Biochemistry

Many devastating diseases, such as cancer, are caused by just a few atoms being out of place inside your cells. Biochemistry aims to understand how living things work at the atomic level. This knowledge drives the most exciting developments in biomedical research, from the development of new drugs to treat neurodegenerative disorders to cancer therapies and coronavirus vaccines.

How are genes encoded in DNA and how do cells use this information to produce proteins? How do proteins fold into 3D structures? How does protein misfolding cause devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s? How do mutations cause inherited disorders and cancer? How do viruses infect and replicate inside cells? On this course, taught by leading research experts, you’ll explore these questions and many others. You’ll understand the molecular basis of health and disease and how biochemists lead the way in therapeutic development.

Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary subject at the boundary between biology and the physical sciences. As such, you’ll gain a unique knowledge base and skill set from your degree. This will make you highly sought after by a wide range of top employers within the biological/biomedical research sector and beyond.

This 3-year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training, subject to suitable academic performance and availability. You would study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project.

Course highlights

• Experience the cutting edge in a research-active environment with world-class facilities.

• Perform a final-year project at the frontier of modern research.

• Weekly practical classes in the first two years of your degree, with the option to experience working in a research lab in your final year.

• Build transferable skills and employability with our skills-based teaching.

• Extensive wellbeing and employability support from dedicated faculty teams.

• Our year in industry programme allows you to gain experience working with organisations, developing new skills for your CV.

• Experience life and learning in a different country through our study abroad programme, where you'll gain fresh perspectives and develop skills valued by employers.

• The ongoing expansion of biosciences creates varied employment prospects and career opportunities.

Biochemistry is a specialist degree within the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, which offers you flexibility throughout your time at Leeds.

Many of our degree courses share compulsory modules in the first year. A key benefit of having a common first year is that at the end of year 1, there may be opportunities to transfer onto degree courses in Biological Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology with Enterprise. Course transfers must happen prior to the commencement of Year 2 and are subject to space and academic background approval.