Subject Advice Guide

Biochemistry

Overview

“Biochemistry is about smashing open some cells and looking at what they do.”

— Mark Wormald, Senior Tutor

The course is really about the chemistry that goes on inside a cell and how it affects metabolic pathways, enzyme kinetics and the behaviour of aqueous environments. Throughout the course, you’ll study a range of organic compounds and its relation to cellular growth and interaction with DNA, alongside the physical behaviour of atoms and particle theory.

Although maths isn’t required, it’s recommended to have it since there is a module in first year dedicated to maths and stats which coincides with the physical biochemistry module. You won’t be disadvantaged without it however since there are lectures/classes that teach from the basics, but it can speed up quite quickly, so having some prior knowledge is useful.

Choosing Your Course

Most people studying biochemistry would have chemistry (required), maths (recommended) and biology/physics as their A-Levels or equivalent.

I chose biochemistry by looking at the modules that interested me the most which ruled out studying pure biology/chemistry or maths at degree level. I preferred studying enzymes and metabolism over plant biology and biodiversity. I was also keen to learn more about proteins and found that I understood these topics better (and I enjoyed learning more about them too!) Also, Oxford has no admissions test for biochem, which was even more of a reason for me to apply!

I also had the chance of going to a few summer schools and shadowing programs at oxford to get a taste of undergraduate life in the subject and the tutorial system which helped me choose.

Career Prospects

Biochemistry has the benefit of being useful in a wide range of career choices, from working in labs and forensics to going on to study medicine or work in clinical-based placements or even going into the fields of finance and law. Many graduates go into further research and pursue a PhD.

What to Expect

Year 1: Roughly 10-12 lectures per week with 2-4 classes/tutorials and typically a full day of lab work on a Friday.

Year 2/3: Roughly 5-8 lectures a week, with 1-2 tutorials a week depending on the college. Lab practicals are held approximately twice a term. In second year, there is a lot more free time compared to first or third year, allowing you to explore what parts of biochemistry you enjoy most.

Final year: Working on a final year project, most likely in a lab.

Course Structure

Year 1: There are five modules: molecular cell biology, organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, biological chemistry, and maths & statistics; these are examined on at the end of the year in the form of ‘prelim’ exams, which do not count towards your final grade but a passing grade is needed to progress to the next year.

Years 2/3: Over these two years, various topics are studied that are examined on at the end of third year in the form of six papers; there are no exams in second year. Topics include proteins, enzymes, bacteria, genetics, developmental biology, and immunology.

Final year: This year is for a final year project on a topic of your choice, and usually involves working in a lab for the majority of the time, eventually producing a project dissertation and an extended essay in the form of a review article. The academic year is extended by about two weeks.