Biochemistry study guide 2023/24

Biochemistry at Bristol

The emphasis of Biochemistry at Bristol is unashamedly on the biomolecular processes that underpin human health and disease. These approaches dominate both our research and our teaching programmes.

Research

Our research studies extend from fundamental single-molecule studies of biomolecules through whole cell imaging to studies in model organisms. The quality of our research has been consistently recognised in the UK research assessment exercises, and in REF2021 we were ranked 8th in the ranking of UK biological sciences departments, with 95% of our submitted outputs rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”. Research in the School of Biochemistry is supported by approximately £9 million of competitively awarded, external income per year.

Teaching

The enthusiasm for research from our school community directly inspires what we teach, and this is borne out in quality and satisfaction ratings across our teaching. The annual National Student Survey results consistently confirm that our students have a very high level of satisfaction with their undergraduate experience at Bristol (for example in the 2021 NSS 100% of respondents said that they were satisfied with the quality of the course, found it intellectually stimulating, and had been challenged to achieve their best work).

Unit structure

The school offers many classes that are based in a single semester, and can therefore accept unit requests from Study Abroad students who want to join Bristol for just the autumn or spring semester.

Unit levels

The school offers units at undergraduate levels of study: year 1 (level C/4), and year 2 (level I/5). Postgraduate units are not available.

Unit codes

Unit codes in the School of Biochemistry begin with 'BIOC' or 'MOLG'. This is followed by a number indicating the year (1, 2). For example:

  • BIOC10000 = year 1 unit
  • BIOC20000/MOLG2000 = year 2 unit

For more information about each unit, check the University's unit catalogue for 2023/24. Applicants on all study abroad programmes must review the unit details on the catalogue before listing unit choices on their application form. This includes checking the format of assessment for each unit. The unit catalogue for 2023/24 is expected to be updated by the end of April 2023.

Your unit choices cannot be guaranteed. Some units may not have capacity to accommodate all of the unit requests we receive. Registration on a unit also depends on whether you meet the pre-requisite conditions through prior study at your home university.

Units available on the study abroad programme in 2023/24

The following units from the School of Biochemistry are open to inbound Study Abroad students.

Year 1 (level C/4)

TB1

  • Biochemistry: Cellular Composition (TB1) – BIOC10003
  • Biological Chemistry 1A: Molecules of Life (TB1) – BIOC10001

TB2

  • Biochemistry: Cellular Processes (TB2) – BIOC10004
  • Biological Chemistry 1B: Powering Biomolecular Interactions (TB2) – BIOC10002 

Year 2 (level I/5)

TB1

  • Macromolecular Structure, Dynamics and Function (TB1) – BIOC20002
  • Recombinant DNA Technology (TB1) – MOLG22100

TB2

  • Gene expression and rearrangement (TB2) – MOLG22200
  • Molecular Cell Biology (TB2) – BIOC20001

Year 3 (level H/6)

None available

Year 4 (level M/7)

None available

Suggested unit combinations

Option 1 (Year 1 level)

  • BIOC10001 and BIOC10002
  • BIOC10003 and BIOC10004

Option 2 (Year 2 level)

  • BIOC20001 and BIOC20002
  • MOLG22100 and MOLG22200

Application queries

Contact the Centre for Study Abroad inbound team if you have any queries about the application process for the study abroad programmes:

Phone: +44 117 39 40207
Email: cfsa-inbound@bristol.ac.uk

Auditing

Students cannot audit units. Study abroad students are fully registered on units for credit purposes and must attend teaching only for classes that they are registered on.

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