Biochemistry MSci (Hons) - 2025/6
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSci (Hons) Biochemistry
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Biochemistry |
| Ord | Biosciences |
| DipHE | Biosciences |
| CertHE | Biosciences |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | UCC31001 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | UCC31002 | 600 credits and 300 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Biosciences
Other internal and / or external reference points
NA
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Biosciences
Programme Leader
MEIRA Lisie (Biosciences)
Date of production/revision of spec
15/11/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- To provide a framework upon which students research interests may be refined and in which both practical and intellectual research skills will be developed.
- To deliver a cutting-edge employability advantage in which skills may be applied to research based and alternative career pathways.
- To further the students' knowledge of the fundamental principles of Biochemistry and to develop a deeper knowledge in specific areas of the subject.
- To provide a high-quality education in the various aspects of Biochemistry for students with diverse interests and career aspirations (including clinical laboratory scientist, researcher, scientific writer/editor, medical studies).
- To provide opportunities for students to think creatively, both individually and within groups, in order to propose innovative solutions to a range of problems of a biological/biochemical nature.
- To provide the appropriate environment to encourage the development of the students' interest in Biochemistry and to help them acquire appropriate intellectual, scientific, technical, digital and key transferable skills to promote self-directed and life-long learning.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Design, apply and critically evaluate complex biochemical techniques and concepts to undertake a range of biochemical investigations/experiments (linked to BSc (Hons). | K | MSci (Hons) | |
| Critically evaluate Biochemical research problems and apply and contextualise them within the established subject literature (linked to BSc (Hons) | K | MSci (Hons) | |
| An understanding of basic principles of Biochemistry and laboratory-based investigations in Biochemistry + Chemistry and the application of these to the study of biochemical processes in healthy and diseased individuals. | K | BSc (Hons) | |
| A good breadth of knowledge in the field of Biochemistry in general and a good depth of knowledge in any specialist subjects. | K | BSc (Hons) | |
| An understanding of the key principles of good laboratory, clinical and field-based investigation, good breadth of knowledge at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels and their application to a variety of aspects of Biosciences | K | Ord | |
| Engagement with many of the essential facts, major concepts, principles, theories and ethical and societal issues associated with a chosen discipline within the Bioscience | K | Ord | |
| Recollection of much of the key concepts, principles, theories, terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in specific fields within the Biosciences. | K | DipHE | |
| Broad basic knowledge at the molecular, cellular and organism levels with some degree of specialist knowledge. | K | DipHE | |
| Ability to recognise and outline the key principles of laboratory, clinical and/or field-based investigations within the Biosciences. | K | CertHE | |
| Basic factual biological knowledge at the molecular, cellular and organism levels. | K | CertHE | |
| Recognition of some of the essential facts, major concepts, principles, theories, key terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in Biosciences. | K | CertHE | |
| Critically evaluate current subject literature and research findings and propose additional research avenues based upon the existing information. Applying rigorous standards of information quality to the source material (linked to BSc (Hons) | C | MSci (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate competency in research design and critically evaluate the limitations of research findings (linked to BSc (Hons) | C | MSci (Hons) | |
| Evaluate research findings and scientific literature and find, evaluate and critically assess appropriate sources of material. | C | BSc (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate an understanding of research design and planning and the limits of scientific findings. | C | BSc (Hons) | |
| Synthesise information gathered from different sources to address specific scientific questions while recognising the incremental nature of scientific research in defining our modern understanding of Biosciences. | C | Ord | |
| Identify and solve problems using previously developed strategies, as well as demonstrate an understanding of the principles of research design and planning | C | Ord | |
| Recognise the place of research in defining new paradigms and the importance of following research procedures accurately and the consequences of failing to do so. | C | DipHE | |
| Apply information gathered from suitable sources to address specific scientific questions and employ previously developed strategies to guide problem solving | C | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues and the impact of advances in the Biosciences, encompassing an appreciation of the responsibilities of bioscientists to wider society | C | CertHE | |
| Utilise previously defined scientific procedures to illustrate bioscience principles, follow well defined schemes to solve problems; including the identification of sustainable actions in the laboratory and other professional settings. | C | CertHE | |
| Demonstrate competency in experimental design and execution of advanced laboratory skills and apply their use appropriately to Biochemical problems (linked to BSc (Hons) | P | MSci (Hons) | |
| Critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and articulate the limitations of research (linked to BSc (Hons) | P | MSci (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate effective independent learning, and assume responsibility for engagement with learning, careers and research opportunities (linked to BSc (Hons) | P | MSci (Hons) | |
| Learn and develop advanced practical and digital skills relevant to Biochemistry. | P | BSc (Hons) | |
| Interpret qualitative and quantitative data, and place it into context of the wider knowledge in the field.. | P | BSc (Hons) | |
| Learn independently and take responsibility for planning and organisation of work both on their own and in a team. | P | BSc (Hons) | |
| With minimal instruction demonstrate competence in key practical skills, basic laboratory, clinical and/or field skills relevant to Biosciences. | P | Ord | |
| Follow detailed investigative protocols as instructed, and plan the work set out individually or within a team as appropriate, and accurately report and analyse bioscience data to draw conclusions | P | DipHE | |
| With appropriate instruction, demonstrate competence in basic laboratory, clinical and/or field skills relevant to Biosciences, in a safe and ethical manner in order to accurately report and analyse data to draw basic conclusions. | P | CertHE | |
| Communicate Biochemical ideas, research problems, principles and data effectively to a range of stakeholders and via a range of communications media both written, oral and through digital communications platforms (linked to BSc (Hons) | T | MSci (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate effective individual, group and team-based practices, when provided with projects and tasks (linked to BSc (Hons) | T | MSci (Hons) | |
| Apply appropriate technology and statistical, numerical, digital skills to generate and analyse biochemical data and communicate the results (linked to BSc (Hons) | T | MSci (Hons) | |
| Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means. | T | BSc (Hons) | |
| Communicate bioscience concepts in a range of formats using appropriate scientific language | T | Ord | |
| Use academic literature, the internet and other electronic resources critically as a source of information. | T | DipHE | |
| With some guidance, work effectively on an individual task, as well as in small groups to achieve a common goal. | T | DipHE | |
| Select and apply basic statistical and numerical skills with some guidance, to analyse simple bioscience data. | T | DipHE | |
| Use the internet and other digital resources to identify appropriate sources of scientific information to evidence and communicate basic bioscience principles using appropriate scientific language. | T | CertHE | |
| Identify own strategies for effective learning and time-management, and engage with necessary support where appropriate. | T | CertHE |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Integrated Master's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and 7). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Integrated Master's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over five academic years, consisting of 600 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6, 7 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
1 from 2 listed optional modules
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
1 from 2 listed optional modules
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
4 from the 7 listed optional modules.
Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMSM020 | MOLECULAR MEDICINE | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| BMSM026 | DRUG DISCOVERY FOR A NEW AGE | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| BMSM029 | CRITICAL REVIEW OF BIOSCIENCE LITERATURE | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| BMSM031 | BIOINFORMATICS AND DATA SCIENCE | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| BMSM027 | ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT | Core | 60 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
N/A
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
1 from 2 listed optional modules
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
1 from 2 listed optional modules
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
4 from the 7 listed optional modules.
Professional Training Year (PTY) -
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMSP007 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) -
N/A
Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMSM020 | MOLECULAR MEDICINE | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| BMSM026 | DRUG DISCOVERY FOR A NEW AGE | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| BMSM029 | CRITICAL REVIEW OF BIOSCIENCE LITERATURE | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| BMSM031 | BIOINFORMATICS AND DATA SCIENCE | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| BMSM027 | ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT | Core | 60 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
N/A
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | Y | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | Y | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience.
Employability:
Knowledge of subject area, problem solving and critical analysis skills - key to employment and success in the professional workplace. Students acquire real-world skills that are valuable for any professional in science: team work, project management, independent learning, and clear and concise writing.
Digital Capabilities:
Use of various digital platforms for online interaction, review of content. Use of an electronic lab notebook for recording procedures, results and data obtained. Use of varied statistical and bioinformatic tools.
Global and Cultural Capabilities:
Case studies/research problems are from a range of countries and cultures and are highlighted during the programme.
Sustainability:
In line with OneHealth approach the module works towards relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like SDG3 (health).
Resourcefulness and Resilience:
Self directed flipped learning supported by active learning tutorials. Independent research complements active learning tutorials. The students work independently and in groups and become critical of their ability and understanding of experimental work and design.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.