Enhance your undergraduate degree with a year's placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment.
This programme is studied on campus.
Biochemistry lies at the interface between biology and medicine. Whether it be single-celled bacteria or the trillions of cells found in humans, all of the fundamental processes of the cell happen at the biochemical level. Understanding these processes can provide insights into subjects ranging from the evolution of life to developing treatments for common conditions such as diabetes, cancer and obesity.
On any given day people who graduated with an Aberdeen Biochemistry degree will be analysing water samples for pollution, designing new life saving medicines, producing new nanotechnologies, examining nutrient content in food and drink, helping people conceive in IVF clinics or selling scientific equipment to labs around the world.
This degree programme covers many areas of biochemistry at the molecular, cellular and organ system levels. Additionally, you will gain an in depth understanding of selected aspects of biochemistry which will reflect the research expertise and strengths within the University.
In your fourth year you will undertake a year's industrial placement and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc. Placements vary considerably but in general terms, you will be placed in an industrial, commercial or research environment where you will obtain a breadth of practical experience to complement your degree programme and enhance your employability.
A degree in Biochemistry is taught via a selection of compulsory and optional courses to enhance your learning and prepare you for a future career or further study. In each year you will take courses adding up to 120 credits with the exception of year three where you will take an additional 5 credit course in preparation for your placement. Depending on the number of compulsory and optional courses offered by your degree, you can also choose other eligible courses which fit your timetable.
Year 1 courses include Medical Sciences and Chemistry for Life Sciences plus additional courses selected from science and other areas.
This course covers the foundations of chemistry that underpin the life sciences at a molecular level. The course aims to consolidate a general background in chemistry by putting chemical concepts into a life sciences context. The basic concepts of chemistry will be covered, along with organic molecules, acids and bases, and the basic principles behind the driving forces of reactions.
Laboratory classes introduce important practical techniques, with experiments that reinforce and complement the taught material.
The course will allow students to continue with other chemistry courses as part of their enhanced study by providing discipline breadth.Chemistry plays an important role in the life sciences, explaining the shapes and properties of biomolecules, and helping to provide an understanding of how biological processes work at a molecular level.
The shapes and function of important biomolecules will be covered. Organic molecule reaction mechanisms will give insight into how different types of molecules can be synthesised. The energetics and importance of equilibrium in driving reactions will be covered.
Methods of chemical analysis and measurement introduce other important topics linking the chemical and life sciences.
Workshops and labs complement lectures by consolidating learning and developing problem-solving and hands-on practical skills.This course, which is prescribed for level 1 students and optional for level 2 students, is studied entirely online and covers topics relating to careers and employability, equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing. During the course you will learn about the Aberdeen Graduate Attributes, how they are relevant to you and the opportunities available to develop your skills and attributes alongside your University studies. You will also gain an understanding of equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing issues. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’ (non-completion will be recorded as ‘Not Achieved’). The course takes approximately 3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks and it will be available to you throughout the academic year.This course, which is prescribed for level 1 students and optional for level 2 students and above, is studied entirely online and covers topics relating to careers and employability, equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing. During the course you will learn about the Aberdeen Graduate Attributes, how they are relevant to you and the opportunities available to develop your skills and attributes alongside your University studies. You will also gain an understanding of equality and diversity and health, safety and wellbeing issues. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’ (non-completion will be recorded as ‘Not Achieved’). The course takes approximately 3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks and it will be available to you throughout the academic year
In year 2 you will take a mix of prescribed courses and courses of your choosing to gain a total of 120 credit points.
There are two year 2 Biochemistry courses: Molecular Biology of the Gene and Energy for Life. Year 2 curriculum also includes two courses devoted to development of Foundation and Research Skills in the Life Sciences.
In year 3 you will take a mix of prescribed courses and courses of your choosing to gain a total of 125 credit points.
Courses include the Molecular Control of Cell Function which explore the mechanisms involved in controlling cell function, such as protein-protein interactions. In addition, you will also take courses in Genetics or Microbiology.
You will spend year 4 on placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment.
The Honours year aims to explore in depth, specific aspects of Biochemistry. An important feature is the ten-week research project, carried out in research laboratories at the University or in local research institutes.
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
You will be taught using a variety of methods and styles and we continually seek to make the teaching engaging, exciting and responsive to the latest research in your subject area. The research we carry out in the School directly informs and guides our teaching, particularly in the final Honours year. Our commitment to teaching is recognised by the range of University of Aberdeen Student-led Teaching Awards given to staff from our School.
As a student, your learning is supported by MyAberdeen, our virtual learning environment from which you can access the lecture PowerPoint slides, online practice tests, links to related reading, and tutorial support material.
We make innovative use of 'educational voting' handsets in class, remote control 'clickers' that allow each and every student to electronically respond in class by anonymous vote to questions posed by the lecturer.
Your academic development is supported from year 1 through to year 5 by an assigned personal tutor, who acts as adviser and mentor throughout your University career.
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
The typical time spent in scheduled learning activities (lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals), independent self-study or placement is shown for each year of the programme based on the most popular course choices selected by students.
The typical percentage of assessment methods broken down by written examination, coursework or practical exams is shown for each year of the programme based on the most popular course choices selected by students.
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Please note: entry requirements may differ for 2018 and 2019 entry.
SQA Highers - AAAB*
A Levels - ABB*
IB - 34 points, 6 at HL*
ILC - 5H with 4 at H2 AND 1 at H3, with H2 and H3 from Chemistry and Biology, OR AAABB including AB from Chemistry and Biology. The grading within band B must be at B2 or above. *
*Including good performance in Chemistry and Biology
Advanced Entry - Advanced Highers AAB or A Levels AAB, or IB 36 points (6 at HL), including Biology and Chemistry, one of which must be an A-grade.
Further detailed entry requirements for Sciences degrees.
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 54 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 51; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
For international students (all non-EU students) the tuition fee charged upon entry will apply to all years of study; however, most international students will be eligible for a fee waiver in their final year via the International Undergraduate Scholarship.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home / EU | £1,820 |
| All Students | |
| RUK | £9,250 |
| Students Admitted in 2018/19 Academic Year | |
| International Students | £18,400 |
| Students Admitted in 2018/19 Academic Year |
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Graduates today will likely be employed in a variety of sectors and careers over their lifetime. A degree in Biochemistry provides you with opportunities to be broadly educated as well as gain specific skills in problem solving and independent thinking – all of which set you up for a future in which science and technology, as well as the career landscape, are undergoing rapid change.
Our degree programmes are built to enhance your employability and three flagship distinguish our degrees from many others. This MSci degree offers you:
You will also have opportunities for work experience, summer placements (both scientific and non-scientific) and access to many professional societies and subject-specific seminars and symposia.
Biochemistry in the UK is promoted and advanced through the work of the Biochemical Society (www.biochemistry.org). Undergraduate students can join for a small membership fee, which provides access to various forms of financial support, careers advice and discounts on journals or textbooks related to the discipline.
Dr John Barrow is a Senior Teaching Fellow who specialises in biochemistry. As a student studying biochemistry you will see him in classes from day one of your degree through to your final year project. John did his undergraduate degree in Aberdeen so he is ideally placed to offer advice and support on any issues both academic and personal throughout your degree.
Dr John Barrow is a Senior Teaching Fellow who specialises in biochemistry. John did his undergraduate degree in Aberdeen so he is ideally placed to offer advice and support on any issues both academic and personal throughout your degree.
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Ranked 9th in the World for international research collaboration in Biomedical and Health Sciences with a heritage of major innovations including Insulin
Our commitment to teaching is underscored by our recent rebuild and modernisation of the teaching lab space dedicated to practical teaching at years 1, 2 and 3.
Focused on developing future effective therapies, the Institute of Medical Sciences houses nearly 400 researchers and support staff working on cutting-edge biomedical subjects aimed at understanding the human body's response to infection and disease.
A dedicated Medical Library on the Foresterhill Health Campus and the fantastic facilities in the Sir Duncan Rice Library at King’s College, are complemented by online access to the key medical and health sciences journals and textbooks.
Unistats draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
