BSc Biochemistry

Many of the advances in medicine, nutrition, pharmaceuticals and genetics over the last few decades stem from an understanding of biology at the molecular level. This is the realm of the biochemist, who attempts to describe the structure and functions of the molecules that make up the cell and to understand the way in which they interact in living processes. The techniques that have been developed for biochemical studies have proved extremely powerful, e.g. mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, chromatography. They have revolutionised studies in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry and they now underpin much research throughout the biological sciences. As a result, biochemists find employment in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and food industries and are also employed in hospital and other analytical laboratories.

This central role of biochemistry is reflected in the Biochemistry degree course at Aberystwyth. It presents the subject very much from the modern biological perspective and introduces topics of modern biology that cross the boundaries of separate disciplines. As a result, our graduates will have a specialist knowledge in biochemistry within a broad biological context, as well as the general scientific skills expected of a science graduate.

The first year of your Biochemistry degree will give you a firm grounding across the range of biological subjects. In the second and third years you will specialise increasingly in biochemistry and related topics through a mixture of core and optional modules. Besides core biochemistry, the modules give you the necessary supporting knowledge in areas of recent advances, such as molecular biology and the emerging topics of genomics and bioinformatics. Emphasis is given to the development of your practical skills in biochemistry and this is further encouraged in your final year research project where you have the opportunity to develop and pursue specialised interests in your subject.