#

0

Biochemistry with Industrial Placement MBio (C1A6)

0a

Learn more about our Biochemistry with Industrial Placement MBio at Warwick

0c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5fkxT-thSs

0-revisions

---

---

Page updates

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

2a

C1A6

2b

Master of Bioscience (MBio)

2c

4 years full-time

2d

26 September 2022

2e

School of Life Sciences

2f

University of Warwick

2g

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

3a

Biochemistry is about understanding life on its smallest scale – the molecules and cells that make up organisms - and is one of four degree courses taught by the School of Life Sciences. This course will appeal to those who enjoy both biology and chemistry. You will study the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, how gene expression is controlled, how membranes, antibodies and hormones work, and how cells function within multicellular organisms.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

3b

Following an in-depth foundation in biochemistry, this course broadens out to allow a focus on more specialist fields. These include biophysical chemistry, which covers biological macromolecules at the atomic level, and understanding the genome and gene regulation.

Our exceptionally wide range of options allows you to pursue areas that interest you. You will graduate with a sound understanding of the biochemical and structural basis of molecular, cellular and development processes in a variety of organisms.

You will benefit from our tutorial system for academic and pastoral support, alongside high-quality laboratory time.

Our four-year MBio gives you the opportunity to undertake an extended final year research project in industry.

3c

A core syllabus is offered in the first year for all degree courses providing the essential foundations in biology, biochemistry, genetics and chemistry. The same content in the first year means that it is often possible to transfer between the different degrees at the end of the first year.

All modules are core in the first year with optional modules in year two and three.

3d

You will have weekly (first year) and fortnightly (second and third years) taught tutorials, which are in small groups to ensure that you are able to develop and receive regular feedback on assessment.

Purpose-built teaching facilities are fully integrated with research laboratories, meaning you will be learning alongside teaching and research staff who are at the cutting edge of their fields. You will spend one or two days a week undertaking lab work. This becomes more project-oriented in your second year, culminating in a six-week individual research project in your third year.

3e

In your first year, lecture sizes are typically 320 students.

The modules you take in years two and three will vary in class size. The maximum number is typically 100 and the minimum 10 students.

3f

12 to 16 hours per week over 25 weeks.

In your first year you should expect around:

• 10 lectures a week
• Afull day in the laboratory
• A taught tutorial with your personal tutor and several of your peers

Independent learning, reading and preparing for lectures and preparing assessments will occupy the rest of your study time.

3g

You will be assessed through:

• Tutorials
• Laboratory practicals
• Oral presentations
• Written assignments
• Exam-based questions

Approximately 45% of your marks will be assessed by coursework and projects throughout your degree.

3i

Placements and work experience

You will take a 12-month industrial research placement in your final year. Recent placements in industry have included the Assisted Reproduction Unit at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, AstraZeneca in Sweden, GSK and Novartis.

You will join carefully monitored research projects, covering a wide range of scientific areas and giving you valuable experience in scientific writing, data analysis and information technology. Whilst we do not guarantee you a placement, you will be given extensive support to secure one. Many of our BSc and MBio students also choose to undertake work placements during vacations. We actively promote this, and will support you with applications and interview skills.

Find out more about work experience placements.

4a

A level typical offer

AAB to include Biology and Chemistry, or AAA to include Chemistry and either Mathematics, Physics or Statistics.

You will also need one of the following:

• GCSE Biology grade B or grade 6
• GCSE Double Science grades B, B or grades 6, 6
• AS Level Biology grade B
• Grade A in a Biology-related EPQ

You must also achieve a pass in the science practical assessment (if applicable).

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is ABB including Biology and Chemistry or AAB including Chemistry and another Science and GCSE Biology grade B. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

4b

IB typical offer

36 to include 5 at Higher Level in Biology and 5 at Higher Level in Chemistry, or 38 to include 5 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 5 at Higher Level in either Mathematics or Physics.

You will also need one of the following:

• 6 at IB Standard Level in Biology
• GCSE Biology grade B or grade 6
• GCSE Double Science grades B, B or grades 6, 6

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34 including 5 at Higher Level in Chemistry and Biology. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

4c

We welcome applications from students taking BTECs as long as essential subject requirements are met.

5a

Year One

Molecules, Cells and Organisms

You'll study this module as the essential foundation for most other modules taught in the School of Life Sciences. You'll gain the basic knowledge you need of molecular and cellular aspects of biology, and also become familiar with whole-organism and developmental biology, in the context of evolution.

Agents of Infectious Disease

You will start by gaining a thorough foundation in microbiology and virology, using infectious diseases as a common link to promote your understanding. Through your study of epidemiology, you will learn to appreciate the way that diseases spread and the methods used to investigate this spread. On completion, you can expect to understand the role of various structures associated with the bacterial cell in causing a range of diseases, and appreciate the structure of viruses and how this relates to their capacity to cause disease and the host response to viral challenge. This will equip you with the necessary theoretical foundations to underpin your future studies.

Physiology and Metabolism

On this module, you will learn how parts of the body function and work together in the whole organism. You will study the physiology of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and special senses. Your study of metabolism will help you to understand the generation of energy within the body, anabolism, the role of enzymes, and specific functions such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway and photosynthesis. You will then combine your learning to gain a thorough understanding of the way the body adapts to environmental conditions such as altitude, depth, cold and heat.

Physical Chemistry

On this module, you will gain an understanding of the fundamental physical principles that underlie biochemical reactions and the functional properties of biomolecules. In particular, you will gain greater insight into the thermodynamics and kinetics of biological processes.

Quantitative Skills for Biology

All biological scientists need to understand and analyse quantitative data. So, this module will see you learning to use statistical methods for analysing and summarising experimental data (for example, from your lab classes), and learning the basic principles for modelling biological populations.

Organic Chemistry

This module, taught in the Chemistry department, provides you with a basic understanding of organic chemistry. It will allow you to have a fundamental look at organic chemical bonding, structure, reactivity, mechanism and synthesis of simple functional groups.

Tutorials and Laboratories

Year Two

Tutorials and Laboratories

Molecular Cell Biology

On this module, you will gain a sound knowledge of the organisation, complexity and essential processes that occur in the genomes and information-processing mechanisms in all three domains of life. You will study the molecular biology that underlies fundamental cellular processes, including the cytoskeleton in cellular structure, function and motility, the mechanisms that control cell proliferation and genome stability, protein processing in secretory pathway organelles, and programmed cell death in eukaryotic cells.

Enzymology

You will become familiar with the basic methods of studying enzymes, understand the mechanisms whereby enzymes are able to catalyse reactions and appreciate how individual reactions are controlled and integrated into the metabolic pathways of the cell.

Tools for Biochemical Discovery

On this module, you will examine the principles by which key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery provide biochemical information. This will involve you studying structural techniques such as X-ray, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy. As well as, biophysical and analytical techniques such as circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and fluorescence. In the second half of the course, you will widen your studies to analyse biological interactions through case studies, covering topics such as proteomics, high-resolution light microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, isothermal titration calorimetry and immunoprecipitation.

Protein Structure and Function

Basic concepts of protein structure are built upon in order to understand the structure/function relationships of proteins in terms of the chemistry of their component amino acid residues.

Neuropharmacology

Neuropharmacology is the study of how chemical agents influence bodily functions in both health and disease, and indeed how the body deals with these chemicals. The module will concentrate on the use of drug-based therapeutics in a range of human diseases and will bridge the gap between basic cell signalling, biochemistry and the complex patho-physiology and treatment of the diseases.

Molecular Endocrinology

This module provides you with a foundation for the further study of endocrinology at the cellular and molecular level and a firm basis for understanding normal hormonal control.

Year Three

Tutorials and Research Project

Structural Molecular Biology

It is becoming ever more apparent that to completely understand a protein’s biological mechanism, three-dimensional structural information is essential. On this module, you will have the opportunity to explore and apply modern approaches and practical techniques to the study of biological macromolecules, building on your previous study of biophysical techniques and protein structures. You will pay particular attention to the structural techniques used to elucidate fundamental aspects and problems in biology-specific fields of interest in structural biology, including protein-nucleic acid interactions, protein–ligand interactions, protein folding and structure, macromolecular structures and biophysics.

Year Four

Research Skills Training

Extended Research Project in Industry

5b

• Science Communication
• Immunology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Oncology
• Principles of Development
• Integrative Neuroscience
• Synthetic Biology
• Introduction to Secondary Teaching in Biology
• Interdisciplinary and Business modules