Biochemistry and Genetics

This advanced undergraduate joint honours degree brings together two complementary and overlapping disciplines, giving you in-depth knowledge of the advanced molecular biology techniques and research which are the basis for understanding all forms of life.

The 4 year MSci is an advanced undergraduate degree, adding a further research-focused year to a 3 year BSc. This will give you an in-depth knowledge of the fundamental building blocks of all life on earth. The MSci programme follows our BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics course, but offers specialist training in a broad range of laboratory techniques. In the additional year you will develop an extended, research project.

Molecular biology is a growing subject which is making enormous impact in many scientific areas that overlap with biochemistry, including the study and treatment of many human diseases, pharmaceutical development, and the complex relationships between our environment and ourselves.

You will learn about the genetic processes that occur within living organisms and how cells work at the sub-cellular and molecular levels so gaining an in-depth understanding of the biochemical function of living organisms, from bacteria to plants, animals, and humans. You will develop excellent project management skills and learn how to design experiments and plan work programmes.

We were one of the first universities in the UK to introduce Genetics as a BSc discipline in the 1960s so we have a very long and respected track record in this field.

You will benefit from access to the state-of-the-art research facilities at the Medical School, including bioanalytical equipment such as HPLC, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, DNA and protein analytical equipment, computer-based image analysers for molecular or cellular studies.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
Genetics, Genomics & Evolution
Chemistry for Biochemists
Energy and Metabolism: The Reactions of Life
Microbiology
Human Physiology
Organic Chemistry: An Introduction for Life Sciences.
Population Genomics
Epigenetics, Gene Regulation and Disease
Chemical Analysis: From Composition to Structure Elucidation; An Introduction for Life Sciences.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
Microbial Molecular Genetics
Human and Medical Genetics
Metabolic Regulation: Enzymes & Signal Transduction
Human Immunology
Molecular Evolution
Bioethics
Introduction to Neuroscience
Biostatistics
Advanced Metabolism
Techniques in Molecular Biology

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including:
Membranes and Energy Transduction
Capstone Project
Teaching Science
Animal Development
Membrane Trafficking
Advanced Biostatistics
Medical Genetics
Genetic Toxicology
Genetics of Cancer
Nucleic Acids: Components, Metabolism and Modification
Human Immunopathology
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
The Neuroscience of Learning, Memory and Cognition
Advanced Research Topics in Biomedical Science

In Year 4, you will typically study areas including:
Science Communication
Research Innovation and Management
Advanced Research Project

A wide variety of assessment methods is used in addition to the more traditional written exams, essays, lab reports and project dissertations. Students may undertake coursework such as: online web assignments, online problem solving, poster production, talks, slide presentations, screencasts, and literature reviews. Some of these tasks develop groupwork skills.