Biochemistry with a Foundation Year and Year Abroad

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.

The 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 or MSci.

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

Year 0
• Foundation Biological Chemistry
• Metabolism and Homeostasis
• The Human Cell
• Foundation Skills Development
• Introduction to Molecular Biology
• Fundamentals of Microbiology & Disease
• Foundation Skills Development 2
• Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

Year 1

• Genetics, Genomics & 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