Course structure
This MBiochem course with Professional Training Year is full-time over five academic years. Year one is made up of six 20-credit modules, with three 40-credit modules taught in year two. Your third year is spent on professional placement and, in the fourth year you will study three 30-credit modules, along with a 30-credit Advanced Research Techniques module which encompasses advanced bioinformatics training and an integrated practical project. Your final year is made up of two 20-credit modules and a research project which carries 80 credits. While we aim to offer as much flexibility as possible in our courses, module choice may be restricted on the basis of Entry Degree to provide capacity on core modules which are required for some degree schemes.
Year one modules involve lectures and supporting tutorials providing background theoretical knowledge as well as practical classes. Our various degree schemes share a common year one, which covers all aspects of the biosciences and has the big advantage of giving you flexibility of degree choice. Classes provide students with IT skills for biologists and an understanding of statistical analysis of data, and coursework is used to develop written and oral communication skills.
In year two, we offer modules across a wide range of subjects. In all cases, extensive laboratory practicals help to develop practical skills and the ability to critically evaluate experimental data. Set assignments and reading are used to promote self-directed learning and the analysis of primary research literature.
The third year is spent on a work placement related to your degree. During this placement you will undertake all aspects of research, including experimental design, data acquisition and analysis and, finally, data presentation with the production of a project report and presentation.
Alongside three subject-specific modules, the fourth year provides training in advanced research techniques and bioinformatics, ensuring that you are fully prepared for the extended research project in your final year.
Final year taught modules focus on further developing advanced research techniques, literature searching and analysis skills, discussion and group-based critical appraisal of work, as well as planning of experimental work. The research project module will be a fully-immersive experience within a research laboratory over a 6-month period.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/2023 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.
Year one
The first year is a common year, covering all aspects of the biosciences. This reflects the increasingly multi-disciplinary nature of bioscience research, and had the added advantage of offering you flexibility of degree choice.
The first year course syllabus provides a grounding in essential subjects, including a Biological Chemistry module that present topics at the chemistry/biology interface and explores modern analytical techniques. The Biochemical components of the first year course include topics such as the structure and function of proteins (including enzymes), DNA structure and replication, gene organisation and expression, genetic manipulation techniques, lipid and carbohydrate biochemistry, and key aspects of metabolism.
The modern, modular syllabus is delivered through lectures, tutorials, presentations, and practical classes carried out in spacious, well-equipped laboratories. It provides a firm foundation in all the biological disciplines, including biological chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, genetics, evolution, anatomy and physiology, animal and plant biology, and ecology, as well as focusing on developing practical and academic scientific skills. Modules may begin by overlapping with A-level studies, but will soon progress to greater depth and scope.
Year two
Your second year will put greater emphasis on the experimental basis of biochemistry and related areas of the biomolecular sciences such as molecular, cell and developmental biology. You will undertake practicals that cover modern research techniques such as recombinant DNA manipulation and analysis, protein and lipid biochemistry and microbiology, with a strong focus on data analysis and interpretation.
You will also build on your year one knowledge to develop a sound grounding in more advanced areas of gene function, molecular genetics, protein biochemistry, metabolism, cell biology, development, evolution and cell signalling.
This will ensure that you have the necessary skills and awareness of key techniques in preparation for whatever aspect of biochemistry becomes your chosen area of specialisation, both in the final year of the course and in your subsequent career.
In year two, you have a choice of three from up to 12 available modules, giving a total of 120 Credits.
Year three: Sandwich year
The Professional Training Year (PTY) provides an opportunity for you to spend 9-12 months in an academic, clinical or industrial/commercial research laboratory, or other approved establishment, in order to gain first-hand research experience.
You will undertake different aspects of research, including experimental design, data acquisition and analysis and, finally, data presentation with the production of a project report and presentation.
Our Professional Training Year Coordinators will support you in finding a suitable position that is relevant to your career aspirations, and a tutor will keep in touch with you and visit you during your placement.
Many placements are in the UK, but we have also had several placements in other locations, particularly in Europe through the EU ‘ERASMUS’ scheme in which Cardiff is a partner, but also including Southeast Asia, South Africa, Germany, Italy and the USA.
Finding a placement is a competitive process and success cannot be guaranteed. However, we have been successful in placing the vast majority of our Professional Training Year students.
A placement report, written by you, will count towards your final degree assessment.
Year four
Our fourth year curriculum enables you to specialise in more detail within one of the major research themes of the School. This approach immerses you in the research culture of the biosciences, by means of research-driven teaching and a project that allows you to investigate a topic in much greater depth.
Application of core knowledge to the solving of problems and critical evaluation models, ideas and current debates is a primary focus of the third year. This stage of the course will involve an extensive degree of self-directed study in order to develop skills in independent work and lifelong learning, which will help to prepare you for the professional environment.
Year five
The final year of the Master’s course consists of an extended project conducted in an active research laboratory, together with further training in advanced research techniques and a ’Frontiers in Bioscience’ module. Your individual research project will be novel and the results may even be complete enough to be published in a scientific journal, contribute to a publication or trigger a whole new avenue of subsequent research. You will be trained and supported in carrying out your project by researchers, helping you to develop your skills as a practical research scientist. The high degree of subject specialisation and knowledge gained during this year will contribute to making you highly employable in both research and commercial bioscience sectors.
