Biochemistry

Description

Our three-year BSc Biochemistry develops your understanding of the molecular principles that underlie biochemical reactions and processes. Our course includes discussion of advancing areas like bioenergetics and enzymology. You look at biochemical methods and approaches, and gain an understanding of biochemical, molecular biological and genetic knowledge.

Our School of Biological Sciences has an international reputation for our outstanding record of teaching and research. We are a large school with friendly and supportive staff, in our 2010 National Student Satisfaction Survey we were ranked third in the UK for the subject area ‘biology and related sciences’.
We have a number of research groups working in areas of importance both nationally and internationally and using cutting-edge techniques. The quality of our work is reflected in the large number of publications in high profile academic journals, such as Nature, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy USA, Journal of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Cell. In addition, several of our staff have active leadership roles in learned societies and are editors of leading scientific journals.

Biochemistry addresses how the structure of biological macromolecules determines their functions in cellular processes. It uses the detailed approach of chemistry to yield a fundamental understanding of the diversity of biological systems. Recent technological advances (eg high throughput DNA sequencing and high resolution protein crystallography) have demonstrated biochemistry to be the central discipline in the study of the basis of life. Biochemistry graduates are valued by employers, including hospitals, universities, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 13950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

Our courses are based on flexibility and choice, so that you can tailor your degree to your interests. In your first year you usually take four or five pre-requisite modules for your course allowing you flexibility to try subjects you have not come across before.
With a small number of exceptions, once you successfully complete the first year of your BSc, you qualify to enter the second year not only of that course but also of a range of other courses. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We continue to offer a range of optional modules in your second and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project. The research project enables you to work in one of our research laboratories alongside our internationally reputed scientists, studying real science in a real scientific environment. Some of our science courses offer an optional extra year of an industrial placement.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Molecular Cell Biology;
Genetics and Evolution;
Microbiology;
Biochemistry of Macromolecules;
General and Organic Chemistry;
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry; and
Life Science Key Skills (double module)

Year 2

Cell Biology;
Molecular Biology;
Proteins and Regulation of Human Metabolism;
Metals in Biology and Medicine;
Membrane Biology and Bioenergetics;
Skills for Biomolecular Scientists; and
two from: Genome Science, Immunity in Health and Disease, Molecular Medicine and Drug Design, and Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics

Year 3

Research Project (triple module);
Issues in Biomolecular Science;
Enzymology; and
three from: Molecular Virology, Human Genetics, Bioinformatics, Cancer Biology, Spectroscopic Investigations of Disease, and Drug Design and Human Pharmacology

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

A-levels: ABB-BBB, including Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics
GCSE Mathematics: C
GCSE English: C
IB: 32-30 points, including Higher Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics grade 5, plus Standard Mathematics grade 4 or above, if not taken at Higher Level (we consider IB certificates at the Higher level on a case-by-case basis)
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.