Biochemistry - BSc (Hons)

with a Foundation Year

Course structure

Duration: 4 years full-time

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

The modules for Stages 1-3 of the degree course can be viewed on the Biochemistry - BSc (Hons) page.

• Foundation

Teaching and assessment

Teaching includes lectures, workshops (including problem-solving sessions, literature reviews, etc), laboratory practical classes, research project and related assessment. You have an Academic Adviser who you meet with at regular intervals to discuss your progress, and most importantly, to identify ways in which you can improve your work further so that you reach your full potential. There are also visits to local hospital and public health laboratories to observe the way that knowledge and understanding of biomedical science is used in a working environment.

Most modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and end-of-year exams. Exams take place at the end of the academic year and count for 50% or more of the module mark. Stage 1 assessments do not contribute to the final degree classification, but all Stage 2 and 3 assessments do, meaning that your final degree award is an average of many different components. On average, 29% of your time is spent in an activity led by an academic; the rest of your time is for independent study.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• provide you with confidence in science and mathematics
• develop knowledge of key scientific and mathematical skills, concepts and theories that underpin Biochemistry, to prepare you for Stage 1 of the undergraduate course
• instil a sense of enthusiasm for biochemistry, confront the scientific, moral and ethical questions, and engage in critical assessment of the subject material
• provide a stimulating, research-active environment for teaching and learning in which you are supported and motivated to achieve your academic and personal potential
• educate students in the theoretical (subject-specific knowledge) and practical (laboratory skills and methods) aspects of biochemistry
• develop knowledge through a variety of teaching and assessment methods
• offer the experience of undertaking an independent research project whether it be laboratory, library, computer, business, or school-based
• prepare students for further study, or training, and employment in science and non-science based careers, by developing transferable and cognitive skills
• provide access to as wide a range of students as practicable.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• the main metabolic pathways used in biological systems in catabolism and anabolism, understanding biological reactions in chemical terms
• the variety of mechanisms by which metabolic pathways can be controlled and the way that tissue-specific functions can be co-ordinated with the needs of the rest of the human body
• the genetic organisation of various types of organism such as microbes and humans, and the way in which genes can be expressed and their expression controlled
• the structure and function of the main classes of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and polysaccharides
• protein structure and function, especially enzymes
• the structure and function of biological membranes
• the main mechanisms by which cells in the human body can communicate with each other
• the main principles of cell and molecular biology
• the basic principles of microbiology
• the main experimental techniques used in the study of biochemistry
• the principle methods for communicating aspects of biochemistry.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

• use appropriate methods of numeracy, information retrieval, analysis and communication to support university-level study
• understand the scope of teaching methods and study skills relevant to a biochemistry degree
• understand the concepts and principles in outcomes recognising and applying biochemistry specific theories, paradigms, concepts or principles, for example, the relationship between genes and proteins
• acquire the skills for analysis, synthesis, summary and presentation of biochemical information
• demonstrate competence in solving extended biochemical problems involving advanced data manipulation and comprehension using biochemical specific and transferable skills
• integrate scientific evidence, to formulate and test hypotheses
• structure, develop and defend complex scientific arguments by understanding and applying your knowledge base
• the ability to plan, execute and interpret the data from a short research project
• recognise the moral and ethical issues of biochemical investigations and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

• to be able to handle biological material and chemicals in a safe way, and be able to assess any potential hazards associated with biochemical experimentation
• perform risk assessments prior to the execution of a biochemical experimental protocol
• the ability to use basic and advanced experimental equipment in executing the core practical techniques used by biochemists
• find information on biochemical systems from a wide range of information resources such as journals, books and electronic databases, and maintain an effective information retrieval strategy
• the ability to plan, execute and assess the results from biochemical experiments using acquired subject-specific knowledge
• identify the best method for presenting and reporting on biochemical investigations using written, data manipulation/presentation and computer skills
• be aware of the employment opportunities for biochemistry graduates.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• work effectively with others in the academic community to support university-level study
• the ability to receive and respond to a variety of sources of information: textual, numerical, verbal and graphical
• communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of formats and approaches
• problem solve by a variety of methods, especially numerical, including the use of computers
• use the internet and other electronic sources critically as a means of communication and a source of information
• interpersonal and teamwork skills that allow you to identify individual and collective goals, recognise and respect the views and opinions of other team members
• self-management abilities plus organisational skills and the capacity to support life-long learning
• awareness of information sources for assessing and planning future career development.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Our graduates have gone on to work in research-based jobs in academic, government, industrial and medical labs. They have also gone on to work in:

• teaching
• scientific publishing and marketing
• IT.

Many of our graduates also go on to further study at MSc or PhD level.

Help finding a job

The School of Biosciences runs employability events with talks from alumni outlining their career paths since graduation.

The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

You graduate with an excellent grounding in scientific knowledge and extensive laboratory experience. In addition, you also develop the key transferable skills sought by employers, such as:

• excellent communication skills
• work independently or as part of a team
• the ability to solve problems and think analytically
• time management.

You can also gain new skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

Professional recognition

Our Biochemistry degree programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), and our four-year Biochemistry with a Sandwich Year programme has Advanced Accreditation.