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2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Biochemistry

Programme code:BS-BIOCUCAS code:C700
Duration:3 Years Method of Attendance: Full Time
Programme manager:Dr Joseph Cockburn Contact address:J.J.B.Cockburn@leeds.ac.uk

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

Molecular and Cellular Biology

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Biosciences

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2023/2024 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2024 or after, you can find the details of your programme:

BSc Biochemistry(For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Biochemistry aims to understand how living things work at the molecular level. This knowledge drives important developments in biomedical research, from the development of new drugs to treat neurodegenerative disorders, to cancer therapies and coronavirus vaccines.

Your biochemistry degree will provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular processes that underpin life. It is an interdisciplinary course that integrates principles from chemistry and biology, equipping you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medicine, and research.

The first year introduces the molecular building blocks of cells and how they orchestrate the cellular processes that sustain life. Lectures in chemistry build on your existing knowledge and provide a rigorous grounding in the basic physical and chemical concepts that underpin biochemistry as a molecular science. The skills modules will build your practical, numeracy and problem-solving skills, and develop your understanding of the lecture material.

The second year involves in-depth and increasingly research-led study of the major areas that underpin modern biochemistry such as metabolism, gene regulation and ‘omics approaches. The second year skills modules involve more extended projects requiring you to utilise multiple approaches and take greater responsibility for your work.

The third year of the course centres around research-led teaching. Lectures are delivered in advanced topic modules that bring you up to the forefront of modern research. In addition, you will perform a research project of your choice, allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your degree, develop expertise in a research area and further build on your analytical and communication skills.

This course will prepare you for a variety of future careers both within scientific research and beyond. We place a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, group teaching, online learning and problem solving. As such, you’ll gain a broad range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. As such, our graduates have, for many years, experienced high employment rates and a significant proportion quickly gain employment upon graduation.

This 3-year BSc can be converted into a 4-year integrated Masters (MBiol), subject to suitable academic performance and availability. In years 3 and 4 you would receive additional specialist training, study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project. In addition, students have the opportunity to spend a year working in industry, or take a study year abroad. These would take place between years two and three of the degree programme.


Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

BIOC1202Introductory Skills in Biochemistry20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOC1203Genes to Proteins20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL1110Introductory Skills in the Molecular Biosciences20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY1237Introduction to Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM1151Chemistry for Biochemists10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FOBS1135The Basis of Life20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

- Mathematics for Scientists is compulsory for candidates who have not studied A-level mathematics

BLGY1124The Diversity of Life10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC1112Short Introduction to human body systems10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM1204Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology & Synthesis10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1202The Microbial World10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1221Introduction to Immunology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
NATS1180Mathematics for Scientists10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Discovery modules:

Alternatively, candidates have the option to study up to 20 credits of discovery modules


Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BIOC2302Intermediate Biochemistry: Practicals20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BIOC2303Intermediate Biochemistry: Skills20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BIOC2306Intermediate Biochemistry30 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BIOL2113Introduction to Omics Biology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BIOL2210Biological Membranes and Cell Signalling10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2120Cell Biology of Disease10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional modules:

Students must select a minimum of 10 credits and a maximum of 20 credits of optional modules

BIOL2212Chemotherapy10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FOBS2240Skills in Communicating Research beyond the University10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2221Medical Immunology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2222Medical Virology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates who wish to study a modern foreign language can do so by arrangement with the programme leader.

Discovery modules:

Students may select up to 10 credits of Discovery modules.


Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BIOC3234Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Structural Biology20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOC3303Advanced Biochemistry: Skills20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BIOL3114Advanced Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to take ONE 40 credit final year research project chosen from the following two options (A or B):

Option A:

BIOL3396Molecular & Cellular Biology Research Projects40 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Option B: This subset of modules can only be offered to students who meet the selection criteria and are approved to take the module BIOL3330: Covid-19 LAMP testing placement.

BIOL3330COVID-19 LAMP Testing Placement20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BIOL3397Biotechnology Research Project20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Candidates must also take ONE of the following modules:

BIOL3215Cancer Biology20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR3202Advanced Topics in Microbiology 220 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Last updated: 13/05/2024 16:48:28

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