Biochemistry and Biotechnology
University of East London
UCAS Code: C700 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
University of East London
UCAS Code: C700 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Biology or Chemistry at grade B or above required
Relevant subject required with grade merit in all level 3 Biology / Chemistry units
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Relevant subject required with Biology or Chemistry units at grade merit or above
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Relevant subject required with Biology or Chemistry units at grade merit or above
Including Biology / Chemistry at grade H2 or above
UCAS Tariff
About this course
If you want to enjoy a practical study of one of the fastest-growing and most fascinating areas of human knowledge, then our biochemistry course is for you.
You'll be taught by - and also get the chance to assist - scientists who are involved in biotech research and new discoveries.
Increasingly, biochemists and biotechnologists are playing a crucial role in genetic engineering and molecular bioengineering, as well as other areas of physiology and medicine.
For instance, antibiotics remain one of the UK's main exports and their production by fermenting micro-organisms in the pharmaceutical industry has revolutionised healthcare.
We want to give you a comprehensive understanding of the theory and application of biotechnology and biochemistry in areas of medicine and industry.
So you can be part of this invigorating exploration, studying subjects that are playing a key role in improving the manufacturing processes, in fighting disease and improving our lives.
This course comes with the opportunity of a year-long industry placement between years two and three, subject to availability of positions with our industry partners. If you choose this option, you'll spend your third year working in an appropriate professional environment, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
Modules
Year 1: Professional Practice in Science (Mental Wealth) (Core), Cell Biology (Core), Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (Core), Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Core), Fundamentals in Microbiology (Core), Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (Core), Level 4 Short Work Placement (Optional)
Year 2: Infection & Immunity (Core), Molecular Biology & Genetics (Core), Principles of Biotechnology (Core), Research & Career Development - Mental Wealth (Core), Cellular Biochemistry (Core), Organic Mechanisms of Synthesis (Core), Year Long Placement (Sandwich Year) (Optional)
Year 3: Applications of Biotechnology and Biochemistry (Core), DNA Analysis and Bioinformatics (Core), Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics (Core), Biopharmaceuticals (Core), Clinical Biochemistry (Core), Research Project and Career Enhancement Portfolio (Mental Wealth) (Core), Level 6 Short Work Placement (Optional)
For more information about individual modules, please visit our course pages via the link below.
Assessment methods
We'll assess you with a mixture of coursework and exams. Coursework includes essays, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final-year project. Most of the assessment in your first year is by coursework and we'll give you as much feedback as possible.
In your third year, you'll either take five core modules or undertake a work placement. We'll assess you accordingly.
Year 1 - 50% Portfolio/Coursework, 50% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
Year 2 - 42% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 33% Portfolio/Coursework, 17% Laboratory/Practical/ICT, 8% Case Study/PBL
Year 3 - 42% Portfolio/Coursework, 42% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 16% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
You'll always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 14 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face to face assessments.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Stratford Campus
School of Health, Sport and Bioscience (HSB)
What students say
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biotechnology
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
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This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biotechnology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a new and emerging field of technology and not many people completed degrees in biotechnology last year — it’s more common as a Masters degree. Further study is common for graduates as research jobs usually require a postgraduate qualification. Those who do go straight into work typically go into a range of biology and lab jobs in several different industries, but a good grade can be particularly important for this qualification, so bear that in mind.
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Around 2,500 graduates got degrees in this demanding but valuable subject last year. Graduates who want a career in research usually take postgraduate qualifications - over a third of graduates in the subject took this option - but those who want to start work when they graduate have a lot to choose from. Laboratory work and other jobs in the biosciences are popular, as well as in education, but many biochemistry graduates find their way into the finance industry and as a consequence, graduates from these disciplines are particularly likely to get jobs in London and the South East.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£33k
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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This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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