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1. Subject knowledge and understanding:

You will have a good understanding of the core areas of chemistry and biochemistry, and will be capable of applying chemical principles to biological systems. In addition, you will acquire analytical skills that will allow you to apply biochemistry to the pharmaceutical/biotechnology context.

You will gain an understanding of:

1. the chemical and thermodynamic principles underlying biochemical reactions, including biological catalysts and techniques used to investigate them;
2. the bioanalytical techniques and their application to the extraction and characterisation of bioactive molecules;
3. the metabolism of nucleic acids and the technology that developed from this knowledge;
4. the molecular basis of genetics and its role in genetic disorders;
5. the various organelles and cellular structures and their function in physiology and pathophysiology;
6. the molecular basis of cancer and the development of molecular strategies to prevent cellular proliferation;
7. the molecular processes of the nervous system;
8. the biochemical processes involved in cell differentiation;
9. cell metabolism, its control and energy requirements;
10. protein structure and the application of this knowledge to the design of drugs;
11. how to extract information from large databases in the study of OMICS;
12. cellular signalling and its underlying molecular, cellular, physiological and chemical principles.
2. Intellectual development and
3. Key/transferable skills.
1. competency in both standard and specialised techniques that are used in life science research;
2. proper handling of laboratory equipment;
3. working safely in a scientific laboratory, with awareness of standard safety protocols;
4. the ability to apply relevant numerical skills, including statistics, to biochemical data;
5. the ability to employ and evaluate suitable experimental methods for the investigation of relevant areas of biochemistry and molecular biology;
6. develop and market a business venture;
7. be skilled in analytical analysis, calculations and problem solving;
8. the ability to search for information from different sources so as to retain and improve one's scientific knowledge;
9. the ability to communicate the information to others both in the written as well as in oral format;
10. the ability to assess and critically discuss conflicting concepts and principles;
11. the ability to utilise gained knowledge so as to be able to tackle both familiar but also unfamiliar situations;
12. the ability to plan, design, execute and present independent research;
13. the ability to interpret research data and literature through analytical, problem solving and decision-making techniques;
14. the ability to interpret, critically evaluate and troubleshoot results;
15. the ability to work both as a member of a team and independently in a laboratory;
16. have practical experience of modern instrumentation and classical techniques;
17. be competent in computer programmes to analyse and present data, to retrieve data from databases and to model three-dimensional structures;
18. the ability to engage in an open discussion of ethical issue arising from current developments in the biosciences.