Undergraduatestudy

BIOCHEMISTRYCanterbury

The UK’s European university

systems and processes in the living cell. It has a molecular focus and crosses disciplines from biochemistry to microbiologyand biomedical science.

Our research feeds directly intoour teaching, providing exciting and relevant final-year projects, well-equipped and well-resourcedlaboratories, ensuring that youlearn the most up-to-date sciencepossible.

Teaching excellenceThe School of Biosciences wasawarded the maximum score of 24from the Quality Assurance Agencyfor Higher Education, achieving fullmarks in areas such as the designand delivery of teaching materials,and the support and guidance wegive our students. The assessorsconcluded that the School offers

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ANDINSPIRATIONAL TEACHING

‘well-designed, flexible andcoherent degree pathways, taughtby dedicated and enthusiastic staff,well-matched to the syllabus andclearly informed by industry andresearch’.

This reputation for teachingexcellence is reflected in theNational Student Survey. Forexample, in Biochemistry, Kent hasbeen rated as one of the top ten UKuniversities in five of the last sevenyears for overall course satisfaction.In the most recent survey (2015),96% of our Biochemistry studentsreported that they were satisfiedwith their course, putting the Schoolin 7th position nationally.

The School also has a reputationfor innovation. Two of ouracademics, Dr Dan Lloyd and DrPeter Klappa, have recently won

Biochemistry

Kent is one of the UK’sleading universities,ranked 23rd in TheGuardian UniversityGuide 2017. In theResearch ExcellenceFramework (REF) 2014,Kent is ranked 17th*

for research intensity,outperforming 11 ofthe 24 Russell Groupuniversities.

World-leading researchThe School of Biosciences at Kentranks among the most active inbiological sciences in the UK,with research funding of around £5 million per year. Outside bodieshave commended the School forits research, which is acknowledgedto attain international levels ofexcellence. In the REF 2014, allof our research was judged to beof international quality, and, basedon our results in the REF, we wereranked 7th in the UK for researchintensity in the Times HigherEducation (THE).

Biochemistry deals with the waythat living organisms function at themolecular level. It is an expandingsubject in which rapid technologicaladvances will have a great impacton health, economic, social andenvironmental issues, and ourdegree programmes reflect thisdiversity. The research in the Schoolis focused on understanding

*of 122 universities, not includingspecialist institutions.

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You have the option to spend a year studying abroad (see p10).This is a fantastic opportunity for personal development andprovides an added insight into yoursubject while experiencing a newcultural environment. We have aninternational community on campus,with 31% of academic staff comingfrom countries outside the UKand students representing 148nationalities.

Summer VacationStudentshipsWe offer Summer VacationStudentships, giving you thepossibility of a paid eight-weekresearch project in one of theSchool’s research labs during thesummer vacation after the secondyear. The studentships are optionaland do not contribute to your finaldegree result, but they provide anideal opportunity to experience theexcitement of research first handand to gain valuable skills that willbe useful to you when seekingemployment or further study atthe end of your degree.

Alternatively, you could apply to join the International GeneticallyEngineered Machine (iGEM) project.This is an international competitionfor undergraduate studentsinterested in synthetic biology(www.igem.org/about). In the lastthree years, our iGEM teams havewon medals including gold in 2015.For more details, see p20.

Our Summer Vacation Studentshipsand the iGEM team are funded inpart from money given to us by our

alumni (The Stacey Fund) and all of our students are eligible to apply.

A successful futureWe have excellent links with anumber of employers and canoffer you support in finding a workplacement during your degree.A year working in the pharma orbiotech industry, in the NHS, or ina range of other businesses givesyou the opportunity to earn a salaryand gain relevant work experience to significantly enhance youremployment prospects. You can lookfor a research-based placement, orone that provides another type ofgraduate-level training, such asmanagement or informationtechnology. See p8 for details.

Professional recognitionAll of our biochemistry degreesare accredited by the Royal Societyof Biology (RSB), and our four-yearSandwich degree has beenawarded Advanced Accreditationdue to its inclusion of a substantialperiod of professional practice.Accreditation is an importantcertification of approval andemployers are increasing lookingfor students with accrediteddegrees to ensure the relevanceand quality of their undergraduatetraining. More information aboutRSB accreditation can be foundon the Society’s website:www.rsb.org.uk/students

National Teaching FellowshipAwards: Dr Lloyd for work on theSchool’s communication projects(see p21) and Dr Klappa forintroducing novel ways of usingIT in lectures, which enables theteaching to be captured and easilyreviewed later. Dr Klappa has alsodeveloped new ways of providingindividual feedback to students,and in collaboration with computergraphics experts, has developedhigh-quality animations to helpexplain difficult biological conceptsthat are available on YouTube.

Supportive community Teaching methods include lectures,lab classes and work in smallgroups (via tutorials, workshops andproblem-solving sessions). We alsouse some self-learning packagesand many web-based resources.

You gain extensive practical trainingand spend up to two days a week inthe laboratory. In the final year, youconduct an eight-week researchproject which may be laboratory,library, communication, computingor business-based. These projecttypes are designed to provide arange of skills for future careersand are closely aligned with theexpertise of the academic staff.

A global outlookAccording to the Times HigherEducation (THE), Kent is rankedin the top 10% of the world’suniversities for international outlook.Our School has an internationalreputation and collaborates withresearch groups throughout theUK, mainland Europe and beyond.

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SUPERB STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Based on a scenic campus,you have the use ofmodern teaching labs,with state-of-the-arttechnology.

World-class study facilitiesOur recently refurbished teachinglaboratories ensure that you havean excellent environment in whichto develop your practical skills. TheSchool of Biosciences attracts alarge research budget, which allowsus to provide an excellent researchinfrastructure. If you choose to dolaboratory research as part of yourfinal-year project (see p21), you willwork alongside our internationallyrenowned research scientists, usingthe same high-level technology.

In 2013/14, over £2 million wasspent upgrading the School.Academic facilities on campus are excellent. The newly extendedTempleman Library has extensiveprint and electronic collectionsspecifically aimed at supporting the subject areas taught at Kent.Electronic resources includee-journals, e-books, databases,reference resources and newspaperarchives. There is also a rangeof study support services for help and advice.

Thriving scientificcommunityThe School collaborates withresearch groups throughout theUK and mainland Europe. It hasexcellent links with local employerssuch as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK),MedImmune, Eli Lilly, Lonza, Aesica

Pharmaceuticals, SekisuiDiagnostics, Cairn Researchand Public Health England.

Kent ExtraKent Extra is an excellent way to getmore from your time at university. Itprovides opportunities to enhanceyour knowledge, learn new skillsand improve your CV. You can dothis in many way, for example, byattending one of our summerschools; by volunteering; or bytaking a Study Plus course in anarea that interests you. For details,see www.kent.ac.uk/kentextra

Beautiful green campusOur campus has plenty of greenand tranquil spaces, both lawnsand wooded areas, and is seton a hill with a view of the cityand Canterbury Cathedral. Forentertainment, the campus hasits own cinema, theatre, concert

hall and student nightclub. It hasa reputation for being a very friendlyuniversity with a cosmopolitanenvironment. There are manyrestaurants, cafés and bars oncampus and there’s also a sportscentre and gym.

Everything you need on campusis within walking distance, includinga general store, a bookshop, banks,a medical centre and a pharmacy.From campus, it’s a 25-minute walkor a short bus-ride into Canterbury.

Attractive locationCanterbury is a lovely city withmedieval buildings, lively bars and atmospheric pubs, as well as a wide range of shops. The attractivecoastal town of Whitstable is closeby and there are sandy beachesfurther along the coast. London isunder an hour away by high-speedtrain.

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6 Biochemistry

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What are the facilities likeon campus?The biosciences facilities are reallygood. I have access to facilities inthe School and can do anythingI need to for my final-year project.I love the new library extension,I practically live there. You canalways find somewhere to work.

What kind of career do youhope to follow when you leave?The year abroad made me realisethat I don’t necessarily want to stayin the UK. Now that I’ve lived inanother country for a year, I knowI can go anywhere, put down myroots and I’ll be fine. I’ve appliedfor a graduate scheme withAstraZeneca in Boston, USA. I’veapplied for a lot of different things:I could work in industry, research or academia – I’ve also looked atgoing down a legal route as a patentattorney because I’d still be applyingmy biochemistry degree.

What advice would you giveto someone coming to Kent?If there’s something you’reinterested in and a career you want to look at then definitely go forit. A lot of people are pressurised atschool into going to university for thesake of it. Take your time and thinkabout what you’re doing, choosesomething you really love and getthe most out of it.

Christine Rubin is in herfinal year, studying fora degree in Biochemistrywith a Year Abroad.

Why did you choose Kent?I looked at a lot of universities butI got a nice feeling when I cameto Kent. It was nearer to home thansome I was looking at. Originally,I thought I’d like to be further fromhome, but after talking to peoplein the School and meeting peoplewho were also coming to theUniversity, I wanted to come here.

How is the course going?Really well. I didn’t know how I’d feelabout doing Biochemistry becauseit’s not a subject you can take atA level. I had studied biology andchemistry and they are subjectsI like, so I thought I’d take them abit further. It turned out to be oneof the better decisions I’ve made.

What about the lecturers?They all lecture on subjects they areexpert in. Our lecturers conduct theirown research and teach us abouttheir research-specific knowledge.Having read their papers, I realisethe importance of the research andthe credibility of the professors.

What do you think about thelevel of support?You can talk to the lecturers if you’vegot a problem and they alwaysrespond to emails. The people onmy course are like-minded and the peer support is strong. I havea really good set of friends and we talk through any problems.

Which modules have youenjoyed the most, and why?All the biochemistry students doa proteins module. It was reallychallenging but it’s one I have gotthe most out of. The courseworkwas difficult, you had to put the time in, but it’s better to be pushedoutside of your comfort zone.

How did you find the YearAbroad? Where was thisundertaken? I went to the University of California,Santa Cruz – where they developedsoftware to assemble a draft of thehuman genome during the HumanGenome Project in 2000. Thecampus was in the middle of aredwood forest. At Kent, we haverabbits hopping around but theyhave deer and raccoons! It wasgreat for me. I’m on the Kentequestrian team and when I wentto the Santa Cruz campus, I joinedtheir Hunter-Jumper team and gotto travel all over the States, takingpart in competitions. California isan amazing place.

How do you think it will help youin your studies and futurecareer?I have come back 100% moreconfident. It has made me reallygood at time-management, not leastbecause of all the paperwork andprocesses you need to go throughto get there. I got such a lot out ofit and, having another year ofstudying and being taught froma different perspective, I now havea much broader knowledge base,which has helped me enormouslythis year.

STUDENT PROFILE

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A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

Kent equips you withessential skills to give youa competitive advantagewhen it comes to gettinga job. Your employmentprospects after leavingKent are excellent; over95% of Kent students whograduated in 2015 werein work or further studywithin six months.

Master key skillsAs well as providing a first-rateacademic experience, we wantyou to be in a good position to face the demands of a competitivejob market. Nowadays, employersare looking for a range of keytransferable skills and you areencouraged to develop these withinyour degree programme. Dealingwith challenging ideas, thinkingcritically, the ability to write welland present your ideas clearly are allimportant skills that you gain at Kent.

Common career pathsFrom the School of Biosciences,about 30% of our graduates gostraight into scientific jobs: typicallyinto research and technical supportin hospital or industrial labs,scientific writing, clinical trials,scientific sales and support,and science communication.

About 40% of our graduates go onto take a higher degree to becomesenior scientists. The most commonroute is to gain an MSc in a morespecialised area or a PhD by joiningan established research group forthree or four years. We offer anumber of taught MSc courses,including Biotechnology andBioengineering, Cancer Biology,Drug Design, Infectious Diseases,Reproductive Medicine, andScience Communication as wellas MSc and PhD programmes byresearch. A number of studentseach year train to join the teachingprofession and a good degree canqualify you for graduate-entry

medicine. The remaining 30%of our graduates go on to work in non-scientific areas. The skillsyou gain in your studies are in highdemand in a range of careers.In recent years, our students havefound employment in publishing,marketing, recruitment, police andsocial work, accountancy and sales.

Professional experienceStudents who choose to take aSandwich Year/Professional Year(see p16) often find this extraexperience enhances their jobprospects. They gain workexperience, insight into availableprofessional pathways, and usefulskills. A year abroad can alsoprovide valuable experience and an additional opportunityfor personal development.

Many of our students developprofessional skills andgain hands-on experience throughKent’s wide range of voluntary workopportunities. We also offer SummerVacation Studentships, paidpositions in the School, availableduring the summer after yoursecond year (more information p3).

Careers adviceKent’s award-winning Careers andEmployability Service can give youguidance in areas such as how tochoose your future career, how toapply for jobs, how to write a goodCV and how to perform well ininterviews and aptitude tests. It alsoprovides up-to-date information ongraduate opportunities, before andafter you graduate. For more details,go to www.kent.ac.uk/employability

Biochemistry

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How did you find university lifein general?It was great! There were plenty ofextra-curricular activities to break upthe studies. I think I grew up a lot.We had plenty of fun along the wayand I have some brilliant memories.

How did Kent help you withyour career plans?The work experience during mySandwich Year helped me to securemy first graduate job as a scientistfor a small biotechnology company.I gained a lot of confidence at Kentand realised that I was interestedin research, but didn’t necessarilywant to work in a lab.

What are you doing at themoment?I work as Clinical ResearchAssociate (CRA), specialising inneuroscience clinical trials. I love myjob because I work independentlyfrom home and make my ownarrangements to visit doctors and nurses at hospitals and GPsurgeries to set-up, monitor andclose-out clinical trials. It’s greatseeing clinical research in ‘action’and very rewarding to see theimprovement in patients’ health.

How do you see your careerprogressing?Perhaps I’ll look at a role in clinicaltrial project management.

Any advice for someonethinking of studying at Kent?Go for it, 100%! I had an amazingtime, felt so well supported andgained an excellent degree.

Holly Kew graduatedin 2010 with a BSc inBiochemistry. Duringher Sandwich Year, sheworked as an IndustrialResearch Trainee atPfizer. She now worksas a Clinical ResearchAssociate (CRA) at thepharmaceutical companyNovartis.

What attracted you to Kent andto this particular programme? I liked the campus, it felt like its own‘village’, and was impressed by theamenities; there really is everythingyou need. I was completely sold by the Biosciences Open Day; thestudents I met seemed genuinelyhappy to be studying at Kent,backed up by the excellent resultsfrom the student satisfaction survey.The labs were well equipped too.

How were your studies?A lot of our lecturers were activeresearchers and would sometimesinclude their current studies in thelecture material. There was alsoa good balance between lecturesand lab work. The final-year projectwas a great opportunity to put your previous lab work/theoreticalknowledge into practice and itencouraged independent thinking.

How did you find the course?I loved it! The syllabus was a greatmix of theory and practical work.Our work in the labs helped toreinforce the theory as well as teachus valuable practical skills and how

to work together. We occasionallyhad ‘guest lecturers’ – hospitaldoctors and biomedicalscientists – who helped us tounderstand the application of what we were learning.

Did the course live up to your expectations?The course exceeded myexpectations – the modules werewell defined, with well-designedassignments that helped usto understand if we had trulyabsorbed what we’d beentaught in lectures.

What about your lecturers?They were fantastic, so supportiveand they genuinely wanted to seetheir students succeed. They arepassionate about their areasof expertise, which rubsoff on students. They teach themodules that are closest to theirareas of research so, for inquisitiveminds, you can always find outmore from them if you wish.

What was the level of supportlike in your studies?Excellent. Lecturers were alwayshappy to answer questions andeveryone was assigned a personaltutor, not necessarily one of yourlecturers, who you could go toin confidence about any course-related issues or personal mattersthat were affecting your studies.My personal tutor was instrumentalin encouraging me and helping meto secure my Sandwich Year atPfizer; it was the best decisionI made.

GRADUATE PROFILE

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CHOOSING YOUR PROGRAMME

Not sure whichprogramme to choose?Here’s a quick guideto the degrees on offerwithin the School ofBiosciences.

The following degrees are availablein biochemistry:

BiochemistryBiochemistry deals with the wayliving organisms function at themolecular level. How do livingorganisms work? How are they built,controlled, repaired and suppliedwith energy? Biochemistry is anideal degree if you want to entera research career in a life sciencesarea. The degree is taken over threeyears, full-time.

Biochemistry witha Sandwich YearThis degree is a four-year, full-time,course with a paid work placementin a research-based activity(Sandwich Year) between thesecond and final year of study.This can be in the UK or abroad.You can apply for this programmedirectly, or you can choose totransfer in year two, Stage 2, if youhave a good level of achievement atStage 1 (an overall average of 65%is required; see p17 for more detailson eligibility).

Biochemistry witha Professional Year There are an increasing number ofopportunities for students to acquireprofessional training in non-scientificareas (eg management). This four-year programme allows you tospend a year away from theUniversity between your secondand final year to take full advantageof such an opportunity. Thisprogramme does not have aseparate UCAS code, but youcan transfer to it (if a suitableplacement is found) during yoursecond year. The eligibility criteriaare identical to the Sandwich Yearoption (see p17 for details).

Biochemistry witha Year AbroadThis four-year, full-time, programmeallows you to spend a year abroadbetween your second and final year,giving you a fantastic opportunityto immerse yourself in anotherculture. As for the Sandwich andProfessional Year options, thisprogramme is available to studentswho achieve an overall average of65% at Stage 1, or you can applyfor this option directly.

All our year abroad exchanges arewith universities where the teachingis in English, so you do not needa foreign language qualificationto take this option. Currently, wehave exchanges with 16 universitiesincluding eight in North America,

four in Canada, two in Europe(Amsterdam and Istanbul) and oneeach in Hong Kong and Malaysia(see www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad/opportunities for an up-to-dateand complete listing).

The subjects you study duringyour year abroad complement yourprogramme at Kent and the extrayear allows you to study a widerrange of topics than is possibleon a three-year degree course.

Other degree programmesThe following degrees are alsoavailable within the School ofBiosciences, with options to study abroad or take a Sandwich/Professional Year:

BiologyBiology is the study of livingorganisms and their interactionswith the environment. Youinvestigate a wide variety of lifeforms, ranging from viruses andbacteria to complex animals andplants. The degree provides a broadsurvey of the various biologicaldisciplines but with a focus onmodern molecular techniques. Itincludes cell and molecular biology,evolution, genetics, infection andimmunity, microbiology,anthropology, conservation and the physiology of animals andplants. Our Biology degrees areaccredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Biochemistry

Biomedical ScienceBiomedical Science at Kentexplores the biochemical processesthat occur in the human body, andhow they change in diseases suchas cancer and infection, and howthese diseases can be identifiedand treated. It offers graduates achance to put scientific knowledgeinto practical use within the NHS,the pharmaceutical industry ormedical research. Our BiomedicalScience degrees are accredited bythe Institute of Biomedical Science(important for those who wish towork in the NHS) and the RoyalSociety of Biology.

Bioengineering This is a cross-disciplinary coursebetween the Schools of Biosciencesand Engineering and Digital Arts.The programme is designed to trainthe next generation of engineerswho will be required to buildincreasingly complex and integratedsystems for medical and industrialuse. Approximately 30% of theprogramme is provided by theSchool of Biosciences.

International studentsIf you are applying from outsidethe UK and without the necessaryEnglish language qualificationsfor direct Stage 1 entry, you may beable to take the Biosciences strandof the Kent International FoundationProgramme (IFP). You will need

strong results in your nationalschool-leaving qualifications inbiology and chemistry, which will beassessed on an individual basis. Formore details, see www.kent.ac.uk/ifp

Need more information? For more information onBiology, Biomedical Science,or Bioengineering, seewww.kent.ac.uk/ug ordownload the relevant leaflet atwww.kent.ac.uk/studying/leaflets

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“I went to Berkeley, theUniversity of California,one of the top 10 universitiesin the world. I was taught bya professor who had worked in Janeway’s lab; he coined the phrase the immunologist’s‘dirty little secret’, referring to the puzzle of how immuneresponses start. I made manyfriends from around the world,travelled a lot and had a reallybrilliant year.”

Hannah BridgewaterBiochemistry with a Year Abroad

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STUDYING AT STAGE 1

Stage 1 is the first year of your degreeprogramme. First-yearmodules provide abroad survey of variousbiological and chemicaldisciplines, includingbiochemistry, cell andmolecular biology,microbiologyand physiology.

Teaching is via lectures, tutorials,supervisions and laboratoryclasses.

Most Stage 1 modules are assessedby 50% coursework and 50%examination. You need to reach asatisfactory standard to move on tothe second year. However, no Stage1 marks are carried forward to yourfinal degree result.

Please note that this module list is not fixed as new modules arealways in development and choicesare updated yearly. Please seewww.kent.ac.uk/ug for themost up-to-date information.

Compulsory modules: • Biological Chemistry B

(double module)• Enzymes and Introduction

to Metabolism• Genetics and Evolution• Human Physiology and Disease 1• Introduction to Biochemistry• Molecular and Cellular Biology 1• Skills for Bioscientists.

Modules: Stage 1Biological Chemistry BThe principles of chemistry are anessential foundation for biochemistry.Building up from the atomic level,this module introduces periodicity,functional groups, compounds andchemical bonding, molecular forces,molecular shape and isomerism,and chemical reactions and equilibria,enabling you to understand theimportance of organic chemistryin a biological context.

Enzymes and Introductionto MetabolismYou are introduced to metabolicpathways and the control ofmetabolism by changes in enzymeactivity. It includes the rates ofbiological processes and thetheoretical principles underlyingthem, the basic structure andfunction of enzymes and theirkinetics. You perform enzymeassays to determine their kineticproperties and also study the keypathways of metabolism in animalsand their control mechanisms.

Genetics and EvolutionCovering the basics of Mendeliangenetics to the role of DNA, thismodule explores the historicalviews on evolution, the action of DNA, population genetics and speciation. You gain anunderstanding of Mendelianinheritance and the ability to predictthe outcomes of mono- and dihybridcrossbreeding, as well as an insightinto Darwin’s observations on therole of genetics in evolution.

Human Physiology and Disease 1 This module looks at the anatomyand function of normal tissues,organs and systems and theirdiseases. You consider themanifestation of various conditionsat the level of cells, tissues andthe whole patient, and discussdiagnosis, available prognosticindicators and treatments.

Introduction to BiochemistryThis module provides anintroduction to biomolecules in livingmatter. It contrasts the simplicityof the basic building blocks ofmacromolecules (amino acids,sugars, fatty acids and nucleotides)with the enormous variety andadaptability of the differentmacromolecules they form (proteins,carbohydrates, lipids and DNA).

Molecular and Cellular Biology 1Here, the key themes andtechniques in molecular biology,genetics and eukaryotic cell biologyare covered, including cell structure,the principles of the cell cycle andcell division, the control of livingprocesses by genetic mechanismsand techniques for geneticmanipulation.

Skills for BioscientistsYou develop a range of skillsincluding laboratory-based practical skills; the analysis andpresentation of biological data;basic mathematical and statisticalskills, as applied to biologicalproblems; communication skills and note-taking and essay writing.

Biochemistry

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DID YOU KNOW?Kent was one of the firstuniversities within the UKto have three-year degreeprogrammes accredited bythe Royal Society of Biology.

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STUDYING AT STAGE 2

Biochemistry

Stage 2 is the second yearof your degree programmeand your markscontribute towards thefinal grade of your degree.You develop the conceptspreviously covered bylooking at the study ofgene regulation, cellbiology and metabolism.

There are seven compulsorymodules:• Cell Biology• Gene Expression and its Control• Human Physiology and Disease 2• Infection and Immunity• Metabolism and Metabolic

Disease• Metabolism and Metabolic

Regulation • Skills for Bioscientists 2.

You also take one of the following:• Animal Form and Function • Microbial Physiology and

Genetics 1• Pharmacology.

Please note that the module list is not fixed as new modules arealways in development and choicesare updated yearly. Please seewww.kent.ac.uk/ug for themost up-to-date information.

Modules: Stage 2Cell BiologyReviewing the experimentalapproaches used to investigatethe biology of the cell, this modulehighlights the similarities anddifferences between cells ofcomplex multicellular organismsand microbial cells. Initially, itconsiders the functions of thecytoskeleton and cellularcompartments, such as the

nucleus. Later in the module, youexamine the mechanisms by whichnewly synthesised proteins aresecreted or shuttled to theirappropriate cellular compartments.

Gene Expression and itsControlThis module deals with themolecular mechanisms of geneexpression and its regulation inprokaryotes and eukaryotes. Thisinvolves descriptions of how geneticinformation flows from DNA to RNAto protein, how this flow is controlledin specific tissues and cellsthroughout development andhow it is disrupted in cancer cells.

Human Physiology and Disease 2This module builds on HumanPhysiology and Disease 1 andcovers in detail the remainingphysiological systems of the body,namely reproductive, muscular,nervous and endocrine, andassociated disorders, includinginfertility, cardiomyopathies andneurodegenerative diseases, suchas Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’sdisease.

Infection and ImmunityHere, you gain an understandingof the major diseases of infectiousorigin that colonise human bodytissues. You cover the principles ofepidemiology and look at medicallyimportant diseases such as the HIVvirus and AIDS. You study thefeatures and functions of immunecells and molecules used in thedefence of the body againstinvading microorganisms.

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Metabolism and MetabolicDiseaseThis module describes how errorsin metabolic processes result in thedevelopment of human diseasessuch as phenylketonuria, gout,hypercholesterolemia, diabetesand porphyria.

Metabolism and MetabolicRegulationThis module describes theintegration of the many chemicalreactions underpinning the functionof cells. For example, how cellsmake Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)and use it to drive cellular activities,and how plant cells harvest energyfrom the sun in the process ofphotosynthesis.

Skills for Bioscientists 2In this module, you further developkey skills in undertaking andcommunicating science. Focusedaround ‘mini-project’ work, youare introduced to new techniquesand also planning and designingyour own experiments for a shortsix-day project. You submit yourwork through an oral presentationand a project report. You developskills in essay writing and reportwriting. In addition, there arepresentations on careers to helpyou start thinking about your futureoptions.

Animal Form and Function You study the diversity of animallife throughout evolution, includingelements of functional anatomyand physiology, such as circulationand gaseous exchange, thedigestive system, the nervoussystem and reproduction.

Microbial Physiology andGenetics 1This module includes a review ofthe structure and biosynthesis ofbacterial and fungal cells, their keymetabolic processes and their questfor food. You also study microbialgrowth, genome organisation andstructure and mechanisms of DNAtransfer.

PharmacologyHere, you are introduced to themajor concepts underpinningpharmacology – the study of drugsand their actions in cells, tissuesand whole animals. You learn todescribe the effects of drugs incells and to relate the mechanismof drug action to their therapeuticintervention in disease.

“The opportunities to improvemy practical skills are themost enjoyable thing aboutmy course. I will be takinga summer vacation projectat the end of this year andI cannot wait to learn howto plan my own experiments,while improving myknowledge of protein isolation and expression.”

Alisha OckendenBiochemistry

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THE SANDWICH YEAR/PROFESSIONAL YEAR

If you choose to do workexperience, it comesbetween Stages 2 and 3.Placements can either beresearch-based (SandwichYear), or non-research-based (Professional Year)if training in othergraduate-level skills, such as management, areoffered during the year.The Professional Yeardoes not have a separateUCAS code – you cantransfer to thisprogramme duringStage 2 if an appropriateplacement is found.

Excellent links withemployersIn the past, our students have taken Sandwich Year placementswith employers such as GSK,MedImmune, Procter & Gamble,Eli Lilly and Lonza, and ProfessionalYear placements with De PuySynthes, Defence Science andTechnology Laboratory (DSTL),

Abcam and the NHS. The Schoolhas established excellent links withthese employers, as well as manyothers.

Finding a placementWork placements are usuallyadvertised on the company’swebsite and you apply by sendingin a CV or application form. Weguide you through the process,giving you advice and feedbackon how to write a winning CVand practice/guidance on howto be successful at interview.

Salary and benefitsStudents usually work on placementfor the entire calendar year. Salaryand holiday entitlements varyaccording to the employer. However,most students find that they earnenough to avoid having to access

their student loan during the yearaway, and some earn enough to beable to save some of their income.

Study and career benefitsA research-based work placementprovides practical experience thatcan be put to good use in your finalyear of study. It gives you a senseof how the theory works in practiceand improves your skills in manyareas. Both research and non-research placements allow youto evaluate a particular career pathand gain valuable knowledge ofthe working environment.

In general, work experience is verypopular with employers because ofthe skills you gain in the workplace.If your placement is a success, youmay even be offered a job with thesame employer after graduation.

Biochemistry

DID YOU KNOW?The School of Biosciences atKent is ranked in the top 25%in the leading newspaperleague tables: The GuardianUniversity Guide 2017 andThe Times Good UniversityGuide 2016.

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Keeping in touch with KentYour academic adviser maintainsclose contact with you during youryear away from the University,checking on your progress andpaying a visit to your workplace. Allplacement students come back tothe School for a day halfway throughthe year to talk about their work withother students and staff. At the endof a Sandwich Year, your work isassessed by a presentation andwritten report and these contribute10% to your overall degree mark.A Professional Year does notcontribute to your final degree mark and instead is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Eligibility for the SandwichYear/Professional YearA work placement is an option forall students who achieve 65% ormore as an overall average in Stage1 (typically 60% of the year group).If you take this option, you transferin Stage 2 once a placement isfound. If you apply directly for theBiochemistry with a Sandwich Yeardegree and meet the requirementsof the offer made, then the 65%threshold does not apply; however,if you miss the requirements andwe offer you a discretionary place,the 65% threshold will apply so thatwe can treat all our students fairly.The same criteria apply for entry tothe Year Abroad programme.

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Helen Grimsley isstudying for a degreein Biochemistry witha Professional Year.She has now beenoffered a PhD positionwith Professor MichelleGarrett in the Schoolof Biosciences. Here,she tells us about herexperiences duringher professional year.

‘My placement was withDePuy Synthes, part ofJohnson&Johnson, the babyproducts company. The sitemanufactures bone cement inBlackpool, where I was workingas a microbiologist. A lot of thework I was doing was makingsure that the products were safe to go into a human body.

‘The tests I was doing had adirect impact on whether or notthe product would go to market.Their training scheme is verygood; they don’t just throw youin at the deep end and they giveyou different paths that allowyou to progress or you canchoose to go in a differentdirection.

‘You had to take on a lot of workbecause it was pretty fast pacedand it’s a commercial business;so you had weekly targets tomeet. I got a lot of organisationaland time-management skills fromthe professional year. I enjoyed it

because it puts you in apressured situation and I findI get more done. I was doing somany different things: lab workand bench work that I can applyto my studies and future career.I was writing lab reports andinvestigations that can be appliedto final-year work. It helps withmy final-year project, whereI maintain my lab book so thatyou can understand it at theend of the year.

‘I’m currently looking into whethera tat system from one organismcan work in another. A tat systemis a complex in the membranethat allows proteins to transport.If the project works, we will beable to produce proteins, likeantibodies, more efficiently,giving the work an importantindustrial application.

‘All of the skills I have learnton my professional year will betranslational to my future career.’

18

STUDYING AT STAGE 3

Biochemistry

Stage 3 is the final year of your degreeprogramme. In additionto your compulsorymodules, you alsocomplete a ResearchProject that counts fora quarter of your marksat Stage 3.

Please note that this module list is not fixed as new modules arealways in development and choicesare updated yearly. Please seewww.kent.ac.uk/ug for themost up-to-date information.

All students take the followingcompulsory modules:• Biological Membranes• Cell Signalling• Proteins: Structure and Function

(double module)• Research Project (double

module).

You also choose two from thefollowing:• Advanced Immunology• Bioinformatics and Genomics• Biology of Ageing• Cancer Biology• The Cell Cycle • Frontiers in Oncology• Integrated Endocrinology

and Metabolism• Neuroscience• New Enterprise Startup.

Modules: Stage 3Biological MembranesAll cells and subcellularcompartments are separatedfrom the external milieu by lipidmembranes, with protein moleculesinserted into the lipid layer. Thestructure and function of these twocomponents are diverse, rangingfrom selective translocation ofmolecules, regulatory functions andmaintaining the structure of the cell.This module deals with aspects ofeach of these roles.

Cell SignallingThis module explores the diversemechanisms used by cells tocommunicate. It covers a rangeof signalling molecules, includinghormones and growth factors,the receptors upon which theyact and the associated intracellularsignalling pathways that leadto a cellular response.

Proteins: Structure andFunctionYou investigate the structuralorganisation of proteins and howprotein structure relates to function.You cover topics including enzymecatalysis, ligand binding, proteinfolding and protein engineering.You also learn about the majorbiophysical techniques thatunderpin these studies (egfluorescence, mass spectrometry,X-ray crystallography and NMR).

Research ProjectYou work independently on aresearch project, but have regularmeetings with a supervisor whoguides you through the processand provides advice and support.Your supervisor will be an academicwhose research interests are relatedto your topic. See p21 for moredetails.

19www.kent.ac.uk/bio

Cancer BiologyIn this module, you explore themolecular basis of cancer andhow this knowledge may beused to develop new therapeuticstrategies to tackle the diseasein its variety of forms. Topics includethe regulation of gene expression,the role of growth factor signalling,cancer stem cells, cell apoptosis,chemo-resistance, cell metastasis,tumour immunology, and targetedcancer therapies and clinical trialdesign.

The Cell Cycle The precise regulation of the cellcycle is essential for all life. In thismodule, you explore how thecurrent understanding of cellularreproduction emerged, with initiallectures describing the importantbreakthroughs in cell cycleresearch. You go on to study thekey events that occur and howthey are regulated by mechanismsconserved from yeast to man.

Frontiers in OncologyYou are introduced to the basicprinciples of cancer biologyand cancer therapy. The moduleexplains the characteristics ofcancer and why the developmentof more effective anti-cancertherapies is so extremelychallenging. The module includesinteractive discussions on a numberof recent scientific publications thathighlight the important issues incancer research today.

Integrated Endocrinologyand MetabolismThis module focuses on theendocrine system, one of the twogreat control systems of the body.In conjunction with the nervoussystem, these two regulatorysystems are responsible formonitoring changes in an animal’sinternal and external environmentsand directing the body to makeany necessary adjustments to itsactivities so that it adapts itself tothese environmental changes.

NeuroscienceThe molecular and cellular basisof the development of the nervoussystem from a simple sheet ofneuroepithelial cells is discussed.You go on to investigate themolecules and mechanismsinvolved in the transmission ofsignals between nerve cells. Finally,you explore how the nervous systemcontrols a variety of behaviours,such as learning, memory, sleepand dreaming.

New Enterprise StartupThis module examines thecharacteristics required fora business to succeed andthe reasons for business failure.It covers business risks anduncertainties, skills required forbusiness ownership, and sourcesof advice and support forbusinesses.

Advanced ImmunologySince the discovery of HIV,astonishing progress has beenmade in our understanding of howthe immune system functions. Thismodule reviews topical aspectsof this subject, placing emphasison the regulation of the immuneresponse, as well as the role ofdysfunctional immune systemsin a variety of diseased states.

Bioinformatics and GenomicsThe past decade has seena massive increase in proteinstructure and genome sequenceinformation. This moduleinvestigates how modelling canbe used to predict protein functionand how genetic variants identifiedin the genome sequences can beanalysed for their ability to causedisease. Lectures teach you thetheory and the bioinformaticsanalyses are carried out incomputer workshops.

Biology of AgeingThis module reviews the importanceof studying ageing, and theorganisms and methods usedto do so. It considers howorganisms age, and providesa detailed understanding of the processes and molecularmechanisms that govern ageing.

20 Biochemistry

BIOSCIENTISTS WIN GOLD

Students from the Schoolof Biosciences were partof a team that wasawarded a gold medalin the InternationalGenetically EngineeredMachine (iGEM) GiantJamboree in Bostonin 2015. Here, some ofthe team talk about theirproject and explain whatthey gained from theexperience.

A team of students from the Schoolsof Biosciences, Physical Sciencesand Engineering and Digital Artsdeveloped and presenteda research project to iGEM,a worldwide synthetic biologycompetition, which encouragesstudents to develop and testinnovative solutions to globalproblems.

The Kent project, called Envirowire,investigated the feasibility ofgenerating functional amyloidnano-wires, under the guidanceof Dr Wei-Feng Xue and otheracademic and research staffwithin the School of Biosciences.Nano-wires formed from proteinsmade by bacteria providea potential solution in the fabricationof biologically and clinically appliedcircuitry, with benefits includingminiaturisation, improved efficiency, biocompatibility and use of renewable sources of energy and materials.

The team competed against280 teams from around the world,

including Cambridge, Cornell,Heidelberg, Tokyo and Sydney.

What did your project entail?Katarina Pisani:We had to picksomething that was feasible in thetimescale. We used E.coli, a typeof bacteria which is commonlyused in labs for experiments andengineered it to produce nano-wiresfrom an amyloid protein. We usedthe bacteria to produce circuits.

What are the benefits of usingbacteria?Alice Tomlinson: Nano-circuitboards usually use silver or coppernano-wires, but if you make a nano-wire from a protein, you eliminatethe need for mining, which is badfor the environment. Copper, silverand gold are finite resources. E.colican be grown in large quantities,so it’s more sustainable and canbe made smaller and modifiedin many ways.

How would you describe theexperience of competing iniGEM?Suparna Thakali: our supervisorsaid iGEM is like a crash coursein science, so if you want to goon to do a Master’s or a PhD, it’slike a mini research project. Wewere exposed to cutting-edgetechnology from hearing whattechniques the other teams used. Katarina: it was nice at this stageof our study to realise the varietyand freedom you have asa bioscientist; it gives you ideasabout what you can do and makesyou really excited about yourstudies. Alice: it’s hard to describe, butwhen you’re there and everyoneis so hyped about their project,everyone’s buzzing.

21

YOUR FINAL-YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT

In your final year of study,you complete an eight-week Research Project.You choose a project thatinterests you from a widerange of options.

There are three types of project onoffer: laboratory-based (includingbioinformatics-based projects),literature and data analysis(including business projects),or a communication project. If youchoose a laboratory-based project,you work with other members ofyour supervisor’s research team and use equipment and facilities intheir own research laboratory. Ourresearch areas currently include:cancer biology and cancertherapies, bioprocessing and thedevelopment of novel therapeutics,genetic and prion diseases,reproductive medicine, syntheticbiology, protein folding andstructural biology, the biologyof ageing, molecular motors, andpathogens and infectious disease.

Laboratory-based projectLaboratory projects are offered in allof the research areas of the schooland involve techniques such as cellculture, gene cloning, microscopy,electrophoresis, spectroscopy,Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR),recombinant protein expression,assay development, and so on. Youcarry out real research of interestto your supervisor and their researchgroup. You have the possibility ofseeing or discovering something forthe very first time and may have yourwork published in a scientific journal.

Recent student projects include: • The role of the cytoskeletal

protein talin in promotingand regulating cell migration

• Engineering mammalian cellsto produce larger yields ofrecombinant therapeutic protein‘bio-drugs’ more efficiently andat lower cost

• Assessment of mitochondrialDNA loss in response to stressduring the process of ageing.

Literature and dataanalysis projectA literature and data analysis projectgives you the opportunity to reallydig deep into the scientific literatureto fully understand an area ofresearch, including the analysisof published (or in some casesunpublished) data. The topicwill be of interest to your supervisor,who will direct you to exciting papersand discuss your findings and ideaswith you on a regular basis.

Recent projects include: • What do telomeres have to

do with ageing and disease?• Mitochondria as therapeutic

targets to extend lifespan• What approaches can be used

to enhance photosynthesis tocontribute to global food security?

• Is acquired resistance tochemotherapy the main hurdlein our battle to treat cancer?

In a Business Project, the objectiveis to produce a five-year businessplan for a proposed Biotechnologycompany. You work with a realscientific idea and think about howit could be commercially exploited.

Communication projectOne of the key challenges facingscientists is to make their workinteresting, accessible and relevantto the public. A communicationproject can develop these keyskills and broaden your employmentopportunities. Communicationprojects are offered in a wide rangeof topics or you can suggest yourown. The topic will often be a poorlyunderstood or controversial areaof bioscience and the aim is notonly to research the topic and writean up-to-date science report, butalso to think about how you canexplain your findings to a wider non-scientific audience. You give a presentation in a local secondaryschool and prepare a website ora written article for a newspaper or magazine.

Recent projects include: • Sleep – a waste of time or

an essential behaviour?• Beyond genetics: how

epigenetics controls your life• Are sugary beverages a threat

to global health?• Are testes the only difference

between males and females?

www.kent.ac.uk/bio

“Supervising final-year projectstudents is one of the mostrewarding aspects of workingat Kent. It gives the studentsa real opportunity to get a tasteof what research is like and isexcellent preparation for futureMaster’s or PhD study.”

Dr Ian BlomfieldSenior Lecturer in MolecularMicrobiology

22

VISIT THE UNIVERSITY

Come along for an OpenDay or an Applicant Dayand see for yourself whatit is like to be a student at Kent.

Open DaysKent runs Open Days during thesummer and autumn. These providean excellent opportunity for you todiscover what it is like to live andstudy at the University. You canmeet academic staff and currentstudents, find out about our coursesand attend subject displays,workshops and informal lectures.We also offer tours around thecampus to view our sportsfacilities, the library and Universityaccommodation. For furtherinformation and details of how to book your place, seewww.kent.ac.uk/opendays

Applicant DaysIf you apply to study at Kent andwe offer you a place, you will usuallybe sent an invitation to one of ourApplicant Days. You can book toattend through your online KentApplicant Portal. The Applicant Day includes a presentation about the School and our degreeprogrammes, a ‘taster’ lecturegiven by a member of academicstaff on their research area,guided tours of the campus andUniversity accommodation, andthe opportunity to speak with both academic staff and currentstudents about your chosen subject. For further information, see www.kent.ac.uk/visit

Informal visits You are also welcome to make aninformal visit to our campuses at any time. The University runs toursof the Canterbury and Medwaycampuses throughout the year foranyone who is unable to attend an Open Day or Applicant Day. Itmay also be possible to arrangemeetings with academic staff,although we cannot guarantee this.For more details and to book yourplace, see www.kent.ac.uk/informal

Alternatively, we can provide youwith a self-guided tour leaflet, whichincludes the main points of interest.For more details and to download aself-guided tour, go towww.kent.ac.uk/informal

Scholarships andbursariesFor details of scholarships andbursaries at Kent, please seewww.kent.ac.uk/ugfunding

On the webFor the latest School informationon studying biochemistry at Kent,please see www.kent.ac.uk/bio

More informationIf you would like more informationon Kent’s courses, facilitiesor services, or would like to orderanother subject leaflet, pleasecontact us: T: +44 (0)1227 827272 Freephone (UK only): 0800 975 3777 www.kent.ac.uk/ug

Biochemistry

23www.kent.ac.uk/bio

LocationCanterbury

AwardBSc (Hons)

Programme TypeFull-time

Degree programmes

Single honours (3 years)• Biochemistry (C700)

Single honours (4 years)• Biochemistry with a SandwichYear (C702)

• Biochemistry with a Year Abroad(C703)

Offer levelsBiochemistry (C700): BBB at A level including biology andchemistry (both with practicalendorsement from 2017); GCSEMathematics at grade C. IBDiploma 34 points (or 15 at HL)IB Chemistry and Biology at HL5or SL6, Mathematicsat HL4 or SL4.

Biochemistry with a SandwichYear/Year Abroad (C702/C703):ABB at A level including biologyand chemistry (both with practicalendorsement from 2017);GCSE Mathematics at grade C.IB Diploma 34 points (or 16 at HL)

including Chemistry and BiologyHL5 or SL6, Mathematics at HL4or SL4.

Sandwich Year/Professional YearYou have the opportunity toundertake a one-year workplacement between Stages 2 and3. See p10 and pp16-17 for details.

Year abroadYou have the opportunity ofspending a year studying abroadbetween Stage 2 and 3. See p10for details.

Transfer between three- andfour-year programmesYou can transfer to a four-yearprogramme during Stage 2 if youachieve 65% or more as an overallaverage in Stage 1.

Progression requirements for Sandwich Year and YearAbroad applicantsIf you miss the offer requirementsfor a four-year course butsubsequently accept adiscretionary place, you willbe required to achieve 65%or more in Stage 1 to apply forSandwich/Professional Year

or Year Abroad opportunities.If 65% in Stage 1 is not achieved,you transfer to the three-yearprogramme at the start of Stage 2.

Professional recognitionAll of our biochemistryprogrammes are accreditedby the Royal Society of Biology.Biochemistry with a Sandwich Year has Advanced Accreditation,recognising its extensive periodof professional practice.

International FoundationProgrammeApplicants from outside the UKand without the necessary Englishlanguage qualifications may beable to take the Kent InternationalFoundation Programme (FIP).See p11 for more details.

Offer levels and entryrequirements are subjectto change. For the latestcourse information, seewww.kent.ac.uk/ug

This brochure was produced in June 2016. The University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in its publicitymaterials is fair and accurate and to provide educational services as described. However, the courses, services and other matters may besubject to change. For the most up-to-date information, see www.kent.ac.uk/ug and for full details of our terms and conditions, seewww.kent.ac.uk/termsandconditions

For the University to operate efficiently, it needs to process information about you for administrative, academic and health and safetyreasons. Any offer we make to you is subject to your consent to process such information and is a requirement in order for you to beregistered as a student. All students must agree to abide by the University rules and regulations at: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations

COME ANDVISIT US

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 www.kent.ac.uk/ug

To find out more about visitingthe University, see our website:

www.kent.ac.uk/visit

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