Biochemistry BSc (Hons)

About the course

Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental processes of life in a chemical context. Biochemists seek to answer questions about life events, health and disease, the natural environment, materials and compounds using scientific techniques developed in chemistry and biology. From an initial grounding in chemistry, genetics, cell biology, microbiology and human physiology, you will progress to an understanding of the complex biochemical processes that form the basis of the latest discoveries in the biosciences. You will need chemistry AS level for this degree.

Biology is a discipline with a broad range of applications affecting many areas of human activity. You will study life at all levels, from molecules and organelles to organisms and ecosystems. You will gain the technical, analytical and practical skills needed to investigate biological phenomena in microorganisms, plants, human beings and other animals.

One of the main advantages of all our Biosciences degree programmes is that you will be given a sound foundation in all the major aspects of biological theory, techniques and practice. To enable this you will have the use of excellent facilities for chemical and biomedical analyses.

Why choose this course?

• Biochemistry is the scientific study of the chemistry of living cells, tissues, organs and organisms.
• On this degree programme you will study how biochemistry affects our lives, from the discovery of new drugs and the design of new medical treatments , to the industrialisation of laboratory processes.
• Our links with industry provide you with fantastic opportunities to gain valuable experience in the biosciences industry during the placement year.

Study routes

• Sandwich, 4 Years
• Part Time, 5 Years
• Full Time, 3 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Our Biosciences graduates are highly sought after by employers in the industry due to the reputation of our teaching, the vocational element to our degrees and the fact that many of our students already have a year's work experience when they graduate which they gained in the sandwich year. Graduates can find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical and biotechnology industries as well as in industrial, academic and charity funded research. Some graduates also go on to work in health care and environment agencies. First salaries range from £12,000 to £22,000 pa. 75% of our students have gone on to work or study after graduation (Unistats, 2013)

Typical job titles of recent graduates:

• Trainee Biomedical Scientist,,
• Clinical Trials Associate,
• Drug Safety Coordinator,
• Medical Representative,
• Lab Scientist,
• Microbiologist,
• Research Assistant,
• Tissue Culture Technologist,
• Donor Transplant Assistant.

Typical employers of recent graduates:

• Pfizer,
• Denfleet Pharma Ltd,
• Health Protection Agency,
• GlaxoSmithKline,
• AstraZeneca,
• NHS Trusts
• Lark Technology.

Teaching methods

You will develop your capacity for independent study and interpersonal skills on this programme. There is an emphasis on structured research, well-prepared written and verbal presentations and computer literacy.

You will experience a wide variety of teaching styles on the programme including:

• standard lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• laboratories
• case studies
• individual and group projects

In your final year you will normally have the opportunity to hone your independent study and interpersonal skills by undertaking a major project or dissertation.

Work Placement

All Biosciences students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or study overseas in Europe or North America during their 3rd year.

Work placements are usually paid. Current employers and job titles are listed below:

• GlaxoSmithKline: Data Management - Uxbridge,
• Guy's Hospital: Drug Research Unit - London,
• Imperial College: Toxicology Unit, Faculty of Medicine - London,
• Medical Research Council - Mill Hill,
• Medifix Adhesive Products - Luton,
• Mount Vernon hospital: Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust Institute of Reconstructive, Plastic and Burns Surgery Research - Middlesex ,
• MRC: Human Genome Project - Hinxton,
• National Biological Standards Board - Potter's Bar,
• Roche UK - Welwyn Garden City,
• St. Bartholomew's & The Royal London: School of Medicine - London and St.George Medical School - London,
• St.George's Hospital: Analytical Unit - London,
• Syngenta Seeds - Cambridge,
• University of Hertfordshire: Biodeterioration Centre - Hatfield.

Our overseas partners include:

Europe:

• Université Libre de Bruxelles - Brussels, Belgium,
• Universidad de Alcalá de Henarez - Madrid, Spain,
• Universidad Católica San Antonio De Murcia, Spain,
• Linkping Universitetet - Linkping, Sweden,
• Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen - Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

North America:

• Bemidji State University - USA,
• Bishops University, Canada,
• Central Connecticut State University - USA,
• Concordia University, Canada,
• Ecole Polytechnique - Canada,
• ETS - Canada,
• Kansas State University - USA,
• Laval University - Canada,
• McGill University - Canada,
• Oklahoma State University - USA,
• Sherbrooke University - Canada,
• University of Missouri at Rolla - USA,
• University of Montreal - Canada,
• University of Oklahoma - USA,
• University of Toledo - USA,
• University of Wisconsin at Au Claire - USA,
• University of Wisconsin at Whitewater - USA,
• UQTR - Canada,
• West Virginia University - USA.

Professional Accreditations

Eligible for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry on graduation. All biological graduates are eligible for graduate membership of the Institute of Biology.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Introduction to Biochemistry

  The module will provide an introduction to biochemistry and will also incorporate aspects of chemistry specific to the study of biological systems. Subjects covered will include: the structure of key macromolecules and how this relates to their function in a cell or organism; major catabolic and anabolic pathways and their integration including glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, the TCA cycle, substrate and oxidative phosphorylation, oxidation of fatty acids, storage and mobilisation of glycogen, triglyceride storage and mobilisation, proteins for energy; kinetics including Michaelis-Menton kinetics of enzymes and the calculation of key enzyme parameters; radioactivity and its application to the study of biochemistry, thermodynamics and its application to bioenergetics.

• Human Physiology with Pharmacology

  This module has been designed to provide students with an understanding of human physiology, enabling them to describe physiological processes at cell, tissue, organ and organism levels. Topics covered will include: * Homeostasis and control mechanisms * Cell differentiation, basic tissues and musculature * Nervous system (electrical signalling, autonomic nervous system and central nervous system) * Cardiovascular system and blood * Respiratory system * Digestive system * Renal system * Endocrine system and reproduction * Immune system * Integrative physiology * Basic pharmacology including receptor theory and pharmacokinetics to show how medicines may be effectively used to treat disease. *Drug discovery, design and the process of drug development. The importance of clinical trials

• Cell and Microbiology

  The module will cover key areas of cell biology and microbiology: the nature of cells and how they divide; how the genetic information in cells is converted into functioning components; and then there will be a focus on one particular group of cells, the microbes, to investigate their importance in human health. Key topics covered will include the following 1. The structure of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with an emphasis on the evolutionary origins of the cell components. Cell division. 2. The nature of the genetic material and its organisation in the cell. DNA replication, transcription and translation. 3. a. The structure and components of bacteria, fungi and viruses with relation to their identification and disease causing ability. b. The basic principles of microbial growth. c. Microbes as infectious agents; transmission and control to include basic principles of public health and epidemiology.

• Practical and Transferable Skills

  The content of this module • Practical laboratory skills- o Safe laboratory practice o Accurate pipetting and measurement, making up solutions. o Measurement of pH o Sample preparation, staining and microscopy o DNA isolation and analysis o Cell counting methodologies o Chemistry methodologies to include purification, extraction, synthesis and analysis of biological molecules o Analytical techniques including centrifugation, chromatography, spectroscopy and electrophoresis o Use of dye-binding assays and standard curves in biological measurement o Microbiology skills including aseptic technique, viable counting, diagnostic methods o Enzyme activity assays and enzyme kinetic s methodology o Measurement of physiological parameters • Transferable skills/Graduate attributes o Mathematics required for biological calculations, statistical analysis, scientific recording, presentation of data, scientific writing, use of literature and literature searching, referencing, avoiding plagiarism o Development of graduate attributes around research skills, professionalism, employability and enterprise.

• Molecular Biology and Genetics

  The genetics component covers: Mendelian inheritance including meiosis and the production of primordial germ cells and gametes (oogenesis, spermatogenesis); linkage and basic human genetic epidemiology. The relationship of mutation to genetic variation and disease is included as well as an introduction to gene regulation. Molecular methods used to study DNA and inheritance are covered and the application of these methods to research, diagnosis and treatment of disease is discussed.

• Chemistry

  The module covers aspects of : Organic, structural and physical chemistry appropriate for the biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences including: a study of the key organic functional groups, introductory kinetics and thermodynamics and their role in the biomolecular and pharmaceutical sciences and an introduction to the chemistry associated with basic pharmaceutics.

• Molecular Structure and Reactivity

  The module covers aspects of : Organic, structural and physical chemistry appropriate for the biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences including: a study of the key organic functional groups, introductory kinetics and thermodynamics and their role in the biomolecular and pharmaceutical sciences and an introduction to the chemistry associated with basic pharmaceutics.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Principles of Immunology

  Anatomy and physiology of the immune system: cells, primary and secondary lymphoid tissues, leukocyte circulation and key phenomena including; chemotaxis, opsonisation, phagocytosis, inflammation, antigen processing and clonal expansion. Natural immunity: role of phagocytic cells, the complement system, cytokines, chemokines and the acute inflammatory response. Hypersensitivity reactions. Adaptive immunity: antigen specificity of B and T cells. Antibody structure and effector functions. T cell subsets; antigen processing and presentation to T cells, the role of the major histocompatibility complex. T-helper cell subpopulations and cytokines in determining the immune response. Immunity to microbial pathogens including bacteria, viruses and selected parasites. Vaccine design strategies. Inflammation: immunology of chronic inflammation; immunopathology of selected chronic inflammatory diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases . Anti-inflammatory therapies; steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Biochemistry

  Metabolic pathways involved in nitrogen metabolism, carbohydrate and lipid assimilation. How they fit together with each other and with the pathways of catabolism, and why they are important. Nitrogen metabolism and nutrition. Vitamins and cofactors. Laboratory classes on kinetics, blood protein analysis and use of radiolabelled compounds. Data interpretation. Regulation of protein activity by covalent modification. Models of allosterism and its role in protein activity regulation. Enzyme inhibition kinetics and methods for the determination of Ki values.

• Molecular and Cell Biology

  Organisation of eukaryotic genomes, chromosone structure, repetitive sequences, reassociation kinetics, transfection techniques, methods for studying gene expression, reporter genes, poII, II and III, transcription, RNA processing. Protein biochemistry - Protein structure, domains & classification. The relationship between structure and function. Protein structure and disease. Proteomics. Protein microarrays. Techniques for protein purification and characterisation; Chromatography, Electrophoresis, sequencing, X-ray crystallography, NMR. Immunological techniques. Recombinant DNA technology and the manipulation of DNA. Introduction to databases and bioinformatics tools and resources for the analysis of biological sequence data. Methods for the analysis of DNA and RNA (including real-time PCR , DNA microarrays, mouse knockout technology, RNAi). Cytogenetics. Principles of population genetics, DNA polymorphism and human diseases. Medical molecular genetics. Pharmacogenetics. Molecular diagnostics. Signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells including G-protein coupled pathways, receptor tyrosine kinases, cytokine-activated pathways, cell death pathway and selected examples of these pathways in cellular processes. Cell cycle regulation by proteins in eukaryotic cells.

• Personal Transferable Skills 2 Bioscience

  Students will complete assignments, within their discipline of choice, that include opportunities for development of their personal transferable skills. They will reflect on their development with the assistance of a personal tutor and will produce a portfolio of evidence based on the set assignments and wider experience such as from the work place or other areas of responsibility. Skills assessed are: autonomoy - taking responsibility for themselves (A); group working (GW), oral and written communication (COM), information management (IM), problem solving (PS), numeracy (NUM), self evaluation and reflective practice (SERP).

• Bioscience Research Methods

  Scientific communication to include dissection of scientific papers, plagiarism and referencing, seminar and poster presentation as well as writing Scientific methodology (philosophy) and ethics of science Experimental design Use of radioisotopes in scientific research Non-laboratory based research including questionnaire design Statistical analysis Practical Laboratory skills to support independent project work Problem-based learning on method design and experimental procedure (subject specific)

• Molecular Structure and Synthesis

  A study of the key facets of organic, structural, inorganic and physical chemistry which are relevant to a study of the key organic and inorganic reactions that are used to construct biologically active molecules. Main group transition metal chemistry is included, as well as a more detailed look at important systems such as carbonyls, heterocycles, amino acids, nucleic acids, and sugars. A thorough grounding in interpretative spectroscopy is covered. An understanding of kinetics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry is given with respect to their roles in biological systems.

• Analytical Science

  The course describes the importance of quality within analytical science and shows that the role of the analytical scientist extends beyond simply performing a 'measurement' and that the history and preparation / storage of the sample are equally as important as knowledge of what the 'results' are needed for. The theory and use of chromatographic separation and atomic and molecular spectroscopic methods of analysis are presented. Data and data quality will be analysed via a number of statistical tests such as F- and t-tests. Throughout the lectures examples from the analysis of pharmaceuticals will be given.

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

Optional

• Sandwich Placement: Biosciences

  The sandwich placement will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt in the taught years of the degree in a work-based situation. The establishment will appoint a work-place supervisor, and the student will also have a University supervisor. During the placement the student will return to the University to a one day Symposium which all placement students attend. During this day they present a poster about their placement and attend talks on future employment. In particular, Applied Biomedical Students will spend 48 weeks on a training placement in an approved diagnostic laboratory performing routine diagnostic tests. In the process they will: gain an understanding of the workings of a professional, clinical laboratory; develop the skills necessary to be an independent and safe practitioner; perform various analyses in order to demonstrate competence in use of specialist laboratory equipment.

• Year Abroad - BIO

  Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research project, field studies or a mixture of these components. The Year Abroad will be for two academic semesters or their equivalent. The students will therefore follow a programme negotiated by the Associate Head of School or nominee and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to commencement of the Year Abroad, the student, the programme officers from the University of Hertfordshire and from the host institution will agree a learning agreement and mode of attendance.

Year 4

Core Modules

• Cellular Differentiation and Development

  This module will provide an advanced understanding of the molecular basis of cellular differentiation and development. Molecular techniques of investigation will be considered in relation to studying gene regulation and discovering new genes, proteins & signalling pathways involved in aspects of development. Mechanisms of gene expression and control. Differentiation and development in microbial cells (e.g. B. subtilis and yeast) is considered including extrapolations from yeasts to understanding aspects of human cell molecular biology. Differentiation & development in multicellular organisms is covered including a discussion of the role of stem cells, body plans, cell fate determination, cell polarity mechanisms and cell-cell communication. The major ligand-receptor systems involved in development are considered including a discussion of their role in human disease. Physiological control of cell numbers in healthy and diseased tissues is finally considered by considering receptor mediated apoptosis and DNA damage induced apoptosis.

• Advanced Biochemistry

  Specific examples of metabolic control analysis such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation or other similar systems. The role of calcium, calcium binding proteins, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycles, ‘futile’ cycles in metabolic regulation. Advanced kinetics including bisubstrate, stop-flow and burst systems.. Site directed mutagenesis and enzyme activity and stability. Membrane assembly and organisation, protein trafficking and molecular chaperones; lipid cycles and second messengers - their role in cellular control.

• Project - Bioscience Degree

  The Project provides the opportunity for extended, in-depth study on a selected aspect from those desciplines covered by the Sciences Modular Scheme and may address one or more of the Faculty's research objectives. Workshop and seminar sessions (which may be group and/or individual) provide support. All students will have a University supervisor. Projects may be laboratory or non-laboratory based. A series of research methodology workshops will be held on topics related to the formulation, safety, ethics and implementation of research, including social and scientific methods of investigation (eg statistics, questionnaires, sampling protocols), interpretation, analysis and presentation (both oral and written). Tutorials with supervisors will include discussion on aims, objectives current theories, research design, data collection and analysis, and the structure of the report. Draft copies of the report introduction, where provided by the student, will be read and commented on by the supervisor(s) prior to formal submission.

• Pharmaceutical Synthesis, Production & Analysis

  Successful pharmaceuticals will be considered in the light of the challenges presented to the medicinal chemist for their synthesis eg taxol, quinine, ranitidine, beta-lactum antibiotics. Combinatorial and solid phase approaches to synthesis - the technologies and their application to drug design and discovery. Asymmetric synthesis and its significance to pharmaceutical synthesis. Advanced heterocyclic chemistry. Microbiological and biochemical synthesis of pharmaceuticals and their scale - up. The scale - up of chemical synthesis; Good Manufacturing Practice; regulatory approaches to GMP, problems and developments, process validation. Waste management and environmental impact of manufacture. Health and safety of perrsonnel : protection and containment. Drug stability and its testing. Packaging materials and systems. Instrumental analysis: chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, thermal methods. chromatometrics and experimental design. Quality assurance: method validation, proficiency testing and control charts.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £8,500 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £10,000 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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How to apply