Biochemistry (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Dundee

Program Overview

If you love exploring how life works at the molecular level, the BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with a Year in Industry at Dundee is perfect for you. It combines a strong foundation in biochemistry with a full-year placement in a real workplace, giving you both the knowledge and experience that employers really value.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You’ll start by getting to grips with the basics of life sciences and chemistry. Modules like Core Skills in the Life Sciences help you master essential lab techniques, while The Building Blocks of Life introduces key biomolecules and how they work together. Alongside this, Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry ensures you understand the chemical reactions behind biological processes, giving you a solid springboard for more advanced study.

Year 2:
In your second year, you’ll explore cells, tissues, and how organisms function. Building the Organism looks at cell cycles, DNA, and how cells form tissues, while Biomolecular Mechanisms dives deeper into how proteins and other molecules drive life’s processes. You’ll also learn to handle and analyze data in Statistics and Experimental Design, preparing you for real research work.

Year 3:
Here’s where things get really exciting. You’ll tackle advanced biochemistry topics like metabolism, molecular genetics, and protein structure, and you’ll carry out your own research project in a cutting-edge lab. This hands-on experience is invaluable if you’re thinking about a career in research or industry.

Year 4 (Honours Year):
After your industry placement, you’ll return to complete your final year, applying what you’ve learned in a mix of advanced modules and an independent project or dissertation. This is your chance to specialize in areas you’re passionate about and demonstrate your skills at a professional level.

Year 5 (Industry Placement / Sandwich Year):
The highlight of this degree is the full-year placement. You’ll work in a biotech, pharmaceutical, or research lab, gaining real-world experience, making professional connections, and discovering how the science you’ve studied is applied in practice.

Focus Areas

Hands-on lab work · Molecular biology and biochemistry · Metabolism and genetics · Professional experience in biotech and pharma · Independent research projects

Learning Outcomes

You’ll become confident in lab techniques, learn to analyze and interpret complex biological data, design and run experiments independently, and gain a deep understanding of how molecular processes drive life. Your industry placement also gives you insight into real-world science careers and helps build a professional network.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, ensuring that your degree meets the standards expected in the professional life sciences community.

Reputation & Employability

Dundee is known for top-quality research in the life sciences, and students benefit from strong support from the Careers Service with placements, recruitment fairs, and career advice. Graduates with a year in industry are highly sought after by biotech companies, research labs, and even scientific communication roles, giving you a real head start in your career.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Dundee, you won’t just learn biochemistry from textbooks — you’ll roll up your sleeves and get hands-on from day one. The course is designed so you can practice real lab techniques, design experiments, and interpret results just like a professional scientist. On top of that, the industry placement gives you an entire year working in a real biotech, pharmaceutical, or research lab, letting you experience how science works outside the classroom and build a network that could jumpstart your career.

This practical, real-world approach includes:

12‑month industry placement: work in a commercial lab or research environment, gaining real-world experience, professional contacts, and a CV boost.
Laboratory work throughout the degree: develop core skills like enzyme assays, molecular biology workflows, and experimental design, connecting theory directly to practice.
Research project: a semester-long project based on current cutting-edge research in the School of Life Sciences, letting you explore topics you’re passionate about.
State-of-the-art facilities: work with the same equipment used by Dundee researchers, getting exposure to advanced methods beyond typical teaching labs.
Careers and placement support: access micro-placements, recruitment fairs, and guidance from the Careers Service to turn your skills into job opportunities.
Flexible module choices: tailor your learning in later years to focus on areas that excite you, from metabolism to molecular mechanisms, shaping your practical experience to your career goals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this Biochemistry course opens up a world of opportunities. Many students go on to roles like biotech research scientist, pharmaceutical analyst, quality control biochemist, or medical/technical writer — and your year in industry gives you real-world experience that makes stepping into these jobs much smoother.

Here’s how Dundee helps you get there:

Careers Service Support: You’ll have a dedicated adviser for life sciences, plus 1‑on‑1 guidance, CV and interview support, and access to thousands of placement and job opportunities via the Jobshop.
Recruitment Opportunities: Attend on-campus recruitment fairs — about seven each year — featuring over 250 employers from biotech, pharma, research institutes, and more.
Industry Partnerships: Work with leading organisations through initiatives like the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) and the Drug Discovery Unit, which translate university research into real drug development.
Accreditation & Credibility: Your degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, giving your qualification extra weight with employers.
Graduate Outcomes: Many alumni step straight into scientific roles in industry or regulatory bodies, while others continue with further study — often leveraging their industry placement to stand out.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep learning, you could take a postgraduate route like an MSc in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Biological Data Science, or other advanced courses at Dundee, building on the skills and experience you’ve already gained.