Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)

A wide choice of fourth-year research projects is available both within the Biochemistry Department, and in related departments, such as Molecular Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry, Pathology and Pharmacology. About ten students each year can carry out their project in selected European universities, under the ERASMUS exchange scheme, and at Princeton University in the USA.

During years 1–3, your work is divided between lectures (about ten a week), tutorials (one or two a week) and practicals (averaging one full day a week). The remaining time is spent on private study (set reading, or problem-solving exercises).

There are three terms in the Oxford academic year, each eight weeks long. Students usually arrive a week early in the first term of their first year for welcome and induction activities. In the final year of the Biochemistry course, students also work an extended first term to begin their research project.

You will need to be in Oxford for 12 weeks in the first term, followed by a two-week break over Christmas. You will then complete your project in the first six weeks of the second term, and then submit your project dissertation and deliver an oral presentation at the beginning of the final term.

In the remaining two weeks of the second term, and throughout the eight weeks of your final term, you will study two further courses that you choose from a list of options (see table below). These are assessed at the end of the final term.

This additional work in your final year means that you will graduate with an MBiochem - a masters degree - as well as invaluable research experience which will be excellent preparation for further study or a range of careers.

Your final degree class is derived from a combination of marks from second-, third- and fourth-year courses.