Laboratory staff helping second year undergraduates in a chemistry lab session, Chemistry building, University Park. November 5th 2021.

Biochemistry and Genetics BSc

Medical School Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Molecular biology, genetic engineering and biotechnology are at the core of this innovative degree. 

You will learn how to combine the growing fields of biochemistry and genetics to develop revolutionary medical treatments, such as gene based personalised medicine, as well as understanding the genetic control of cell behaviour, human development and pathogen interactions.

You will develop advanced skills in the lab with practical experience from year one. You will be trained by scientists who are leaders in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology. They will help you graduate with the core skills needed to be successful in your future career, either as a laboratory scientist or in careers where your scientific training will be welcome such as data analyst, patent law and teaching. 

Modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Genes, Molecules and Cells

Mandatory

Year 1

Life on Earth

Mandatory

Year 1

Fundamental Inorganic and Organic Chemistry

Mandatory

Year 1

Core Skills in Biochemistry

Optional

Year 1

Human Physiology

Optional

Year 1

Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Optional

Year 1

Molecules of Life

Mandatory

Year 2

Signalling and Metabolic Regulation

Mandatory

Year 2

Structure, Function and Analysis of Proteins

Mandatory

Year 2

Higher Skills in Biochemistry

Optional

Year 2

Evolutionary Biology of Animals

Optional

Year 2

From Genotype to Phenotype and Back

Optional

Year 2

Bacterial Genes and Development

Optional

Year 2

Microbial Biotechnology

Optional

Year 2

Developmental Biology

Mandatory

Year 3

Biochemistry Research Project

Mandatory

Year 3

Molecular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity

Mandatory

Year 3

RNA Biology and CRISPR Technology in Cell Function and Disease

Optional

Year 3

Conservation Genetics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Developmental Biology

Optional

Year 3

Pathogens

Optional

Year 3

Ageing, Sex and DNA Repair

Optional

Year 3

Cancer Biology

Optional

Year 3

Molecular Evolution: Constructing the Tree of Life

Optional

Year 3

Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Optional

Year 3

Cellular and Molecular Immunology

Optional

Year 3

Molecular Microbiology and Infections

Optional

Year 3

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Optional

Year 3

The Dynamic Cell

Optional

Year 3

Life History of Proteins

Optional

Year 3

Molecular Virology and Pathogenesis

Optional

Year 3

Molecular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. This content was last updated on Friday 10 March 2023.

Teaching methods

  • Lab sessions
  • Lectures
  • Practical classes
  • Self-study
  • Seminars
  • Small group learning
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • eLearning

Assessment methods

  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Formative assessments
  • Lab reports
  • Literature review
  • Poster presentation
  • Practical write-ups
  • Presentation

Core hours of directed learning are 9 am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, with Wednesday afternoon reserved for sports. Occasionally lectures are held from 5-6 pm. Classes start on the hour and should finish by 45 minutes past the hour, to enable students and staff to get to their next engagement. All lectures are recorded for inclusion and for revision purposes.

Each hour of contact time should be followed with approximately 1-3 hours* of self-directed study. On average there are 20 hours contact time with staff per week.

*increases with progression

On completion of the course, you will have developed a thorough understanding of the fundamental aspects of cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics.

Your research skills will be at a level that allows you to compete for the best postgraduate positions. Throughout the course you will have built up a range of transferable skills in presentation, interpretation and criticism of scientific data. These are all skills valued by employers.

Recent graduate destinations include:

  • Cambridge Bioscience: technical sales (medical research)
  • EY: audit trainee
  • Essex and Suffolk Water: water quality scientist
  • Inpharmation: business development consultant (pharmaceuticals)
  • NHS: biomedical scientist
  • Retroscreen Virology Ltd: project administrator (medical research)
  • Succinct: assistant editor (media and communications)
  • Vectura: scientist (pharmaceutical industry)

Find out more about the career options available to biochemistry graduates, including recent Nottingham graduate destinations by visiting our careers webpage.

Average starting salary and career progression

96.5% of undergraduates in the School of Life Sciences secured work or further study within six months of graduation. £20,000 was the average starting salary, with the highest being £41,600.*

* Known destinations of full-time home undergraduates who were available for employment, 2016/17. Salaries are calculated based on the median of those in full-time paid employment within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Books in the George Green library, University Park. November 5th 2021.

Course data