Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)
Bachelor's degree
In Oxford
Description
-
Type
Bachelor's degree
-
Location
Oxford
UCAS code C700 Duration 4 years (MBiochem)
Entrance requirements
A*AA including Chemistry and another science or Maths, with the A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology (or a very closely related subject)
Subject requirements Chemistry and another science or Maths
Maths
Biology (beyond GCSE)
Admissions test(s) None Written work None
Admissions statistics*
Interviewed: 55%
Successful: 14%
Intake: 102
*3-year average 2017-19
Contact Email Biochemistry
Subject requirements: Essential Recommended Helpful – may be useful on course
Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Biochemistry is the use of molecular methods to investigate, explain and manipulate biological processes. The study of life at the molecular level continues to undergo dynamic expansion, leading to ever-increasing insights into topics as various as the origin of life, the nature of disease and the development of individual organisms. Powerful new techniques, such as those of molecular genetics and NMR spectroscopy, enable us to analyse biological phenomena in more and more precise molecular terms. These studies have led to valuable developments in drug design and synthesis, forensic science, environmental monitoring and a whole range of other areas. Furthermore, advances in biochemistry are largely responsible for the breakdown of traditional disciplinary boundaries between cell biology, medicine, physics and chemistry.
">Video of Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) at Oxford University.
The Biochemistry Department in Oxford is one of the largest in Europe, and is subdivided into the following research areas: Cell Biology; Development and Genetics; Chromosomal and RNA Biology; Infection and Disease Processes; Microbiology and Systems Biology; and Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics o feel lucky to have completed an undergraduate...
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
Reviews
Subjects
- GCSE Physics
- Physics Chemistry
- Full Time
- Writing
- Project
- Maths
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Design
- Biology
- IT
- Biochemistry
- University
- School
- Medical
- Medical training
- Dissertation
- Molecular
- Quantitative
- Mechanistic
Course programme
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.
Year 4In 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.
Academic YearCourse structureYEAR 1COURSESFive courses are taken:
- Cellular biochemistry
- Molecular biochemistry
- Mechanistic biochemistry
- Physical biochemistry
- Quantitative biochemistry
ASSESSMENT
First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record
YEARS 2 AND 3COURSESTeaching 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.
YEAR 1COURSESFive courses are taken:
- Cellular biochemistry
- Molecular biochemistry
- Mechanistic biochemistry
- Physical biochemistry
- Quantitative biochemistry
ASSESSMENT
First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record
YEARS 2 AND 3COURSESTeaching 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.
YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 1COURSESFive courses are taken:
- Cellular biochemistry
- Molecular biochemistry
- Mechanistic biochemistry
- Physical biochemistry
- Quantitative biochemistry
ASSESSMENT
First University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record
COURSESFive 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
ASSESSMENTFirst University examinations: five written papers; satisfactory practical record
YEARS 2 AND 3YEARS 2 AND 3YEARS 2 AND 3COURSESTeaching 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
ASSESSMENTSummative assessments (four, two-hour assessments)
Final University examinations, Part I: seven written papers; satisfactory practical record
YEAR 4 (EXTENDED FIRST TERM)YEAR 4 (EXTENDED FIRST TERM)YEAR 4 (EXTENDED FIRST TERM)COURSES
- 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.
COURSES- 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
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.
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
ASSESSMENTAssessment 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.
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
potential course changesNext
Admissions RequirementsPrevious
Overview
Admissions Requirements
Admissions RequirementsPrevious
Overview
Overview
Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)