Welcome to our Biochemistry and Genetics course at Canterbury Christ Church University. If we haven't met you already at an Answers Day or Offer Holder Day, we are really looking forward to meeting you! We really hope you enjoy this exciting course studying the genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology of organisms and getting the opportunity to work with industry.

Dr Gregg McIntosh
Course Director for Biochemistry and Genetics

Key dates

Academic Calendar: Semesters

View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.  

Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to your Biochemistry and Genetics course at Canterbury Christ Church University.

You will have lots of opportunities to learn practical skills and work with us and your fellow students in your first few weeks. We pride ourselves that this is a very friendly and supportive place to study, so we believe you will have an enjoyable and productive time with us.

There are plenty of ways to keep up to date with the latest staff and student activities by checking out our social media accounts.

You can also find some of our videos, such as our Summertime Science YouTube channel, or by searching “Summertime Science” on our Facebook page.

If you have Instagram, follow our Faculty Instagram for regular updates.

We can’t wait to see you all when the academic year starts!

Getting started

In your first week

You will have a practical week where we will introduce you to our new lab facilities and get you started with developing your practical skills.

After that, we aim to structure the timetable so that you will only have to be in for one or two days a week for some weeks, three or four days in others, with one additional lab week later in the semester (these will appear in your timetable).

As part of your practicals, you will complete competencies that will enhance your employability and evidence your hands-on experience.

Attendance at these sessions is particularly important and we will support you in attending as much as you can.

The university year is made up of two semesters, one running from September - January. and the other from February to May. You will complete 3 modules in each semester during your first year.

Year 1 Core Modules:

Semester 1

  • Biochemistry 1
  • Statistics and Introduction to ‘R’
  • Cell Biology and Genetics

Semester 2

  • Microbiology
  • Chemistry for Life and Environmental Science
  • Biochemistry 2

Community

On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!

CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18 September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.

We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.

Find out more about our welcoming community and making friends

If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.

Pre-course reading

We would like you to enjoy your holiday time and start refreshed. However, if you would like some recommended reading / textbook to buy, we would recommend:

  • Hillis, D., Heller HC., Hacker, SD., Hall, D., Sadava, D., Laskowski, M. Life: The Science of Biology (12th edition) Publisher: Macmillan Learning
    ISBN: 9781319315788
  • Stryer, Berg, Tymoczko and Gatto. Biochemistry. ISBN: 9781319114657

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers a 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts, recommended in the module handbooks that you will receive when you start in September.

We also advise you to look at the second-hand book market.

International student success programme

International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.

Contact details

If you have any queries, please feel to contact the Science Course Team