Integrated Foundation - Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Biochemistry (C701)

Learn about the molecular foundations of life itself with BSc Biochemistry with Foundation. This is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

Biochemistry is at the forefront of understanding how molecules control and affect life, and an appreciation of these concepts allows biochemists to answer life’s fundamental questions and contribute to resolving critical biological problems such as designing drugs to treat cancer or even bacteria that can clean up an oil spill.

Through the lectures at Reading students will explore and discuss these biochemical concepts accumulating in an in-depth understanding of the subject. Students will have the opportunity to study their subject in a layered approach where they will focus on the molecular and cellular concepts of biochemistry in Year 1, followed by discussions of the organ and organism effects of these biochemical processes in Year 2. Finally, in Year 3 study topics at the forefront of biochemistry from cutting-edge research to human disease and structural biology. During Year 3, students will also take part in an 11-week research project where they will draw on all their skills and knowledge to tackle a biochemical research question. 

Students will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement between the third and final year. Students in previous years have worked on industrial and summer placements at Diamond Light Source (the UK’s national synchrotron), Public Health England, GSK, AstraZeneca and Covance. Students can also choose to spend a year abroad.