Biomolecular Science BSc (Hons) 2019 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Biomolecular Science combines chemistry, medicine and biology topics and aims to equip students with the skills required for modern biomolecular and biotechnology industries.

The degree allows students to blend modules from Chemistry and Biology, and provides expertise in topics such as chemical synthesis, enzyme kinetics, structural biology and molecular biology.

Applications for 2019 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

C760

Course type

Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

  • Start date: 9 September 2019
  • End date: 30 June 2023

If you started this programme in 2018, you can find information about 2018 entry on the 2018 Biomolecular Science BSc (Hons) page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Entry requirements

The following are likely grades considered for an offer. St Andrews considers all aspects of every application, including context, equivalent qualifications and the personal statement, and offers may be higher or lower than the grades stated here.

SQA Highers AAAB, including A in Chemistry and A in Biology (or Human Biology)
GCE A-Levels AAB, including A in Chemistry and A in Biology 
IB points 35, including HL6 in Chemistry and HL6 in Biology

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes, please see our entry requirements for more information.

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course. Find out more about direct entry to second year for Biomolecular Science.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Applicants must have studied Chemistry and Biology at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Science minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty. More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements webpage.

Find out more about Faculty of Science entry requirements.

Timetables

St Andrews students must meet with their Adviser of Studies at the beginning of Semester 1 in September to complete advising – a compulsory part of the matriculation process. After module choices have been decided, a timetable will be allocated indicating the dates and times of classes.

Reputation

In the UK Research Excellence Framework 2014, Chemistry research at St Andrews was ranked top in Scotland with 95% of its overall research activity rated as world leading or internationally excellent.

The School of Chemistry was the first School at St Andrews to receive an Athena SWAN Silver award. The School is determined to actively support equality and fairness irrespective of race, disability, age, faith, gender or sexual orientation and is taking active steps to stamp out any explicit or implicit discrimination of staff and students on the basis of these differences.

The School of Chemistry was ranked second in Scotland by the Guardian University Guide 2019 and was ranked first in Scotland and fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2019.

The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2018 as 94% of St Andrews final year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.

The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.

Find out more about studying Chemistry at St Andrews.

Course information

The BSc in Biomolecular Science is a four-year course run jointly by the School of Chemistry and the School of Biology. Chemistry at St Andrews provides students with a fundamental and comprehensive understanding of chemistry, along with intellectual training in numeracy, problem-solving, teamwork and communications.

Alongside chemistry and biology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study at least one additional subject. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

The skills you gain in research and analysis during these years will prepare you to undertake more advanced and specialist modules during your final two years (known as Honours). These specialist subjects include (but are not limited to):

  • protein structure and function
  • structure-based drug discovery
  • carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemistry
  • chemical biology.

During your final year, you will also carry out a research project on a topic chosen in consultation with staff from the Schools.

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course. Find out more about direct entry to second year for Biomolecular Science.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure webpage.

Find out more about studying Chemistry at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), you will take the required modules in Biomolecular Science alongside modules in at least one other subject. Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:

  • Biology 1: provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
  • Biology 2: provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal and ecological aspects of life. 
  • Introduction to Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: covers the origin of the elements, atoms and the Periodic Table, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics.
  • Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: covers the structure, stereochemistry and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bio-organic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy.

In second year, modules are chosen which will best prepare you for your intended degree (or group of possible degrees) and new topics are introduced in some second-year modules.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:

  • Applied Molecular Biology: examines case studies to provide examples of how molecular biology techniques are applied in research to address real-life questions and problems.
  • Biochemistry: a number of central metabolic pathways and their control are studied in detail, alongside examples of their importance in disease and recent metabolomic studies.
  • Cell Biology: introduces the concept of ‘a cell’, the structure and function of a variety of sub-cellular compartments and the diversity of different cell types within multicellular organisms.
  • Inorganic Chemistry 2: covers metal complexes and organometallics, descriptive transition-metal chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, solid-state chemistry and descriptive main-group chemistry.
  • Molecular Biology: provides an introduction to modern molecular biology.
  • Organic Chemistry 2: covers carbon-carbon bond formation, interconversion of functional groups, aromatic and heteroaromatic reactivity, mechanistic biological chemistry and organic spectroscopy.

In third year you will have the opportunity to begin specialising in Biomolecular Science via the wide range of core modules provided. The modules cover a variety of topics from acid chemistry to pharmaceuticals and food chemistry.

Here is a sample of Biomolecular Science Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

  • Quantitative Aspects of Medicinal Chemistry
  • Carbohydrate and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
  • Mechanism in Organic Chemistry
  • Bioenergetics
  • Pharmacology

In fourth year you will study your chosen subject area at a deeper scientific level and will also have the opportunity to select from an extremely wide range of small, group-specialised modules. These modules are taught by academics at the forefront of their discipline who are teaching to their research strengths.

You will also undertake a research project in one of the School’s renowned research groups.


The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules available for the current academic year can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

The BSc in Biomolecular Science is taught through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • practical classes
  • field work.

Typical class sizes include:

  • First year: lectures 200 to 270, practicals 80 to 90
  • Second year: lectures 80 to 120, practicals 40 to 60
  • Third year: lectures 20 to 60, practicals 20 to 60
  • Fourth year: seminars 5 to 20.

When not attending lectures, tutorials and practical classes, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

  • working on individual and group projects
  • undertaking research in the library
  • preparing coursework assignments and presentations
  • preparing for examinations.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team with expertise and knowledge of biology and chemistry. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken training may also contribute to the teaching of laboratory classes under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all Biology staff on the School of Biology website and Chemistry staff on the School of Chemistry website.

In addition to your studies in the Schools of Biology and Chemistry, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.

The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities webpage.

Assessment

All sub-honours modules are assessed by 60% to 70% written examinations combined with 30% to 40% coursework covering laboratories, tutorials and transferable skills exercises.

For Honours modules, assessment is either by written examination for lecture-based modules, or by coursework including written reports, oral presentations and oral examinations for laboratory, workshop and research project modules.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The Schools of Biology and Chemistry provide feedback on every assessment with a view to improving your performance in future, and aim to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please visit the common reporting scale webpage.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2019 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £22,350

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Your future

Careers

Biomolecular Science graduates, with their multidisciplinary knowledge and skills, are keenly sought by a range of major companies; there are also exciting opportunities in a new generation of innovative grassroots companies.

St Andrews Biomolecular Science graduates are highly employable and have gone on to find success in a wide variety of careers in industry and business including:

  • professional biomolecular scientists in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries
  • teachers
  • forensic scientists
  • various careers in the food industry (including brewing)
  • management consultancy
  • marketing and advertising
  • patent lawyers
  • journalism and the media
  • finance (accountants and investment bankers).

Recent graduates are engaged in many diverse roles, including as an intern at the European Patent Office, as a pharmaceutical development scientist at Reckitt-Benckiser, as an audit assistant at KPMG, and as a regional liaison officer for the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Working abroad

Completing a work placement abroad is a good opportunity to gain work experience in another culture or language and to enhance valuable skill sets. As part of specific degree programmes in Chemistry, you may apply to undertake a work placement abroad for credit.

Student life

Given the small, elite nature of the University, the School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews offers a unique experience blending education in state-of-the-art science facilities while enjoying the traditions of an ancient university in a historic and picturesque setting.

The relatively small size of the School's undergraduate chemistry cohort results in a rather unique nurturing and nourishing environment where students have frequent contact with world-class academics. The School of Chemistry is ranked as one of the top Chemistry departments in the UK, and is known for the personal and flexible nature of its undergraduate Chemistry programmes.

The School of Chemistry is located in the Biomedical Sciences Building and the Purdie Building in the North Haugh on the western edge of town. These buildings offer recently upgraded lecture theatres and seminar rooms, as well as state-of-the-art teaching laboratories for chemistry. 

Biology lectures and practicals take place in purpose-built facilities on the North Haugh. Also at the North Haugh, students can study and access library resources at the JF Allen Science Library. One other area available for Biology students is the Bell Pettigrew Museum in the Bute building, a spectacular zoology museum which includes the arrangement of species to show evolutionary relationships between animals.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland.

Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

Contact

School of Chemistry
University of St Andrews
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3800
Email: chemistry@st-andrews.ac.uk

Chemistry website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).