Module - LIFE1039 - Core Skills in Biochemistry

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Year 2026/27

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Module - LIFE1039 - Core Skills in Biochemistry

Programme	SoLS - Life Sciences Modules Database (Level 1) C703 - M.Sci. Hons. Biochemistry (Qualifying Year - Compulsory) C741 - B.Sc. Hons. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (Qualifying Year - Compulsory) C742 - M.Sci. Hons. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (Qualifying Year - Compulsory) CC47 - B.Sc. Hons. Biochemistry and Genetics (Qualifying Year - Compulsory) CC4R - M.Sci. Hons. Biochemistry and Genetics (Qualifying Year - Compulsory) C700 - B.Sc. Hons. Biochemistry (Qualifying Year - Compulsory)
Year	Select a new weight: https://curriculum.nottingham.ac.uk/2026/view/tree/90976/year_lookup/XXIDXX Year 2026/2027
Accrediting Bodies	https://curriculum.nottingham.ac.uk/2026/view/tree/90976/year_lookup/XXIDXX HEFCE Biochemistry benchmarks Royal Society of Biology RSB Biochemistry subject specific outcomes
Module Code	LIFE1039
Credits	20

Total Credits:

20.00

Level:

Target Students:

Available to all students registered for a Single Honours degree in Biochemistry with or without another subject, except for Biochemistry & Genetics Students (who have their own bespoke module).

Summary Of Content:

This non-compensatable compulsory skills module aims to provide students with an introduction to key experimental, analytical and transferable skills, and to reinforce degree-specific scientific themes from the first year. The module has three major components: 1. Tutorials and supporting lectures (approx. 25% contact time). A combination of a) small-group contact with personal tutors and b) generic skills lectures. Lectures will provide advice about key transferable skills, including scientific writing, oral presentations, plagiarism, and career development. Tutorials will provide practice related to these skills (including writing an essay and giving a
presentation).

2. Experimental Design and Analysis (approx. 50%). A combination of a) lectures on the principles of the scientific method, good experimental design, and basic statistical analysis, and b) training in data interpretation and analysis, delivered via a combination of workshops, selfstudy and on-line exercises. 3. Key ideas and skills in Biochemistry (approx. 25%). A series of lectures and practicals designed to underpin the core first year content for Biochemistry, Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, and Biochemistry & Biological Chemistry students, supported by tutorials.

Course Web Links:

N/A

The aim of the module is to develop students' skills of: - processing and critically analysing quantitative and qualitative data; - interpretation, scientific reasoning and experimental design; - communication by writing and visual data presentation.

Education Aims:

Offering School:

Life Sciences

Convenor:

Name
Prof Ronald Chalmers
Dr Timothy Simpson

Semester
Full Year UK

Taught Semesters:

Requisites:

N/A

Additional Requirements:

Operator	Condition
	Only available for students studying Biochemistry
OR	Only available for students studying C-BSc Hons Biochem&Biolog Chem
OR	Only available for students studying BSc Hons Biochem & Mol Med
OR	Only available for students studying C-MSci Hons Biochem&BiologChem
OR	Only available for students studying MSci Hons Biochem&MolecularMed

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activity	Number of Weeks	Number of sessions	Duration of a session
Laboratory	3 weeks	1 week	3 hours
Lecture	13 weeks	2 week	1 hour
Seminar	2 weeks	1 week	3 hours
Tutorial	13 weeks	1 week	1 hour
Workshop	9 weeks	1 week	3 hours

Method of Assessment:

Assessment Type	Weight	Requirements
Coursework 1	33.00	1500 word essay - Spring semester
Exam 1	33.00	1.5 hour calcualations Exam ROGO inclass - December
Exam 2	34.00	1.5 hour online ROGO exam - Spring semester

Assessment Period:

Assessed in both Autumn and Spring Semesters


	Learning Outcome:
		Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and understanding - a student who completes this module will be expected to be able to: A1. understand Beer’s law and molarity to interpret optical density data. A2. use basic statistical techniques to analyse biochemical data. A3. understand complex ideas and relate them to specific problems or questions. A4. to identify the relationship between Biochemistry and other disciplines including the importance of Biochemistry in human health and disease and its relevance to medicine and biotechnology. A5. to consider and discuss ethical issues and the impact of advances in biochemistry on society. Practical and intellectual skills - a student who completes this programme will be able to: B1. analyse and interpret biochemical information and data. B2. undertake appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis. B3. think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others through research, critical analysis and interpretation of published information and data. B4. systematically analyse substantial quantities of information, process it effectively and draw appropriate conclusions. B5. work safely in the laboratory, using appropriate equipment and instruments and assess related safety issues in order to make and record accurate observations and measurements. B6. demonstrate numeracy, written and oral communication skills, including writing essays and constructing practical write-ups using appropriate styles, conventions and terminology, and making oral presentations on biochemical topics. B7. demonstrate digital literacy, including being able to utilise modern statistical software in the analysis of

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	A student who completes this module will be expected to be able to understand Beer’s law and molarity to interpret optical density data.
	A student who completes this module will be expected to be able to use basic statistical techniques to analyse biochemical data.
	A student who completes this module will understand complex ideas and relate them to specific problems or questions.
	A student who completes this module will be able to identify the relationship between Biochemistry and other disciplines including the importance of Biochemistry in human health and disease and its relevance to medicine and biotechnology.
	A student who completes this module will be able to consider and discuss ethical issues and the impact of advances in biochemistry on society.
	A student who completes this programme will be able to analyse and interpret biochemical information and data.
	A student who completes this programme will be able to undertake appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis.
	A student who completes this programme will be able to think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others through research, critical analysis and interpretation of published information and data.
	A student who completes this programme will be able to systematically analyse substantial quantities of information, process it effectively and draw appropriate conclusions.
	A student who completes this programme will be able to work safely in the laboratory, using appropriate equipment and instruments and assess related safety issues in order to make and record accurate observations and measurements.
	A student who completes this programme will be able to demonstrate numeracy, written and oral communication skills, including writing essays and constructing practical write-ups using appropriate styles, conventions and terminology, and making oral presentations on biochemical topics.
	A student who completes this programme will be able to demonstrate digital literacy, including being able to utilise modern statistical software in the analysis of scientific data.