Overview of the Course and Resources
About this Handbook
This handbook applies to students studying the undergraduate biochemistry course (M.Biochem.) in the academic year 2024-2025.
The Examination Regulations relating to this course are available at Examiners, exam regulations, exam conventions and useful links. If there is a conflict between information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations then you should follow the Examination Regulations. If you have any concerns please contact Dr Mark Wormald.
The information in this handbook is accurate as at 1st October 2024, however it may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at www.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges. If such changes are made the department will publish a new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and students will be informed.
The University has a wide range of policies and regulations that apply to students. These are easily accessible through the A-Z of University regulations, codes of conduct and policies available on the Oxford Students website at www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/regulations/a-z.
Introduction : The Department and the Course
Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry. The Department in Oxford is one of the largest in Europe with a programme of research and teaching that reflects the growth and excitement in this rapidly moving subject.
It was formed in 1920 with the establishment of the Whitley Chair of Biochemistry, currently held by Professor Dame Amanda Fisher who was appointed in 2023. It has seen major extensions in the past three decades and is now in a large modern department that is equipped for research in all aspects of the subject. In 2008, the Department moved into a brand new, purpose built building that houses the majority of activities, although outposts remain in the Rex Richards buildings. The current Head of Department is Prof Francis Barr.
The Department has about 50 senior academic members of staff, 150 postdoctoral workers, 150 research students, and over 300 undergraduates.
A wide variety of research is undertaken by members of the Department with Structural Biology and Molecular Genetics being particularly strong. The department is equipped with modern research support facilities. Major infrastructure includes X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, cell imaging and a wide range of other biophysical methods. There are also cell culture facilities and extensive modern equipment for molecular biological research.
There is a very active student (undergraduate and postgraduate) Biochemical Society (OUBS) which organises seminars on topical subjects, careers information days and some social events. The department also has a cafeteria in the ground floor of the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin building, which is open to all members of the University.
Further information about all of the above and more can be found on the Department website.
The Department and Colleges
Undergraduate students are admitted to Oxford by the Colleges, who also organise their tutorial teaching, provide housing for one or more years and look after their welfare. The University is responsible for examinations and awarding degrees, with the University departments organising lectures and providing practical and class teaching. Thus students are members of both a College and a Department and will receive teaching from both. College tutors typically also have departmental affiliations, and will spend much of their time there, on teaching, research or administration. Often the same people will be teaching you in College and in the Department.
The Biochemistry Course
The biochemistry course takes four years and has an intake of about 100 students per year. It is divided into three sections.
In the first year, the foundations of biochemistry are laid out in five separate modules, namely cellular biochemistry, mechanistic biochemistry, molecular biochemistry, physical biochemistry and quantitative biochemistry. The lectures provide introductory coverage of the main topics in biochemistry, together with the maths, physics and chemistry necessary to understand the later parts of the course.
The second and third years build on the first year and explore subjects in greater detail. In the second year there is emphasis on the experimental basis of modern biochemistry and biophysics; how such techniques and computing methods can be applied to problems like protein structure determination and the analysis of gene sequences. You are also introduced to areas such as molecular genetics, metabolic regulation, physiology and plant biochemistry. In the third year you also explore more complex aspects of living processes. These include molecular biology, cell signalling, immunology and the molecular mechanisms which control development and differentiation. These two years provide not only the "tools of the trade" but an understanding of the basic mechanisms which control so much of the life of animals, plants, micro-organisms and viruses. Some of the lectures develop further the topics introduced in the first year.
In the fourth year, the style of work changes. Building on the knowledge gained earlier, you choose one optional area to study in depth and write a review article on this.
An important aspect of the Oxford Biochemistry course is its fourth-year project, lasting 23-weeks full time, which allows you to explore both laboratory-based research and specific recent advances in biochemistry in detail. You choose the project yourself. Under the supervision of a group leader, you will design your own experiments, and will learn to plan research programmes and present your results and ideas - orally and in written form - to other workers in the field. The experience gained is much valued by employers. The project also gives you the opportunity to reflect on your aptitude and enthusiasm for a research career.
A wide choice of fourth-year research projects is available both within the Biochemistry Department, and in related departments, such as Molecular Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry, Pathology and Pharmacology. It is also possible to arrange a project outside the University or indeed outside the UK.
The subjects taught on the course are scientific and no topics are likely to carry trigger warnings of content which may cause any discomfort, offence, anxiety, emotional upset, trauma or distress. However, the nature of some of the topics covered (e.g. certain ilnesses) may affect individuals differently. If you have any concerns, please approach the Teaching Office to discuss.
Course content and structure
Course aims
The aims of the programme are:
- to educate high quality students on an equal opportunity basis by providing them with a learning environment which encourages them to achieve their academic and personal potential;
- to give a grounding in both the conceptual approaches and practical techniques used in modern biochemical research by teaching a curriculum that reflects modern research within a framework of established biochemical principles;
- to provide a course in line with the QAA Biosciences Benchmark statement, and the Core Curriculum as set out by the Biochemical Society, but also drawing on specialisms within the teaching/research staff;
- to provide suitable training and application of acquired skills, enabling students to progress to careers in biochemical or medical research;
- to provide training in relevant transferable skills for careers in science, or other careers that require analytical problem-solving skills
Course learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will have:
- acquired an understanding of the conceptual and practical aspects of modern biochemistry and its interdisciplinary nature;
- appreciated the insights into life processes to be gained from the application of both physicochemical and biological methods;
- developed a facility for independent learning from a range of sources, including critical analysis of the original literature, and a capacity for independent thought;
- developed conceptual and practical skills to define, analyse and solve problems;
- had experience of critically researching and analysing the research literature;
- appreciated and be practised in the numerical skills necessary to process, analyse and interpret experimental data;
- understood the principles of experimental design and safe use of materials and equipment in a laboratory context;
- gained hands-on experience in a range of practical skills and methodologies relevant to biochemical research;
- acquired basic skills in computing and data handling;
- acquired an appreciation of the three-dimensional structures of complex molecules, and have appropriate skills in handling molecular graphics and databases;
- completed an independent project of original research, involving a literature review and experimental design, culminating in a dissertation;
- developed skills in logical thinking and problem-solving;
- learned to precis large bodies of information, and present reasoned arguments both verbally and in writing;
- gained experience in designing and undertaking a research project;
- acquired computer and keyboard skills enabling them to present work to a high standard;
- acquired skills in general and technical communication, both through verbal and written reports in varying formats;
- developed time management skills in both study and laboratory contexts;
- had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities to stimulate personal development.
Course structure
The programme is offered as a four-year course leading to the degree of Master of Biochemistry (M.Biochem.) with Honours.
Year 1: Prelims
Five courses are taken, covering the subjects:
- Cellular biochemistry;
- Mechanistic biochemistry;
- Molecular biochemistry;
- Physical biochemistry;
- Quantitative biochemistry.
The course:
- provides a challenging, yet pragmatic transition from school to University and takes account of students' maths/biology A-level background;
- introduces the basic principles of biochemistry;
- establishes the groundwork necessary for progression on to the Final Honours course;
- gives practical experience covering basic experimental techniques in protein and small molecule chemistry, enzymology, genetics and microbiology.
Examination at the end of the year 1:
- Candidates must have a satisfactory practical record (continually assessed);
- Candidates take five written papers, one in each of the five subjects;
- Candidates must pass all five papers (in one sitting, or after one resit) to proceed to year 2;
- Candidates are graded as Distinction (a weighted average of 70% or more over all five papers), Pass (40% or more on each paper) or Fail.
Years 2 and 3: Final Honours School, Part I
Teaching is done along five themes, developing the subjects in increasing depth over the two-year period, in:
- Tool boxes for biochemistry
- Information transfer in biological systems
- Molecular processes in the cell
- Cellular chemistry
- The cell in time and space
The course:
- teaches the essential components of modern biochemistry;
- develops progressively from year to year;
- has the flexibility to incorporate recent developments in a rapidly changing subject area;
- widens the range of practical techniques used and introduces an element of experimental design which increases as the course progresses;
- introduces computer-based and problem-based data handling exercises in parallel throughout the two years;
- provides an opportunity (also in year 4) to complete a supplementary subject, on a topic outside the normal scope of the undergraduate course.
Examination at the end of the year 3:
- Candidates must have a satisfactory practical record (continually assessed);
- Candidates take four termly summative assessments (two in year 2 and two in year 3)
- Candidates take seven written papers at the end of year 3;
- Candidates must achieve and average of 40% or more over all seven papers (in one sitting) to proceed to year 4;
- Candidates are graded as Honours Pass (40% or more), Pass (30%-39%) or Fail;
- A candidate's marks are carried forward and contribute 57% to their final degree classification
Year 4: Final Honours School, Part II
All students do a project plus in depth study in one area, all focused on original research:
- A 23-week, full-time research project, chosen by the student out of approximately 100 on offer or self-arranged;
- Independent study in one area leading to a submitted review article.
The course:
- allows the students a high degree of specialisation;
- gives students the opportunity to conduct an original research project for 23 weeks in a laboratory in one of many Departments in related subjects in the University, designing and performing experiments to produce results for a dissertation;
- provides research skills training.
Examination at the end of the year 4:
- Candidates submit a dissertation and give a verbal presentation on their research project;
- Candidates submit a review article on their chosen area;
- A candidate's marks are combined with their Part I marks to give an overall mark;
- Candidates can get additional credit for completing a supplementary subject in year 2 or 4;
- Candidates are graded on their overall mark as 1st (70% or more), 2:1 (60%-69%), 2:2 (50%-59%), 3rd (40%-49%) or Fail;
- Candidates achieving a 1st, 2:1, 2:2 or 3rd are awarded an M.Biochem., candidates who fail are awarded an unclassified Honours BA
Syllabus
The syllabus for the course is the content of the lecture courses, classes and practicals. Links to these can be found by clicking on the following: 1st year courses, 2nd year courses, 3rd year courses, 4th year courses.
Teaching and Learning
A Typical Weekly Timetable During years 1-3, your work is divided between lectures (about ten per week), tutorials (one or two per week), departmental classes (on average one per week in the first year) and practicals (averaging one full day per week). The remaining time is spent on private study (set reading, or problem-solving exercises). In the fourth year, the project occupies you in full-time research for twenty-three weeks, and the remainder of the year is spent in writing up your research project and studying specialist option topics. Your final degree class is derived from a combination of marks from second-, third- and fourth-year courses.
Lectures (usually about 10 a week) are given in the Science Area. The lecture material defines the course, and forms the basis of your examinations. The course is kept under constant review by a Steering Committee which contains representatives of the student body as well as members of the academic staff. In this way new developments in the subject, and requests from students for teaching in particular areas, can be rapidly incorporated into the course. Lecture lists are circulated to students at the beginning of each term and are available to download on the departmental web site.
Tutorials allow you to study individual topics in more depth and also to clarify lecture topics in small group discussions (usually two to four students). They are not intended as a substitute for lectures and you will not cover all of material in the course during your tutorials. Your college tutor will arrange at least one tutorial a week for you (normally with a partner). This may be with your personal tutor, or with other tutors to learn about their specialist areas. For a tutorial, you are given a reading list in advance; this reading then forms the basis for your essays and for discussion during the tutorial in which you will be expected to show that you understand the topic in question and the experimental evidence that underlies it. You can also learn a lot by discussing the topic with fellow students in advance of the tutorial.
Classes (for ten to fifteen students) are arranged by the Department, particularly for certain subjects in the first year (physical biochemistry, molecular and cellular biochemistry, and maths & statistics). These are usually taught by graduate students or post-docs based on problems sheets produced by the Department.
Practical classes run throughout the course in parallel with lectures, occupying about a third of each week. Some are lab based (wet) practicals, which introduce you to the basic techniques used in research laboratories; others involve computer-based work (e.g. on manipulation of databases and molecular structures) or the assessment and interpretation of experimental data. First year practicals tend to last for one day, but in later years longer practicals allow you to devise and complete more challenging experiments, and serve as an introduction to the more independent research you will carry out in your fourth year.
Overall pattern of teaching
Pattern of teaching for each year of the course Download Pattern of teaching for each year of the course
The link above gives the overall pattern of teaching for each year of the course in the academic year 2024-2025. The precise details will vary a little from year to year as the course evolves but the overall pattern will be similar.
Libraries
Oxford University Library Services is the main provider of library services, including 30 libraries and a huge collection of e-resources. Your University Card acts as your library card.
The University provides online access to a large range of e-resources, including electronic copies of journals such as Nature, dictionaries, citation services, etc. If you are connected to the University network, you will be able to access most of our subscription resources without requiring a username or password. For access from outside the local network, log in using your Oxford University Single Sign-On account (Webmail username and password).
The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) is in Parks Road and is the main library for science and pre-clinical medicine. It holds lending and reference copies of the text books on your reading lists. They are located in the underground reading room on Level 2, and classified by subject. The RSL also has WiFi access; reading rooms for quiet study; a bookable Group Study room; computing, printing, photocopying, scanning and refreshment facilities; a Document Supply service; and an Enquiry Desk. More details of the available resources can be found on the Library Resources page.
College libraries tend to concentrate on the more common undergraduate text books. They are a very convenient place to start when looking for information, and frequently can provide all the resources needed for the first year course. However, they can never compete with the range and scope of material available in the Radcliffe Science Library.
Canvas
The University uses the Canvas website to provide interactive teaching and learning material online. There is a dedicated area within this for biochemistry which is accessible from anywhere in the world. Here you can find up-to-date information about your course such as lecture timetables, lecture summaries and slides, instructions for the practical classes, and general information about the course, reports on previous exams and links to further resources and information. We can also use these sites for collecting feedback from students about the course, online submission of work, setting multiple choice tests, etc. You can also use these sites to store documents and resources, create your own sites, etc..
Help, advice and useful contacts
College
If you have any academic or personal problems, your first point of contact should always be your College Tutor. They will advise you:
- on the courses you should be taking;
- on the tutorials you should be taking;
- on appropriate work patterns for course work and for examinations;
- on the appropriate College Officers to see regarding administrative or financial problems;
- on your College support network (College Nurse/Adviser/Counsellor /GP/JCR reps) regarding health or personal problems.
Your College Tutor is also be a member of the Teaching Committee, and will be able to transmit your comments on the course to the Teaching Office if you so wish.
Every College has their own systems of support for students, please refer to your College handbook or website for more information on who to contact and what support is available through your College.
Department
Biochemistry teaching (except tutorials) is organised by the Teaching Office.
For current information about the courses, you should check your university and e-mail the noticeboards in the department regularly, and the Biochemistry Canvas pages.
If you have specific queries or problems with Departmentally based teaching, please raise these as soon as possible so that they can be addressed promptly with one the Teaching Staff below:
University
Details of the wide range of sources of support that are available more widely in the University can be found on the Oxford Student Welfare website.
If you feel in need of personal advice totally outside your College or the Department, the University runs an independent Counselling Service based at 3 Worcester Street. The Counselling Service can be contacted by Tel: (01865) 270300 and E-mail: counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Last modified on 6th August 2024