Biochemistry with Professional Training Year (MBiochem)

Cardiff University

United Kingdom, Cardiff

University RankQS Ranking

155

Apply Now!

Go to Official Website

Home/United Kingdom/Cardiff /Cardiff University/Biochemistry with Professional Training Year (MBiochem)

Cardiff University

United Kingdom , Cardiff

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

873C

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2024

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 5 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 23,450 / year

Next Intake September-2024

Biochemistry with Professional Training Year (MBiochem)

About

Why study this course

Our integrated Master's in Biochemistry with Professional Training Year is aimed at aspiring researchers and those seeking a career in science. This five-year undergraduate course enables you to explore the current frontiers of knowledge in your chosen field and provides training in advanced research techniques.

Biochemistry is the study of biological systems at the molecular level and it has a rich history of scientific discoveries, from enzymology and metabolic pathways to the discovery of genes and the structure of DNA. Today the subject embraces important new areas, such as genomics, systems and synthetic biology.

During your degree, you will discover the key role that biochemistry contributes to advances in all biological disciplines, including medicine and biotechnology. You will receive extensive hands-on training in laboratory and (depending on module selection and availability) field research techniques, and develop widely transferable skills in computing, statistics, data analysis and presentation.

Your third year is spent on a professional work placement related to your degree. Experience shows that this greatly enhances your subsequent employment prospects.

This course will enable you to increase your scientific understanding, as well as developing both your academic skills (critical appraisal, evaluation and analysis of data) and practical, presentation and written skills. Ultimately, we aim to produce graduates who are employable, well-informed, versatile and enthusiastic ambassadors for science.

The knowledge and skills developed during the MBiochem course will make you employable in a broad range of careers within all areas of biological and molecular sciences, including pharmaceutical industries, research, publishing and teaching. The skills acquired on the course are also an excellent grounding for many other career paths outside of science. Alternatively you may wish to further your studies with a higher degree.

Distinctive features

Enjoy a flexible course structure that enables you to tailor your degree to match your interests and aspirations.
Enhance your career prospects and gain professional research experience with a sandwich year placement.
Investigate a topic of your choice and develop your skills as a research scientist with an extended project in an active research laboratory.
Develop your field research skills with one of our popular project-based field courses. Opt for one of our UK-based courses or choose to travel further afield to locations such as Tobago or Borneo.
Experience the excitement of learning in active research environment, with teaching staff who are leading researchers in their field.
The School of Biosciences offers access to a wide range of exciting training opportunities with a field centre in Borneo, and strong involvement in Cardiff University research institutes, including the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute and the Medicines Discovery Institute.

Subject area: Biochemistry

academic-schoolSchool of Biosciences
icon-chatGet in touch
Telephone+44 (0)29 2087 4296
MarkerMuseum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX

Learning and assessment

We provide a student-centred educational experience based on academic excellence and informed by world-leading research. We seek to support every learner in an inclusive learning culture.

Core knowledge and understanding is acquired via lectures, practical classes, research seminars, workshops and tutorials while independent study, group work and project work help to develop advanced knowledge and understanding.

You will be expected to undertake independent study and increasing independence of learning is expected as the course progresses.

Selected elements of the course may be available through the medium of Welsh and you can also request a Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor for pastoral and academic support, should you wish.

Students with disabilities will be fully supported in co-ordination with the University's Disability and Dyslexia Support Service.

How will I be supported?

All of our staff are experienced researchers in their respective fields and are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise with students.

The primary interaction with academic staff will be during lectures, laboratory practical sessions, workshops or small-group teaching sessions (tutorials). You will also be allocated a Personal Tutor who will provide pastoral support and academic advice throughout the course.

Lecturing staff are contactable in association with teaching sessions or by email, and operate either an â€˜open door' policy for students who have specific queries about course material, or a system of booking meeting times. Each degree also has a degree scheme co-ordinator who can advise on academic issues, whilst each year of study has a year co-ordinator who can advise on administrative issues related to the course. There is also a convenient Education Office with a friendly and experienced team who can answer most administrative queries.

Feedback
Feedback on your study, work, and progress will take many forms, from formal written comments on submitted work to more informal conversations and advice during classes and practicals. Throughout the course, we will provide detailed feedback on all assessed coursework. This is normally provided through a dedicated online system, enabling you to conveniently access your feedback via a computer or tablet device. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your academic and personal development progress with your Personal Tutor, and to discuss examination essay papers in order to improve your performance. During practical work and the research project, you will receive regular feedback from the supervising academic.

How will I be assessed?

First and second year modules are normally assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. All modules include coursework assessments, which may take the form of written practical reports, structured reports, class tests, structured answer tests, group work, poster and oral presentations and computing/statistical problem-solving exercises. Assessments may be summative and count towards the final module mark, or formative, helping you to learn and practice key skills and knowledge through feedback. End of module examinations comprise a machine-marked structured answer section (assessing breadth of knowledge) and a written answer section (assessing depth of knowledge in specific topics).

During the Professional Training Year you will produce a placement report, which will count towards your final degree assessment.

In the fourth year, taught modules are assessed by examination and extended analytical coursework. The Advanced Research Techniques module will be assessed via a written report as well as a poster presentation and an assessment of bioinformatics competence.

Final year modules are assessed by coursework only. The research project will be assessed by a supervisors' evaluation, a written report and presentation.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Throughout the course, you will develop scientific competencies as well as key transferable skills that will be invaluable whatever your future career choice. These include:

independent learning and self-directed study;
collating, organising and analysing information to create logical and persuasive arguments;
analytical thinking and problem solving;
communicating complex ideas in a clear, effective way (using all media);
working effectively in a team and as an individual;
IT competency, including presentation, graphics and statistics packages;
performing and interpreting statistical analyses of data;
effective time management and organisational skills.

As a result of engaging fully with this course, you should be able to:

critically analyse, synthesise and summarise information from a variety of sources;
discuss the relationships between structure/formation and function/regulation of molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organisms and populations;
effectively communicate scientific, and other, information to a variety of audiences, including the general public, using a range of formats and approaches;
discuss current issues of research, investigation and/or debate, arriving at a considered critical judgement;
synthesise an argument or point of view, based on solid data and evidence;
determine the validity and rigour of statistical outcomes;
integrate concepts and ideas to make predictions and formulate and evaluate new hypotheses;
conduct a range of field and practical laboratory skills in an accurate and consistent manner;
integrate empirical observation with theory, extrapolating information from laboratory to field;
apply contemporary research techniques to solve biological problems;
demonstrate the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example working independently, time management, organisational, enterprise and knowledge transfer skills).

Disciplines

School of Biosciences

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate courses

You will be required to have good A-level scores or the equivalent of the International Baccalaureate Diploma to be considered for admission on to our undergraduate degree courses.

Alternatively, the successful completion of a recognised International Foundation Programme or a Community College Diploma or one or more years of undergraduate study at a recognised Jordanian University may also be considered as acceptable for entry on to our undergraduate degree courses.

Career

Careers and placements

Career prospects

In 2015/16, 92% of the School's graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.

Our Master's degree is aimed at aspiring researchers or those seeking a career in science, and the competencies developed throughout the course are ideally suited to pursuing high level careers in research-related fields (e.g. studying for a PhD or working in industry).

Our graduates also have many transferable skills that are attractive to a wide range of employers in more general areas of industry, commerce, public service, administration and management. Finally, a degree in Biochemistry can act as a stepping stone to further training in professional areas including teaching, medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science or accounting.

Placements

This course includes a Professional Training Year (PTY) which gives you the opportunity to spend a period of 9-12 months in an academic, clinical or industrial research laboratory, or other approved establishment, in order to gain first-hand research experience.

Many placements are in the UK, but we have also had several placements in other locations in Europe, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Germany, Italy and the USA.
Finding a placement is a competitive process and success cannot be guaranteed. The process will primarily be driven by you since most placements depend on application and selection by the partner company or organisation. However, we provide advice and support, and to date we have been successful in placing the vast majority of our PTY students.

Should a placement not be available, or should you change your mind, you can switch from the five year degree with PTY to the four year integrated Master's MBiochem degree.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 23,450 / year

How to Apply

Before you apply Chevron right

Choose your course

Search for a course
Check the UCAS application deadlines (under 'application deadlines' on this page)
Check the specific entry requirements for your course
International students can check their qualifications by visiting the relevant country page
Some courses may involve attending an interview, sitting a test or submitting a portfolio - if required this will be stated in the entry requirements
Make sure you meet the English language requirements (non-UK only)
Read our admissions policies for more information on our application process.

Gather documents and information

Make sure you have everything you need to complete the application form (eg. education history, personal statement, referee details). This information is available from the UCAS website.

Apply Chevron right

Applications for all full-time undergraduate courses must be made through UCAS Apply. You can apply from 1 September the year before you intend to start your course.

Applicants with disabilities or specific needs

If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) make sure you note this on your UCAS form so that we are made aware of your needs in advance of arrival.

Part-time study

Some courses are available part-time. If you are interested in a part-time course you'll need to apply directly to the University, not UCAS. To find out more please visit our part-time study page.

Track your application

You can track your application with UCAS Track.

UCAS Extra

If you would like to apply to another university but have already used your five choices, you might be eligible for UCAS Extra. This service allows you to apply for courses with vacancies between the end of February and the end of June. Find out more about UCAS Extra.

Application deadlines Chevron right

UK students

There are two UCAS application deadlines:

15 October for Medicine (UCAS Codes: A100 and A104) and Dentistry (UCAS Codes: A200 and A204)
29 January for all other courses (for 2021 applications only - usual deadline is the last Wednesday of January.)

Applications after 29 January: you may apply until 30 June but your application will be marked 'late' and admissions tutors will consider it at their discretion.

Have a look at our key dates page to ensure you don't miss anything.

International and EU students

Applications from overseas students (non EU) will be accepted through UCAS up until 30 June. However, it is recommended that you apply by the 29 January (for 2021 entry) as courses may close after this date if they become full.

Medicine (UCAS Codes: A100 and A104) and Dentistry (UCAS Codes: A200 and A204) have a separate deadline of 15 October.

If you are applying after 30 June, please contact the International Office directly to discuss your application.

Taking a year out

Most academic schools will consider deferred applications but you must indicate this on your UCAS form along with your reasons for deferring. Check with the relevant academic school before you apply.

Receiving your offers Chevron right

UCAS will contact you by email or letter once you have at least one offer. If you are offered a place, your offer will be either unconditional or conditional:

Unconditional offers

This means that you have met all the academic requirements and we are happy to accept you.

Conditional offers

This means that we will offer you a place if you meet certain conditions which are usually based on your exams or an English language test. Once you have met the conditions and accepted your place through UCAS, your offer will become unconditional.

Invitations

Depending on the course, we may invite you to an interview, an information day or ask you to provide a portfolio of work. If this is the case, this will be clearly indicated in UCAS Track.

When will I hear?

The sooner you submit your application through UCAS (after it opens on 1 September) the earlier you should start to receive offers. However, bear in mind that universities and colleges have until early May to make their decision.

Replying to your offers Chevron right

You must now consider the offers you've received and inform UCAS of your choice through the Track system. The deadline by which you must reply will be displayed in Track.

You have three options:

Firm acceptance

This is your first/preferred choice. You can only have one firm acceptance.

Insurance acceptance (optional)

If your firm acceptance is a conditional offer, you can accept another offer (conditional or unconditional) as an insurance choice in case you fail to meet the terms of your firm acceptance. You can only have one insurance acceptance.

Decline

You must decline all other offers. If you do not wish to accept any offers made, you can decline them all. Depending on your circumstances, you may then be eligible to use UCAS Extra or clearing.

For detailed information on how and when to reply to offers, please visit the UCAS website.

What to do if you have no offers

If you receive no offers or choose to decline all offers, you might be able to apply through UCAS Extra for another course. You will only be able to apply to courses that still have vacancies. Extra is open from the end of February to early July. In Extra, you apply for one course at a time using UCAS Track.

To be eligible for UCAS Extra you need to have:

already made five choices
received decisions from all these choices, and
either had no offers or declined all the offers you have received.

Remember: If you decline your offers and add an Extra choice, you will not be able to accept any of your original choices later.

Please see the UCAS website for further information

How we get your results Chevron right

Many exam results are sent to us from UCAS directly, so you don't need to send us copies. You can check UCAS to see which exam results they receive.

If your results are not provided to the University by UCAS you will need to upload a copy of your official certificate or transcript via the online application service.

If you are not able to upload a copy of your results, you can email or post them to us. Please don't send us original documents in the post.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we do not recommend sending documents in the post as there will be a delay in processing. If you have any questions then please email [email protected].

Nominating someone to act on your behalf Chevron right

The University is bound by the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 in terms of safeguarding personal information. The University will not discuss your application with anyone unless you have given written permission for the University to do so.

You can authorise someone to respond to our requests for information, submit correspondence and make decisions, for example accommodation preferences, on your behalf. This can be particularly useful if gap year travel is planned. Details should be sent in writing to admissions.