Biochemistry and Genetics with a Foundation Year
Biochemistry and genetics together form the molecular core of modern biology, illuminating how living systems work at the level of molecules, genes, and cells. Biochemistry asks what the chemical processes of life are and how they are regulated, from enzyme activity and metabolic pathways to the structure and function of proteins and membranes. Genetics examines how inherited information is stored, copied, expressed, and passed between generations, and how mutations in that information underlie disease, diversity, and evolution.
The two disciplines are deeply intertwined, and together they underpin much of what is happening in medicine, pharmaceutical development, and our understanding of the natural world.
At Swansea University this four-year programme incorporates a foundation year, which provides a structured introduction to the scientific principles underlying both disciplines before you enter the main degree. You will develop a thorough grounding in molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics, alongside the laboratory skills and quantitative reasoning that scientific practice requires. You will explore how molecular insights are applied in areas including human disease, drug development, agricultural science, and environmental biology.
The programme develops your ability to design experiments, interpret data, and engage with current scientific literature.
Graduates from biochemistry and genetics programmes enter a wide range of careers. The pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical research industries are major employers, with roles in research and development, laboratory science, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs. Clinical and biomedical science, public health, environmental science, and scientific writing and communication are other common destinations.
Many graduates pursue postgraduate study at master's or doctoral level, either in research-focused programmes or in professional qualifications in areas such as medicine, dentistry, or clinical science.