ObjectivesBiochemistry and microbiology are complementary aspects of modern biology: biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of life, and microbiology is the study of microbes (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses). This course pursues the study of the molecular basis of life, with particular reference to the microbes that not only provide us with food, natural resources and life-saving antibiotics, but also cause epidemics such as plague, tuberculosis, foot-and-mouth disease and a host of others across the world. In this Dual Honours degree course you will study biochemistry and microbiology in an integrated way to a high level, alongside gaining a broad grounding in the other molecular biosciences.
Entry requirements-GCE/VCE A Levels - ABB -Two GCE A Levels plus two GCE AS Levels - AB+BB -Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers - AAAB / ABB -Irish Leaving Cert. - AABBB -BTEC Level N - 2 Distinctions +1 Merit -International Baccalaureate - 33 points -Core Requirements - 12 science units (not including Geography). We require Chemistry at GCE A Level or equivalent.
Academic titleBiochemistry and Microbiology BSc
Course descriptionThis is a list of modules that have been offered in the past. We expect similar modules to be offered for courses starting in 2009.
Typical First Year Modules
Module/Unit
-Biochemical Basis of Life
-From Cells to Organisms
-Genetics
-Molecular Biology of the Gene
-The Diversity of Life
-Practical Molecular Biology 1
-Practical Molecular Biology 2
Typical Second Year Modules
Module/Unit
-Analysis of Genomes
-Biological Energy Transformations
-Biological Membranes
-Gene Expression and Regulation
-Macromolecular Structure and Function 1
-Macromolecular Structure and Function 2
-Metabolism: Control and Manipulation
-Micro-Organisms in Human Disease
-Microbial Genetics
-Microbial Growth, Structure and Function
-Practical Molecular Biology 3
-Practical Molecular Biology 4
Typical Third Year Modules
Module/Unit
-Laboratory Project
-Library Project
-Assembly of Supramolecular Structures
-Bacterial Molecular Genetics and Differentiation
-Bacterial Pathogenicity 10
-Biochemical Basis of Human Disease
-Biochemical Signalling
-Biochemistry Data Handling
-Functional Genomics
-Macromolecular Machines
-Membrane Protein Structure and Function
-Microbial Sensing of the Environment
-Microbiology Data Handling
-Molecular Immunology
-Molecular Physiology
-Physical Methods for Studying Biological Structures
-Special Topics in Biotechnology
-The Microbiology of Extreme Environments
-Virus Infections of Humans