Biochemistry and Genetics with a Foundation Year, BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

This four-year BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics with a Foundation Year provides a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical function of living organisms. Students develop project management and experimental design skills through a combination of lectures, laboratory practicals, and independent learning. The program prepares graduates for careers in fields such as pharmaceutical development, industrial biotechnology, and clinical research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

If you’re interested in Biochemistry and Genetics, how they links to the study of diseases, the development of pharmaceutics and the complex relationship between these and our environment, but don’t have the required entry qualifications to join our BSc programme or are a mature student returning to education, our BSc with a Foundation Year is the right course for you. The foundation year of this four-year course will introduce you to the key concepts and knowledge you need to progress to the BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year with at least a 60% overall average, students will progress onto Year 1 of the BSc. Our Biochemistry and Genetics degree will give you an in-depth understanding of the biochemical function of living organisms, from bacteria to plants, animals, and humans. You will develop excellent project management skills and learn how to design experiments and plan work programmes.

Outline:

Year 0 (Level 3)

Entry Level 3 / Foundation Year Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code Foundation Biological ChemistrySeptember-January15PM-000 Metabolism and HomeostasisSeptember-January15PM-001 The Human CellSeptember-January15PM-002 Foundation Skills Development 1September-January15PM-007 Introduction to Molecular BiologyJanuary-June15PM-003 Fundamentals of Microbiology & DiseaseJanuary-June15PM-004 Foundation Skills Development 2January-June15PM-008 Fundamentals of Organic ChemistryJanuary-June15PM-009

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert Students choose 120 credits from the following: Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code Academic support and professional developmentSeptember-January0PM-143 Genetics, Genomics & Evolution September-January10PM-149 Chemistry for BiochemistsSeptember-January10PMC100 Energy and Metabolism: The Reactions of LifeJanuary-June10PM-127 MicrobiologyJanuary-June10PM-134 Human Physiology January-June20PM-154 Organic Chemistry: an Introduction for Life Sciences.January-June10PMC101 Optional Modules Year 1 Biochem-Genetics Optional Modules Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select ONE of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Population GenomicsSeptember-January10PM-152Epigenetics, Gene Regulation and Disease January-June10PM-153Chemical Analysis: from Composition to Structure Elucidation; an Introduction for Life Sciences.January-June10PMC102 AND Compulsory Modules with Welsh Language Option Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select one of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Fundamental Research SkillsSeptember-June10PM-130Sgiliau Ymchwil SylfaenolSeptember-June10PM-130C AND Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select one of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Eukaryotic Cell BiologySeptember-January10PM-132Bioleg Celloedd EwcaryotigSeptember-January10PM-132C AND Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select one of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Introductory BiochemistrySeptember-January20PM-150Cyflwyniad i FiocemegSeptember-January20PM-150C

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip Students choose 120 credits from the following: Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code Microbial Molecular GeneticsJanuary-June20PM-251 Optional Modules Year 2 Biochem-Genetics Optional Modules Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please choose THREE of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Human and Medical GeneticsSeptember-January10PM-226Metabolic Regulation: Enzymes & Signal TransductionSeptember-January10PM-245Human ImmunologySeptember-January10PM-249Molecular EvolutionSeptember-January10PM-252BioethicsSeptember-January10PM-260Introduction to neuroscienceSeptember-January10PM-275 AND Compulsory Modules with Welsh Language Option Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select one of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance BiostatisticsJanuary-June10PM-238Ystadegau BiolegolJanuary-June10PM-238C AND Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select one of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Advanced MetabolismJanuary-June20PM-278Metabolaeth Uwch January-June20PM-278C AND Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select one of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Skills for ResearchersJanuary-June20PM-280Sgiliau i YmchwilwyrJanuary-June20PM-280C AND Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules: Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Techniques in Molecular BiologySeptember-January20PM-277Technegau Bioleg FoleciwlaiddSeptember-January20PM-277C

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours Students choose 120 credits from the following: Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code Membranes and Energy TransductionSeptember-January10PM-319Practical Quantitative ResearchSeptember-January10PM-363 Optional Modules Year 3 Biochem-Genetics 40 Credit Option Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please choose ONE of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Capstone ProjectSeptember-June40PM-344English language version of PM-344C.Prosiect CapfaenSeptember-June40PM-344CWelsh language version of PM-344.Teaching Science September-June40PM-366English language version of PM-366C.Addysgu GwyddoniaethSeptember-June40PM-366CWelsh language version of PM-366. AND Year 3 Biochem-Genetics Optional Modules Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please choose FOUR of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance Animal DevelopmentSeptember-January10PM-308Membrane TraffickingSeptember-January10PM-331Advanced BiostatisticsSeptember-January10PM-364Medical GeneticsJanuary-June10PM-300Only available to students who studied PM-226 in Year 2.Genetic ToxicologyJanuary-June10PM-316Genetics of CancerJanuary-June10PM-317Only available to students who studied PM-226 in Year 2.Nucleic acids: components, metabolism and modificationJanuary-June10PM-330Human ImmunopathologyJanuary-June10PM-347Only available to students who studied PM-249 in Year 2.Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine January-June10PM-358The Neuroscience of Learning, Memory and CognitionJanuary-June10PM-371Advanced Research Topics in Biomedical ScienceJanuary-June10PM-376 AND Compulsory Modules with Welsh Language Option Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules: NOTE : Please select one of the following modules. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance

Teaching:

During each year of your degree, you will be required to study 120 credits, made up of compulsory and optional modules. Learning will be facilitated using an approach that includes lectures, laboratory practicals, independent learning and small groups. Whilst the programme will be academically rigorous, there will be support from Personal Academic Mentors who are dedicated to helping you succeed in your studies and future career in science and medicine. We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students. Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study. This course offers some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

Careers:

All of our degrees in Biochemistry and Genetics open up a range of exciting career opportunities in diverse fields including: Pharmaceutical development Industrial biotechnology Biofuels Clinical research Bioinformatics

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

UK £ 9,000 International £ 21,650 Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government. Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.