BSc Biochemistry

Bachelor's degree

In Birmingham

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Birmingham

This course is for you if you wish to study life at the molecular level. Biochemistry lies at the interface of the life and physical sciences and is therefore applicable to a wide range of fields such as medicine, pharmaceutics and biotechnology.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Birmingham (West Midlands)
See map
West Midlands, B4 7ET

Start date

On request

About this course

Entry requirements
A Level: ABB-BBB
IB: 32 points

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This centre's achievements

2018

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 7 years

Subjects

  • English
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Genetics
  • International
  • University
  • Project

Course programme

Duration: 4 years full-time with integrated placement year

UCAS Code: C700.

Please note:

  • All candidates are considered on an individual basis based on all previous and predicted qualifications, experience, references and motivation. Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades of CCC if the application is of a high standard. However, any offer made will not be lower than stated below.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements.
  • GCSE requirements: Five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including English and Maths Grade C/4.

  • All applicants that apply before the January 15 deadline and receive an offer will be invited to an Applicant Visit Day to discover more about the course and Aston University.

  • Find out more about our admissions policy.

  • The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Typical offers:

  • A Levels
  • IB
  • BTEC
  • Access to Higher Education
  • International and other qualifications

ABB-BBB including Biology and Chemistry, including passing the practical elements of both A Levels.

A Level applicants who select this course as their Firm UCAS choice may be eligible for our lowered offer scheme. This means that the grades that you will need in order to be accepted on to the course will be reduced.

We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking a maximum of one set of resits. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications. However, if you have had more than one attempt at improving your grades, your application will be considered on an individual basis and we reserve to make an amended (higher) offer, or not make an offer.

32 points overall in the IB Diploma to include 655 at HL, including Biology and Chemistry (6 must be in either Biology or Chemistry)

  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D plus two A Levels including Biology and Chemistry at grades AB
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science: DD plus A Level Biology or Chemistry at grade B
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science: D*DD plus A Level Biology or Chemistry at grade C

We welcome applications from students who have taken BTEC qualifications as a first option and who achieved five or more GCSEs (including Maths and English) at grade C or above.You must also meet the additional A Level requirements listed above.

We do not consider applications from students who are unsuccessful in obtaining the required number and/or standard of A Levels for admission to our programmes and subsequently embark on a BTEC as a second option. Instead we would encourage you to resit your A-levels (see our resit policy in A Levels section).

All BTEC students taking A Levels will also need to pass the practical element of their A Levels.

Access to Science for mature students (21+) considered on an individual basis.

Other qualifications: If your qualification is not listed, please contact us using the form at the bottom of the page.

International qualifications: International students can discover more about the qualifications we accept on our international pages.

International Foundation Programme in Science (Aston University): We also welcome international students with equivalent qualifications to apply for our courses. For international students without equivalent qualifications, it is also possible to gain entry to this course by completing an International Foundation Programme at Aston University, although please note the progression requirements to our courses. International applicants expected to gain foundation diplomas from other providers are welcomed and will be considered on a case by case basis.

Foundation Programme in Science (Aston University): For students with good A-level (or equivalent) grades, but who narrowly miss our standard requirements, it is also possible to gain entry to this course by completing a Foundation Year, although please note the progression requirements.

  • UK / EU students: £9,250 (£1,250 during placement year)
  • International students: £17,200 (£2,500 during placement year)

Explore the costs involved in university and the financial support that may be available to you.

  • Biochemistry is the study of life at the molecular level. You will explore the way that molecules are synthesised, regulated and interact to give rise to highly complex organisms. Biochemistry lies at the interface of the life and physical sciences and is therefore applicable to a wide range of fields such as medicine, pharmaceutics and biotechnology.

    This course is designed to equip you with the key laboratory, analytical, computational and communication skills necessary to succeed in this field. You will study though a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical sessions with a compulsory integrated placement year designed to give you further experience and enhance your employability.

    Year 1

    You will develop a thorough understanding of the molecules and processes that underpin areas of Biochemistry including microbiology, cell biology, genetics, biological chemistry, metabolism and biomolecules. You will also receive training in key skills through our personal tutoring system.

    Modules:

    • Biochemistry Key Skills I: this module comprises a series of academic tutorials with a personal tutor and a series of workshops and lectures on Biochemistry and career management.
    • Biological Chemistry: this provides a grounding in chemistry and analytical techniques that are core to biochemistry.
    • Biomolecules: this provides an overview of the key biological molecules including how they are synthesised and degraded.
    • Cells to Systems: this provides a basic introduction to life at a range of scales from single cells and their components to organ systems.
    • Genetics: provides an introduction to genetics at both the molecular and population levels.
    • Metabolism: introduces the major metabolic pathways demonstrating their integration and regulation.
    • Microbiology: provides an introduction to bacteria, viruses and fungi and their pathogenicity and applications within modern biochemistry.
    Year 2

    You will further your knowledge of topics that you studied in Year 1 and continue to build on your key skills and integrate the knowledge you gain across modules.

    Modules:

    • Analytical Biochemistry: provides in-depth knowledge across a range of analytical techniques that are applied throughout biochemistry.
    • Applied and Industrial Biochemistry: focusses on the application of biochemistry in the real world from pharmaceutics to biotechnology.
    • Biochemistry Key Skills II: provides tutorial-based support to enhance transferable skills as well as developing core mathematical and statistical techniques.
    • Cell Membranes and Energy Generation: develops understanding of the importance of the cell membrane both in terms of defining a cell and for the generation of energy.
    • Immunology: introduces both the cellular and molecular components of the immune system and their applications within biochemistry.
    • Molecular Biology: describes the properties of nucleic acids and the tools and techniques used to study them.
    • Protein Structure and Function: relates the structure of proteins from the amino acid level upwards with their function and describes the techniques available to study proteins.

    Placement year

    The placement year is an opportunity for you to set your studies in context and gain experience by taking a placement in the UK or abroad. Read more below.

    Final year

    You will apply your fundamental knowledge to a range of advanced topics and undertake an individual original research project.

    Modules:

    • Advanced Biotechnology: explores the application of biochemistry to industrial processes and how these interact with the environment.
    • Advanced Cell Signalling: develops advanced understanding of how signal transduction cascades are initiated and regulated.
    • Biochemistry Project: allows you to undertake a substantial piece of independent research from across the spectrum of biochemistry.
    • Bioethics: explores the ethical and moral implications of a range of research topics and how research is regulated.
    • Biological Membranes: provides an opportunity to explore and analyse a range of biochemical data connected to the topic of biological membranes.
    • Molecular Medicine: examines the molecular and biochemical processes essential for life and how perturbations of these can lead to disease.
    • Redox Biochemistry: covers how biomolecules are involved in reduction and oxidation reactions and the impact of these on the cell and organism.
    • Research Skills: includes a series of workshops exploring advanced biochemical techniques as well as providing a literature-based introduction to your final year project.

BSc Biochemistry

Price on request