MSC in Biochemistry

Modern Biochemistry grew out of the application of chemical techniques to biological problems. In many ways it combines Biology and Chemistry, but the subject now covers such a wide range that it is difficult to draw a neat border around the discipline. Biochemistry, provides the foundations of Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Genetics, Zoology, Botany, and even Surgery and Anatomy. The Oxford course concentrates on molecular aspects of biological functions in the plant, animal and microbial kingdoms. It is very broad in scope, ranging from the structures of biological molecules and how they are determined, through genetics and molecular biology and their applications, to cell differentiation and immunology.

Studying at Oxford gives you the chance to be part of a large multidisciplinary department, which is internationally renowned for its research on a wide range of questions on the fundamental basis of all cellular life from man to microbe. As a student here, alongside department-based lectures and college-based tutorials, you will gain substantial laboratory experience both through regular practicals and a fourth year research project.

In becoming a Biochemistry student at Univ, you join a small group of very well-supported students. Our highly experienced tutors are research-active, and in tutorials and classes they enjoy encouraging stimulating discussion and an exploration of their students’ own interests. Univ supports all of its students whose courses place a heavy emphasis on Maths, including Biochemistry, with an introductory Maths Week at the start of their first year. This is to ensure you are as prepared as possible to be successful in your studies.

There is a wealth of information about the Biochemistry course structure, possible option choices, and admissions criteria on the University of Oxford’s main website, available at ox.ac.uk

Any undergraduate degree at Oxford provides you with a wide variety of transferable skills and therefore Univ’s students progress to a diverse range of careers. For some, their undergraduate degree leads to academic research, industrial research or teaching. For many, their future career, for instance in business, government or the charitable sector, is defined less by the subject they studied and more by the skills they acquired. Oxford’s Careers Service provides destination statistics for graduates.

University College (often referred to as ‘Univ’) was founded in 1249 and is a large and varied community comprisingabout 370 undergraduates and 230 graduate students, 70 academics, and 95 support staff. It was established as a placewhere education and learning should be promoted and this remains its overall aim. Oxford University and its collegesoffer unrivalled facilities not only for academic work but also for sport, cultural and social achievement. Your academicwork must be given priority over all other activities, but with careful organization of your time, you will be able to joinin and enjoy many of the other opportunities on offer. Much is available within the College, but you will also be likelyto benefit from participating in University-organised activities.

We want academically able candidates from all backgrounds and from all parts of the UK, Europe and the world to choose Oxford, and to choose Univ.

Here are just some of the reasons why we believe that Univ stands out:

• Academically we are very strong, with outstanding tutors and lecturers, and a clear focus on supporting our students’ work and academic ambitions. Take a look at who teaches what on our Academics A-Z pages

• We are big enough to offer a wide range of subjects (see Courses at Univ), but small enough to be well known in Oxford as a friendly, inclusive and supportive College community

• Want to study Maths, Computer Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Earth Sciences or Engineering Science? Come to Univ and we’ll invite you to a free week-long Maths course just before the beginning of your first term. It gives our mathematicians and scientists a real head start in their studies

• We are right in the middle of Oxford with shops, restaurants and everything else on our doorstep. The Examination Schools, where many lectures are held, are right next door, the main University library is two minutes’ walk away and the Science Area is just a ten-minute walk

• Univ students can often have College accommodation for the whole of their course – read more on our Accommodation page

• Our students can participate in a vast range of non-academic activities. We’re strong in music, drama and sport, and have a long list of College clubs and societies. We have the largest non-auditioning choir in the University and a new, multi-million-pound boathouse on the bank of the River Thames. Find out more on our Music and Sport & Societies pages

• Lots of our students get involved in our unique Ambassador Scheme, working with schools and pupils to encourage them to aim for Oxford when applying to higher education; a real opportunity to give back

• We have excellent student welfare provision and we aim to be one of the best colleges in Oxford when it comes to supporting our students: we take pride in being known as a caring community. Find out more on our Welfare Support page

• We have one of the most generous needs-based bursary schemes in the University. About a sixth of Univ students receive an Old Members’ Trust Bursary worth between £100 to £1,750 per year. We have lots of other book and equipment, travel and vacation study grants too, and a student support fund for students experiencing unexpected financial hardship

• Univ runs an ambitious new scheme called the Opportunity Programme which aims to help expand the number of UK students from disadvantaged backgrounds at the College. Find out more on our Opportunity Programme page