Medical Biochemistry with a Foundation Year and Year Abroad

At the heart of modern medicine, Medical Biochemistry is crucial to the way we understand the causes and effects of disease and how new treatments are developed.

Medical Biochemistry at Swansea University successfully bridges medicine and science, ensuring you develop the core knowledge, practical and employability skills needed to work at the highest levels of science, medicine, pharmaceutical and biomedical science industries.

You will gain fundamental knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and immunology, whilst developing a deep understanding of the biochemical function of living organisms, as you study the chemical processes that occur and study cell function at sub-cellular and molecular levels.

Throughout the programme, you will gain excellent analytical and project management skills as you learn how to design experiments and plan work programmes.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BSc.

This programme includes opportunities to undertake a Year Abroad, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, Swansea University’s Medical School is home to state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities.

You will benefit from access to our cutting-edge facilities, such as:
• HPLC
• Gas Chromatography
• Mass Spectrometry
• DNA and protein analytical equipment
• Computer-based image analysers for molecular or cellular studies

As one of our Pathways to Medicine courses, provided you meet the minimum entry requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine, and have successfully completed the pathway, you will be guaranteed an interview for our flagship Medicine (Graduate Entry) MBBCh course.

In Year 0, you will typically study areas including: Cells & Systems; Chemistry of Life; Principles of Microbiology; Data: Collection to Communication; Molecular & Cellular Biology.

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

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Clinical Biochemistry; Human Immunology; Neuroscience & Neurology; Metabolic Regulation, Enzymology and Endocrinology; Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; Techniques in Molecular Biology.

In Year 3: Modules will be dependent on which partnership University you choose to study at.

In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: Membrane Trafficking; Practical Quantitative Research; Nucleic acids: components, metabolism and modification; Human Immunopathology; Capstone Project; Teaching Science; Genetics of Cancer; Advanced Research Topics in Biomedical Science.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, laboratory classes and independent projects

Assessment will take place through a variet of differenr methods including examinations, coursework, laboratory practicals and presentations.

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.