Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biochemistry

at University of Westminster - Cavendish Campus United Kingdom

Pharmacology and physiology are two closely related disciplines. Pharmacology is the study of drug action and how medicines may modify disease states. Physiology is concerned with how the body and its systems are controlled, and in the changes that lead to disease states (pathophysiology).

This course will provide you with a sound understanding of the biological action of drugs and other biomolecules at the whole-body, tissue, cellular and sub-cellular levels, and their uses as medicines for the treatment of disease. It provides an ideal grounding for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research, academia, the Scientific Civil Service and healthcare provision.

Opportunities exist for you to enhance your practical and related transferable skills within our research laboratories. Teaching is informed by high-quality research in relevant cognate areas, within the department.

Top reasons to study with us

• Build a successful career – this course will give you the knowledge and skills for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research
• Make the most of our facilities – develop your skills in our fully equipped laboratories, and benefit from our APOLLO Patient Care Simulator platform
• Learn from our expert teaching staff – teaching is informed by high-quality research, delivering the forefront of current and cutting-edge science to students

On this course, you'll examine how nutrients and eating patterns impact health and well-being, and the role of diet in both health and disease.

Public and media interest in what we eat has never been greater. Emerging as one of the most popular sciences, Human Nutrition integrates knowledge from diverse areas of science to present a unified view of this dynamic discipline and its applications.

We have well-equipped labs in all bioscience disciplines, including a suite of biochemical test facilities for nutritional analysis, whole-body metabolism and determination of body composition.

A lively research culture informs our teaching, and is re?ected in our curricula specialising in both Global Public Health Nutrition and Sport and Exercise Nutrition. Our current research includes, but not limited to, local/global food security issues encountered by families, lifestyle interventions for metabolic health related diseases, and the ability to change nutritional behaviour through the use of technology.

In Years 2 and 3, students on the degree can choose to follow a theme focusing on Human Nutrition or on Human Nutrition with Exercise Science, which focuses on the role that exercise and nutrition play in all aspects of human health and disease.

The course presents you with an understanding of the molecular and physiological basis of the relationship between nutrition and human health and performance. You will study modules which cover the relevant aspects of human nutrition, physiology, public health nutrition, diet in health and disease, biochemistry, psychology, health and exercise practices.

Top reasons to study with us

• Make the most of outstanding facilities – we have well-equipped labs in all bioscience disciplines, including a suite of biochemical test facilities for nutritional analysis, whole-body metabolism and determination of body composition
• Boost your career – this course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) and graduates from this course are eligible to join the Register as an Associate Nutritionist
• Learn from expert speakers - expert speakers deliver research seminars and ‘academic conversations’, introducing students on the course to cutting-edge research and scientific developments

Security is a vital aspect of any networked system, especially as the dependency on network infrastructures has grown over the past few decades. This course builds on more than ten years of experience in education in network design and support, and its aim is to produce network engineers with a strong background in security.

The course focuses on three main aspects – communication, network design and implementation, and security. You'll develop the knowledge and technical expertise to be able to take on specific responsibility within a network team or as a team leader for the security aspects of that network, particularly in industries such as banking, where security is crucial.

Our graduates have gone on to work in the banking sector, as well as organisations such as BT, HP, Cisco, Dell, Google Enterprise, Huawei Technologies and Quinix, as well as smaller private companies.

Top reasons to study with us

• Develop the skills you'll need – learn application-oriented networking skills and know-how
• Gain industry insider knowledge – benefit from expert-led workshops that will help you develop in-demand skills
• Explore our exciting location - our course is based right in the heart of London, one of the world's technology hubs

Improved global life expectancy has resulted in a cancer epidemic. It is well recognised that accurate early diagnosis is an essential aspect of the administration of increasingly expensive and tailored cancer treatment care plans.

The Biomedical Sciences (Cancer Biology) MSc programme has been devised to provide knowledge of key aspects of this increasingly important disease area.

You will become familiar with the genetic and cellular changes occurring in both solid and blood-borne cancers, the current and emerging technological approaches for diagnosis of the disease and the effect on pertinent cellular changes on patient prognosis. Studies on populations and the influence of genotypic variation will ensure that you are qualified to make sense of cancer statistics.

You are able to tailor your programme by selecting from a menu of option modules and pursuing a research project in an area ranging from molecular through to cellular or tissue-based aspects of cancer.

During the course you will join our thriving research environment and will have access to excellent laboratory facilities within the School. On successful completion of the course you will be equipped to take forward your career with an in-depth knowledge of this increasingly common disease area.

Our Data Science and Analytics BSc will give you the combination of analytical, technical and presentation skills to convert data into valuable insights.

In a constantly changing global environment, the massive use of social networks and the Internet of Things are generating a huge and fast-growing amount of data. Data processing is carried out through increasingly complex and sophisticated computer capabilities and algorithmic models, and involves advanced storage technologies such as cloud computing. 

As a result, there is currently a great need for professionals who can process, understand and present this data in an appropriate and effective way. These skills are much needed by businesses, which collect data from customers, partners and from the market in which they operate to support evidence-based decision making. Governments rely on data to improve their policies and deliver better services as well.

Studying our course, you'll develop knowledge of the fundamental principles and technologies that underpin the disciplines of maths, statistics and computing with an emphasis on the skills and theories required in data science and analytics. You'll learn how to apply cutting-edge maths, statistics and computer science techniques and tools to collect, store, prepare, analyse and visualise data, while analysing and understanding organisations’ operations, environment and related issues. 

Top reasons to study with us

• Master key data science skills – You’ll learn how to make sense of data using various machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques, and how to use top programming languages such as R and Python for a career in Data Science and Analytics
• Boost your employability – You’ll have the opportunity to experience work-based learning including working for a year in industry, gaining skills that’ll give you an edge in the graduate market
• Use state-of-the-art computing facilities – You’ll have access to 34 specialist labs, various Operating Systems (Windows 10, Unix, Linux and Mac OSX), Microsoft development software for free, and VR hardware available in our labs to develop with
• Develop in-demand skills – Data analysis is a growing industry, with governments and businesses in need of professionals who can analyse data to support key decision-making
• Learn the fundamentals – You'll graduate with knowledge of the fundamental principles and technologies that underpin maths, statistics and computing

The amazing feats of world-class athletes across the huge range of sports has projected the issues of performance into the public eye, and sports nutrition is now recognised as a key part of supporting training and competition at all levels of participation.

The Master's degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Westminster offers the chance to study the science behind sports nutrition and its applications for both the 'weekend warrior' and the elite athlete. It also puts the controversies surrounding the use of supplements under scientific scrutiny, looking at the key evidence for and against performance benefits.

The aim of the course is to produce sports nutritionists who are strongly focused on the science behind the subject, but who also have some experience of the practicalities of delivering sound guidance to individuals and teams who are looking to use nutrition as part of their training programmes. To this end, a number of guest lecturers contribute their expertise in key related areas.

Working in the world of information systems can be exciting and rewarding as businesses become more and more reliant on information systems to support innovation, decision making and day-to-day operations.

The creative use of information systems can transform organisations. Successful enterprises require hybrid managers and analysts who can evaluate and use the tools, gauge the risks and provide the key insights and sound direction for strategic business planning.

Our Business Information Systems BSc will give you a clear perspective of the current nature and practice of business information systems, and will develop your understanding of the business challenges of an enterprise, and your ability to conceive and manage solutions which are increasingly ICT dependent.

You’ll integrate your skills of problem solving and information systems modelling with your knowledge of business processes and environments. You’ll be able to consult on, support or develop the technological platforms of an enterprise to achieve competitive advantage, building a career in roles ranging from systems developer to business manager.

Our course offers a short-term work-based learning experience that will give you the opportunity to work on a real-life problem, which is normally set by an external organisation as a small-scale project. This experience will allow you to put your new knowledge and skills into practice by addressing a real-life situation, usually within the context of a business-related problem.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry (work placement) after completing the second year of your study. This will help you gain work experience and enhance your employability. You’ll be offered help and support to find and secure placement opportunities through various workshops and events organised by the Careers and Employability Service and the course team. Typically, you’ll be assigned into roles involving tasks related to business information systems.

Our Medical Sciences BSc Honours is a standalone three-year Bachelor’s degree which also acts as a pre-clinical 'feeder' course offering graduates a transfer directly into the third year of the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MD) degree at our overseas partner, the University of Malta.

The Medical Sciences BSc Honours comprises a detailed study of the human body in health and disease, with emphasis on the diagnosis and understanding of disease states and the mechanisms involved. It prepares you for a range of life science careers, but also fully equips you for transfer to the University of Malta MD programme. Teaching on the course is through a variety of methods and includes tutorials, lectures and seminars, practical laboratory work and group activities along with the use of learning technology and electronic resources. Assessment is through a combination of exams and coursework, including essays, practical work, group work, presentations and reports.

Top reasons to study with us

• A pathway into medicine – Our course offers you, on graduation, a transfer into the third year of the MD degree at the University of Malta
• Summer school and language programme – Our course offers, at additional cost, a Human Anatomy Summer School based at the University of Malta, and a Medical Maltese language programme
• Keep your career path open – If you decide not to progress on to the MD programme at the end of the course, the Medical Sciences BSc also equips you for a variety of careers in the life sciences

Software engineering is the application of engineering methods, practices and disciplines to the creation and maintenance of software applications and systems. A professional software engineer works with these engineering approaches to develop software in a systematic, quantifiable and disciplined way.

By choosing this course, you’ll get the essential practical experience of programming and applying software engineering to a number of new and important areas of IT and computing. In addition, you’ll develop a strong grasp of the theory that underpins these practical skills.

To ensure that you have the best possible employment prospects at the end of the course, you’ll gain skills that cover a variety of areas: technical skills, such as programming, object-oriented software development, practical experience of software development tools; soft skills, such as analytical and critical thinking, communication, presenting and demonstrating, team working, and peer reviewing; and career skills, such as CV writing, planning, job searching, interview practice.

Our course will provide you with an exciting and unique learning experience, delivered by active researchers who are passionate and knowledgeable about their subject.

We believe strongly in maintaining close links between our research and teaching, which means that you'll be taught by recognised international experts. We are committed to understanding the place of psychology in contemporary society, and our course content is constantly updated to provide a fresh perspective into the human mind.

The course is designed to enhance your chances of successfully gaining employment once you graduate, and many of our past students have pursued careers in clinical, counselling, forensic or occupational psychology. Others have used their degree in related professions, including human resources, management, market research, public relations and social work.

Our course is structured to provide a strong psychology base from the start of your studies. What you study has been designed to meet the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society, preparing you for postgraduate training on the path to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

Between Years 2 and 3 you'll have the opportunity to take a work placement year experiencing work under supervision in a psychological setting. Alternatively, you'll have the opportunity to spend a year studying at one of our international partner universities.

Top reasons to study with us

• You’ll have the opportunity to gain a year's experience on a psychology work placement
• Employability and transferable skills are embedded within the curriculum
• You’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, if you achieve at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree and pass the Project module