BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Neuroscience

This combined honors degree includes Neuroscience, where you will explore the mystery of the human brain: the central nervous system, the impact of drugs upon it, and the molecular biology of diseases and disorders of the brain. Studying Neuroscience, you’ll explore topics that may include how we learn and remember, how the brain controls the body, and how the brain can be targeted by disease but in some instances can repair itself. Within the course are interesting related disciplines such as neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, and neuropathology. Combined honors Neuroscience combines the key principles of Neuroscience with the ability to choose specific areas of the subject that may interest you. Working in diverse ways, including in our well-equipped labs, you’ll develop your independent research skills as you learn to acquire, interpret and analyze data from multiple sources. You’ll also understand how neuroscience can help us understand medical problems and improve the quality of life.

Year 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Biochemistry
• Core Practical Skills
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Introduction to Neuroscience
• Physiology and Anatomy
• 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
• Neuroscience Research Methods
• Practical Skills in Bioscience

OPTIONAL MODULES

• Neuron to Brain
• Neurodevelopment
• Research and Analytical Skills
• Neuropharmacology
• Learning & Memory

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)
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Brain Disease
• Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Double Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Life Sciences Single Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) – ISP
• Life Sciences Dissertation
• Regeneration and Repair in the Nervous System
• Current Research Topics in Neuroscience
• Special Senses

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. Graduating from Neuroscience will open up exciting careers in sectors as varied as healthcare, scientific research, pharmacology, IT, publishing, and more. You might choose to work as a research scientist in academia or the drug industry or work as a clinical neuroscientist in the hospital sector. With or without further study, you might go on to become a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor, pharmacologist, or systems analyst. If you choose to do a four-year course, with a year’s industrial placement, you’ll have the added benefit of significant work experience to offer to employers. Alternatively, you might branch out and become a health and safety inspector, training standards officer, science writer, or technical author. The applied nature of the program will equip you with a range of transferable employability skills of relevance to careers in the Biosciences as well as in other graduate careers where numeracy and an objective scientific approach to problem-solving are demanded.

Recent Employers 

• 2030 Labs Ltd
• Ashfield Healthcare Communications
• Astro-Zeneca
• Guy Hilton Laboratory
• LGC
• NHS
• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
• Intertek
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals
• Monarch
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• UHNM