BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
University of Hertfordshire
Key Information
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Campus location
Hatfield, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 6 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 13,450 *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* international students full time, part time £1680 per 15 credits / UK students full time £9250, part time £1155 per 15 credits / EU students full time £13450, part time £1680 per 15 credits
Scholarships
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Introduction
"Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, examinations may be replaced by an alternative form of assessment during the academic year 2021/2022. Please refer to the Programme Specification on these pages for further details."
Why choose this course?
Ever wonder what is happening inside your cells at the molecular and cellular level? The chemistry behind biological processes? You’ll learn how biochemists use their understanding of biomolecules and cellular pathways to prevent and cure disease, analyse samples, and develop new molecular products. Another part is the application and understanding of techniques, such as sequencing DNA or observing single molecules in action.
Use our strong industry links to get your foot in the door of pharmaceutical, agrochemical or food and drink industries. Build a solid understanding of chemistry from practising scientists. Practise microbiological techniques and blood analysis in a newly built laboratory space. You will also have exclusive access to computer labs with specific software and databases.
While you’ll be exploring many new areas in this degree, we’ll guide you along the way. Lecturers are always happy to help and your personal tutor will guide you to gain general skills in scientific writing, data interpretation and communication. Workshops will take place to practice lecture material and discuss problems with your peers.
What's the course about?
Essentially, as a biochemist, you study the fundamental processes of life. You’ll merge scientific techniques from chemistry and biology to seek answers to questions about life, health, disease, the natural environment, materials, and compounds. You’ll study the science behind living cells, tissues, organs and organisms. You’ll learn the biochemical processes that underpin the very latest discoveries. Explore how biochemistry affects the quality of people’s lives. You’ll look at the creation of new drugs and understand processes ranging from the design of medical treatments to the manufacture of new biomaterials.
In your first year, you will study with other bioscience students together to obtain an initial grounding in chemistry, molecular biology and genetics, cell and microbiology and human physiology with pharmacology. At the same time, all bioscience students will study biochemistry with you together. You will use your theory to build on your practical skills in a well-equipped, modern laboratory.
In your second year, you will delve even deeper into these topic areas, in addition to further chemistry and biochemistry topics.
Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too.
In your final year, you’ll learn about topics such as molecular medicine, cellular development, and of course advanced biochemistry. If you find that you have grown to love a certain topic you can choose to do your major research project in this area.
We are proud of our TEF Gold rating, which recognises our excellent teaching and support. In addition, this programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
On average, you have 20 hours of contact time per week, with lectures and workshops taking up about 6-10 hours per week, while the remaining time is devoted to practical work.
Throughout your degree, you will be assessed in a variety of ways. This will include exams, literature reviews, portfolios, lab reports, practicals and presentations. Coursework assessments are generally 50-100% per module.
Your main campus is College Lane
This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.
This course includes the options of:
- Work placement
- Study abroad
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
What will I study?
Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5, and 6. These correspond to your first, second, and third/final year of study. Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.
Part-time study
If you are studying part-time you will have up to 6 years to complete your course from registration. You will complete 60 credits per year and the modules you will study each year will depend on how they fit together on the timetable. For some modules, there are several sessions run for each workshop and practical. As a part-time student, you will be able to choose the slots that suit you best.
Level 4
- Human Physiology with Pharmacology II 30 Credits II Compulsory
- Practical and Transferable Skills II 30 Credits II Compulsory
- Molecular Biology and Genetics II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Molecular Structure and Reactivity II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Core Biochemistry II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Cell and Microbiology II 15 Credits II Compulsory
Level 5
- Bioscience Research Methods II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Principles of Immunology II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Genes and Genomes II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Cell and Molecular Biology II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Chemistry and Analytical Science II 30 Credits II Compulsory
- Bioscience Work Experience II 15 Credits II Optional
- Biochemistry II 30 Credits II Optional
Level 6
- Project II 30 Credits II Compulsory
- Molecular Medicine II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Cell Differentiation and Development II 30 Credits II Compulsory
- Applied and Integrated Molecular Science II 15 Credits II Compulsory
- Advanced Biochemistry II 30 Credits II Compulsory
- Year Abroad: Bioscience II 0 Credits II Optional
- Sandwich Placement; Bioscience II 0 Credits II Optional
Study abroad
An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, the experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.
This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, and closer to home in Europe.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.
Work placement
Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.
This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought-after professional skills.
Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process. All Biosciences students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or study overseas in Europe or North America during their 3rd year. 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.
If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.
What if I need support?
You’ll get a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation.
You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we’ve got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing, and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions, and online tutorials. Both our Learning Resources Centres run drop-in study skills sessions. And the best thing is, it’s all free.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
What's next for my career?
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.
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
Our graduates have highly sought after. They find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical, and biotechnology industries, as well as in industrial, academic, and charity-funded research. Jobs include drug safety coordinator, lab scientist, microbiologist, research assistant, and donor transplant assistant.
English Language Requirements
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