BSc Biochemistry

Example structure
Studying at Essex is about discovering yourself, so your course combines compulsory and optional modules to make sure you gain key knowledge in the discipline, while having as much freedom as possible to explore your own interests. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.
For many of our courses you’ll have a wide range of optional modules to choose from – those listed in this example structure are just a selection of those available. The opportunity to take optional modules will depend on the number of core modules within any year of the course. In many instances, the flexibility to take optional modules increases as you progress through the course.
Our Programme Specification gives more detail about the structure available to our current first-year students, including details of all optional modules.
Year 1
Molecular Cell Biology
Genetics and Evolution


Microbiology




Biochemistry of Macromolecules




General and Organic Chemistry


Inorganic and Physical Chemistry


Scientific and Transferable Skills for Biosciences


Skills in Biomolecular Science (Assessed in Following Year)
Year 2
Biomolecular Science: Skills and Employability
Molecular Biology: Genes, Proteins and Disease
Genome Science
Cell Biology


Metals in Biology
Membrane Biology and Bioenergetics
Proteins and Macromolecular Assemblies
Metabolism
Final year
Research Project in Biomolecular Science
Issues in Biomolecular Science
Structural and Molecular Enzymology
Bioinformatics (optional)
Rational Drug Design (optional)
Human Molecular Genetics (optional)
Cancer Biology (optional)
Mechanisms of Neurological Disease (optional)
Cell Signalling (optional)
Interdisciplinary Science Group Project Module (optional)
Research Project in Biological Sciences (interdisciplinary) (optional)
Placement
On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.
Year abroad
On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.
Teaching
Learn through a combination of lectures, laboratory sessions and coursework
Gain experience collating and interpreting data, and reporting findings clearly and concisely
Assessment
Degrees are awarded on the results of your written examinations together with continual assessments of your practical work and coursework
Contribute towards real-world research projects in your final year of study
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