Biochemistry

Biochemistry
Tackle contemporary issues in health, agriculture, and the environment. Delve into the intricacies of living organisms at the molecular level, spanning from viruses and bacteria to humans, plants, and other complex organisms. Utilise your expertise and skills to effect meaningful change.

By learning from inspirational academics who are at the forefront of research, you'll acquire practical experience, scientific knowledge, and transferable skills that can help you achieve your academic and professional objectives.

Accreditation

This Biochemistry BSc at Kent is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

Year Abroad

Expand your horizons and tailor your degree to suit you with a year abroad, where you'll study at one of our partner institutions for a year. Studying abroad can help you grow in confidence, enhance your employability, plus you'll make friends in the country you're studying in and meet other adventurous students from around the world.

A Year in Professional Practice

Tailor your degree to suit you with a Year in Professional Practice where you’ll work in industry for a year, giving you the chance to put into practice the skills you’ve learnt and build important connections. Taken between your second and final years, the year in professional practice provides an excellent opportunity to gain relevant work experience in industry in the UK or abroad. During your placement you are paid by your employer and produce an independent research project.

Foundation Year

Our foundation year offers you the flexibility to progress to degrees across our Division of Natural Sciences including Biochemistry or another area of Biosciences, Chemistry, Forensic Science or Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Foundation Year

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• Foundations of Science 1

  Since the dawn of time, humans have explored the natural world that surrounds us. Questions like, “What is life?” and “How did it all begin?” are essential because they intersect with virtually every aspect of human thought and activity, from the search for knowledge and meaning to the practical implications for science, ethics, and society.

  The foundations of biological and chemical sciences are built on a set of fundamental principles and concepts that underpin the structure, behaviour, and interactions of matter and life. These foundations are vital for understanding the complexity of living organisms and the chemical processes that sustain them.

  In this module you’ll be starting from the structure of simple atoms and molecules to the incredible complexity of the human genome. You’ll investigate the building blocks of matter and examine how atoms form complex molecules, which ultimately give rise to living organisms.

• Scientific Methods and Data Handling

  You will ignite your curiosity while gathering critical practical experience, skills and confidence in conducting scientific experiments.

  You will test hypotheses with laboratory classes that investigate the science that surrounds us. You will analyse your own experimental data, develop your numeracy and data handling skills and use appropriate software to draw meaningful conclusions.

  Blending theoretical understanding with practical laboratory investigations, you’ll be equipped with the tools necessary to progress in scientific inquiry and analysis.

• Foundations of Science 2

  In this module, you’ll continue your journey into the foundations of scientific theory and method and find answers to questions like these.

  You will learn the essential proteins and enzymes that exist in everyday life, the metabolic processes that allow us to create energy, and some of the chemistry that underpins these processes such as equilibria, acids and bases. You will deepen your academic knowledge in these areas, and explore the factors that drive chemical and biological processes.

• Scientific Methods and Academic Skills Development

  In this module, you’ll outline the essential steps associated with undertaking scientific research, and consider issues related to the experimental process and statistics.

  You’ll undertake experiments that develop proficiency in collecting, analysing, and interpreting large data sets. You’ll also be able to communicate as a scientist and improve your skills in academic writing and referencing, information retrieval and analysis, and effective presentation.

• Fundamental Human Biology and Genetics

  Studying human biology and genetics provides insights into the workings of the human body, from fundamental cellular processes to complex physiological systems. Grounded in fundamental biological principles, you’ll explore the intricate functions of human tissues and organs, gaining insight into their roles in sustaining life.

  You’ll examine the essential principles of genetic inheritance and the factors driving genetic variation, laying the groundwork for understanding the diversity of human traits. By understanding the processes that keep our organs working well, you’ll begin to understand how diseases emerge. By the end of the module, you’ll have developed a thorough and holistic understanding of the human body, health and disease onset, all of which help to shape out understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Optional modules may include the following

• Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Science

• Chemical Reactivity and Analysis

Please see the course page on our website for module details.

Year Abroad (Optional)

Go Abroad

Going abroad as part of your degree is an amazing experience and a chance to develop personally, academically and professionally. You experience a different culture, gain a new academic perspective, establish international contacts and enhance your employability. This can be added during your studies.

Between Stages 2 and 3, you spend a year at one of our partner universities in North America, Mainland Europe or South East Asia.  For a full list, please see the ‘Go Abroad’ page on our website. Places are subject to availability, language and degree programme.

Progression:

To progress to stage 2 you must achieve an overall average of 65% in Stage 1 unless you applied before July and met the conditions of the entry offer made.

Student entrants who are offered a Year Abroad placement on the basis of Stage 1 grades must maintain their academic performance through Stage 2 (achieving an overall Stage 2 average of 60%) to be permitted to take up the offer.

If these requirements are not met, you will be transferred to the equivalent 3-year programme which is identical except for the year spent away from the University.

Year in Professional Practice (Optional)

You have the option to add a Year in Professional Practice to this course. We already know you have the confidence and commitment to thrive in the workplace and kick-start your career. This is your chance to prove it, to yourself and to employers. This can be added during your studies.

Any Questions? We have the answers:

• When should I start looking?

  In the summer of your first year; placements must be secured by 31 August in your second year.

• Where can I get help finding a placement?

  Book an appointment with a placement adviser via the careers service.

• Will I get paid?

  Most of our placements are paid.

• Do I have to pay tuition fees?

  Yes, you’ll pay a substantially reduced fee, currently £1,850, which for UK students is covered by Student Finance.

• Where can I get visa advice if I’m an international student?

  Kent Union can help with any visa queries for your Year in Professional Practice.

• Does the University keep in touch?

  You receive four-weekly check-in emails, a visit from the team every three months and you can reach out to us any time by email or phone.

• Do I work for a full year?

  The minimum requirement for an industrial placement is 44 weeks.

Year 1

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

• Bioscience Skills: Introduction to Experimental Techniques and Data Analysis

  Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, you’ll learn to analyse and present biological data using established scientific methods. You’ll gain experience using a wide range of experimental tools, processes and equipment found in modern laboratories.

  You’ll discover how to operate safely, professionally and with good laboratory practice. Using digital tools to visualise, analyse and interpret scientific data, and apply mathematical and statistical skills to solve biological problems.

• Molecules of Life

  After exploring the intricate structure/function relationship in our building blocks, you’ll then focus on enzymes, remarkable catalysts that accelerate biochemical reactions. By analysing the kinetics of these enzymes, you will explore how these proteins work and how their activity is controlled, including the mechanisms of enzyme inhibition.

• Human Anatomy and Physiology

  You will explore the anatomy and physiology of healthy tissues, organs, and the major bodily systems. By reviewing and interpreting engaging case studies, you will connect theoretical knowledge with real-life health conditions that impact these systems.

  Through these explorations, you will gain a deeper understanding of the causes of these diseases, the important diagnostic techniques we can use to assess them, and how we might treat them.

• The Chemistry of Life

  This module will take you through the fundamentals of atoms, elements, functional groups, compounds, chemical bonding and chemical reactions, and examine how these underpin biological systems.

  You’ll then explore a range of topics including the molecular basis of thermodynamics and chemical equilibria, molecular forces and interactions, molecular shape and isomerism, the use of spin-resonance spectroscopies, amino acid and protein chemistry, and enzyme catalysis, and their relevance to specific biological topics.

  By the end of this module, you’ll understand the importance of chemistry, and you’ll be confident in applying fundamental chemical principles in a biochemical context.

• Bioscience Skills: Advancing Experimental Techniques and Data Analysis

  You'll apply your practical skills and knowledge to formulate hypotheses, test them effectively, and learn how to analyse and present data for a standard practical laboratory report. You'll evolve towards becoming a confident, independent scientist, culminating in a mini-project where you'll integrating your skills in an extended investigation.

  This will support your success in the later stages of your degree, undertaking and reporting on experimental work in line with professional standards in the life sciences sector.

• From Cells to Evolution

  You’ll explore cell structure and organisation, the intricacies of cell membranes, molecular trafficking, and the orchestration of organelles vital for energy production and metabolism. In addition, you’ll navigate cells' internal skeleton, chromosome dynamics, and the fascinating processes of cell division and meiosis. You’ll also study DNA replication, repair, and recombination, uncovering the secrets of chromatin structure and mutation.

  Further topics include the intricate pathways of transcription, mRNA processing, and protein production. You’ll also have a chance to immerse yourself in the world of genetics and explore the mechanisms underpinning evolution to gain insight into the transformative power of molecular analysis in diagnosing human diseases.

Year 2

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• Molecular Genetics

  This module deals with the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein in organisms, ranging from viruses to humans.

  You’ll learn how genetic information is stored in DNA and RNA, how that information is decoded by the cell, and how the flow of information is controlled in response to changes in the environment or developmental stage. You’ll compare and contrast mechanisms of gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and explore the latest developments in molecular genetic techniques to analyse and manipulate gene function. You’ll also explore how these mechanisms can be applied to research on human disease and the biomanufacturing of useful biological products with real-world applications.

• Bioscience Skills: Developing as an Independent Scientist

  Whether it is biology, biochemistry or biomedical sciences, scientists need to understand their subject matter. But additional skills are also needed to successfully work as a scientist.

  You’ll interpret scientific data generated with experimental methods that are commonly used in the biological sciences. You’ll develop your understanding of how to generate new scientific knowledge based on such data and apply these skills to create scientific studies that use combinations of methods to answer scientific questions.

  Finally, you’ll apply the skills you gain in this module to design a standard operating procedure as is commonly required by clinical and industrial employers of graduates.

• Cellular Organisation and Processes

  The cell is the fundamental structural unit in living organisms. Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalised structures and, like prokaryotic cells, they must perform several vital functions such as energy production, cell division and DNA replication, and modulate these functions in response to extracellular environmental cues.

  This module explores the experimental approaches that have been taken to investigate cell biology and the similarities and differences between cells of complex multicellular organisms and microbial cells. You will develop a deeper understanding of the molecular details underlying cell organisation and function and be able to use this to address fundamental questions in biotechnology and medicine.

• Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation

  Metabolism defines the biology of a species. Metabolic pathways – the biochemical reactions that take place in cells – provide a molecular framework that dictates the physiology, ecology and pathogenicity of living organisms.

  Through the analysis of metabolic processes in humans, plants and microorganisms, you’ll develop a detailed understanding of the machinery that enables the essential processes required for life, as well as of the more exotic adaptations that enable the colonisation of diverse environmental niches.

• The Microbial World

  Microorganisms are all around us and form an integral part of us. Without them, we could not exist. You will explore the diversity, function and utility of microorganisms around planet Earth – and beyond. From their role in shaping the environment to their deployment in biotechnology, the microbial world is increasingly coming under the spotlight for its place in our ecosystem and the properties that allow it to operate in different contexts.

  At the end of this module, you will have developed new insights into the essential role that microorganisms play in the world and the potential for harnessing and controlling them.

Optional modules may include the following

• Immunology

• Neuroscience

Please see the course page on our website for module details.

Year 3

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

• Research Project

  In this module, you will work directly towards these ambitions by gaining experience in your chosen subject area.

  Working closely with your academic supervisor, you’ll select either a lab-based or data-driven project in which you will answer scientific questions that interest you. These could potentially contribute to new discoveries and expand the frontiers of our current knowledge and understanding.

  In a business project, you’ll develop your ideas into a business plan. In a communications project, you’ll create educational tools for either the general public, specific professional audiences, or school children. Whatever future career you have in mind, this module will provide you with essential skills to help you achieve your goals.

• Proteins: Structure, Function and Analysis

  Proteins are one of the most important biomolecules made by cells. They carry out a myriad of functions, from catalysis of reactions essential for life to structural scaffolds controlling cell shape and movement. Proteins are the tools encoded in DNA to create a living system and are fascinating molecules to study.

  You’ll explore the structural organisation of proteins and how they fold into unique conformations that determine their functional properties. You’ll study catalysis, ligand binding and how proteins come together to create molecular machines. You will also investigate the techniques we use to study proteins.

  You’ll have access to advanced instrumentation and be able to work with real data sets. This will enable you to develop problem-solving skills and gain detailed knowledge of this important area of biochemistry.

Optional modules may include the following

• Frontiers in Virology and Immunology

• Cancer Biology and Therapy

• Applied Bioinformatics and Genomics

• Biology of Ageing

• Science Communication & Public Engagement

Please see the course page on our website for module details.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Royal Society of Biology