Biochemistry

Biochemistry sits at the intersection of biology and chemistry, focusing on the molecular processes that sustain life. It asks questions about how cells generate and use energy, how proteins fold and function, how genetic information is read and translated into biological activity, and how these fundamental processes can go wrong in disease. The discipline is central to medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, and environmental science, and it has been transformed in recent decades by advances in genomics, structural biology, and the molecular tools that allow scientists to manipulate living systems with extraordinary precision.

At Wrexham University, this programme includes a foundation year, which provides a thorough grounding in the chemistry and biology needed before engaging with biochemistry at degree level. The foundation year is designed for students who have the potential to excel in the sciences but who need additional preparation, perhaps because they have not studied both biology and chemistry at A level, or because they are returning to science after a break. From the main programme onwards, you will study biochemistry across its core areas: cell biology, molecular biology, metabolism, enzymology, genetics, and analytical biochemistry.

You will develop strong laboratory skills alongside the ability to understand, evaluate, and apply primary scientific literature. Throughout the programme you will learn to approach scientific problems with rigour and creativity.

Graduates in biochemistry go on to careers across a wide range of sectors, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, clinical research, healthcare science, forensic science, food science, and environmental monitoring. The strong quantitative and analytical skills that biochemistry develops also make graduates attractive to employers in data analysis, management consultancy, and science policy. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study, including research degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology, or conversion courses leading to careers in medicine and pharmacy.