BIOCHEMISTRY the Career Guide
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BIOCHEMISTRY the career guide for 16–18 year olds considering their options Over the past 100 years, biochemists have been responsible for a huge number of important scientific breakthroughs THE IMPACT OF that have helped to develop our understanding of living organisms. These discoveries have had a big impact on many areas of science, including biotechnology, agriculture, veterinary science and medicine. BIOCHEMISTRY UNDERSTANDING THE CHEMISTRY OF OUR BRAINS Understanding how the messages in our to treat conditions such as Attention Deficit brains are transmitted has allowed us to study Hyperactivity Disorder, Parkinson’s disease, and behaviour at a new level, and develop a wide schizophrenia. Biochemists are also researching range of medicines that we use in our everyday how we feel pain, and form new memories. lives. It has lead to the development of drugs REVOLUTIONIZING FORENSIC SCIENCE Biochemists have discovered that everyone has understand the evolutionary origins of diseases their own unique genetic code or “fingerprint”, like sickle cell anaemia. DNA analysis is also which has led to huge developments in forensic invaluable in police investigations, with genetic science and evolutionary history. We can now testing being used in criminal forensics and track the genetics of family histories, and immigration cases. HELPING FIGHT DISEASE Biochemists have discovered some of the not only diagnoses possible and more efficient, mechanisms behind many serious diseases, but has also led to the development of ground such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, breaking new drugs and treatments. In the future, cystic fibrosis, and many more. Understanding scientists hope these could be tailored to the these diseases at a molecular level has made patient’s genetic make-up. PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR KNOWLEDGE In recent decades there have been great scientific and Alzheimer’s develop. Today, scientists around advances, such as the discovery of DNA, how the world research and develop new and exciting cells communicate with one another using practical techniques, with the aim of furthering signalling and how diseases such as HIV, cancer our scientific knowledge and changing the future. 3 Biochemistry is the branch its function. This information of science that explores the allows biochemists to predict how chemical processes and reactions molecules might interact with each within living organisms. It is a other, and to design drugs based laboratory based subject that on this. uses chemical knowledge and techniques to understand and Biochemistry also helps us to solve biological problems. decode the genetic information found in our DNA. Biochemists Biochemistry focuses on processes identify specific genes and, in at a molecular level, and uses turn, the proteins they code this knowledge to explain how for, and use this information to cells and organisms behave. investigate the functions of the It examines what is happening protein within the cell. All this within our cells, studying information helps to enhance our components like proteins, lipids, knowledge of how cells work and and organelles and how they all how processes are regulated, so work together. It looks at how that we can develop methods to cells communicate with each fix them when things go wrong. other, for example during growth or development. Biochemistry Since biochemistry is the study also looks at the biological, of life at the molecular level, it chemical and sometimes structural provides the foundations of a basis for disease, including wide range of other scientific genetic disorders, infection, disciplines, including genetics, neurodegeneration and cancer. forensics, microbiology, plant science, and medicine. This SO, WHAT IS Central to biochemistry is an breadth makes it difficult to understanding of how the draw a neat border around 3-dimensional structure of a “biochemistry”, and highlights just BIOCHEMISTRY? biological molecule relates to how important the subject is. 4 5 Want to be part of the scientific movement? Because of the fundamental nature of biochemistry, you can find biochemists working BIOCHEMISTRY CAN in a variety of places, for example: HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY LABS FOOD INDUSTRY analysing samples researching ensuring the safety from patients anything from gene of our food to advising therapy to new TAKE YOU THERE… on treatments cancer treatments Biochemists play an important Biochemistry also contributes to role in contributing to advances protecting the environment, by LAW FIRMS THE COSMETIC PHARMACEUTICAL dealing with INDUSTRY LABORATORIES in a wide variety of areas, combating pollution and designing scientific creating safe drug development or including health, agriculture and biocompatible products. The specific cases or more carrying out research the environment. Progress in the genetic engineering of plants has effective products into different diseases biochemical understanding of led to advances in agriculture which disease and complex molecular include crop improvement and structures has led to medical resistance to pests and disease. applications including the PUBLISHING SALES AND THE GOVERNMENT screening of unborn babies for Biochemistry is often a collaborative commissioning, MARKETING advising on current disease, investigation of possible field, requiring biochemists to work proof reading selling the latest scientific issues and reviewing technology to the cures for illnesses such as cancer and communicate as a team with scientific articles right people and AIDS, and the formulation of professionals from a variety of new and improved medicines. disciplines to achieve their goals. “The problem solving and critical thinking is quite appreciated by the Financial Sector and so it was a bit of a surprise to hear that some went for a career in Finance after having completed a Science degree.” 6 Martin, an undergraduate student at the University of Glasgow. 7 The importance of biochemistry is demonstrated by the variety of different fields biochemists are working in today, to help to make the world a better place to live in. By studying biochemistry, you would be able to contribute to a brighter future and be a part of the exciting new advances still to come. Since biochemistry underpins many of the other life sciences, it allows you to specialize in a range of different subjects at a later date. This flexibility allows you to keep your career options open. After studying a biochemistry degree, ANALYTICAL SKILLS there are numerous options available to you. You can stay in Higher Education NUMERACY AND MATHS and study for a PhD or a Masters Degree in science (a good route into research EXPERIENCE OF and working in industry). Or you could WRITING REPORTS apply your scientific knowledge to a range of other careers, including patent PRESENTATION SKILLS law, teaching or science communication. TIME MANAGEMENT Alternatively, you may pursue a career CREATIVE THINKING outside of science. The skills you will develop during your studies are PROBLEM SOLVING transferable across a number of career areas, meaning you could end up working as anything from an accountant to a IT SKILLS WHY STUDY marketing manager or event organizer. These transferable skills, which are PLANNING TRANSFERABLE SKILLS TRANSFERABLE sought after by employers, include: BIOCHEMISTRY? OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS WORKING IN A TEAM 8 9 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BSC)/BACHELOR OF ART COMBINED DEGREES (BA) COURSES Combined degrees, such as ‘Biochemistry with . ‘ or These are usually three years full time study (four years in ‘Biochemistry and...’ (e.g. Biochemistry with French or Scotland). The course provides a good science basis, after Biochemistry and Business management) normally involve which you can go on to take part in post-graduate study splitting your time between two subjects. The time spent or numerous scientific or other careers. Previous scientific on each may be split equally, or you might spend more time qualifications are needed, such as A-levels or Highers. Most on one subject than the other. If considering this type of bioscience courses will follow a common first year, then combined degree, it is important that you check how the specializing in the second and third years when you can time is split between the disciplines on each course you are normally choose some optional modules in the areas that considering, as it may vary between different universities. interest you most. Although this allows you to have a more varied degree and learn another discipline, it is important to consider whether MSCI/ MBIOLSCI/ MBIOCHEM COURSES this may affect your future career when applying for jobs These courses are normally four years full time study (five against students who’ve had more in depth teaching in one years in Scotland). The final year involves a more in-depth of the areas. You may also want to consider the second study of the subject in order to enhance the qualification to a subject being one related to biochemistry, in order for higher Masters level. Most courses will involve an extensive them to support each other, such as biochemistry and research project during the final year, where you will learn pharmacology or ecology. and develop research and practical skills. All the courses have the same Masters status, the title simply distinguishes Alternatively, some universities offer combined degrees what area it specializes in. that encompass a broader science base - for example, a Natural Sciences degree. Again, check individual university BIOCHEMISTRY WITH A YEAR ABROAD/IN