Medical Biochemistry

Medical Biochemistry is crucial to the study and treatment of diseases, the development of pharmaceuticals, and the complex relationships with our environment. The 4 year MSci is an advanced undergraduate degree, adding a further research-focused year to a 3 year BSc (MSci degree programmes of this type are also known as “Integrated Masters” or “Undergraduate Masters” and are financed by undergraduate student loans).

On this advanced undergraduate degree 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’ll gain 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. As part of your additional year you will develop an extended, advanced, independent research project. You will also have additional specialist training in a broad range of laboratory techniques during the third year as preparation for this work.

You will benefit from access to the state-of-the-art research facilities at the Medical School, including DNA and protein analytical equipment, computer-based image analysers for molecular or cellular studies, and a powerful supercomputer facility.

Our academic staff are active in a diverse range of biochemistry research fields, offering an unrivalled mix of academic excellence and cutting-edge practice. In addition to your formal studies, we hold regular research talks with Swansea University staff and guest expert speakers from other universities, industry, the NHS and research institutions.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Genetics, Genomics and Evolution, Biochemistry, Organic and Analytical Chemistry: an Introduction for Life Sciences, Human Physiology, Skills for Medical Sciences and Cell Biology.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: 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, Microbial Molecular Genetics.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Membranes and Energy Transduction, Practical Quantitative Research, Nucleic Acids: Components, Metabolism and Modification, Animal Development, Membrane Trafficking, Advanced Biostatistics, Human Immunopathology, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Advanced Research Topics in Biochemistry, Bioinformatics: From Sequence to Function.
In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: Science Communication, Advanced Research Project and Advanced Research Project Dissertation.

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.