Solve some of the most interesting and important health problems in the world today. Contribute to healthcare at both ends of the spectrum, from diagnosis and disease profiling to drug discovery and development. Enhance your employability and gain real-world experience with an optional placement.
Overview
While biomedical scientists work on diagnosis and disease profiling and biopharmaceutical scientists work on drug discovery and development, biochemistry sits directly in between these disciplines and contributes to healthcare in both areas.
You will examine the origin of life, the study of disease and the complex chemistry and developmental biology of whole organisms. Study areas including biological chemistry, cell biology, clinical chemistry and molecular biology.
Why us?
- This unique course makes extensive use of the new advanced technology in our Sciences Complex
- The University has over 100 years of expertise in teaching biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences
- Industry standard equipment and training in the use of advanced analytical equipment allows a detailed insight into the natural world through laboratory sessions
- Industry focused curriculum is enriched by industry expert input through external lectures, visits and mentoring
- Our Biosciences courses are ranked 12th in the UK (The Guardian University league tables, 2021)
- Teaching staff are research-active and have close links to industry and research institutes working in molecular sciences
- Available as four-year sandwich course, where you will undertake a one-year industrial placement
Course structure
Our teaching methods address different learning styles and provide a diverse learning experience. The course integrates traditional lecture and laboratory-based learning with active, experiential and enquiry-based learning.
You will be taught via laboratory practical work, tutorials, lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning. We also encourage you to develop independent study skills.
This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science and BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry, which allows you to easily change course at the end of the first year should one of these routes appeal to you.
Facilities
This course is based in the Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which boasts excellent laboratories and cutting-edge equipment thanks to multi-million pound investments.
Career ready
Biochemists are employed in an increasingly wide range of roles in biological, environmental and clinical fields, with employment opportunities stretching from healthcare through forensic science to the food and pharmaceutical industries. The typical salary for a graduate Biochemist is £21,000. This salary increases based upon postgraduate and industrial experience.
Companies that have employed our graduates include pharmaceutical multinationals such as GSK, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
Placements
The employability of Sunderland graduates reflects our mix of academic rigour and practical skills. To enhance this mix, we encourage you to apply to undertake a one-year placement between your second and final year.
Placements provide an invaluable opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. As part of the course you will also make several industry visits.
Research-active staff
You’ll be taught by passionate academic staff with a broad range of relevant research interests including:
- Analysis and modelling of biostatistical and protein interaction data sets
- Generation of recombinant proteins and biological therapeutics
- Formulation of therapeutic proteins and gene products
- Development of computational tools for automating the routine decision process within standard drug discovery pipelines
Transferable skills
This course gives you the opportunity to develop skills which you can use in a range of employment situations including:
- Academic study skills: avoiding plagiarism, time management, reading, note taking, referencing, revision analysis, and scientific writing.
- Practical skills: laboratory competency, experimental skills and techniques.
- Transferable skills: numeracy, analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, self-management and organisation, application of IT, consideration of ethical and safety requirements, critical thinking, personal development planning and reflection.
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