Biochemistry Degree BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

The Biochemistry degree at the University of Northampton explores the interconnectedness of chemistry, physics, and biology. Students develop knowledge in various areas including genetics, microbiology, physiology, and chemistry, with an emphasis on the molecular and cellular aspects of living organisms. The program includes laboratory-based practicals, research projects, and the opportunity for industry placements. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, research, and education sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Biochemistry underpins the very nature of our existence and acquiring skills and knowledge of this subject will help you solve key biological problems. This includes protein – protein interactions, recognising how macromolecular structure is closely linked to biological function and how this is perturbed in disease. You will find this biochemistry course has a unique blend of biochemistry related topics including genetics, microbiology, physiology and chemistry. You can also specialise in more focused areas including thermodynamics, molecular geometry as well as medical and industrial applications of biochemistry.

Outline:

Year 1

• Biochemistry and Cell Biology (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS1013
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module introduces students to human biochemistry and cell biology.
It covers the molecules and chemical processes that occur in living organisms, and explores the structure and function of cells, their components, and their interactions with the external environment.
• Introduction to Microbiology (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS1019
• Status: Compulsory
It allows students to develop a broad understanding of infectious disease across the globe and the biology of the causative agents, as well as examining intrinsic & extrinsic strategies to combat microbial pathogens.
• Genetics and Molecular biology (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS1020
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module introduces students to genetics and molecular biology.
• Anatomy and Physiology (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS1035
• Status: Compulsory
It enables an understanding of different body systems and how they are integrated to produce homeostasis. The focus is on human anatomy & physiology and studies the form and functions of the major body systems.
• Biochemical Skills (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS1050
• Status: Compulsory
Students study molecules and chemical interactions and how we identify them while applying this understanding to identifying disease.
• Foundations of Chemistry (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS1051
• Status: Compulsory
It covers organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. It entails studying atomic and molecular structure and chemical interactions leading to a description of the reactivity of the function groups and reaction mechanisms that are found in biological systems and the fundamental forces that underpin chemical kinetics.

Year 2

• Genes and Genomics (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2001
• Status: Designate
• Description: This module extends the students' appreciation of molecular biology learnt in SLS1020 while introducing students to both genomics and bioinformatics.
The focus is on applications of genomics to human disease, forensics and sports science.
• Bioscience Research Methods (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2013
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module develops knowledge and understanding of quantitative research methods, analysis and research skills within the context of human bioscience.
The emphasis is upon understanding and experiencing the entire research process from conception to presentation and developing the critical skills necessary to undertake an independent research project.
• Processes of Life: Biochemistry (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2016
• Status: Compulsory
Students will work toward securing the basic foundation needed to study all areas of biology, preparing them to undertake their independent research projects.
• Principles of Pharmacology (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2055
• Status: Designate
• Description: This module provides students with a grounding in pharmacology that will focus on basic mechanisms of drug action, e.g.
how drugs interact with the body and understand how drug action is measured quantitatively.
• Applied chemistry (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2056
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module provides students with the skills needed to identify the theory behind chemical and physical processes and how this understanding leads to breakthrough understandings in applied chemistry and biology.
Students will be able to understand the need for mathematical importance on all biological systems.
• Bioinformatics (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2057
• Status: Designate
• Description: This module introduces students to bioinformatics and equips them with the ability to apply computational skills, knowledge and methods to analyse and interpret complex biological data.
• Physiology 2 (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2058
• Status: Designate
• Description: This module emphasises the integration of sensory input and effector output that play a role in specific human behaviour.
It also considers a range of human behaviours such as movement, emotion, sleep, addiction and stress, from a biological viewpoint. This module aims to help students develop skills in preparation for more independent learning in level six. It helps students understand which biological systems are responsible for human behaviors and to allow students to develop and understand how body systems integrate to maintain homeostasis.
• Molecular & Cellular Biology (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS2060
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module explores the way biological macromolecules interact to sense external and internal stimuli and transmit signals to effect responses by altering cellular processes.

Year 3

• Integrated Medical Genetics (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS3002
• Status: Designate
It enables students to develop a deeper understanding of how genes behave both at the level of the individual and in populations. There will be an emphasis on linkage, association, and interaction of genes with other genes and the environment, and a discussion of how these factors influence complex traits and diseases.
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS3010
• Status: Designate
• Description: This module builds on the knowledge of the CNS, neurophysiology and pharmacology studied in previous years.
It develops an understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying phenomena such as neural plasticity and synaptic potentiation. It also develops an understanding of the CNS in health and disease.
• Clinical Biochemistry (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS3014
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module explores the ways in which the analysis of body fluids and tissues are critical to patient care and contribute significantly towards the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prognosis to most disease processes.
A wide range of laboratory-based tests with relevance to clinical conditions will be covered.
• Gene Regulation (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS3024
• Status: Designate
• Medical Microbiology (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS3026
• Status: Designate
• Description: This module actively engages in current research on pathogens and understands the mechanisms used by pathogens to cause disease and impact on human health.
The module will also focus on the challenges posed by infections with antimicrobial resistant microorganisms.
• Work based learning (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS3040
• Status: Designate
• Description: This module develops students' laboratory skills in either a medical, industrial or research setting in order to gain confidence in the highly transferable skills which lead to increased employment potential.
• Contemporary Issues in Biochemistry (20 Credits)
• Module code: SLS3041
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module empowers students with the understanding of key issues that biochemists face in today's society through the critical exploration of issues such as pandemics, epidemics, testing outbreak variants and future concerns.
• Biochemistry Dissertation (40 Credits)
• Module code: SLS4013
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module allows the student to formulate a research question and undertake independent research in a chosen topic area of Biochemistry.

Assessment:

• Each of the 6 modules you study each year will have 2 items of assessment (essentially 12 assessment items each year).
• These range from essays, posters, presentations, blogs, graded practical sessions, time constrained essays and exams.

Teaching:

• You will be taught in a variety of ways on this biochemistry degree; traditional face to face small seminars, online sessions through our virtual classroom, asynchronously and through additional support sessions.
• You will typically have between 12-14 hours of taught content and an additional hour available with your designated tutor.

Careers:

The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

• A full, one academic ‘sandwich’ year is available to students between the second and third year modules.
Staff can help you ascertain placements either locally, nationally or even globally through their connections.
• There is also an optional 20 credit placement module in the final year.
This module spans both first and second semesters and is ideal for a local placement, gaining experience without adding an extra year to your studies.
• The University of Northampton boasts a new £330 million campus with state of the art facilities.
In the Creative Hub, you will find a well-equipped teaching laboratory with three additional laboratories for research and dissertation projects covering genetics, tissue culture and microbiology. You will also have the Learning Hub and Senate to aid you in your studies, but as a Biochemistry student, you will also have access to the Institute of Creative Leather Technologies which has exceptional chemistry facilities.

Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UK – Full Time: £9,250 UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 International – Full Time: £15,200 International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200 2023/24 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UK – Full Time: £9,250 UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 International – Full Time: £14,750 International – Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750