Biochemistry at University

Hi @Sophie Warman I am not at uni but you can take a look at this on UCAS: Search - UCAS and you can see what courses involve. Alternatively, here is a Google search: biochemistry degree - Google Search Also, you're in Year 12, so it's still early days - but decide whether you might want to do Biochemistry or Biomedical Sciences? Thanks, Emmanuella

Thank you ever so much, I will take a look at those websites and also might do a bit of research into the differences between biochemistry and biomedical sciences - I know they’re a bit different but my knowledge on why is a bit cloudy. Thank you so much! 😊

no problem! have you considered starting a grow your grades blog? ❤️

Hi
I'm in my first year doing biochem at Sheffield
Only one of my moduels is actually called biochemistry there are others linked like molecular and cell and genetics etc. Let me know if you have any specific questions

I haven’t! What exactly is that if you don’t mind me asking? 🙂

hiya you can read all about it here: Grow Your Grades 2023 - 2024! - The Student Room

Thank you for your help, is this what you were expecting when you went into the course or was it more ‘biology-heavy’ as opposed to chemistry than you expected?

So for me I wanted one that was more biology based than chemistry based,
There were two things that helped me pick which was reading the moduel descritptions as some unis had modules that were called inorganic chemistry ect and I knew I didn't want to go down that course.
I would also reccomend looking at entry requriements as for my course biology is required and chemistry is reccomend. Whilst I wouldn't reccomend doing biochemistry without chemistry as lots of the chemistry knowledge has come up it helped demonstrate that the course wouldn't be as chemistry based as others that were avaliable

Most if not all biochemistry courses are in the school of biosciences rather than the chemistry demartment and I haven't found one where there is more chemistry than biology however some are more of an equal split but if your looking for chemistry based degree it might not be the right one but if you wanted a mixed one then might be good

Thank you ever so much, this is really helpful and I will look into some different courses - I think I’m looking for a roughly equal split at the moment and so this is fab! Thanks

This is ever so helpful Rebecca - I have been looking quite thoroughly at courses but obviously it’s really hard to tell what the course will turn out to be like until you are doing it. I adore both biology and chemistry (hence why I have looked into Biochemistry) but it’s the modules that interest me most. I am particularly enamoured by molecules, structure and bonding in chemistry and much to do with genetics and DNA replication, enzymes and biological molecules so I am looking into degrees that focus on most of those - I will definitely look into that website you linked because I think it could be very beneficial for me. Thank you ever so much!

We definitely share some similar interests then! My favourite part of biochemistry is proteins, and recently I've been super interested looking at their structure and interactions in terms of small molecule drug development. I'm going to quickly use this as a chance to recommend you consider applying for a degree with a placement year - the year in industry learning from scientists out of university is so interesting and you can always opt out after you've joined the university if you decide against it later on.

Good luck with your research and future applications!
Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Thank you ever so much, this is really helpful and I will look into some different courses - I think I’m looking for a roughly equal split at the moment and so this is fab! Thanks

I was wondering if anyone has any insight into what a biochemistry course is like at uni? Obviously all unis have slightly different courses and I can easily look into each curriculum etc… but I wanted an opinion from someone who has done or is doing said course. For a long time I have been planning on doing a medicine degree but after some long thought, I have begun to consider other options because I am not sure it’s what I truly want, any advice on how to decide aswell? Thanks - Sophie (Yr12)

I should mention, the level of chemistry never exceeded a level with biochemistry. I was at Manchester, I loved organic chem in school which is why I took it. Ultimately you will do organic chem. pure chemistry at uni is highly mathematical, depends how your brain works. I would not recommend doing Biomed, you’ll learn more on a Biochem degree and tbh if you decide to do med later both are equally as applicable.