LONDON'S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Biochemistry BSc
UCAS code: C700
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biochemtech
Biochemistry BSc
Since its foundation as a discipline,
biochemistry has illuminated many of the
problems that have fascinated and perplexed
biologists for generations. As biochemistry and
molecular biology have become an essential
part of much of modern science, a Biochemistry
BSc is a valuable beginning to many different
careers.
Degree summary
•
UCL is one of Europe's largest academic centres for research in
biochemistry, with two major research units, the Interdisciplinary
Research Centre for Biochemical Engineering and Molecular Cell
Biology, based here.
•
Our strong links with the bioscience community in London (such as
the UCL Cancer Institute, Cancer Research UK, and the Royal
Veterinary College) enhance the range of final-year projects
available.
•
You will have the opportunity to take a one-year placement in
industry; working in a suitable industrial or research laboratory before
your final year of study.
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Our excellent resources include a computer graphics facility,
fermenters for plant or animal cell culture and equipment for
biomolecular structure analysis.
In the first year of the programme you will take compulsory core courses
that are similar to those taken in the first year of other biological science
programmes. In year two, you take a number of compulsory courses, but
with some optional flexibility, which increases in year three.
You may also choose to transfer to the Molecular Biology BSc (available
only when you have completed your first year) which deals specifically
with the way genetic information is stored in nucleic acids and with the
controlled expression of this information.
You may elect to spend an additional year, after year two, gaining
invaluable experience in an industrial or research laboratory. Your project
report from this year will count towards your degree. The final year of
your degree will focus principally on an individual research project.
Your learning
Biochemistry is a practical science and you can expect to spend much of
your time either in wet laboratories, where you will handle chemicals and
biological materials, or in dry laboratories, where computer simulations
and exercises are carried out.
The programme also includes lectures and small-group tutorials, and you
will use an online learning site (Moodle) to support your studies.
Your assessment will include a combination of examinations, coursework,
practical work, tutorial work and presentations. Many courses have
in-course tests (web-based or written) and all courses have an unseen
final examination.
Your career
Throughout your degree you will acquire a range of specific and
transferable skills, including time management and planning, technical
laboratory skills such as manual dexterity and analysis of data, and skills
in teamwork, negotiation and decision-making.
Our graduates have found themselves roles in fields such as toxicology,
clinical biochemistry, drug and food research, industrial 'biotechnology',
virus research and agricultural research. Some students have used their
degrees to become school science teachers; others have entered other
fields such as science journalism, business management, accountancy
and business computing.
First career destinations of recent graduates (2010-2013) of this
programme include:
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•
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Full-time student, PhD at UCL
Production Editor, Biomed Central
Research Assistant, UCL Cancer Institute
Research Assistant, Birkbeck College
Degree structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses,
normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for
the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are
taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from
programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered
equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Compulsory courses
Cell and Molecular Biology
Chemistry for Biologists
Introduction to Genetics
Introduction to Microbiology
Principles and Practice of Experimental Biochemistry
Optional courses
All first year courses are compulsory.
Year Two
Compulsory courses
Biomolecular Structure and Function
Metabolism and its Regulation
Molecular Biology
Physical Chemistry for Life Science Students
Either The Principles of Cellular Control or The Chemistry of Biologically
Important Molecules
Optional courses
You will select 0.5 credits from a wide range of courses.
Final Year
Compulsory courses
Either a Research Project (1.5 credits) or a Literature Review (1.0 credits)
Optional courses
You will select courses from a wide range of options, to the value of either
2.5 or 3.0 credits depending on the compulsory course chosen.
Entry requirements
A levels
If you live in the UK, and we are considering offering you a place, you will
be invited to attend an applicant open day. This will involve talks from
staff about the programme and the department, a tour of UCL and a visit
to a laboratory.
A level grades
AAA
A level subjects
Chemistry required plus one from Biology,
Mathematics or Physics.
UK/EU fee
£9,000 (2016/17)
AS levels
For UK-based students a pass in a further subject
at AS level or equivalent is required.
Overseas fee
£21,320 (2016/17)
Notes
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade B.
For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent
in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek,
Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL
provides opportunities to meet the foreign
language requirement following enrolment,
further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
Details about financial support are available at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
IB diploma
IB points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects
including Chemistry at grade 6, and one subject
from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with no
score below 5.
Other qualifications
Full lists of all degree programmes and other entry requirements can be
found on our website at: www.ucl.ac.uk/otherquals
Undergraduate Preparatory
Certificates
UCL's Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive
one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic
potential, who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree
programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
Your application
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at
school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however,
applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United
Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
We use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your
personal statement and reference to decide whether to offer you a place.
Evidence of sustained interest in science, such as involvement in a
science debating society, and of activities that demonstrate your
self-motivation and organisational skills, will be considered favourably.
PDF Updated: February 19, 2016
Information correct at time of going to press. See website (www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biochemtech) for latest information
Fees
Contact
Ms Marcella Baterip
Admissions Administrator
Email
biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7679 7169
Prospectus entry
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biochemtech
Key facts
REF
82% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3*
(‘internationally excellent’)
Department
Division of Biosciences
Faculty
Life Sciences