Core modules
A core syllabus is offered in the first for all degree courses providing the essential foundations in biology biochemistry genetics and chemistry
The shared content in the first means that it is often possible to transfer between the different degrees at the end of the first
All modules are core in the first with optional modules in two and three with the fourth comprising of an Extended Research Project and Research Skills (training in advanced laboratory techniques data handling and statistical analyses critical analysis of the literature and designing research proposals)
Important information
Please note that we are planning to make some exciting changes to our Biochemistry MBio degree for 2024 entry We continually review our curricula to reflect developments in the relevant disciplines to deliver the best educational experience The core and optional modules will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes As modules are approved we will update the course information on this webpage and send offer holders an updated Course Material Information document via email It is very important that you check this carefully prior to accepting an offer
Year One
Molecules Cells and Organisms
You'll study this module as the essential foundation for most other modules taught in the School of Life Sciences You'll gain the basic knowledge you need of molecular and cellular aspects of biology and also become familiar with whole-organism and developmental biology in the context of evolution
Read more about the Molecules Cells and Organisms moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Agents of Infectious Disease
You will start by gaining a thorough foundation in microbiology and virology using infectious diseases as a common link to promote your understanding Through your study of epidemiology you will learn to appreciate the way that diseases spread and the methods used to investigate this spread On completion you can expect to understand the role of various structures associated with the bacterial cell in causing a range of diseases and appreciate the structure of viruses and how this relates to their capacity to cause disease and the host response to viral challenge This will equip you with the necessary theoretical foundations to underpin your future studies
Read more about the Agents of Infectious Disease moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Physiology and Metabolism
On this module you will learn how parts of the body function and work together in the whole organism You will study the physiology of the nervous system cardiovascular system respiratory system and special senses Your study of metabolism will help you to understand the generation of energy within the body anabolism the role of enzymes and specific functions such as glycolysis the citric acid cycle pentose phosphate pathway and photosynthesis You will then combine your learning to gain a thorough understanding of the way the body adapts to environmental conditions such as altitude depth cold and heat
Read more about the Physiology and Metabolism moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Physical Chemistry
On this module you will gain an understanding of the fundamental physical principles that underlie biochemical reactions and the functional properties of biomolecules In particular you will gain greater insight into the thermodynamics and kinetics of biological processes
Read more about the Physical Chemistry moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Quantitative Skills for Biology
All biological scientists need to understand and analyse quantitative data So this module will see you learning to use statistical methods for analysing and summarising experimental data (for example from your lab classes) and learning the basic principles for modelling biological populations
Read more about the Quantitative Skills for Biology moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
You will start this module by developing a keen understanding of the structures properties and reactions of organic molecules You will expand your knowledge of different types of organic compounds discover methods for creating new molecules and be able to describe bonding in organic compounds to predict the reactivity of molecules You will apply your understanding to the synthesis and chemistry of key functional groups and to the structure properties and reactivities of biologically important molecules and organic macromolecules
Read more about the Introduction to Organic Chemistry moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)
Year Two
Tutorials and Laboratories
Molecular Cell Biology
On this module you will gain a sound knowledge of the organisation complexity and essential processes that occur in the genomes and information-processing mechanisms in all three domains of life You will study the molecular biology that underlies fundamental cellular processes including the cytoskeleton in cellular structure function and motility the mechanisms that control cell proliferation and genome stability protein processing in secretory pathway organelles and programmed cell death in eukaryotic cells
Read more about the Molecular Cell Biology moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Enzymology
You will become familiar with the basic methods of studying enzymes understand the mechanisms whereby enzymes are able to catalyse reactions and appreciate how individual reactions are controlled and integrated into the metabolic pathways of the cell
Read more about the Enzymology moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Tools for Biochemical Discovery
On this module you will examine the principles by which key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery provide biochemical information This will involve you studying structural techniques such as X-ray nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy As well as biophysical and analytical techniques such as circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy mass spectrometry and fluorescence In the second half of the course you will widen your studies to analyse biological interactions through case studies covering topics such as proteomics high-resolution light microscopy surface plasmon resonance isothermal titration calorimetry and immunoprecipitation
Read more about the Tools for Biochemical Discovery moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Protein Structure and Function
Basic concepts of protein structure are built upon in order to understand the structure function relationships of proteins in terms of the chemistry of their component amino acid residues
Read more about the Protein Structure and Function moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Neuropharmacology
Neuropharmacology is the study of how chemical agents influence bodily functions in both health and disease and indeed how the body deals with these chemicals The module will concentrate on the use of drug-based therapeutics in a range of human diseases and will bridge the gap between basic cell signalling biochemistry and the complex patho-physiology and treatment of the diseases
Read more about the Neuropharmacology moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Molecular Endocrinology
This module provides you with a foundation for the further study of endocrinology at the cellular and molecular level and a firm basis for understanding normal hormonal control
Read more about the Molecular Endocrinology moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Year Three
Tutorials and Research Project
Structural Molecular Biology
It is becoming ever more apparent that to completely understand a protein’s biological mechanism three-dimensional structural information is essential On this module you will have the opportunity to explore and apply modern approaches and practical techniques to the study of biological macromolecules building on your previous study of biophysical techniques and protein structures You will pay particular attention to the structural techniques used to elucidate fundamental aspects and problems in biology-specific fields of interest in structural biology including protein-nucleic acid interactions protein–ligand interactions protein folding and structure macromolecular structures and biophysics
Read more about the Structural Molecular Biology moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Year Four
Research Skills Training
In this module you will receive training in practical lab skills data analysis and research proposal writing and evaluation You will also take part in a number of journal club sessions reading and discussing scientific literature
Read more about the Research Skills Training moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Extended Research Project
You will carry out a research project supervised by an academic on an area that interests you between late October and April This forms the main component of four
Read more about the Extended Research Project moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from to Example optional modules may include
Science Communication
Immunology
Genetics and Genomics
Oncology
Principles of Development
Integrative Neuroscience
Synthetic Biology
Introduction to Secondary Teaching in Biology
Interdisciplinary and Business modules
Show less