BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Human Biology

The Human Biology element of this course is ideal if you’re interested in biology but are looking for a particular focus on the human body and how we’ve adapted to our environment. This course provides a broad understanding of the physiology of the body’s major systems as well as human health and disease and the relationship between the human body with the environment. You might explore the impact of nutrition and the environment on health, how humans, in turn, impact the environment, and specialized topics such as human parasitology and human evolution. Keele’s multidisciplinary approach puts human biology in context, so you’ll have input from a range of experts which may include clinicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, geographers, and conservation biologists. You may engage in additional opportunities which might include studying abroad and work experience.

Year 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Biochemistry
• Core Practical Skills
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Physiology and Anatomy
• Fundamentals of Biology
• Core Practical Skills

Year 2

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Gene and Protein Engineering
• Molecular, Cellular and Structural Immunology
• Practical Skills in Bioscience
• Metabolism in Health and Disease
• Cell Signalling
• Practical Skills in Bioscience
• Research Methods in Human Biology

OPTIONAL MODULES

• Human Genetics
• Microbes, Viruses, and Parasites
• Current Topics in Biology
• Environmental Biology
• Nutrition and Energy Balance
• Learning & Memory
• Health and the Environment

Year 3

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Bioinformatics and Science Communication

OPTIONAL MODULES

• Structural Biology & Macromolecular Function
• Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Advances in Medicine
• Human Parasitology
• Double Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Life Sciences Double Experimental Project (with research skills assessment)
• Life Sciences Single Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) – ISP
• Cancer Biology
• Medical Glycobiology (Level 6)
• Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Advances in Medicine
• Human Parasitology
• Double Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Biology of Disease – ISP
• Life Sciences Single Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) – ISP
• Life Sciences Dissertation
• Human Evolution
• Regeneration and Repair in the Nervous System
• Cancer Biology

Employability

When you graduate, the broad and detailed understanding of biochemistry you’ll have developed at Keele will open up a world of appealing career options. You could choose to work in a directly related field, perhaps as a clinical biochemist, medical bioscientist, forensic scientist, research scientist, toxicologist, or science teacher. Or you might branch out a little further, and become a health and safety inspector, training standards officer, science writer, or technical author. Graduates from the Human Biology program have opportunities in a wide range of fields, with career paths in science, health, industry, or the media. You might become a nutritionist, dietitian, health promotion specialist, clinical molecular geneticist, counselor, adult nurse, sports therapist, or technical author. Alternatively, you could pursue opportunities in postgraduate research, teacher training, occupational therapy, journalism, nursing, or medicine.

Previous Employers 

• 2030 Labs Ltd
• Ashfield Healthcare Communications
• Astro-Zeneca
• Guy Hilton Laboratory
• LGC
• NHS