Biochemistry BSc Honours

This module aims to develop student’s academic and transferrable skills in key areas applicable to biosciences. This includes mathematics for analysis, presentation and interpretation of data. As well as reading and writing literacy at university standard within a scientific context. Furthermore, employability content to create career awareness and showcase opportunities for personal and professional development, both within and outside the academic institution.

The main aim of this module is to introduce and familiarise students with the key metabolic pathways of energy metabolism. Students will acquire the skills and underpinning knowledge to pursue further studies in biochemistry.

This module focuses on structural organisation and physiological function of organisms. It will introduce biological structures of animals and plants, their relationships and their physiology.

This module provides students with the skills and knowledge of chemistry that will underpin their future studies. Emphasis is placed on building a knowledge base around key academic concepts in chemistry using examples from health and the environment to reinforce ideas. Students will acquire a range of laboratory practical skills and learn how to analyse and interpret experimental results and put these into context with theoretical concepts.

This module explores the cellular structure and function and genetics of eukaryotes, bacteria, archaea and viruses. It will provide students with principles of genetics as well as a detailed understanding of the genetic processes that are operating at molecular, organism, population and species levels and that ultimately underlie adaptive change. Students will also be introduced to core theory and experimental techniques used to investigate physiology, growth and death of cells.

This module provides students with the knowledge of biochemical molecules and their physiological functions. Particular emphasis is placed on the molecular structure and its relationship with the biological function. Reaction mechanisms and kinetics of biochemical reactions will be explored with a particular emphasis on enzyme kinetics.

The module aims to provide students with the skills necessary to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work with focus on preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline. Specific research skills will be explored to meet individual programme requirements.

This module aims to provide a foundation on the molecular mechanisms underlying the structures and functions of genomes. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to acquire experience in the main laboratory technologies used for the analysis of DNA to gain essential skills for the application of genetic techniques.

This module provides students with the knowledge of important “state of the art” analytical methods in biological sciences. There is a focus on developing practical skills in sample preparation, analytical methods and the analysis and interpretation of results. A particular emphasis will be on proteins in the context of biosciences research and analysis of samples from different context.

This module aims to introduce the concepts and language of immunology that are, or may be, applied clinically. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the different cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the development of a range of different immunopathologies. Regulation of the human endocrine system will also be introduced and explored by developing an understanding of what happens when regulation is lost leading to the onset of common endocrine pathologies. Knowledge of laboratory skills and analysis of data will be developed using immunological and endocrinological techniques.

This module aims to provide an understanding of processes involved in gene regulation and current methods available for investigating gene expression. It also aims to give an apprehension of how gene activity may be modulated according to changes in the cellular environment, how environmental conditions can trigger changes in these processes and how aberrations in gene expression can lead to disease.

The module aims to explore applied aspects of microbiology including the use of microbial production methods to produce pharmaceuticals and foods. There is a focus on the role of micro-organisms in infectious disease transmission and emerging and re-emerging diseases in the clinical and environmental setting. The module will also consider the challenges of outbreak control strategies including through antimicrobial use and vaccinations.

This module is to develop practical skills in conducting assays used in cancer research. Students will also be trained to select the appropriate protein markers for studying aberrant cell signalling pathways in human cancers.

This module builds upon the principles and concepts of inorganic and organic chemistry developed through the year 1 module Fundamentals of Chemistry. In this module students will develop a more complete appreciation of some of the chemical reactions relevant to biochemical processes and drug synthesis with emphasis on carbonyl chemistry and pericyclic reactions, integrating mechanisms and arrow pushing.

This module fosters academic curiosity; an inquiry-based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest that they wish to study in-depth and will manage their own learning with the support of an academic supervisor.

The module will develop key concepts in specialist areas of Biochemistry in relation to applications in research, industry and analytical sciences. Advanced laboratory skills will be developed and their application in biochemistry research explored.

This module enables students to formalise and integrate professional experience into their programme. It aims to link academic learning to professional work-based skills. The module provides opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience from the process of applying for work in relevant organisations and enhance their skills of self-expression, communication and self-reliance.

This module will provide students with computer skills to analyse complex biological datasets. The module will follow a hands-on, problem-based approach to learning. Students will be given an overview of the computational tools that are commonly used, will be taught to program and to use the command line. They will then apply their skills, individually and in groups, to address authentic and biologically relevant questions using publicly available biological datasets.

This module will provide students with computer skills to analyse complex molecular biology datasets. The module will follow a hands-on, problem-based approach to learning. Students will be given an overview of the computational tools that are commonly used, will be taught to program and to use the command line. They will then apply their skills, individually and in groups, to manipulate and explore publicly available biological datasets and answer authentic questions related to molecular biology.

This module enables you to recognise how traditional and modern biotechnology are applied to produce products or services for a more sustainable future. You will learn how to use the main tools for the manipulation of the genetic information and the production of GMOs. In addition, bioethical and legal issues in the field of biotechnology will be considered.

This module aims to provide you with detailed knowledge and understanding of the clinical disorders of primary organ function, along with the biochemical laboratory methods used in diagnosis and management.

The aims of this module are to develop the student’s knowledge and appreciation of the principles of cellular and molecular pathology. The module encompasses an overview of epidemiology of specified common pathologies, Cellular changes in disease, Pathogenesis and clinical presentation of common disease of major organs, histopathology and cytopathology.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the use of a range of molecular pathology tests in assisting with diagnosis and prognosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. Principles of immunhistochemisty, including immunohistochemical methods used in identifying tumour-associated antigens.

You will be studying at our north London Hendon campus.

Typical weekly breakdown

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

Here is a guide to the part time and full time study schedules.

Full-time: 3 to 4 days per week (12 weeks Sept - Dec, 12 weeks Jan - Apr, plus assessment, optional field trips and placements in May - July),

Part-time: 2 to 3 days per week (12 weeks Sept - Dec, 12 weeks Jan - Apr, plus assessment, optional field trips and placements in May - July).

We aim to make the final timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term.

During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of:

• 5 hours of lectures
• 4 hours of practicals
• 7 hours of seminars and workshops

The course is very practical and will help you develop the skills you need in a laboratory and give you hands-on experience in diagnostic techniques.

Your work will be divided into credits of approximately 10 hours of study time. You will need to complete 120 credits per year, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.

Here is an indication of how you will split your time.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Academic support

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking. Our Sheppard Library is open 24 hours a day during term time. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.

Our Disability Advice and Support service supports students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia. We’re happy to help you discover whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, so please get in touch with any questions.

Wellness support

We have specialist teams to support your emotional wellness and mental health with access to free individual counselling sessions, workshops and support groups. The Student Welfare Advice Team (SWAT) offer information guides to provide support and advice during your studies.

Your learning will be assessed regularly. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good guide.

Assessments

As well as laboratory reports and portfolios, you will be assessed through practical and theoretical exams, data analysis and problem-solving exercises and presentations in different formats. For your dissertation, you will work with a researcher to plan, carry out and analyse your own research experiments and present and evaluate your findings.

Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback or feedback from an external examiner.

To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.