BSc (Hons) Biochemistry Bachelor's degree at the University of Sheffield

This core module will introduce you to the essential components that constitute all living organisms. To understand the complexity of any biological system, we must understand it across scales from molecules through to cells, tissues, organisms, populations and ecosystems. This module explores the key principles of molecular cell biology that form the foundation of life. You'll learn about the structure and function of cellular components, how genetic information is stored and transmitted, and h

This module will teach you how a cell works at the molecular level, giving you a solid foundation of knowledge to build on throughout your course. Your lectures will describe molecular structures, interactions within and between molecules, factors affecting reaction rates, and the specific measurements needed to understand these processes. You'll also learn about the fundamental signalling mechanisms that enable cells to sense their environment, trigger appropriate responses, and regulate metabo

This core module explores the vast spectrum of life that underpins modern biology. We'll introduce you to the approaches used to study genetics, evolution, and diversity, including classical population and quantitative genetics, phylogenetic trees, and the fossil record, covering single-celled extremophiles to multicellular animals and plants. You'll examine the evidence for major transitions in Earth history, such as the colonisation of land and extinction events that have shaped life over geol

This module is built around a team-based project focussing on identifying and communicating a real-world bioscience problem. Your team will pick one issue from UN's Sustainable Development Goals to focus on. You'll research this issue using articles, reports, and data to better understand it, before creating a digital project showing why the issue matters and needs action. Depending on your interests, you could choose to focus on environmental issues, health disparities, or agricultural chal

This core module is designed to give you the essential practical skills you'll need for a successful career in scientific research. Throughout this module, you'll build a strong foundation in laboratory techniques, data handling, and scientific methodology. In Semester 1 you'll learn fundamental lab skills, such as pipetting, microscopy, and performing basic mathematical calculations. You'll also learn to use analytical software to collect and process data. In Semester 2 you'll work with your co

This module will introduce you to the scientific study of whole organisms. You'll explore the physiology, reproduction, and development of animals and plants. You'll learn how both genetic and environmental factors determine animal behaviour, and how those same factors contribute to form, function and diversity across life. You'll also investigate how animals and plants acquire and process energy, nutrients, and water, before examining asexual and sexual reproduction in a range of contexts.

This module will give you an understanding of the fundamental physiological processes that enable the human body to function. You'll learn about the major cell types, tissues and organ systems that make up the human anatomy, and be able to explain examples of how diseases and drugs affect them. We'll also introduce you to the experimental methods and techniques used to study physiology. By the end of the module, you'll have a thorough knowledge of how the human body functions, from cellular leve

During this module, you'll explore the rapidly expanding field of neuroscience, gaining insights into the experimental methods and techniques that are used here. You'll learn about the fundamental physiological principles that enable the nervous system to function, before exploring the anatomy and physiology of the sensory and motor systems. Alongside understanding the mechanisms of sensation and movement, you'll begin to explore the brain's role in behaviour, cognition, and memory. By the end o

This module will help you to understand the structures and functions of proteins and how free energy is made available from either light or reduced organic carbon compounds to generate ATP and NADPH for biosynthetic metabolism. We'll start by explaining how solar energy entering the biosphere is harvested by chlorophyll pigments. You'll learn how photosynthesis converts solar energy into ATP and NADPH, using the same redox chemistry and chemiosmotic principles that underlie respiration. From fix

This module will build on the biochemical topics you covered during your first year, giving you a deeper understanding of the underlying chemical principles and molecular interactions that govern life in cells. During lectures and practical classes, you'll be taught how to analyse and interpret biochemical data, plan appropriate experimental assays, and how to make predictions about enzyme and protein function. You'll learn about the chemical transformations and molecular interactions that invol

During this module, you'll develop the advanced professional skills you'll need for a data-driven world. You'll then apply your new skills, working in a team to address a real-world problem. We'll train you to use the statistical programming language, R, which is used to apply statistical methods to solve biological data problems. In the second semester, you'll work in a team to address a 'Global Challenge' from UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside your coursemates, you'll work to d

This core module will build on the laboratory techniques and associated scientific skills that you developed in your first year. Throughout the year, you'll complete mini group research projects, developing your own hypotheses before applying robust experimental design principles to test them. You'll then apply data analysis techniques to visualise and interrogate the data. We'll teach you how to effectively communicate your research projects. You'll be shown how scientific posters can be used a

During this module you'll explore key areas in cell biology including DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, the cytoskeleton, cell communication, signalling and vesicular trafficking in cells. We'll look at the latest experimental research and you'll also learn about the importance of this field to modern medicine.