Lancaster University

• To provide a structured, progressive and thematic training in areas of biochemistry and genetics which will provide students with a knowledge and understanding appropriate for subject-specific graduate employment.
• To prepare graduates for careers with a wide variety of employers such as pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries, government agencies and hospitals.
• To offer a range of modules which allow students to specialise in particular areas of genetics.
• To encourage academic curiosity which will prepare students for lifelong learning.
• To equip students with the intellectual and practical skills necessary for progression to postgraduate study.
• To develop critical and analytical problem-solving skills as well as general/transferable skills so as to prepare students for more general, non subject-specific graduate employment.
• To offer all students the opportunity to conduct a substantial research project.

Knowledge and Understanding

Students will acquire a broad knowledge of biochemistry and genetics in the context of health and disease with detailed understanding of:

• Genetics and Biotechnology
• Protein Biochemistry

Plus two of the following areas:

• Cell Biology
• Cell Interactions
• Biomedicine
• Medical Microbiology

Skills

Intellectual skills able to:

• Plan, conduct and report a substantial individual investigation
• Synthesise and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources
• Analyse and interpret a range of biochemical processes
• Formulate and test concepts and hypotheses
• Apply biochemical principles and methodologies to the solution of problems
• Reason critically
• Interpret numerical data

Practical skills able to:

• Apply quantitative techniques in biochemical analysis
• Use spectroscopic and instrumental methods for the monitoring and measurement of biomolecules
• Retrieve and select information from a variety of sources
• Collect, analyse and present observations and experimental data
• Carry out risk assessments and list appropriate safety precautions associated with practical or project work

Transferable skills able to:

• Work independently or as part of a team
• Find information and use relevant information technology
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
• Design and prepare project proposals
• Be self-reliant
• Assess the relevance and importance of the ideas of others
• Manage time and work to deadlines