Biology and Chemistry
Biology and Chemistry is a combination that spans two of the foundational natural sciences, giving you the tools to understand living systems from both an organismal and a molecular perspective. Biology addresses how organisms develop, function, reproduce, and interact with each other and their environments. Chemistry provides the molecular and physical-chemical framework that underlies biological processes: the bonds, reactions, and structural properties that determine how proteins fold, how drugs bind to receptors, and how energy is stored and released in cells.
Together they give you a versatile scientific training that is particularly valuable at the boundaries between the two disciplines.
At Durham University, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities and a year abroad, making it one of the more richly structured joint science degrees available. You will study core biology covering ecology, genetics, evolution, and cell biology alongside chemistry covering organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, as well as the analytical and computational methods used in both fields. Laboratory work is central to both disciplines throughout the degree, and you will develop practical skills in biological and chemical techniques that are directly applicable in professional scientific settings.
The career range for Biology and Chemistry graduates is broad, reflecting the versatility of the combination. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, materials science firms, environmental agencies, agricultural research organisations, and academic institutions all recruit from this field. Roles in research and development, quality assurance, environmental science, and technical sales are common starting points.
The combination is also strong preparation for postgraduate study in biochemistry, pharmacology, environmental science, chemical biology, or medicine. The placement year and year abroad give graduates a significant advantage in a competitive graduate market.