Briefing
Biochemistry is number three of the most important subjects in first year. The course lasts the duration of the academic year and you will have lectures uploaded on Blackboard as well as in person laboratory classes where you will conduct experiments. Preparation isn’t needed before class.
In order to succeed it’s important to stay up to date with lectures as they will be taken down after a week and the new one will be posted instead. So, download the lectures or take your own notes right away. Beware that the majority of lectures have no sound, which can be a bit challenging. Biochemistry may seem daunting at first because of the large amount of content, however, if you focus on understanding the topics instead of memorizing them, you will find that the concepts aren’t as difficult as they may seem.
Especially thoroughly studying the lectures about enzymes will give you an advantage in understanding physiology in the 2nd year.
Attendance is mandatory and any unexcused absence from class will result in obtaining 1 negative point. Failure of a credit retake will result in obtaining 2 negative points. If a student obtains 5 or more negative points they will be disqualified for the final exam and have to retake the course.
- Lectures: Released by the department on Blackboard weekly
- Textbook: Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 28th Edition
- YouTube: definitely watch different videos explaining topics from each credit to gain a deeper understanding. These were some of the more helpful Youtube channels:
Attendance
Assessment
Credit
The course consists of four credits in total, 2 per semester. In order to sit the final exam you must pass 3 out of 4 credits. Each credit is 45 minutes long, consisting of 5 questions with a maximum score of 15 to be obtained. A passing grade is 8/15 (60%). You have a minimum of 1 retake per credit.
Before each credit a seminar will take place on Blackboard which students must pass in order to be allowed to sit the credit. Throughout the year there are six seminars, 2 of which are essay type questions to assess understanding of specific biochemistry topics on the course.
Final exam
Format: 6 describe questions, 4 draw questions, 1 list question, 1 calculation. Maximum points to be obtained is 30 marks.
Passing grade: 18/30 (60%).
Timing: 1hr 30mins.
Retakes: There are 2 possible retakes of the final exam, which will be organised by the department in August or September.
Exemption
Students who score 90-95% at 4 credits are not required to take the final exam.Credit
Credit received after passing the exam.
The grade is taken from the exam.
For the grading scale, consider the department's website.
This page is edited by
Esther Towolawi
Class of 2028Racheal Diyaolu
Class of 2028