How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You’ll be taught by active researchers and scientific experts with a history of working in the pharmaceutical industry. We encourage a hands-on approach, with your learning linked to departmental research themes to make sure you’re learning at the forefront of science.

You’ll also have opportunities to undertake research projects at the end of each year, culminating in a final year 6-week project. This could be a lab-based biochemical or chemistry project, or focus on bioinformatics, big data, computational modelling, systematic reviews, educational development or scientific communication. 

You learn through:

• In-person seminars and lectures
• Independent study
• Tutorials and academic adviser sessions
• Practical lab experiences with industry-standard equipment
• Placements and research opportunities
• Real life research projects 
• The latest scientific software and data analysis tools
• Problem solving and group activities 

Key themes

In your first year, you’ll learn fundamental life sciences before moving onto applied modules such as biochemistry and genetics, using the latest technologies including PCR, genome sequencing, and bioinformatics software. You’ll be trained in organic and physical chemistry and analytical techniques.

In your second year, you’ll study molecular and cellular biochemistry – training in the latest analytical and bioanalytical technologies and undertaking a laboratory project. You’ll get to choose a more chemical or biological focus too.

In your third year, you’ll study applied biochemistry and advanced analytical techniques, with elective choices such as advanced therapeutics and personalised medicine, medical chemistry and drug discovery, neuroscience and neurophysiology anod genetics. You’ll also work with staff to complete an independent research project.

Course support

Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:

Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development

Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources to help you to plan and structure your assignments

Course leaders and tutors

Dr Nikki Jordan-Mahy

BSc/MSci Biochemistry Course Leader and Principal Lecturer

Dr Nikki Jordan-Mahy is the BSc/MSci Biochemistry Course Leader and Principal Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. She is a graduate of Royal Holloway and Bedfor … Read more

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long placement before your final year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Previous students have completed placements for companies and organisations such as Ricketts and Benkiser, Labcorp, Marks and Spencer Food, the Wellcome Sanger Institute Cambridge, and a variety of pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies.

Research projects

Throughout your degree, you’ll undertake a series of research projects in which you’ll be given a question and hypothesis to test, putting the skills you’ve developed into practice. These mini projects will help you build confidence as you work towards becoming more autonomous in the lab.

You’ll then complete your own independent research project in your final year. You’ll select a topic from your preferred discipline, and you’ll work alongside a research-active member of staff.

Previous students have completed research in areas such as cancer cell biology, organic synthesis of new drugs, understanding the mechanism of disease progression, as well as bioinformatics and data analysis projects.

Live projects

You could also return to your placement host and undertake a real-world research project in their labs. In recent years, our students have undertaken research at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITRANS), Technostics Hull, Reckitt Benckiser Hull and the University of Sheffield Medical School.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• Medical research
• Clinical science
• Analytical science
• Scientific sales and marketing
• Pharmaceutical research and development
• The biotechnology industry
• Scientific communication or journalism
• Doctoral  Research 
• Academia

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:

• Biological Immunoassay Department at Huntingdon Life Science, Cambridge
• Marks and Spencer Foods
• Biocorp 
• Reckitt Benckiser
• Labcorp

Many graduates also go on to complete further study, including PhDs at the best Universities in the world.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Fees and funding

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.