| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
Our Biochemistry integrated master's degree studies life at the molecular level. You'll develop an understanding of what causes diseases like cancer and how new technologies and drug treatments can help patients.
You’ll explore the chemical processes that occur in cells of other living organisms, from bacteria to humans. You'll also gain knowledge and skills in molecular biology, biomedical sciences, biotechnology.
You’ll learn how analytical techniques used by the industry – particularly the pharmaceutical or biotech companies – are used to discover or design new drugs or solve environmental problems.
The course includes topics such as:
BSc or MSci?
Some of our degrees are offers at two levels:
Our MSci degrees include an additional year of advanced study at master’s level, where you will gain additional research and practical experience to increase your employability and have the opportunity to work alongside our world-leading experts.
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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Program Outline
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability. Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May. To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Our Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences degrees are divided into two phases:
This flexible structure gives you the chance to try a broad range of topics, helping you to see where your interests lie.
Phase 1 (Stage 1 and part of Stage 2)
You're introduced to biomolecular sciences through a series of modules.
Phase 2 (remainder of degree)
You'll study topics such as:
You'll complete a research project in an area linked to your degree.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 15 |
| Genetics | 15 |
| Microbiology and Immunology | 15 |
| Cell Biology | 15 |
| Practical Skills in Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences 1 | 15 |
| Practical Skills in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences 2 | 15 |
| Pharmacology | 15 |
| Physiology | 15 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Our Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences degrees are divided into two phases:
This flexible structure gives you the chance to try a broad range of topics, helping you to see where your interests lie.
Phase 1 (Stage 1 and part of Stage 2)
You're introduced to biomolecular sciences through a series of modules.
Phase 2 (remainder of degree)
You'll study topics such as:
You'll complete a research project in an area linked to your degree.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Genetics of Signalling and the Cell Cycle | 20 |
| DNA Replication, recombination and Repair | 10 |
| Proteins and Enzymes | 20 |
| Protein Trafficking and Biological Membranes | 20 |
| Advanced Protein Analysis | 10 |
| Essential Biomedical Research Skills | 20 |
| Control of Eukaryotic Gene Expression | 10 |
| Cell and Molecular Biology of the Immune System | 10 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Our Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences degrees are divided into two phases:
This flexible structure gives you the chance to try a broad range of topics, helping you to see where your interests lie.
Phase 1 (Stage 1 and part of Stage 2)
You're introduced to biomolecular sciences through a series of modules.
Phase 2 (remainder of degree)
You'll study topics such as:
You'll complete a research project in an area linked to your degree.
You will undertake an extended individual research project which begins in the final semester of Stage 3 and continues throughout your final year.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Integrated Biochemistry | 10 |
| Biochemistry of Gene Expression | 20 |
| Applied Biochemistry | 20 |
| Biochemistry of Cancer and Chronic Diseases | 20 |
Additional compulsory module information
You also take one of the following modules (shown in the optional list below): Research Project for Stage 3 MSci Students (40 credits) OR Research Project for Exchange Students (40 credits)| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research in Biochemistry & Genetics | 10 |
| Business Enterprise for the Bioscientist | 10 |
| Research in Biomedical Sciences | 10 |
| Health and Illness: Professional and Societal Perspectives | 10 |
| Science Communication | 10 |
| Bioethics | 10 |
| Bioinformatics | 10 |
| Research project for exchange students | 40 |
| Research Project for Stage 3 MSci Students | 40 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Our Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences degrees are divided into two phases:
This flexible structure gives you the chance to try a broad range of topics, helping you to see where your interests lie.
Phase 1 (Stage 1 and part of Stage 2)
You're introduced to biomolecular sciences through a series of modules.
Phase 2 (remainder of degree)
You'll study topics such as:
You'll complete a research project in an area linked to your degree.
You will undertake an extended individual research project which begins in the final semester of Stage 3 and continues throughout your final year.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Project | 80 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| An Introduction to Bioinformatics Theory and Practice | 10 |
| Advanced Bioinformatics Theory and Practice | 10 |
| Global Health | 20 |
| The Biological Study of Behaviour | 20 |
| Ageing & Health | 20 |
| Experimental Medicine & Therapeutics | 20 |
| Drug discovery and development | 20 |
| Cancer Studies | 20 |
| Chromosome Biology and Cell Cycle Control in Health and Disease | 20 |
| Clinical Epidemiology | 20 |
| The Biological Basis of Psychiatric Illness & Its Treatment | 20 |
| Biology of Ageing | 20 |
| Genetics of Common Disease | 20 |
| Applied Immunobiology of Human Disease | 20 |
| Molecular Microbiology | 20 |
| Biomolecular Research in Health and Disease | 20 |
| Sensory Systems | 20 |
| Scientific Basis of Neurological Disorders | 20 |
| Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells | 20 |
| Transplantation Sciences | 20 |
| Genetic Medicine | 20 |
| Developmental Genetics | 20 |
| Toxicology | 20 |
| Mitochondrial Biology & Medicine | 20 |
| Diabetes | 20 |
| Cardiovascular Science in Health and Disease | 20 |
| Bioscience Research Development and Enterprise | 20 |
| Comparative Cognition: Information Processing in Humans and Other Animals | 20 |
| Human Health and the Impact of Microbial Genomics | 20 |
Choose your remaining 40 credits from the range of Master's-level modules outlined above.
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Information about these graphs
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, practical laboratory classes, and small group seminars.
To support your learning, you will be able to access online resources such as lecture and teaching materials and recordings on our main Virtual Learning Environment.
You also have the chance to attend optional research talks, aimed especially at first-year students, as part of our biomedicine+ programme.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
Assessments
Assignments – written or fieldwork
Case studies
Coursework
Dissertation or research project
Essays
Examinations – practical or online
Group work
Practical sessions
Presentations
Projects
Reports
Seminar tasks/exercises
Skills and experience
Research skills
In your third year, you complete a research project on a topic that interests you. This gives you practical experience of planning and conducting research, boosting your CV with desirable skills.
During your final year, you will undertake a 10-week research project, and work alongside research staff, in either one of our cutting-edge research laboratories or in one of our laboratory-based projects in different parts of Europe.
You'll plan, design and conduct your experiments under the supervision of a member of academic staff, learning advanced research technical skills.
Business skills
In your third year, you'll select a module, designed to boost your professional skills in an employment area that we know many of our graduates progress to, for example:
You'll have the chance to take a 6-to-8-week summer research placement in a research lab and develop strong professional skills, or a one-year professional placement in industry or in a research laboratory.
Practical skills
Biochemistry is a practical science. You’ll have many opportunities to develop technical laboratory competencies, as well as essential professional skills.
You'll develop fundamental biochemistry techniques, bioinformatics knowledge and data analysis and problem-solving skills through practical laboratory sessions.
You'll also have opportunities to further develop your technical and transferable skills, by applying for a part-time laboratory assistant job during your second year working in one of our research labs, and contributing to the world-leading research carried in our institutes.
