Medical Biochemistry with a Foundation Year
Swansea University
UCAS Code: C742 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
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About this course
The study of how cells work at the molecular and sub-molecular levels has been described as the basis of modern medicine. Medical biochemists develop new ideas and products that are applied to the biggest health challenges we face today. The Medical Biochemistry course with integrated Foundation is intended for students who have studied Chemistry and Biology, though we will consider students without biology qualifications at Alevel. If you don’t make or are predicted lower entry requirements than our 3 year degree, this foundation adds an additional year of intense tuition to ready you to progress to undergraduate study.
This course will appeal to students who are enthusiastic about understanding the molecular basis of life processes and disease in humans. This degree will:
• train you to work in areas such as cancer research, medical laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry.
• prepare you for further study that enables you to take up research positions in industry.
• provide you with transferable skills, including team working, communication, presentation, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
In the final year, you will complete a research project under the guidance of a professional research scientist. By working as an independent researcher, you will develop effective project management skills and will be trained to design experiments and plan work programmes.
The Medical Biochemistry degree provides excellent training for students who wish to undertake further study to become a medical doctor. Many of our students who decided to follow this career path have successfully gone on to study Graduate Entry Medicine at Swansea. This degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work in the biotechnology, agrochemical and food industries. Our graduates have gone on to employment or further study in: university research, industrial research & development, clinical sciences, teaching, forensics, scientific management, medical sales, scientific publicity.
Modules
In the foundation year students will cover the fundamental knowledge required to progress to the BSc in Medical Biochemistry:
• biological and organic chemistry
• molecular biology
• data handling
• laboratory practice
Throughout the full BSc in Medical Biochemistry students will build on their basic knowledge learnt in the foundation year through a mix of lectures, practicals and project work. Students will explore the essential foundations of biochemistry, including energy and metabolism pathways, biochemistry skills development, organic and analytical chemistry, molecular genetics, and microbiology.
As student’s progress they will develop their knowledge in
• metabolic regulation,
• techniques in molecular biology
• membranes and energy transduction
• membrane trafficking
• bioinformatics.
In their 3rd year students will complete an independent research project under the guidance of professional research scientists.
Assessment methods
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, laboratory classes and independent projects
Assessment will take place through a variet of differenr methods including examinations, coursework, laboratory practicals and presentations.
In your final year you will undertake an independent research project, potentially contributing to scientific research at the school, under the guidance of professional research scientists.
What students say
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After graduation
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Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Biomedical sciences (non-specific)
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£25k
£33k
£40k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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