Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of life. Study a degree in London where you will learn all aspects of modern biochemistry including: biological chemistry, metabolism, cell biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, structural biology and immunology. During the programme, you will also train in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and presentation.
KEY BENEFITS
- Europe's largest centre for medical and professional healthcare education.
- Only university to host six Medical Research Council centres.
- Teaching by internationally renowned scientists and researchers.
- Contemporary approach based on our history of pioneering discoveries – including our part in finding the structure of DNA.
- Career opportunities through international exchanges and working in industry.
- One of the UK's best graduate employment rates.
UCAS code
C700
Programme type
Single honours
Duration
Three years
Location
Guy's and Waterloo Campuses
Year of entry 2014
Offered by
School of Biomedical Sciences
Department of Biochemistry
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
King’s College London
Hodgkin Building
Guy’s Campus
London SE1 1UL
Email
Tel
020 7848 6511
Fax
020 7848 6510
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of life. Students are taught all aspects of modern biochemistry including biological chemistry, metabolism, cell biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, structural biology and immunology.
Experimentation is central to all aspects of biochemistry and so you are trained in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and presentation.
In the second and third years you focus on the use of biochemistry in understanding human disease, biophysical techniques used in understanding biological processes and the relationship between protein structure and function.
Year in industry / research:
You may be offered the chance to take a year outside King's between your second and final year, working in an industrial or research establishment in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. This extramural year provides relevant work experience and often improves your choice of job opportunities after graduation.
ABOUT THE Department of Biochemistry
CAREERS
Our graduates follow diverse career paths, reflecting the diversity of specialisation possible in the final year.
Approximately one third stay in academic or industrial research, most pursuing postgraduate degrees; increasing numbers are now turning to graduate-entry medicine or dentistry and many enter a variety of professional and business careers, some not directly within science but for which the basic skills of a rigorous scientific education are becoming increasingly attractive to employers.
Recent graduates have found employment as….
• Hospice Assistant, a Hospice
• Junior Business Analyst, Haymarket Consumer Media
• Paralegal, Legal company
• Research Administrator, King’s College London
TEACHING STYLE
Teaching takes place in lectures, seminars and tutorials and through practical laboratory
work. The emphasis gradually shifts from supported learning and help in adjusting to
university life towards self-directed learning.
After the Common Year One shared by all BSc biomedical science students, in the second year you will study metabolism, protein structure, molecular and cell biology and select some optional modules to reflect your own interests. In the third year there is an opportunity to specialise further in biochemistry or molecular genetics and to pursue laboratory and/or library-based projects in areas of current biomedical research.
Three factors underpin your learning: first, it is increasingly research-based, so you learn not just the facts but in addition develop the ability to test hypotheses and evaluate evidence; second, since the department is embedded within one of the largest, and most highly rated, medical schools in the country, a medical perspective pervades much of the teaching; and finally, you will be explicitly encouraged to apply your scientific understanding to wider issues facing society.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Assessment is usually by written examination at the end of each academic year, with
increasing weight given to later years of study. First-year students have mid-sessional tests in most first semester modules in January. Increasing importance is being given to
coursework which takes the form of tutorials, workshops, essays, seminars and practical class reports.
LOCATION
As a large multi-faculty university, we have excellent social and sporting facilities, but a
key attraction is our central London location. Our three campuses along the River Thames are located in the cultural and social heart of the capital and offer our students the opportunity to explore art galleries, theatres, museums, markets, restaurants and cafés.
SPECIAL NOTES
Year in industry/research
You may be offered the chance to take an additional extramural year outside King’s,
between your second and final year, working in an industrial or research establishment
in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. This greatly expands both your work and research experience, and often improves your choice of job opportunities after graduation.
Currently, students study the following core modules shown below. Optional modules are available and the current choices are shown. King's reviews its option modules on a regular basis in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the School/Department for further advice. Students take courses worth 120 credits in each of the three years.
YEAR 1
In common with all of the BSc programmes in the School of Biomedical Sciences, students take compulsory modules in the biomedical science disciplines.
YEAR 1 CORE
Modules cover biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, cell and tissue structure and function, statistics and issues related to the practice of science, including ethics and communication.
YEAR 2
Students are required to take four core modules plus options.
YEAR 2 CORE
Gene Cloning & Expression
Metabolism
Protein Structure & Function
Cell Biology
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
Further options up to 45 credits. Options include:
Drug Discovery & Development
Human & Molecular Genetics
Immune System in Health & Disease
Medical Microbiology
Physiological Control; Exercise & Environment
Reproduction & Endocrinology
Psychology
Social Impact of the Biosciences
Tissue Pathology
A modern language
YEAR 3
Students are required to take two core modules, a research project, plus options.
YEAR 3 CORE
Protein Structure & Design
Systems Biology
Library or Extended Research Project
YEAR 3 OPTIONS
Up to 75 credits from a range of modules.
Advanced Molecular Genetics
Biology of Ageing
Biology of Cancer
Biochemistry & Genetics of Human Disease
Biomedical Diagnostics
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Control
Cellular Basis of Drug Dependence
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Cell Physiology
Cellular & Systems Neuroscience
Complex Disease Genetics
Endocrinology of Diabetes
Extreme Physiology
Free Radicals & Human Disease
Infection & Disease in the Modern World
Biometals in Health and Disease
Mechanisms of Development
Medical Genetics
Molecular Immunology
Molecular Genetics of Model Organisms
Neuroendocrinology
Pharmacology of Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders
Pharmacology of Inflammation
Principles of Neurobiological Research
Reproductive Physiology
Drug Safety & Toxicology
Viruses & Disease
A modern language
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
96+ ATAR, or an OP of band 3 for Queensland including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1 including 1 in Chemistry and Biology
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diplma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 17/20 including 8 or 17 in Chemistry and Biology
Brazil
Brazil
Leaving CertifHigh School icate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5 including 5.5 in Chemistry and Biology
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 85% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 85% at five grade 12 4U subjects including Biology and Chemistry. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 31.
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80%.
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology plus at least an additional foundation/Access year
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1 including 1 in Chemistry and Biology
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 10 including 10 in Chemistry and Biology
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5, (including 5 in Chemistry and Biology) and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 6 including 6 in Chemistry and Biology
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The Baccalaureat with 13/20 overall and 13 in Chemistry and Biology
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.5 overall including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAB including high marks in Chemistry and one other science
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolytirion with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Three elective subjects at minimum Levels 5, 5, 5 to include Chemistry and Biology, plus Level 4 in each of the core subjects.
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian univeristy.
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkur) with 16 OR 3 Cambridge A levels at AAB. All including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level unless otherwise stated)
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 including Chemistry and Biology at A grade.
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at ABB OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year. Including Chemistry and Biology
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 8 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres bien including Tres bien in Chemistry and Biology
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAB including Chemistry and Biology
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of ABB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 including 9 in Chemistry and Biology
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 7.5 including 7.5 in Chemistry and Biology
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects, including Excellent in Chemistry and Biology
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB, including Chemistry and Biology
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university
Poland
Matura
Matura with 80% in extended level subjects including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 8 including 8 in Chemistry and Biology
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB. All including Chemistry and Biology
Singapore
Singapore A Level
AAB in three content-based H2 subjects. (To include a minimum of two from Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics) Knowledge and Inquiry is not considered as part of the offer.
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 2 including 2 in Chemistry and Biology
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAABB including high marks in Chemistry and one other science
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 8 overall including 8 in Chemistry and Biology
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG including MVG in Chemistry and Biology
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university
United Kingdom
A levels
AAB
Compulsory subjects
AAB to include a minimum of two from (Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics) of which at least one must be Chemistry or Biology and, if only one, you must have AS grade A in the other subject.
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Science (or similar) Diploma including study of Chemistry and Biology at Level 3 with 33 Level 3 credits from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining credits at Merit. Supplementary information and achievement e.g marks for certain credits/subjects may be required depending on course content. Preferred other subjects are Maths and Physics.
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 M2 including Chemistry and Biology
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
AAABB at Higher and AB at Advanced Higher. Advanced Highers should include at least two subjects from Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics of which at least one must be Chemistry or Biology (and if only one, you must have Higher grade A in the other subject. )
International Baccalaureate
35 points and 665 HL to include a minimum of two from (HL - Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics) of which at least one must be Chemistry or Biology and, if only one, you must have 6 SL in the other subject.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including 8 - 8.5 in Biology & Chemistry
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 554 including Chemistry and Biology
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
NON ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Scholastic activities
We hope to attract applicants who participate in any scholastic activity, e.g. general reading, debating, theological interests etc.
Community activities
We hope to attract applicants who have participated in school, college or community life, making the most of the opportunities available to them and also demonstrated some experience of society beyond their immediate environment.
General activities/interests
We hope to attract applicants who have varied extra-curricular interests and enjoy active participation in areas such as sport, music and the arts in general. Any participation is valued and any achievement in extra-curricula activities will be particularly recognised. King’s aspires to attract applicants who will continue with their personal interests and contribute to the vitality of the College community.
Interviewing
Are interviews offered? Yes.
Are all applicants interviewed? No. Only applicants who may be borderline or from a non-traditional educational background may be called for interview.
Are all those made an offer interviewed? No. The majority of admissions decisions are made on the basis of information provided on the UCAS form.
What form does it take? Interviews last between 20 and 30 minutes and are Chaired by the Admissions Tutor and one other member of academic staff.
What is considered at interview? Your personal statement and academic performance to date will be explored.
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
We welcome applications from students with A-levels or equivalent qualifications from the UK, EU and other countries. Before you apply, you may wish to attend a pre-application open day, usually held in July. All applicants who receive an offer from us will have an opportunity to visit the School, either for interview or at a post-offer open day. These events take place between February and April and give you the opportunity to ask questions about studying at King’s. If you would like a personal discussion with a staff member about your career aspirations and interests, please contact the Health Schools Admissions Centre in advance to make an appointment.