Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)

During Years 1-3, your weekly timetable will be divided between lectures (typically eight to ten a week), tutorials and classes (1 to 3 a week) and practicals (averaging 1 full day a week). The remaining time will be spent on independent study (set reading or problem-solving exercises). Tutorials are usually 2-4 students and a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the topic but are usually no more than 10-12 students. The ratio of demonstrators to students during practical sessions is usually about 1:12.

Most tutorials and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subjects, many of whom are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some tutorials and lectures may be delivered by postdoctoral researchers, while tutorials are occasionally delivered by postgraduate students. Departmental classes and practicals are supervised by a senior member of staff and largely delivered by postdoctoral researchers or postgraduate students who are studying at doctoral level.

In your fourth year, you will choose and complete a project, lasting 23 full-time weeks (plus 2 for writing up), which will allow you to explore in detail, both laboratory-based research and specific recent advances in biochemistry. Under the supervision of a research group leader, you will design your own experiments, learn to plan research programmes and present your results and ideas – orally and in written form – to other workers in the field. The research project is written up in a dissertation in a form suitable for publication.

Alongside the first 3 weeks of the project there will be some advanced skills training. Apart from the project, you will have the task of writing an extended essay in the form of a review article. You will need to be in Oxford for 12 weeks in the first term, followed by a two-week break over Christmas. You will continue your project over the 8 weeks of the second term and first 3 weeks of the third term, submitting your project dissertation thereafter. You will also deliver an oral presentation on your project.

While the experience gained is much valued by employers, the project will also give you the opportunity to reflect on your aptitude and enthusiasm for a research career. Alongside the research project you will write a review article in an area of interest to you, with advice from an expert in this area.

The final degree class is derived from a combination of marks from courses taken in the second and third years, the assessment of the research project and the review article in the fourth year. This additional work in your final year means that you will graduate with an MBiochem – a master's degree – as well as invaluable research experience that will be excellent preparation for further study or a range of careers. The final degree class is derived from a combination of marks from the assessment on the work done in the second, third and fourth years.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Five courses are taken:

• Cellular biochemistry
• Molecular biochemistry
• Mechanistic biochemistry
• Physical biochemistry
• Quantitative biochemistry

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record

Teaching is done along five themes:

• Tool boxes for biochemistry
• Information transfer in biological systems
• Molecular processes in the cell
• Cellular chemistry
• The cell in time and space

ASSESSMENT

Summative assessments (four, two-hour assessments)
Final University examinations, Part I: seven written papers; satisfactory practical record

• Research project:
  This provides the opportunity to be embedded in a research group and carry out an in-depth research project (23 weeks full-time, plus two weeks for writing). Advanced skills training alongside the first three weeks of the project.
• Coursework:
  Extended essay in the form of a review article

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of the research project, along with broader research skills displayed in the written work - the project dissertation and the review article.

Five courses are taken:

• Cellular biochemistry
• Molecular biochemistry
• Mechanistic biochemistry
• Physical biochemistry
• Quantitative biochemistry

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record

Teaching is done along five themes:

• Tool boxes for biochemistry
• Information transfer in biological systems
• Molecular processes in the cell
• Cellular chemistry
• The cell in time and space

ASSESSMENT

Summative assessments (four, two-hour assessments)
Final University examinations, Part I: seven written papers; satisfactory practical record

• Research project:
  This provides the opportunity to be embedded in a research group and carry out an in-depth research project (23 weeks full-time, plus two weeks for writing). Advanced skills training alongside the first three weeks of the project.
• Coursework:
  Extended essay in the form of a review article

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of the research project, along with broader research skills displayed in the written work - the project dissertation and the review article.

Five courses are taken:

• Cellular biochemistry
• Molecular biochemistry
• Mechanistic biochemistry
• Physical biochemistry
• Quantitative biochemistry

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record

Five courses are taken:

• Cellular biochemistry
• Molecular biochemistry
• Mechanistic biochemistry
• Physical biochemistry
• Quantitative biochemistry

Five courses are taken:

• Cellular biochemistry
• Molecular biochemistry
• Mechanistic biochemistry
• Physical biochemistry
• Quantitative biochemistry

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record

ASSESSMENT

First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record

Teaching is done along five themes:

• Tool boxes for biochemistry
• Information transfer in biological systems
• Molecular processes in the cell
• Cellular chemistry
• The cell in time and space

ASSESSMENT

Summative assessments (four, two-hour assessments)
Final University examinations, Part I: seven written papers; satisfactory practical record

Teaching is done along five themes:

• Tool boxes for biochemistry
• Information transfer in biological systems
• Molecular processes in the cell
• Cellular chemistry
• The cell in time and space

Teaching is done along five themes:

• Tool boxes for biochemistry
• Information transfer in biological systems
• Molecular processes in the cell
• Cellular chemistry
• The cell in time and space

ASSESSMENT

Summative assessments (four, two-hour assessments)
Final University examinations, Part I: seven written papers; satisfactory practical record

ASSESSMENT

Summative assessments (four, two-hour assessments)
Final University examinations, Part I: seven written papers; satisfactory practical record

• Research project:
  This provides the opportunity to be embedded in a research group and carry out an in-depth research project (23 weeks full-time, plus two weeks for writing). Advanced skills training alongside the first three weeks of the project.
• Coursework:
  Extended essay in the form of a review article

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of the research project, along with broader research skills displayed in the written work - the project dissertation and the review article.

• Research project:
  This provides the opportunity to be embedded in a research group and carry out an in-depth research project (23 weeks full-time, plus two weeks for writing). Advanced skills training alongside the first three weeks of the project.
• Coursework:
  Extended essay in the form of a review article

• Research project:
  This provides the opportunity to be embedded in a research group and carry out an in-depth research project (23 weeks full-time, plus two weeks for writing). Advanced skills training alongside the first three weeks of the project.
• Coursework:
  Extended essay in the form of a review article

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of the research project, along with broader research skills displayed in the written work - the project dissertation and the review article.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of the research project, along with broader research skills displayed in the written work - the project dissertation and the review article.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

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