Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the chemistry of living systems, investigating the molecular processes that sustain life, including the metabolism of nutrients, the synthesis of proteins, the regulation of gene expression, the mechanism of enzymes, and the molecular basis of disease. It is one of the most intellectually vibrant areas of modern science, underpinning advances in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and our fundamental understanding of what life is and how it works. Biochemists work at the boundary between chemistry and biology, using the precision of chemical analysis to illuminate biological problems and the insights of biology to give chemical investigations their purpose.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year, full-time degree is supported by state-of-the-art teaching facilities in the Science Teaching Hub, which provides high-tech teaching laboratories and research-grade equipment that allows you to develop the practical skills that are genuinely valued in the workplace. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study biochemistry at an international institution and to experience different research environments. A typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the strong scientific preparation expected of students entering this programme.

Biochemistry graduates go on to work in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical research organisations, NHS laboratories, food science, agricultural research, environmental science, and academic research. Many pursue postgraduate study in biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, or a clinical field, and the research and laboratory skills developed in this degree are highly valued across life sciences, healthcare, and the rapidly expanding field of personalised medicine. The practical and analytical skills of a biochemistry graduate are also valued in science policy, regulation, and science communication roles.