Biochemistry BSc (Hons)

You'll have an introduction to the Linnean taxonomic system and discuss the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships based on adult and larval morphology and molecular comparisons while taking part in practical and phylogenetic exercises. You'll critically discuss concepts of Darwinian evolution and the modern synthesis and also look at the major taxonomic groups across all domains and kingdoms of life. Evolution and life cycles of main groups of green plants will be covered along with the development of biodiversity over Earth's history including current human-caused threats and the importance of sustainability.   

You'll be given a thorough introduction to key laboratory equipment and methods which will allow to you to adopt good laboratory practice (GLP) which you'll build on and refine throughout your degree. You'll conduct plenty of hands-on lab work, providing learning-by-doing and learning-by-recording tasks, plus lectures and computer sessions on experimental design and statistics.  

You’ll take part in regular small group tutorials designed to improve skills in communicating science clearly and effectively via both written and verbal methods. We’ll also provide pastoral support with opportunities for one-to-one discussions on progress designed to recognise and address personal development needs. Lectures and workshops will cover basic catch-up mathematics and chemistry skills.

In this module you’ll cover topics like the biochemistry of the monomeric and polymeric forms of lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic and amino acids, and will learn how these elements fit into a functional eukaryotic cell and the organelles of which it is composed.    

In this module you’ll cover a range of microbiology topics from diversity of microbial life and viral diversity, to antibiotics and development of antimicrobial resistance. Through hands-on laboratory practicals you’ll get to develop microbiological techniques, including aseptic technique and microscopy. After completion you’ll have obtained a critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of the covered topics.  

You’ll cover concepts and ideas of biomedical thought from pre-twentieth century, to its rapid development throughout the twentieth-century, to current topical issues in modern Biology. You’ll be introduced to basic chemical concepts necessary for understanding biological systems such as equilibrium, reaction order and enzyme kinetics. Take part in practical sessions and workshops which will encourage you to critically think, work as a team and give you an awareness of ‘big data’.

You’ll cover topics such as cell cycle, apoptosis and cell signalling where particular attention will be paid to differentiation and cancer. You’ll develop your critical knowledge of cell biology and have the opportunity to present related research giving the opportunity to assess and critically engage with information and communicate it effectively to an audience. In practical workshops you’ll delve into the specialised cells of the immune system through the use of immuno-based research techniques. 

You’ll learn about enzyme structure and function, the six classifications of enzymes and understand the principles and practices of enzymology. You’ll look at important enzyme pathways - such as glycolysis, lipid metabolism and the TCA cycle - and how enzymes interact with nucleic acid to generate mRNA and repair DNA. Through a workshop you’ll learn how to use PyMOL software and utilise it to demonstrate how enzyme structure can be explored and displayed.

The module starts with a basic introduction to genetics for life science students and explores the origins of genetic engineering. You’ll understand why and how genes are cloned, and gain an introduction to the fundamentals of protein structure and function, focusing on key experimental techniques. Through a series of linked lectures and workshops you’ll interact and communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. Over the course of a week-long practical you’ll clone and transform a gene of interest before expressing and purifying the protein product.

You'll plan the experimental approach for a scientific investigation, including ethics and risk assessment. Demonstrate proficiency in research skills, analyse and interpret scientific data, and demonstrate comprehension in molecular biology methods.

You’ll rapidly build knowledge across disciplines like marketing, finance and project management. You'll become equipped to evaluate and pursue new commercial opportunities. 

Working in teams, you’ll practice skills from communication to negotiation by developing plans for a prospective venture, receiving expert insights from practitioners along the way. With assessments focused on conceiving and presenting an impactful business case, you’ll strengthen abilities to persuade with data-backed reasoning.

Developmental Biology investigates the development of multicellular organisms throughout their lifespan, from the start of life and the emergence of the first organs to the changes in external appearance and organ function as well as organ repair and regeneration in the adult. Over the last nine decades, research in the field of developmental biology has led to major discoveries (and Nobel Prizes) and has spurred substantial medical progress (IVF, gene- and stem cell-based therapy, understanding of cancer). However, this progress has also sparked controversy (e.g. on therapeutic cloning, eugenics, xenotransplantation) and has shaken views on human identity and evolution.

You'll explore how, after fertilisation, functional organs and the adult body form emerges in the embryo, and you'll discuss how deviations from these developmental processes may result in major birth defects. You'll also investigate how cells and stem cells repair organs in the adult.

The content of the module will be delivered in lectures and workshops. In addition, you'll learn the basic practical skills of how to handle small samples under a microscope. The workshops support critical and independent thinking about the taught topics and re-emphasise the abstract concepts in developmental biology. In addition, the workshops and the second practical/demo in lecturers' research labs will discuss how scientific discoveries in developmental biology have been made and are being made today, and how we ensure that research aligns with the requirements of research ethics.

You’ll get familiar with the big issues and contemporary debates in education studies as well as the role and expectations of a teacher.

You’ll develops fundamental knowledge and skills that teachers require, as well as your capability to structure and critique a lesson plan.

This module provides students with a critical understanding of the physiology, growth, metabolism and microbial ecology of microorganisms. Using a number of real-world scenarios we’ll provide examples of the role microorganisms play in the environment in association to humans and other animals, and their role in driving the biogeochemical cycles in the environment and in industrial applications. You’ll conduct independent laboratory work to determine the identification of unknown microbes using a series of biochemical tests and microscopy.

This module uses primary research literature and lectures to provide a critical account of key concepts in gene regulation. Particular emphasis is on the control of gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. You’ll take part in workshops which will introduce data analysis skills relevant for gene expression studies, including locating, accessing and working with information for sequence databases.

You’ll discover how the genome functions and engage with information using emerging digital technologies of bioinformatics. You’ll learn about the concept of the transcriptome and the epigenome, analyse the wider application of genome analysis, and critically evaluate strategies to sequence human genomes. 

Supported by your Academic Tutor, you'll select and manage information and competently undertake research tasks. You'll assess health and safety, the ethical considerations in pursuing independent research, and critically evaluate your findings against knowledge in available academic literature. You'll learn to discuss and communicate your key findings found from your research and write a dissertation in accordance with academic conventions.

On this module you’ll investigate and engineer the structure and interactions of biological macromolecules. You’ll discover the principles and practice of mutagenesis and protein engineering, and demonstrate an understanding of the structural and energetic principles involved in biomolecular recognition and its applications to synthetic biology. You’ll analyse biophysical data within and across the boundaries of multiple disciplines or biomolecular science while engaging imaginatively with current and emerging technologies for the visualisation and interpretation of biomolecular structures.

You’ll gain a critical and reflective understanding of the mechanisms of development and the techniques used to investigate them. Through a research-led approach you’ll learn to think independently, analytically and creatively while proposing appropriate experimental systems to investigate specific problems in developmental biology.

You’ll understand how we study microbes in their natural environments, how they adapt and shape to different environments, and how they interact with each other. You’ll gain an overview of modern approaches and techniques and demonstrate basic skills in bioinformatic and computational analyses of microbiome data.