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Biochemistry
Course details
- UCAS code: C703
- Study mode: Full-time
- Length: 4 years
Key dates
- Starts:
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Course overview
Biochemistry is the study of molecular structures and interactions in living organisms. Biochemists seek to understand living organisms in terms of chemical reactions.
Introduction
The Master of Biochemistry (MBiol) is a four-year programme, in which students first follow the three-year BSc in Biochemistry and then continue into a fourth year, subject to performance.
In the first three years, you’ll study a broad range of tailored modules including biochemical techniques, biomolecular structure, metabolism, cell biology and cell signalling, alongside the field of bioinformatics, multi-‘omics and molecular systems biology, with the opportunity to specialise and carry out your own research project.
The fourth (Master’s) year aims at developing enhanced research and personal skills for students seeking a high-level career in research (e. g. studying for a PhD or working in industry) or those seeking to enhance their qualification. Students will join a research team to undertake a significant research project. Students can also apply for a six-week summer research internship in the UK or overseas or apply to spend time working in industry or in other enterprises in the final year.
What you'll learn
- Analyse biochemical data and apply appropriate statistics
- Apply bioinformatics and computational biology tools to molecules of biochemical interest
- Apply biochemical knowledge in fundamental and clinical research settings
- Understand how biochemistry underpins diverse biology, from bacteria to plants to humans
- Become literate in finding, interpreting, evaluating and managing information
- Communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences
- Work independently and collaboratively
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Use lab equipment correctly and safely
- Plan, initiate, and carry out projects
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023
We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
In this first year, you’ll gain an understanding of core concepts of biology and biochemistry, as well as the fundamental principles of immunity, infection, and therapy. You will study how organisms develop and function and learn about biological challenges that affect the global environment. You will also develop bioinformatics and practical skills, and you will discover how to utilise quantitative skills.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Biology core concepts, principles, and fundamentals BIOS101
- Development, function, immunity, infection, and therapeutics BIOS102
- Introductory Practical Skills for Life Sciences BIOS103
- From Individuals to Ecosystem BIOS104
- Study and Communication Skills Tutorials BIOS105
- Applied Practical Research Skills for Life Sciences BIOS106
Year two
In your second year you’ll expand your range of knowledge, building essential research skills in experimental design and analysis. You will also hone professional skills, preparing you for a career within or outside the broad field of biochemistry. You will study biochemical techniques, cell signalling, biochemical pathways, macromolecular structure and genetics. In addition, you will have optional modules enabling up to follow your interest in pharmacology, health and disease, or physiology.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Genetics, Microbiology & Infection BIOS201
- Intermediary Practical Research Skills for Life Sciences BIOS203
- Practical Skills in Biomolecular and Drug Interactions BIOS204
- Academic & professional skills tutorials BIOS205
- The Cellular Basis of Health & Disease BIOS209
- Metabolism BIOS212
- Chemistry for Life Sciences BIOS215
OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)
- Cellular and Systems Physiology BIOS214
- Drug Discovery & Development BIOS216
- Molecular Microbiology & Therapeutics BIOS218
- Further Chemistry for Life Sciences CHEM038
Year three
Year three will provide an unparalleled opportunity for you to learn at the cutting edge of biochemistry research and be taught by world-leading academics in subjects allied to multi-‘omics, molecular systems biology, protein structure and function and cell biology in health and disease. You will also develop advanced scientific skills and you will have the opportunity to take a physical or virtual placement. Central to this year is the research project where you will plan and execute your own research, analyse and critically evaluate data and communicate your research findings in your chosen specialisation.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Research Project BIOS301
- Introduction to the World of Work BIOS302
- Research Methods BIOS303
- Applied Biochemistry BIOS306
- Molecular Systems Biology BIOS309
- Structural Biology BIOS311
- How do cells make decisions? BIOS331
Year four
The fourth year of study offers great flexibility – students may spend it entirely on campus at Liverpool, but more commonly they take up opportunities to broaden their experiences, for example a six-week research internship in the UK (in hospitals, industry or research institutes) or abroad (in our partner universities in Thailand or China). Others may elect to spend the entire fourth year on placement, in similar host institutions. Students will take core modules in research methods and statistics or informatics, together with a 60-credit research project. Students may replace the internship with other modules that cover advanced topics of global importance including bioinformatics and computational biology, cancer clinical trials, immunology, proteomics and metabolomics, and biotechnology related topics.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Research Project LIFE700
- Research Methods LIFE731
OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)
- Advanced Statistics for Biological Research LIFE707
- Informatics for Life Sciences LIFE721
OPTIONAL MODULES (Students choose either the research internship, or two of the remaining modules)
- Research Internship LIFE701
- Coding for Life Sciences LIFE733
- Cellular Biotechnology and Biological Imaging LIFE749
- Emerging Infections and Pandemic LIFE751
- Frontiers in Cancer Research LIFE724
- Cancer Clinical Trials LIFE726
- Immunology LIFE728
- Diagnostics Therapeutics and Vaccines LIFE732
- Computational Biology LIFE752
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Data Analysis LIFE754
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology LIFE756
- Informatics for Life Sciences (Off campus) LIFE621
How you'll learn
You will experience a range of learning environments during your studies at Liverpool. These will include student-centred activities as well as lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals, dissection classes, fieldwork, data handling sessions and computer workshops. Some of these activities will be performed individually, such as personal research projects, and others in small tutorial or project groups, in addition to formal lectures and workshops. You will have research staff as well as your own academic adviser for individual tuition on our acclaimed tutorial programme.
How you're assessed
As well as factual knowledge and understanding, biologists need practical and organisational skills, and an ability to work both alone and with other people. We record the development of these abilities through continuous assessment during each semester and by final examination.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Your experience
Explore where you'll study
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
![Untitled Two students chatting while walking through campus.](http://wsrv.nl/?url=https://programmes.liverpool.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/unibuddy.jpg)
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Careers and employability
As a Biosciences graduate from the University of Liverpool, you will have an excellent set of career options ahead of you.
Typical types of roles/routes our graduates have gone on include:
- Postgraduate study: (MBiolSci, MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD)
- Public sector – research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, forensic science and the Environment Agency.
- Commercial sectors – pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, water and agriculture industries.
- Journalists and information/liaison officers – by developments in molecular biology and biotechnology.
- Teaching profession by taking a postgraduate qualification (PGCE).
- Routes to postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.
Recent employers and sectors:
- Pharmaceutical sector: Eli-Lilly, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, NHS, Red X Pharma;
- Tourism/Conservation sector: Blue Planet Aquarium, Chester Zoo, RSPCA;
- Government/Legal sector: Crown Prosecution Service, The Environment Agency, Public Health England, Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Security and International Development;
- Media/Entertainment Sector: BBC;
- Corporate and Utilities sector: United Utilities, Vodafone, Unilever.
4 in 5 biosciences students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.
Meet our alumni
Hear what graduates say about their career progression and life after university.
![Victoria Brown Victoria Brown sitting outdoors at a café.](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprogrammes.liverpool.ac.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FVictoria-Brown.jpg&w=1280&h=720&fit=cover&a=attention)
Victoria Brown, BSc (Hons) Chemistry 2020
Victoria is graduated from our BSc Chemistry with a year in industry degree in 2020. She received an offer to work as a Global Operations Graduate Associate at AstraZeneca.
![Fizah Sulaiman Fizah Sulaiman smiling at the camera.](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprogrammes.liverpool.ac.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Ffizah-sulaiman-scaled.jpg&w=1280&h=720&fit=cover&a=attention)
Fizah Sulaiman, BSc (Hons) Chemistry 2018
Fizah is a graduate from 2018 who completed a degree in chemistry, nonetheless has started a graduate career in commercial at Johnson Matthey, and has gone on to be appointed Strategy Execution Analyst.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) | |
---|---|
Full-time place, per year | £9,250 |
Year in industry fee | £1,850 |
Year abroad fee | £1,385 |
International fees | |
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Full-time place, per year | £27,200 |
Year abroad fee | £13,600 |
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the costs associated with placements or internships, and the optional field course in Uganda.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.
Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.
Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
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Clearing 2024
Please see our Clearing course information for details of the qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course for 2024 entry.
View the Clearing entry requirements for this course.
English language requirements
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification | Requirements |
---|---|
IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19 |
Duolingo English Test | 120 overall, with no component below 95 |
Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 60 |
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 | Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate. |
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 | Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening |
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 | 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall. |
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 | 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall. |
International Baccalaureate | Standard Level grade 5 or Higher Level grade 4 in English B, English Language and Literature, or English Language |
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced | 176 overall, with no paper below 162 |
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 1 July 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions