Course Overview

Develop your expertise in two engaging scientific subjects on our Biochemistry and Chemistry combined honours programme.

From unlocking the secrets of the human body to the individually tailored molecular therapies of the future, biochemistry is the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. This is the foundation for understanding all biological processes, including the development and progression of diverse pathologies, across species. It has become the foundation for understanding all biological processes and can provide explanations for the causes of many diseases in humans, animals and plants.

From the technology we use to how we treat illnesses, chemistry is essential to our modern life and offers a wide variety of career opportunities in many fields from pharmaceuticals and food technology to forensics and teaching. This course will provide you with a solid grounding in the underpinning theory of both biochemistry and chemistry with plenty of hands-on practical experience in Keele's state-of-the-art laboratories and observatory with opportunities to personalise your learning.

Biochemistry modules cover five core themes: macromolecular structure-function, metabolism and its control, genetics, cell biology and the applications of chemistry in the study of these. The course will give you a broad and varied grounding in modern biochemistry. You will explore the structure and function of biological molecules and metabolic processes, core chemical concepts and their application to the biological sciences and molecular cell biology.

You will further develop skills in communicating to range of target audiences including producing a product information leaflet on an allocated drug or medication detailing key information on the structure, function and biological activity. These communication skills are further developed later in the course in a variety of formats, such as experimental project reports, literature reviews, research posters. The year concludes with our undergraduate student research conference where you will showcase the outcomes of your research project.

As you advance on the Biochemistry and Chemistry BSc, you will also expand your practical and analytical skills in a Practical Skills in Bioscience module, including core molecular biology and immunological techniques, as well as in experimental design through conducting a mini-research project, supporting transition to your final year research projects.

The course will also enable you to build a strong grounding in core chemistry knowledge and will carefully guide you in understanding the mathematics underpinning chemistry. Particular attention is paid to building your practical skills and you will have access to various types of research standard equipment you are likely to use a career in chemistry - such as our ultra-violet visible spectrometry which is used to follow the rate of reactions of molecules that contain chromophores. Chemistry laboratory work is an integral part of our programme that help you to develop a variety of practical, computational and transferrable skills that employers value.

To provide context to the knowledge you are learning, you will also look at ways in which chemistry is applied to sustainable development and the environment. You will examine the political, social and economic impacts and explore topics like nuclear chemistry and energy, geochemistry, health and toxicology and green chemistry. Throughout the course you will expand your theoretical knowledge and practical skills and start to specialise in studying areas like spectroscopy and investigate core advanced modules including physical and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and a wide range of analytical techniques and their applications to solving problems in analytical chemistry. To develop your appreciation of the wider context of chemistry, optional modules provide the opportunity to also explore the economic, international and sustainability issues surrounding industrial chemistry. The programme also provides you with the opportunity to align your Biochemistry and Chemistry BSc to your career aspirations and interests by choosing from a variety of optional modules in your final year.

General Eligibility

A LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

• A Level requirement ABC/BBB

• To include A level Chemistry at grade B or above.

• A Pass in the Chemistry Science Practical is required if available

GCSE REQUIREMENTS

• Maths at C (or 4)

• English Language or Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DDM in a Science based subject

• You must have taken sufficient Chemistry units, please contact us for advice.

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component or equivalent.