Biochemistry: the Molecules of Life (FutureLearn)

Get an introduction to biochemistry

This free online biochemistry course will outline the background and history of the field, and its contemporary significance in the life sciences. It’s ideal if you enjoy biology and chemistry at school, and are thinking about studying or working in biochemistry as a distinct subject.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

- discuss how biochemistry brings together the natural sciences, to describe the chemical basis of living systems;

- describe the events and scientists that have been significant during the historical development of biochemistry;

- describe the seminal experiments that led to significant advances in biochemical knowledge;

- discuss where biochemistry will play a role in future scientific advances, such as bioenergy, pharmaceuticals and synthetic biology.

- recognise the wide range of jobs and career opportunities that become possible as a biochemistry graduate.

Learn with expert biochemists from UEA and beyond

Throughout the course, you will learn with a range of staff from UEA’s Schools of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, and find out how biochemistry is underpinning developments in the life sciences at the Norwich Research Park (NRP), and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. You will also get the chance to see interviews with people using biochemistry in a wide range of careers.

Syllabus

Week 1: What is biochemistry?

Week 2: Connecting biology and chemistry: metabolism and bioenergetics

Week 3: Connecting biology and chemistry: from natural products to synthetic biology

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Discuss how biochemistry brings together the natural sciences to describe the chemical basis of living systems

- Describe events and scientists that have been significant during the historical development of biochemistry

- Identify crossover points that exist between biology and chemistry curricula

- Evaluate where biochemistry will play a key role in scientific advances in the future

- Explore the wide range of jobs and career opportunities that become possible with a training in biochemistry

- Summarise seminal experiments that led to significant advances in biochemical knowledge

Who is the course for?

This course will be of particular interest to 15 to 19 year olds who are studying biology and chemistry, and considering further studies in biochemistry.

No prior formal qualifications are required for this course. With a clear explanation of relevant details, the material will be understandable to all with a basic interest and background knowledge in biology and chemistry.