Biochemistry

Explore the basis of life at the molecular level, from cells, proteins and DNA, to how these molecules interact to sustain life, before putting your knowledge and skills into practice in the lab.

On our three-year BSc Biochemistry course, you’ll investigate the structure and function of biological systems at a molecular level.

Bringing together biology and chemistry, you’ll study the science that’s behind many medical discoveries. You'll learn about proteins, enzymes, hormones, and receptors, and explore the various ways that biochemistry can be applied to major challenges affecting humanity today, from how we sustainably feed a global population, to healthy ageing and how new drugs are designed.

At Sheffield, you’ll be encouraged to be creative, think independently, and express your ideas. In the lab you’ll be studying the basis of life right down to the atomic level, completing practicals across molecular genetics, DNA manipulation, and protein structure analysis.

Outside of the lab, you'll get the chance to develop IT solutions to global challenges that could range from how we deliver a sustainable food supply, to how we detect and treat heritable disease. You'll even have opportunities to work with scientists from Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust to learn how to diagnose genetic disorders such as cancer or rare inherited disease.

As you progress through your degree, you’ll have the chance to delve deeper into key areas of molecular bioscience that interest you across biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, or even biotechnology.

No matter what areas of biochemistry you choose to study at Sheffield, you'll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem-solving, communication skills, and data analysis.

All this experience will prepare you for your third-year research project where you could be laboratory-based, focus on computer modelling, science education, or even science communication. Examples of recent student research projects include:

• Plastic bioremediation - investigate how proteins could help tackle environmental pollution as you generate and test enzymes that break down plastic waste

• Pathogens - analyse a pathogen linked to cancer using mass spectrometry techniques to discover how bugs use their bacterial 'armour' to avoid the immune system

• Genomics - explore what makes bacteria dangerous by using high-tech computer modelling software to analyse real-world scenarios like antibiotic-resistant superbugs or hospital outbreaks.

• Crop survival - investigate how activating a key gene can prime plants to tolerate environmental stress across generations, like droughts linked to climate change.

If you choose to spend a year on a work placement as part of your course, this tends to take place after your second year. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience and test out a career path that you're considering. Our students have found placements in science and non-science-based roles with a range of organisations including GSK, the UK Health Security Agency, and the Institute of Cancer Research. You can opt into the scheme once you get to Sheffield.

Gain extra experience as part of your degree

You can add an extra year of research experience with an integrated masters on our Biochemistry MBiolSci.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology which shows employers that you've developed the scientific knowledge and technical and transferable skills that you'll need for a great career.

Why study this course?

• Make the course your own - Study the full range of biochemistry or specialise in areas such as biotechnology, molecular genetics, antibiotic resistance or sustainability.

• Close links with the NHS - Learn how to diagnose genetic disorders such as cancer or rare inherited disease by working alongside NHS scientists and academics.