Biochemistry with a Placement Year

Biochemistry is crucial to the study and treatment of diseases, the development of pharmaceuticals, and the complex relationships with our environment.

Throughout this interdisciplinary programme, you will learn about the chemical processes that occur within living organisms, and how cells work at the sub-cellular and molecular levels.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of the biochemical function of living organisms, from bacteria to plants, animals and humans.

Alongside this, you will develop excellent project management skills, while learning how to design experiments and plan work programmes.

The field of biochemistry as a whole generates a broad range of graduates who go on to varied careers, which include working in an academic or industrial research laboratory, pharmaceutical sales, the food and beverage industry, patent law, medical writing, consultancy, medical practice or pursuing additional training.

You will study at Swansea’s leading Medical School, located on our Singleton Park Campus, in beautiful parkland, overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula.

During your time here, you will benefit from having access to state-of-the-art facilities, including bioanalytical equipment such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, DNA and protein analytical equipment, and computer-based image analysis for molecular or cellular studies.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Your first year is made up of modules covering the essential foundations of biochemistry, including energy and metabolism, biochemistry skills development, organic chemistry, molecular genetics, and microbiology. As you progress, you will further develop your knowledge, studying specialised topics including metabolic regulation, techniques in molecular biology, membranes and energy transduction, membrane trafficking, and bioinformatics. In your final year you will complete an independent research project under the guidance of a professional research scientist.

Year 1

Genetics, Genomics and Evolution
Chemistry for Biochemists
Energy and Metabolism: The Reactions of Life
Microbiology
Human Physiology
Organic Chemistry: An Introduction for Life Sciences.
Chemical Analysis: From Composition to Structure Elucidation; An Introduction for Life Sciences

Year 2

Metabolic Regulation: Enzymes & Signal Transduction
Techniques in Molecular Biology
Clinical Biochemistry & Physiology
Advanced Metabolism
Skills for Researchers
Biostatistics
Human Immunology
Introduction to neuroscience
Human and Medical Genetics
Infectious Diseases
Microbial Molecular Genetics

Year 3

Membranes and Energy Transduction
Practical Quantitative Research
Nucleic Acids: Components, Metabolism and Modification
Teaching Science

Capstone Project
Animal Development
Membrane Trafficking
Advanced Biostatistics
Human Immunopathology
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Advanced Research Topics in Biochemistry
Bioinformatics: From Sequence to Function

Assessment will take place through examinations, coursework, laboratory practicals and presentations. A wide variety of assessment methods is used in addition to the more traditional methods such as: online web assignments, online problem solving, poster production, talks, slide presentations, screencasts, and literature reviews. In your final year you will undertake an independent research project, potentially contributing to scientific research at the school, under the guidance of professional research scientists