Course overview

Have you ever wondered at the marvel of life on the small scale? Are you interested in the fascinating world of molecules, genes and cells? How do simple enzyme machines manage to zip through thousands of reactions a second? How is a metre of DNA wrapped and packed into a cell that is only ten thousandth of a metre across? A degree in biochemistry and genome science will introduce you to these and other topics, deepening your knowledge and understanding of modern molecular biology.

As a student on this degree, you will study the chemistry of biological interactions, the amazing 3D structure of macromolecules like proteins and DNA, and look at the crucial roles that enzymes play in all aspects of cellular metabolism.

You will also discover the advances in DNA technology that are revolutionising life science research, medical diagnosis and treatment, as well as learn in depth about genes, genomes and cells. For example, how were the three billion base-pairs of the human genome sequenced? Why do large-scale DNA sequencing projects provide a powerful perspective on the role of genes and proteins in health and disease? Will recombinant DNA technology and the science behind stem cell research lead to new cures? What is the science behind the recent story of ‘synthetic life’?

You will also look at the modern techniques, methods and equipment used to study molecular interactions and how these are applied to medical, pharmaceutical and biotech applications.

Why study at Portsmouth?

At Portsmouth you will receive an excellent scientific education – our overall goal is to train thinking scientists, who love their science and are well equipped to take their skills into any future workplace.

The School of Biological Sciences is a great place to study, with first-rate research groups, great teaching facilities and friendly staff. The School is a fully recognised member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, who have validated the content and quality of this degree.

We strongly believe that research and teaching go hand-in-hand, so a key aspect of life in the School is the close contact you will have with research-active lecturers. A sample of the molecular research we do here includes:

• Bacterial enzyme systems
• Bioactive molecules
• Biomolecular structure and shape determination
• Blood formation
• Chromosomes and chromatin dynamics
• DNA-protein interactions and enzymology
• Histone modifications
• Matrix collagenase enzymes and NMR spectroscopy
• Molecular motors, switches and detectors
• mRNA alternative splicing
• Neural development and signalling
• RNA-protein interactions and analysis

In your third year you will have the opportunity to join one of the above groups and undertake research in a laboratory or field-based project.

All Biochemistry graduates are eligible for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry and apply to have the designatory letters AMRSC added after their BSc (Hons) title.

Course content

Each academic year runs from mid-September to June, with three terms. Each year you will take 120 credits of study, giving 360 credits for an honours degree.

Year one

The first year has a core of units which provide a complete overview of biology, from the large to the small. Units include:

• Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• Biodiversity and Evolution
• Molecular Biology and Microbiology
• Perspectives in Biochemistry
• Experimental Biology
• Graduate Skills I

Material is delivered by lecture or seminar, with regular practical experiments.

Year two

Second-year units include:

• Graduate Skills II
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Macromolecules
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology (option)
• Foreign Language (option)

Year three

Third-year units include:

• Advanced Gene Organisation and Expression
• Genes and Development
• Biomolecular Science
• Genomes in Molecular Medicine
• Individual Research Project

The project dissertation is an opportunity to undertake a novel research project in an area of biochemistry or genome science that interests and excites you. This is usually based on lab work with one of our research groups, but can be fieldwork (for example, with Operation Wallacea) or a research dissertation on a molecular topic of your choice.

Teaching and assessment

Our role is to provide excellent teaching and learning support. This starts in week one when you meet your academic tutor and six or so other tutees. You will keep the same tutor for three years and they are there to support you during the course and afterwards when applying for further study or jobs.

Lectures will become a regular feature of your weekly timetable and you will also attend workshops, computer classes, seminars and practicals in the teaching labs. These different styles of teaching underpin your own private study and reading, building your knowledge, practical experience and confidence in the subject. You will also be encouraged to join the Biochemical Society so you can keep up with the latest advances and attend short conferences or careers events.

When it comes to assessment, you will have written exams at the end of every year. All units also contain a sizeable element of assessed coursework and this can take many forms, including practical write-ups, project work, presentations, online multiple choice questions, essays or data analysis problems.

Study abroad

You will be able to study in Europe under the Socrates and Erasmus schemes. The School has strong links with many European universities and institutes, currently in France, Italy and Greece. Opportunities are also available for you to complete your fieldwork for a project during the second year summer break at other research facilities outside the UK and with various conservation and research schemes including Operation Wallacea, Global Vision and the Atlantic Whale Foundation. Read more about opportunities for studying and working abroad on our studying abroad page.

Career prospects

An honours degree in a life-sciences subject such as biochemistry and genome science still remains a valuable career investment even in the current financial climate. You will have many skills that employers are looking for: clear spoken and written communication, numeracy skills for carefully analysing data/graphs/stats, practical skills for planning and conducting lab or field experiments, the capacity to think independently and the ability to work on your own and in a team.

This degree can open doors to jobs in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food and agrochemical companies, as well as hospital labs or government research facilities.

Many students go on to postgraduate degrees (MSc, PhD) in university research labs. For example, the human genome sequencing project, together with the ongoing sequencing of many hundreds of other genomes, is increasing the requirement for scientists skilled in biochemistry, genomics and bioinformatics, to characterise the thousands of newly identified genes, RNA transcripts and proteins.

Other graduates from the School can be found in many walks of life, from companies specialising in medical products, scientific equipment, lab supplies and disease diagnostics, to public health, crop improvement, cosmetics and forensic science. Many of our graduates go on to train as school or college science teachers, some as medical students and others work for a diverse range of organisations including water authorities, wildlife trusts, small start-up companies, NGOs and even banks, finance and insurance companies.

We give career advice high priority, especially from your second year onwards. It is never too early to start planning your steps after graduation. Read more about what some of our alumni have gone on to do.

Facilities and features

Our facilities have recently been refurbished, outside and in, with excellent new teaching and research labs for molecular, biochemical and microbiological studies.

Due to high external investment in the School for research and development work, our research equipment is state-of-the-art, including:

• a 600MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer
• a crystallisation robot
• X-ray diffractometer
• electron microscopes
• plasmon resonance and laser-scanning instruments

We occupy space in both King Henry Building and St Michael's Building, and these have wheelchair and lift access. Lecture theatres and teaching labs are equipped with AV projection equipment and LCD screens, allowing staff to show animations, and video-streamed and elearning materials.

Most taught material is also provided online, so you can print out handouts of slides, past exam papers, references and practical schedules prior to class.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Biochemistry for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).