Higher Education Academy National Subject Profiles in Biochemistry and Microbiology

The Centre for Bioscience is pleased to launch two National Subject Profiles of the student learning experience in Biochemistry and Microbiology. The profiles present a detailed overview of the current state of higher education in Biochemistry and Microbiology focusing particularly on the factors which have a direct impact on the students' learning experiences in undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes. View the HEA Press Release regarding the launch of all National Subject Profiles.

The topics covered include

Biochemistry key findings

Microbiology key findings

Other subject centres participating in the review

Links and related publications

Feedback on the Profiles? Please contact us.

The topics covered include:

numbers and types of courses
entry requirements
curriculum outline contents
teaching and assessment methods
support systems for students
industrial placements
graduates' future career paths

These profiles provide an extensive amount of information for the bioscience community. They should become a helpful source of data for teaching staff, administrators and students in biochemistry and microbiology and provide a baseline from which to track trends impacting on teaching of biosciences. Information collected may also be of interest to government agencies and employers.

Please contact the Centre for Bioscience if you would like to receive copies of either publication.

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Biochemistry key findings:

Student entry has been stable over the last four years, with an average of six applicants per admission and an increasing number of these are overseas students.
More than 300 varied undergraduate programmes involving Biochemistry are provided by 70 institutions in the UK.
Biochemistry is at the centre of a new age - the Biological Age – which is forecast to change the world, as did the Industrial Revolution in its time.
Against a background of major change in the discipline and the environment in which it is taught, this publication - the first of its kind - identifies possible threats or opportunities for future developments in Biochemistry teaching.
Biochemistry is at the heart of high public interest issues such as crime scene investigations and food science, and its impact on society includes profound issues such as treating diseases.
A basic understanding of Biochemistry is essential for biosciences in general and for many related sciences such as agriculture, medicine and pharmacy.
The UK is one of the world’s main centres for commerce in Biotechnology as hundreds of companies exploit advances in Biochemistry. Other Biochemistry-based industries thriving throughout the UK include the pharmaceutical industry, which employs around 73,000 people and contributes £12.2 billion to exports.
Students’ feedback on their experiences of studying Biochemistry is overwhelmingly positive.

Click here to view the National Student Profile: Biochemistry

Read August 2008 The Biochemist article 'Higher Education Academy report: National subject profile' by participating panelist, Chris Kirk, CEO, Biochemical Society.

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Microbiology key findings:

Students wishing to study Microbiology at university are offered programmes that are exciting, relevant and diverse in their approaches to teaching, learning and assessment
Microbiology degrees provide entry to fascinating and varied careers both within and outside the area of bioscience
Microbiology students are generally enthusiastic about their experiences within Higher Education
The Profile has identified priorities for development by the Subject Centre, including:

the opportunities for students to develop practical skills;
the balance between discipline-specific knowledge and transferable skills

Bringing this wealth of information together in one place in this form for the first time has greatly facilitated the development of new insights and provided the focus that is needed to identify important issues
Microbiology is a major contributor to the national economy with significant potential for future economic development
From its early roots in health-related areas, Microbiology has grown into a significant bioscience discipline encompassing a diversity of aspects which have a major influence on individuals (their health and quality of life) on research in other biosciences and on the economy