Biochemistry BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  This course will give you a firm understanding of the mechanistic biochemical processes that occur within living organisms. This will help you appreciate the broader picture including how all biological, chemical and physical disciplines are related to one another. There are key biological themes that create the core of this program.

  Year 1

  In the first year, you explore bond formation and dissociation, energy storage and transfer, and the structure and function of macromolecules. You also develop your practical skills as a biochemist engaging in laboratory-based learning and work with qualitative and quantitative biochemical data.

  Year 2

  In the second year, our processes of life module provides a conceptual approach to biochemistry while pure chemistry offers a more mathematical understanding. You then begin to develop your research proposals for your final year dissertation project.

  Year 3

  In the final year, you will do an independent dissertation project supervised by an academic tutor. In addition, you can explore contemporary issues in biochemistry and how diagnostic tests are applied in clinical contexts. If you are particularly interested in genetics you might follow a bespoke pathway which starts with ‘genetics and molecular biology’ in the first year before advancing to ‘genes and genomics’ in the second year and then completing your final year with medical genetics. Our Microbiology theme includes ‘Introduction to microbiology’ in your first year, Techniques in molecular biology in your second year and then pathogen biology in your final year. There are also additional optional modules that can be undertaken which include immunology, pharmacology, neuroscience as well as a placement module.

   

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 21/22. The modules relating to the academic year 22/23 will be available from June 2022.

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. In addition, you are expected to have studied a natural science subject (preferably Biology or Human Biology but Chemistry and Physics are also accepted) in an A Level at grade C, or equivalent qualification such as International Baccalaureate.

  We welcome international applicants and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications

  For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements

  Admission to the BSc Honours Biochemistry 4 year Programme with Foundation Study is normally DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC with a D in a Natural Science. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2022/23 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK  – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International – Full-time: £14,000
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £14,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2022. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  2021/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  UK – Full Time: £9,250
  UK – Part Time: £1,465 per 20 credit module
  UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £6,780 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
  International – Full Time: £13,000
  International – Integrated Foundation Year: £13,000 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2021. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

   

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

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• Accreditation

  Application for accreditation to the Royal Society of Biology is in process.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Biochemistry degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page.

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, our four year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• Placements

  A full, one academic ‘sandwich’ year is available to students between the second and third year modules. Staff can help you ascertain placements either; locally, nationally or even globally through their connections.

  There is also an optional 20 credit placement module in the final year. This module spans both first and second semesters and is ideal for a local placement, gaining experience without adding an extra year to your studies.

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• FAQs

  How will I be taught?

  You will be taught in a variety of ways; traditional face to face small seminars, online sessions through our virtual classroom, asynchronously and through additional support sessions.

  How many hours per week of teaching/ personal tutoring?

  You will typically have between 12-14 hours of taught content and an additional hour available with your designated tutor.

  How will I be assessed?

  Each of the 6 modules you study each year will have 2 items of assessment (essentially 12 assessment items each year). These range from; essays, posters, presentations, blogs, graded practical sessions, time constrained essays and exams.

  What jobs can I go into from studying this course?

  Many graduates of the hard sciences tend to stay in the field, many go on to consider MSc or PhD, work for the NHS, laboratories, pharmaceutical industries and the education sector.

  Any specialist facilities/ features?

  The University of Northampton boasts a new £330 million campus with state of the art facilities. In the creative hub you will find a well-equipped teaching laboratory with three additional laboratories for research and dissertation projects covering genetics, tissue culture and microbiology. You will also have the learning hub and senate to aid you in your studies, but as a biochemistry student you will also have access to the institute of creative leather technologies which has exceptional chemistry facilities.

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