UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science

Scoil na hEolaíochta Bithmhóilínigh agus an Bithleighis UCD

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Programmes Information

At Stage 1, students select modules in biology, chemistry and mathematics that form the basis for understanding biochemistry. At Stage 2, core modules in biochemistry introduce students to a range of biomolecules, such as amino acids, antibodies, enzymes, receptors, lipids, nucleic acids, neurotransmitters, hormones and genes. Stage 3 in biochemistry offers a range of modules that include membrane transport and cell signalling; immunology; intermediary metabolism; molecular genetics and biotechnology; the biochemical basis of disease. In the final year, each student undertakes a research project in a specified topic and attends lectures on key areas of biochemical research, such as protein engineering, neurochemistry, cancer studies, the regulation of gene expression, and molecular immunology and endocrinology.

The structure of the B.Sc. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and B.Sc. Biochemistry (through B.Sc. omnibus) programmes are outlined below.
Please note: current students should always refer to Blackboard and SIS Student Web for updates on your programme.
For more information on the modules listed below, prospective students may visit UCD Horizons.

**Stage 1**
Core Modules		Module Credit
Students must take the following 40 credits in core modules: BIOC10040 Modern Topics in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology BIOL10020 Cells, Genes & Microbes BIOL10050 Animal Diversity and Evolution BIOL10060 Plants, Fungi and Environmental Science CHEM10050 Organic Chemistry & Chemical Biology CHEM10060 Physical & Inorganic Chemistry MATH10070 Introduction to Calculus MATH10090 Matrices & Vectors		5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Option Modules
Students must take at least 10 credits in option modules within the B.Sc. programme. CHEM00010 and / or MATH00010 may be required - click here to see the rule for these modules.		10

Elective Modules
10 elective credits within the B.Sc. programme or through the Horizons electives available		10

Total		60

**Stage 2**
Core Modules		Module Credit
Students must take 20 credits of core modules: BIOC20010 The Molecules of Life BIOC20020 The Machinery of Life BMOL20010 Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology BMOL20020 Introduction to Endocrine and Immune Biology		5 5 5 5

Option Modules
30 option credits from B.Sc progamme		30

Elective Modules
10 elective credits within the B.Sc. programme or through the Horizons electives available		10

Total		60

**Stage 3**
Core Modules		Module Credit
Students must take 35 credits of core modules: BIOC30010 The Biochemistry of Nitrogen BIOC30020 Biochemical Catalysis BIOC30030 Biochemist’s Toolkit BMOL30020 Molecular Basis of Disease BMOL30030 Regulation of Gene Expression BMOL30040 Receptor-Mediated Cell Signalling BMOL30050 Bioinformatics, Genomics and Proteomics		5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Option Modules
Option modules (at least three must be chosen): BIOC30040 Structure-Based Drug Design BMOL30010 Genetic basis of human disease GENE30010 Genetics and Recombinant DNA STAT 20070 Biostatistics CHEM30100 Chemistry of Biomolecules BOTN30130 Plant Biotechnology		15

Elective Modules
10 elective credits within the B.Sc. programme or through the Horizons electives available		10

Total		60

**Stage 4**
Core Modules		Module Credit
55 credits of core modules: BIOC40090 Biochemistry research project (20 credits)* BIOC 40020 Molecular Endocrine and Immune biology BIOC 40030 Advanced Cell Signalling BIOC 40040 Biological NMR BIOC 40050 Modelling and analysis BIOC 40060 Advanced Neurochemistry BIOC 40070 Protein Engineering and advanced Enzymology BIOC40080 Biochemical Research Strategies and Problem Solving		20 5 5 5 5 5 5

Option Modules
One option module may be chosen: BMOL 40040 Cell growth & differentiation BMOL 40050 Adv Pharmacology of Cancer GENE 40030 Gene Regulation GENE 40050 Genetics Disease & Behaviour INDM 40040 Microbial Pathogenicity PHAR 40040 Emerging therapies PHAR 40050 Drug Discovery and Development.		5

Total		60

* BIOC40090: a Biochemistry research project worth 20 credits is carried out under the direction of individual academic staff members and the completed project is presented in thesis format for the degree examination. Oral presentations of research work are also required.