Biochemistry 2012
"Surrey came highly recommended by past students and has an excellent reputation for science and for jobs."
Claire Mathers
We now know the order of the three billion letters of genetic code that make up the human genome. But what do they mean? By answering one question, we have created thousands of new ones. In addition to their traditional roles in areas such as clinical diagnosis and pharmacological research and development, biochemists will be responsible for tackling many of these questions.
As a Biochemistry student at Surrey, you will be uniquely prepared to work at the forefront of these developments. You will gain extensive practical skills in our internationally renowned, research oriented environment, and upon graduation you will be among the most employable graduates in the UK.
Factfile
| Minimum Entry Requirements | A level grades AAB If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year. All applicants should also adhere to the University's General Entrance Requirements. |
|---|---|
| Required Subjects | Two science A levels to include Chemistry. |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants. If you are an international student and you are concerned that your English is not to the required standard, you may benefit from our International Foundation Year. Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | BTEC National Diploma - DDD (in an appropriate science subject) International Baccalaureate - 35 points European Baccalaureate - 75% A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. |
| Planned Intake | 45 |
| Selection Process | Offers are made in terms of grades. We do not include General Studies in our offers. We may invite candidates for interview. We invite suitable candidates to visit the University to find out more about the programme and meet staff and students. |
Degrees
Degree Programme
BSc (Hons) Degree
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BSc (Hons) Biochemistry | C700 | 3/4* years |
Degrees
Degree Programme
BSc (Hons) Degree
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BSc (Hons) Biochemistry | C700 | 3/4* years |
Our Degree
Our Biochemistry degree programme offers you the option to specialise within the exciting areas of medical biochemistry, pharmacology, neuroscience and toxicology, with a broad base at the beginning of your programme followed by ample opportunities for specific module choices. We also offer you optional modules from other related degree programmes including Microbiology, Nutrition and Biomedical Science.
We have a strong commitment to teaching you the practical skills you will need to succeed, and we provide the opportunity for you to gain experience applying them in the real world during your professional training year.
Our Biochemistry programme is designed to make you a well-rounded, knowledgeable and eminently employable biological scientist. You will develop the intellectual foundations and the practical experience to enter the exciting world of the new biology, as well as the transferable skills to make you successful in other fields such as management, medicine and teaching.
Other degrees you may be interested in:
Biomedical Science
Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Veterinary Biosciences
Programme
Programme Overview
Biochemistry encompasses the study of the chemical changes needed for life processes, such as providing energy and building block molecules from our diet so that we may grow, move and reproduce. Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental processes of life at the cellular level. It is, therefore, the most important and broadest of the life sciences, dealing with subjects such as cellular chemistry, as well as the Human Genome Project.
This programme will give you a very sound and broad background in biochemistry. You will have opportunities to familiarise yourself with state-of-the-art biochemical methodology, and sample some of its most exciting applications.
The modular structure of our programme, with a broad base at the beginning and ample opportunities for specialisation at the end, and the professional placement in the middle, will give you both breadth and in-depth knowledge, which is part of the secret behind the outstanding employability of our graduates. You will have the chance to choose from a wide variety of specialised subjects, allowing optimum flexibility to create particular module combinations according to your own interests and aspirations. As a versatile and knowledgeable biochemist, you will have a broad choice of careers upon graduation.
At Level 1 you will be given a broad base of knowledge and skills. You will study eight core modules. Much of the teaching is practical-based, which is taught in our state-of-the-art teaching laboratories. Starting from the basis of A level Chemistry, you will be guided towards the specific chemistry of biological molecules and biological processes. You will also follow other key modules covering topics such as Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Molecular Biology and Genetics.
During Level 2 you will be exposed to more in-depth knowledge where you will apply basic theories to more complex scenarios in problem-solving exercises. You will study subjects such as Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Physiology in greater depth, and acquaint yourself with important novel subjects such as Pharmacology and Immunology, all of which are important in preparing you for your professional training year. Finally, you will study numerous aspects of biochemistry itself, including Analytical Biochemistry, Enzymology and Metabolism in Health and Disease.
At Level 3 you will have the opportunity to tailor your own degree by choosing optional modules in specific topics that are of particular interest to you. You will be able to select specific module choices from the areas of Neuroscience, Toxicology, Pharmacology and Medical Biochemistry, all of which are supported by a strong teaching structure and state-of-the-art research.
The largest single component of the year is the research project carried out as a member of a research group under the supervision of a member of academic staff. This will give you the opportunity to explore a research area you are especially interested in and develop specialised lab-based skills and experience.
Programme Structure
Level 1
Modules contain topics such as:
- Biochemistry
- Further Chemistry
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Microbiology
Level 2
Modules contain topics such as:
- Analytical Biochemistry
- Metabolism in Health and Disease
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Current topics in Biosciences
- Biotechnology
- Cellular Microbiology and Virology
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Pathology and Medicine
Level P
- Optional professional training year
Level 3
Modules contain topics such as:
- Assessed Research Project
- Medical Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Immunology
- Control of Infectious Diseases
- Biomedical Product Discovery
- Toxicology
- Sleep and Biological Rhythms
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology
- Neuroscience
Professional Training
The majority of our students choose to do our professional training year – and for very good reasons. Our experienced professional training tutors will help you to choose between (and apply to) a selection of excellent placements in industry, hospitals and academia.
The placements that we offer are paid, and to ensure that you have a successful placement, you will normally get three tutor visits during the year. We have placements all over the UK, including pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and research institutes.
We also have an increasing number of international placements in institutions such as Cornell University, Washington State University, Harvard Medical School (USA), the University of Turku (Finland) and Okayama (Japan).
Why Surrey?
Key reasons to study Biochemistry 2012 at Surrey
- The Times Good University Guide 2011 ranks Surrey eighth in the UK for biological sciences programmes
- A pioneering professional training year with many international opportunities including the USA, Finland and Japan
- The excitement of learning about biochemistry in the post-genomic era
- Over 60 per cent of the Faculty’s research was rated world-leading in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise
- Well-designed, flexible programme with an exciting range of core and optional modules
- Dedicated approach to teaching and developing practical laboratory skills
- State-of-the-art teaching laboratories
- A low student-to-tutor ratio – small and friendly tutorial groups
- An outstanding graduate employment record
Careers
Top for Jobs
Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:
- Quintiles – Clinical Trials Assistant
- AstraZeneca – Analytical Chemist
- Genzyme – Quality Control Scientist
- Aventis Pasteur MSD – Pharmacovigilance Coordinator
- GlaxoSmithKline – Bioanalyst
- Health Protection Agency – Medical Technical Officer
- Procter & Gamble – Researcher
- Bournemouth Hospital – Trainee Biomedical Scientist
- Cancer Research UK – Junior Clinical Research Associate
- Gloucester Hospital – Medical Laboratory Assistant
Career Opportunities
Our Biochemistry graduates are found in academic and industrial research laboratories throughout the world. You will also find them in the City, in schools, hospitals, cockpits, submarines and boardrooms. You won’t, however, find them in the dole queue. Look for us amongst the top universities for employment in the league tables.
The majority of our graduates go immediately into the job market, but further study comes a close second. This includes taught MSc programmes, PhD studentships and fast-track medical degree programmes.
Our graduates find jobs in a wide variety of health and life science industries, with recent examples including Quintiles (Clinical Trials Assistant), AstraZeneca (Analytical Chemist) and GlaxoSmithKline (Bioanalyst).
More
Teaching
We offer a modular degree based on a structured programme of advanced study which offers you the flexibility to study other subjects of interest. During your first year, a significant part of the teaching is spent in laboratory practicals. In the second year, this decreases to about a quarter of your time, whereas in your final year you will be performing your own scientific research project, usually in one of our research laboratories.
On average you will have approximately 24 hours of contact time each week (lectures, practicals and tutorials), and you will also be expected to undertake private study such as laboratory write-ups, essays and other coursework.
Facilities
Our teaching laboratories have recently been refurbished to provide you with state-of-the-art learning environments. You will spend a large proportion of your time within them during your first and second years. In your final year, you will spend 25 per cent of your time on your research project. This research will be carried out in one of our 4*-rated research groups. Several million pounds has been spent on the refurbishment and equipping of these laboratories.
Assessment
Modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and practical reports.
Academic Support
You will be allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and to advise on option and career choices, helping you to get the most from your studies with us. You will also be paired with a student from the year of study above you so that you may benefit from their recent experience on the programme. As a Biochemistry student at Surrey, you will be treated as an individual. You will feel welcome from your very first day, and our low student-to-tutor ratio ensures that you will get to know your personal tutor and other academic staff members well during your years with us.