuable entry point to a range of different careers. 

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

In the first year of the programme you will take compulsory core modules that are similar to those taken in the first year of other biosciences programmes. In year two, you take a number of compulsory modules, but with some optional flexibility. This flexibility to select your own modules increases in year three.

You may also choose to transfer to the Molecular Biology BSc after your first year, which deals more specifically with the way genetic information is stored in nucleic acids and with the controlled expression of this information and its implications for health and disease. It is also possible after your first year to transfer to the Biotechnology BSc.

You may elect to spend an additional year (after year two) gaining invaluable experience in an industrial or research laboratory. Or, after year two, you may transfer to the research intensive MSci programme for a degree programme totalling four years. The final year of the BSc will focus principally on areas of the molecular biosciences selected by you and include the opportunity to carry out an investigative data-analysis project.

A levels

Grades

AAA

Subjects

Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Mathematics or Physics.

GCSEs

English Language and Mathematics at grade B. For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs

IB Diploma

Points

38

Subjects

A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including Chemistry at grade 6, and one subject from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with no score below 5.