BIOCHEMISTRY The Career Guide

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BIOCHEMISTRYthe career guidefor 16–18 year olds considering their options

THE IMPACT OFBIOCHEMISTRYOver the past 100 years, biochemists have been responsiblefor a huge number of important scientific breakthroughsthat have helped to develop our understanding of livingorganisms. These discoveries have had a big impact onmany areas of science, including biotechnology, agriculture,veterinary science and medicine.UNDERSTANDING THE CHEMISTRY OF OUR BRAINSUnderstanding how the messages in ourbrains are transmitted has allowed us to studybehaviour at a new level, and develop a widerange of medicines that we use in our everydaylives. It has lead to the development of drugsto treat conditions such as Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder, Parkinson’s disease, andschizophrenia. Biochemists are also researchinghow we feel pain, and form new memories.REVOLUTIONIZING FORENSIC SCIENCEBiochemists have discovered that everyone hastheir own unique genetic code or “fingerprint”,which has led to huge developments in forensicscience and evolutionary history. We can nowtrack the genetics of family histories, andunderstand the evolutionary origins of diseaseslike sickle cell anaemia. DNA analysis is alsoinvaluable in police investigations, with genetictesting being used in criminal forensics andimmigration cases.HELPING FIGHT DISEASEBiochemists have discovered some of themechanisms behind many serious diseases,such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes,cystic fibrosis, and many more. Understandingthese diseases at a molecular level has madenot only diagnoses possible and more efficient,but has also led to the development of groundbreaking new drugs and treatments. In the future,scientists hope these could be tailored to thepatient’s genetic make-up.PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR KNOWLEDGEIn recent decades there have been great scientificadvances, such as the discovery of DNA, howcells communicate with one another usingsignalling and how diseases such as HIV, cancerand Alzheimer’s develop. Today, scientists aroundthe world research and develop new and excitingpractical techniques, with the aim of furtheringour scientific knowledge and changing the future.3

Biochemistry is the branchof science that explores thechemical processes and reactionswithin living organisms. It is alaboratory based subject thatuses chemical knowledge andtechniques to understand andsolve biological problems.SO, WHAT ISBIOCHEMISTRY?4Biochemistry focuses on processesat a molecular level, and usesthis knowledge to explain howcells and organisms behave.It examines what is happeningwithin our cells, studyingcomponents like proteins, lipids,and organelles and how they allwork together. It looks at howcells communicate with eachother, for example during growthor development. Biochemistryalso looks at the biological,chemical and sometimes structuralbasis for disease, includinggenetic disorders, infection,neurodegeneration and cancer.Central to biochemistry is anunderstanding of how the3-dimensional structure of abiological molecule relates toits function. This informationallows biochemists to predict howmolecules might interact with eachother, and to design drugs basedon this.Biochemistry also helps us todecode the genetic informationfound in our DNA. Biochemistsidentify specific genes and, inturn, the proteins they codefor, and use this information toinvestigate the functions of theprotein within the cell. All thisinformation helps to enhance ourknowledge of how cells work andhow processes are regulated, sothat we can develop methods tofix them when things go wrong.Since biochemistry is the studyof life at the molecular level, itprovides the foundations of awide range of other scientificdisciplines, including genetics,forensics, microbiology, plantscience, and medicine. Thisbreadth makes it difficult todraw a neat border around“biochemistry”, and highlights justhow important the subject is.5

Want to be part of the scientific movement?BIOCHEMISTRY CANTAKE YOU THERE Biochemists play an importantrole in contributing to advancesin a wide variety of areas,including health, agriculture andthe environment. Progress in thebiochemical understanding ofdisease and complex molecularstructures has led to medicalapplications including thescreening of unborn babies fordisease, investigation of possiblecures for illnesses such as cancerand AIDS, and the formulation ofnew and improved medicines.6Biochemistry also contributes toprotecting the environment, bycombating pollution and designingbiocompatible products. Thegenetic engineering of plants hasled to advances in agriculture whichinclude crop improvement andresistance to pests and disease.Biochemistry is often a collaborativefield, requiring biochemists to workand communicate as a team withprofessionals from a variety ofdisciplines to achieve their goals.Because of the fundamental nature ofbiochemistry, you can find biochemists workingin a variety of places, for example:HOSPITALSanalysing samplesfrom patientsto advisingon treatmentsUNIVERSITY LABSresearchinganything from genetherapy to newcancer treatmentsFOOD INDUSTRYensuring the safetyof our foodLAW FIRMSdealing withscientificspecific casesTHE COSMETICINDUSTRYcreating safeor moreeffective productsPHARMACEUTICALLABORATORIESdrug development orcarrying out researchinto different diseasesPUBLISHINGcommissioning,proof readingand reviewingscientific articlesSALES ANDMARKETINGselling the latesttechnology to theright peopleTHE GOVERNMENTadvising on currentscientific issues“The problem solving and critical thinking is quite appreciated by theFinancial Sector and so it was a bit of a surprise to hear that somewent for a career in Finance after having completed a Science degree.”Martin, an undergraduate student at the University of Glasgow.7

The importance of biochemistry is demonstrated by the variety of differentfields biochemists are working in today, to help to make the world a betterplace to live in. By studying biochemistry, you would be able to contribute toa brighter future and be a part of the exciting new advances still to come.WHY STUDYBIOCHEMISTRY?TRANSFERABLE SKILLSSince biochemistry underpins many of the other life sciences, it allows you tospecialize in a range of different subjects at a later date. This flexibility allowsyou to keep your career options open.After studying a biochemistry degree,there are numerous options available toyou. You can stay in Higher Educationand study for a PhD or a Masters Degreein science (a good route into researchand working in industry). Or you couldapply your scientific knowledge to arange of other careers, including patentlaw, teaching or science communication.ANALYTICAL SKILLSNUMERACY AND MATHSEXPERIENCE OFWRITING REPORTSPRESENTATION SKILLSTIME MANAGEMENTAlternatively, you may pursue a careeroutside of science. The skills youwill develop during your studies aretransferable across a number of careerareas, meaning you could end up workingas anything from an accountant to amarketing manager or event organizer.These transferable skills, which aresought after by employers, include:CREATIVE THINKINGPROBLEM SOLVINGIT SKILLSPLANNINGOBSERVATIONAL SKILLSWORKING IN A TEAM89

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BSC)/BACHELOR OF ART(BA) COURSESThese are usually three years full time study (four years inScotland). The course provides a good science basis, afterwhich you can go on to take part in post-graduate studyor numerous scientific or other careers. Previous scientificqualifications are needed, such as A-levels or Highers. Mostbioscience courses will follow a common first year, thenspecializing in the second and third years when you cannormally choose some optional modules in the areas thatinterest you most.MSCI/ MBIOLSCI/ MBIOCHEM COURSESThese courses are normally four years full time study (fiveyears in Scotland). The final year involves a more in-depthstudy of the subject in order to enhance the qualification to ahigher Masters level. Most courses will involve an extensiveresearch project during the final year, where you will learnand develop research and practical skills. All the courseshave the same Masters status, the title simply distinguisheswhat area it specializes in.TYPES OFBIOCHEMISTRYUNDERGRADUATEDEGREES10If you decide you wantto study biochemistryat university, you willnext need to decidewhich type of degreeis best for you. Forexample, some coursescan include a yearworking in industry, or ayear studying abroad.Below are some usefuldescriptions of the typesof degrees available:BIOCHEMISTRY WITH A YEAR ABROAD/IN INDUSTRYSome courses are available with a “sandwich” year option.This essentially means the course is a year longer, so youspend the penultimate year of your course studying abroador working in the sector. Biochemistry with a year in industryallows you to gain valuable work experience, normallyworking in a lab at a pharmaceutical company or researchlab. These placements are often paid. Biochemistry witha year abroad involves studying at an overseas university,normally in Europe or the USA. During this time you willfollow the programme of lectures at the host university,before returning to the UK for your final year.During a year in industry or studying abroad, mostuniversities expect you to still pay fees, however this isnormally at a reduced rate.COMBINED DEGREESCombined degrees, such as ‘Biochemistry with . . . ‘ or‘Biochemistry and.’ (e.g. Biochemistry with French orBiochemistry and Business management) normally involvesplitting your time between two subjects. The time spenton each may be split equally, or you might spend more timeon one subject than the other. If considering this type ofcombined degree, it is important that you check how thetime is split between the disciplines on each course you areconsidering, as it may vary between different universities.Although this allows you to have a more varied degree andlearn another discipline, it is important to consider whetherthis may affect your future career when applying for jobsagainst students who’ve had more in depth teaching in oneof the areas. You may also want to consider the secondsubject being one related to biochemistry, in order forthem to support each other, such as biochemistry andpharmacology or ecology.Alternatively, some universities offer combined degreesthat encompass a broader science base - for example, aNatural Sciences degree. Again, check individual universitycourses for further details.FOUNDATION COURSESThese courses offer a broad introductory year coveringthe more basic scientific disciplines. They are suitable forstudents who have either not studied the required subjectsto start a biochemistry degree, or have recently completedadvanced apprenticeships or NVQ’s (level 3), instead ofA-levels or Highers which are the more traditional entryrequirement. The study methods can be very flexible,which means you may be able to get a job and earn whilstyou learn.A full-time course usually takes one to two years. Parttime courses may take longer, although this is not alwaysthe case.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COURSE TYPES VISIT WWW.UCAS.COM11

WHAT QUALIFICATIONSDO I NEED TO STUDYBIOCHEMISTRY?The most common route to enteringuniversity to study a biochemistry-relateddegree is to first complete A-levels, orequivalent qualifications, in biology andchemistry, however some universities willaccept Maths as a substitute for oneof these subjects. Some universities willaccept students with one science A-levelor equivalent, so it’s worth checking theentry requirements before applying. Someuniversities will also consider some BTECcourses as supporting qualifications.If you are concerned you do not havethe necessary qualifications, you maywant to consider taking a foundationcourse, or access course, beforeembarking on a degree.See our biochemistry prospectus s/Qualifications.aspxfor more information on entry requirements.12DOI NEEDMATHS?Maths plays an important role in some parts of biochemistry anda good understanding of the subject will help you throughoutyour studies. It will help when designing experiments, carryingout research, analyzing your results, and understandingsome key concepts in biochemistry. Although it may not be arequirement for all biochemistry courses, you should considerstudying it at AS or A-level, or consider a form of tutoring or afree standing Maths course to make sure you are up to scratch.If you have not studied Maths at A-level but are keen to pursuea bioscience related degree, some universities will offer extrasupport in the form of tutorials and extra classes to help you inyour studies.NOT STUDYING MATHS? HAVE YOU CONSIDEREDA FREE STANDING MATHS QUALIFICATION (FSMQ)?To help ensure your Maths is up to scratch, or develop your knowledge in a particular area, you may wantto consider taking an FSMQ. These are designed for all post-16 students, and can be taken at three levels,foundation, intermediate or advanced.Find out more information at www.nuffieldfoundation.org/fsmqs/about-fsmqs13

Whilst at university, teaching willinvolve a combination of lecturesand practical sessions which areusually in laboratories. Dependingon the university, lectures can be foranything between 50 to 300 students,normally with one tutor at the front.Students are often also expected toattend tutorials; these are classes withsmaller numbers. The level of practicalwork is different depending on whichcourse you choose and where you study, butnormally undergraduate courses contain 1015% practical work.“I wanted to keep my degree asbroad as possible so that I couldspecialize in an area later onin my career and biochemistryallowed me to do this.”Leyla, now a PhD studentat the University of Bristol.A biochemistry course will normally involve a broad firstyear, moving on to more detailed optional modules in thelatter years. Subjects you can expect to cover at degreelevel include:WHAT DOESSTUDYINGBIOCHEMISTRYNORMALLYINVOLVE?14All university courseswill vary slightly incourse structure, moduletopics, amount of time inthe lab, and assessment.It is important you doyour research and checkthe details with specificuniversities beforeapplying to any course.Cell Biology and signallingNeurobiologyGenetics and DNABiochemical techniquesStructure and functionof moleculesPlant biochemistryMicrobiology and virusesEnzymologyDisease mechanismsProteins and membranesMetabolismAssessment whilst at university is normally in the form ofessays, projects (normally based on practical work), andsometimes presentations. Most universities will have awide range of learning resources online, including lecturenotes, access to research journals, links to more information, and tips for writing up reports and essays.15

CHOOSING THE RIGHTDEGREE FOR YOUAttending open days at universityis a good way to help you choosewhere to study. Some universitieswill also have subject specific days,which are a great way to learnmore about the courses availablein detail. Visiting a university willhelp give you a good idea aboutwhether you like the campus,location, and general feel of theplace, and help you answer anyquestions you may have. For a listof useful questions to ask yourselfwhen deciding which course anduniversity to choose, es/Choosingtherightcourse.aspx16“I have become adept at manymolecular biology techniques,have produced many fantasticexperimental findings, and foundthe process of discovery to beabsolutely thrilling.”Hazel, an undergraduate studentNOT SURE IF ADEGREE IS THERIGHT OPTIONFOR YOU?If you would like a career related to biochemistry or thebiological sciences, but are unsure if a degree is rightfor you, there are careers related to biochemistry thatyou can access without having a degree. You maybe able to become a laboratory technician through anApprenticeship or Higher Apprenticeship scheme. Therange of schemes available in your area will depend onthe local jobs market and the types of skills employersneed from their workers. You can find out more ipsMany clinical laboratory support and laboratorytechnician jobs and Apprenticeships offer access toNational Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) or HigherNational Diplomas (HNDs) as part of their training.An NVQ is a competence based qualification, whichallows you to develop the knowledge and skills to do aparticular job.A HND is a 2 year full time course (or 3 years part time),aimed at preparing you for careers in specific areas ofindustry, but can lead on to entry into the final year of adegree. They are more vocational than degree courses.See /overview for more information.17

BIOCHEMISTSAT WORKBEN CHAFFEY IS A CLINICAL OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTMANAGER AT BIOSIGNATURES LTD.I can’t remember a time when Iwasn’t interested in science andtechnology. My first degree was aBSc in Molecular Biology, a coursewhich gave me a good basic levelof knowledge across a broadrange of life-science subjects.After completing my PhD in AppliedImmunobiology and an academic post-doctoralposition, I moved from academia to industry.Currently, I work at Biosignatures Ltd., aninnovative medical informatics company whichdevelops products that help improve and guidedisease diagnosis and treatment.Studying biosciences taught me how to thinklogically and how to prioritize tasks. I also learnedhow to design and manage projects, as well asdeveloping research and analytical skills.These skills are essential in my current role,where I have a wide range of responsibilities,from writing technical marketing literature andgrant funding applications, through experimentand assay design and development to projectmanagement, IP and regulatory affairs.FIONA RUSSELL IS A POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW AT THEUNIVERSITY OF CALGARY IN CANADAI graduated from university withan integrated Masters degreein Molecular and CellularBiochemistry, which included 3months working in a researchlab. During my project I fell inlove with research and decidedto do a PhD. I enjoyed the freedom of scienceresearch in an academic environment. And youget to use your brain a lot of the time!18In my job I study the nerves found in ourjoints. The lab I work in investigates the role ofnerves in controlling inflammation and pain injoints, by studying disorders such as arthritisand injury.I love it that science gives me the opportunityto travel – to international scientific conferencesas well as for different jobs. It’s allowed me tomake friends all over the world.MALAVIKA LEGGE IS A PUBLISHERRight through school, thestudy of life science fascinatedme, and led me to a degreein biochemistry that revealeda world of molecular signalsand processes that shape andgovern all of life. I then learntmore about the molecularstructures and mechanisms atplay when viruses bind to human cells during aMasters degree. A research component of thedegree revealed to me that I was better suitedto a communicative role as opposed to workingin a lab, and this is what led me to working inscientific publishing.As a Publisher I now work with a team of editorsto produce and deliver peer-reviewed journalarticles. Understanding the information-needs ofresearchers and meeting these needs throughpublishing is a big part of the job. Skills neededfor the role include collaboration, financialplanning and communication, but perhaps mostimportant of all is a commitment to creatingquality content. I love the fact that what I do helpsto further scientific research.HELEN WATSON IS A LECTURER IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITYOF EXETER MEDICAL SCHOOLI wanted to be a scientist becauseI liked practical science at schooland have always been fascinatedby living things. I studied a BSc inbiochemistry because it offeredexciting topics to study likepharmaceuticals and genomics.I enjoyed the research aspectof my degree so I did a PhD and then worked

‘Biochemistry and.’ (e.g. Biochemistry with French or Biochemistry and Business management) normally involve splitting your time between two subjects. The time spent on each may be split equally, or you might spend more time on one subject than the other. If considering this type o

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