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Why study biology?

What can I do afterwards?

After graduation, many of our students continue in the biological sciences working in a job that utilises their biological background

– for example, environmental consultancy or scientific publishing. Many study for higher degrees (MSc or PhD), often choosing to continue their studies at Queen Mary.

Find out more at www.qmul.ac.uk/ postgraduate

In addition, a high proportion of our biomedical sciences graduates go on to study medicine and dentistry, on the four-year graduate-entry or five-year programmes at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (also part of Queen Mary), or at other medical schools around the country. Others go into careers including consultancy, medical technology, teaching or research

in industry.

Other graduates leave the sciences but use the highly valued transferable skills they have acquired during their degree to move into careers such as management training, finance, law, IT or accountancy. These skills include:

•analytical skills and numeracy

•experimental design and statistical analysis

•data-handling and interpretation

•written and spoken communication skills

•IT skills

•manual and practical lab skills.

What our graduates do next

The national 2011 destination survey confirmed that 87 per cent of SBCS students were in employment and/or study six months after graduation.

Recent examples of careers that our graduates have moved into include:

•Lab Assistant Proctor & Gamble

•Biochemist

National Blood Service

•Food Inspector and Technologist Halal Food Authority

•Consultant and Developer Datapoint

•European Credit Controller Paladin Commercial Credit

•Commercial Health Care Scientist Health Protection Agency

How we support you

Throughout your degree, you will have access to a bespoke careers programme, to prepare you for internships and graduate-level work. This programme includes workshops on job hunting and job applications as well as employer events to facilitate networks and help you

to explore your options.

Recent careers events in SBCS include visiting the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, training in how to gain lab experience and a Graduate Entry to Medicine

workshop led by the medical careers consultant to Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The QM Careers team also runs business games and an annual programme of over 70 employer events, putting you in touch with employers across the public, private and charity sectors.

You are encouraged to build your work experience throughout your studies, through, for example, our QM Projects work experience scheme, QM Temps job agency, Experience Works events and QMSU volunteering services.

profile alumni

Naila Aslam

What did you study?

Biomedical Sciences BSc then went on to do Graduate Entry Medicine MBBS.

What are you doing currently?

Doctor specialising in Paediatrics

Why did you choose Queen Mary?

For its diversity and vibrant atmosphere.

What did you enjoy most about your time here?

Everything! I think the best part was what you learned outside the lecture theatres. QM gives you the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and learn about them as well as yourself. It’s more than just a university, it's an amazing experience.

What did Queen Mary do to prepare you for work?

Let's put it this way - I wouldn't be a doctor if it wasn't for QM. The biomed course is designed specifically to prepare students for

the graduate entry medicine course. That's what I did and I have never looked back.

Could you provide a brief description of your current role?

At the moment I am working in neonatology. I get to go to deliveries and save newborn babies! It just doesn’t get any better.

profile staff

Steve Le Comber

Lecturer, Biological

and Chemical Sciences

Why are you passionate about teaching your subject?

As Theodosius Dobzhanksy famously said, nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution. Understanding evolutionary biology is crucial in areas as diverse as medicine, genetics, ecology, conservation biology and psychology.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at Queen Mary?

SBCS is a friendly department, with students who are academically gifted, enthusiastic about their subject and a pleasure to teach.

What makes your School different?

It is unusually diverse in its research interests, which means that whatever they are studying - genetics, biochemistry, ecology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, psychology - our undergraduates are being taught by leading researchers in their field.

What are your research interests?

Evolutionary biology; epidemiology; mathematical biology; spatial patterns in biology.

profile student

Hitesh Mistry

Biomedical Sciences

“I chose Queen Mary because it is the only London-based university which has all the main facilities, accommodation and departments on one campus. Additionally, the fact that the lecturers are conducting research which is being published means that we are being taught by people who have direct first-hand experience in their areas of expertise.

“The best thing about the course is the variety of modules. I am able to study a range of different aspects of biology, yet still see how they integrate with each other. I also think that the course is well structured, the university well organised and the newly updated buildings have all the facilities we require.

“The most interesting thing that I have done on my course was the practical sessions of my Human Anatomy modules. We were given

access to cadaver and skeletons in order for us to learn and visualise the location, shape and attachment of various muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and much more. This practical experience was enjoyable and really helpful.”

Biomedical Sciences

B990 BSc/BMS (three years)

UCAS points: 340 points at A2 level

A-level: AAB including biology and chemistry

IB: 35 points overall with HL grade 6 in biology, chemistry and two other subjects

Find out more about the programme and entry requirements at www.qmul.ac.uk/B990

Many students studying our highly rated Biomedical Sciences degree subsequently apply as graduates for entry to medicine or dentistry programmes, other healthcarerelated courses and higher degrees such as MSc and PhD. The programme is designed with this in mind, with modules in the preclinical subject areas including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, molecular sciences and pharmacology. The curriculum also includes specialised modules such as Clinical Microbiology, Cell Pathology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, many of them taught by staff at Queen Mary’s medical school, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

profile student

Harriet Clewlow

BSc Biology

“Biology has always been something I've been passionate about. My programme is module-based and extremely flexible. This was perfect for me as when I started I wasn't sure what I wanted to specialise in. Field courses are the best part of the programme as they give you the chance to get hands-on experience of what you've been learning about in fascinating locations.

“The area around Queen Mary is very multicultural and this makes it a really interesting and exciting place to live. There are parks and the canal close by, so it's easy to escape the hustle and bustle of the area if you want to. Shoreditch and Brick Lane are two of the local highlights. Brick Lane is packed full of excellent curry houses and bars. Shoreditch is full of trendy boutique shops and is the place to be in east London.

“I'm Volunteering Officer for the student council this year and so I'm involved in organising volunteering events for students in the local community. These give you an insight into London you couldn't get in any other way. By doing this I've gained skills and awards to enhance my CV for the future.”

profile student

Hazel Hewitt

Medical Genetics

“Queen Mary accepted me onto their Science and Engineering Foundation programme after I left school.

Completing this gave me the chance to complete a degree even though my A-levels did not go well.

“I chose my course due to a love of genetics and how we inherit traits from our families. Medical Genetics gave me the opportunity to combine a love of heritability with a desire to help others in the search for cures for debilitating genetic disorders.

“Queen Mary lecturers are happy to answer questions and go out of their way to make our lives that little bit easier. My personal tutor was a great lecturer, and was also there to guide and support me when needed.

“I enjoy aspects of my course that I never thought I would, including indepth study into the functions that our cells go through from the moment we begin life to the effects that the modern world is having on our bodies.

“At uni those who work hard and ask for help when needed are those who succeed. It wasn’t easy at first – I found time management difficult, and I still have to keep a diary of all my deadlines to ensure that I get everything done on time.”

profile staff

Matthew Evans

Head of School and Professor

of Ecology

Why are you passionate about teaching?

Teaching a subject is the best way to make sure you know it yourself. I have learnt a lot through my teaching. The questions students ask frequently identify holes in logic and knowledge.

What makes your School different?

We strive to maintain an approach that maximises the potential of each student and maintains contact between students and their teachers.

What are your research interests?

I am an ecologist. At the moment I am working on how to predict the impact of environmental change on the natural world.

Who inspires you?

I have been inspired by many people. My PhD supervisor was amazing and gave me the freedom to pursue my research interests.

Zoology

C300 BSc/Zoo (three years)

UCAS points: 320 points at A2 level

A-level: ABB including biology

IB: 33 points overall with HL grade 5 in biology and two other subjects

Find out more about the programme and entry requirements at www.qmul.ac.uk/C300

Queen Mary has a long record of research achievement in understanding the structure, physiology, distribution and behaviour of animals – from microscopic creatures to turtles, seals, whales and dolphins. As a

zoology student, you will receive a thorough grounding in vertebrate and invertebrate biology. To complement this, we offer modules in physiology, behaviour, evolution and neurobiology. Modules in molecular and population genetics, ecology, statistics and immunology are also available. There is a strong emphasis on fieldwork, with compulsory and optional modules taking students to Borneo to study tropical ecology, and to coasts of Britain to study marine life.

profile alumni

Amelia Zakiewicz

Zoology

Currently: With my Zoology degree I was able to get on the graduate programme to study Veterinary Medicine at The Royal Veterinary College. I now have combined my two degrees and work as a vet for the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia.

Why did you choose queen Mary?

I chose Queen Mary, as it is viewed as one of the top universities for Zoology; I also loved the idea of living in the heart of London.

Did you enjoy your time here? I loved my three years here. The course was excellent, I had great lecturers that were engaging and passionate about the subject. The field trips on the course were a lot of fun and I learnt a great deal from them. I played hockey for the first team throughout my time there, which meant I met a lot of people on different courses and years, which really enhanced my experience.

How did Queen Mary prepare you for work? Queen Mary prepared me in many ways for my career. I learnt how to manage my time, become proficient at self study and also how to interact in a professional setting.

Chemistry is a highly challenging and rewarding subject that is interesting and extremely relevant to modern society. It is concerned with all the aspects of the physical and chemical properties of matter, the determination of their structure and composition, their reactions and how they can be utilised to produce useful products and materials.

No other subject provides such a comprehensive understanding of how the world is put together, and gives you the skills and techniques to apply this knowledge in the real world. For example, chemistry is the common theme in the following diverse activities: making fireworks; creating new textiles, fabrics and dyes; restoring works of art; manufacturing food preservatives; improving the performance of pharmaceutical drugs; solving crimes using forensic evidence; and working as a scientific patent lawyer.

Why study chemistry at Queen Mary?

The School of Biological and

Chemical Sciences (SBCS) consistently performs well in student surveys and newspaper league tables. In the most recent National Student Survey (NSS 2012), 91 per cent of our chemistry students expressed overall satisfaction with their studies, making us the top chemistry department in London

for student satisfaction.

Our School is distinguished by highcalibre academic staff who generate a vibrant research culture and produce work that appears in highimpact multidisciplinary journals (eg Nature and Science) and other top-

rank specialist journals. The results of the 2008 RAE confirmed the School's position among the UK's leading centres for chemical sciences, with 85 per cent of our outputs assessed as being of international quality. In recent years we have focused on recruiting enthusiastic research-oriented staff.

Teaching and research is carried out in a £13m purpose-built chemistry building with outstanding and attractive modern facilities, two large teaching laboratories in addition to spacious research laboratories and sophisticated instrument rooms.

Assessment

You must take 120 credits (normally eight modules) in each academic year. Each module is assessed through theory examinations (typically accounting for 75-80

per cent of the final mark) and coursework (eg, practical reports, field course reports, essays, problem sheets, online exercises and tests). Final-year students undertake a research project/investigative project worth 15 or 30 credits.

Our teaching

All our programmes involve a mixture of classroom activities and laboratory work. A variety of teaching styles are employed, which vary slightly among modules and programmes. Most material is delivered via lectures. These last around 50 minutes each and, typically, you would have two lectures per day. Lectures are backed up with small-group tutorials and workshops, where you have the opportunity to ask, in a relatively

relaxed and small group setting, about material in lectures that you did not understand, to go through problems and practise past exam papers.

A typical weekly workload would be:

•Eight one-hour lectures

•9-12 hours of practical laboratories or workshops

•18-20 hours of private study/coursework.

Admissions

Admission is by UCAS form. Your application will be assessed on the basis of your personal statement, UCAS reference and predicted grades. Interviews are not usually required.

Academic enquiries

School of Biological and Chemical Sciences

Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 3200/3014 email: sbcs-admissions@qmul.ac.uk www.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk

General enquiries

Enquiries Hotline (UK callers only): 0800 376 1800

Tel (international students): +44 (0)20 7882 5511

email: admissions@qmul.ac.uk

Why study chemistry? What can I do afterwards?

A chemistry graduate will possess a wide technical knowledge and understanding, as well as practical skills. After graduation, the majority of our students continue in chemistry, either studying for higher degrees (PhD) or working in industry, including the agrochemical and food sectors and the pharmaceutical sector, often at multinational household names

such as GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. However, during your degree you will also develop essential transferable skills.

Our degree programmes will:

•teach you to be a good communicator

•improve your team-working skills, while also enabling you to work alone in a logical, organised and methodical fashion

•develop your manual and practical skills through conducting and designing experiments

•provide you with excellent analytical and numeracy skills, plus skills in data-handling and interpretation

•improve your general IT skills and give you experience of using specialist scientific databases and chemistry software.

As a result, our graduates are highly sought after by employers in fields as diverse as banking and finance, politics, law, IT, scientific journalism and broadcasting and accountancy.

What our graduates do next

A high proportion of the School’s graduates go on to further study; others find work in a wide variety of careers. Some apply their degree knowledge directly, entering careers such as lab technician or assistant

scientist, while others transfer skills gained during study into sectors such as the media, technology or finance. Others go on to study on one of our range of masters programmes, which build on our research strengths and feature an MSc Chemical Research. Find out more at www.qmul.ac.uk/ postgraduate

The national 2011 destination survey confirmed that 87 per cent of School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (SBCS) students were in employment and/or study six months after graduation.

Employers of our recent graduates include:

•NHS Trusts

•Cancer Research UK

•Biochemical Society

•Royal Bank of Scotland

How we support you

Throughout your degree, you will have access to a bespoke careers programme, to prepare you for internships and graduate-level work. This programme includes workshops on job hunting and job applications as well as employer events to facilitate networks and help

you to explore your options.

Recent careers events in SBCS include visiting the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, training in how to gain lab experience and a Graduate Entry to Medicine

workshop led by the medical careers consultant to Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The QM Careers Centre team also runs business games and an annual programme of over 70 employer events, putting you in touch with employers across the public, private and charity sectors.

profile alumni

Helen Pritchard-Smith

Studied: Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Currently: in the 4th year of my PhD in chemistry at University of Bristol.

Why did you choose Queen Mary?

Because I liked the campus and the course, specifically in relation to cancer chemotherapeutics which were of particular interest to me.

What did you enjoy about Queen Mary?

Being part of a small chemistry department meant you got to know not only everyone in your year, but all of the PhD students and staff really well. I had a lot of excellent lecturers which helped give me the good grounding in chemistry that I needed to be successful in my PhD. I learnt the basics of lab technique during my final year project. Having the opportunity to present a poster and give a talk in our final year was helpful as this is a regular part of doing a PhD. I was also the women's rowing captain for two years which I really enjoyed.

profile alumni

Chetan Makani

BSc Chemistry

What are you doing now? I work for the Australian Patent Office, based in Canberra, as a patent examiner in the chemical section.

Why did you choose Queen Mary?

Location and reputation. I also attended open days and thought it was a cool place to study. The staff members I spoke to also made me feel welcome.

How did Queen Mary prepare you for work? My degree gave me a solid foundation of chemical knowledge, which I was able to apply in my first job as an analytical chemist and also in my current role as a patent examiner.

What do you do in your current role? I examine patent applications for new compounds or chemical processes; usually the applicants are big pharma firms such as GSK or Merck. This involves determining whether or not the invention claimed is new and inventive. I search databases to look for relevant prior art. I send reports to patent attorneys representing the applicants and when they reply I consider their response and decided whether I can accept their application.

profile student

Irrum Afzal

BSc Biochemistry

“I chose Queen Mary because it is a leading university with an excellent reputation worldwide. It excels in student satisfaction while also being a member of the Russell Group. The School of Biological and Chemical Sciences is a highly

research-intensive school offering a vast number of opportunities to its students; it also has close links with hospitals such as The Royal London in Whitechapel.

“I enjoy the modules biochemistry offers to its students as they are combination of both biology and chemistry. The practical sessions in biochemistry take place in modern laboratory facilities. Meeting new people from a variety of different backgrounds and making new friends has been a brilliant experience. The main campus has so much to offer to its students from learning new languages to playing new sports.”

Chemistry

F100 BSc (three years)

F103 MSci (four years)

UCAS points: 300 points at A2 level

A-level: BBB to include chemistry

IB: 32 points overall with chemistry HL grade 5 and two other subjects (HL or SL) grade 5

Find out more about the programme and entry requirements at www.qmul.ac.uk/F100

or www.qmul.ac.uk/F103

Chemistry is the central science, interfacing with mathematics and physics, biology and medicine.

The programme is concerned with all aspects of the physical and chemical properties of matter, including the nature of atoms and molecules; the determination of their structure and composition; their reactions; and finally, how they

can be utilised to produce useful products and materials, as society demands. The degree offers an excellent and highly regarded training in both theoretical and practical chemistry. Each year involves a core of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, together with interdisciplinary modules such as spectroscopy, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Chemistry is a practical subject and you will spend a significant amount of time in laboratory classes, specifically designed to support the lectures.

In addition, you have a choice of option modules in later years, giving you the opportunity to specialise in one particular area.

profile staff

Tippu Sheriff

Chemistry Lecturer

Why are you passionate about teaching your subject? Chemistry is a rich and diverse subject as it helps explain the workings within the wonderful and complex world in which we live.

What do you enjoy most about teaching here? The campus and its facilities provide a great working environment. There are good relations between staff at all levels and support to help generate a friendly, cooperative, environment.

What makes your degree programme stand out? The Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry BSc/MSci programmes offer entry to a wide variety of careers including accountancy, patent law and teaching, as well as more traditional areas within the chemical industries.

What are your research interests?

I am interested in the activation of (di)oxygen in the air for applications in low temperature oxidation and bleaching processes. These processes are based on the catalytic activity of manganese complexes which provide a rich vein of interesting chemistry to explore.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

F154 BSc (three years)

F152 MSci (four years)

UCAS points: 300 points at A2 level

A-level: BBB including chemistry

IB: 32 points overall with chemistry HL grade 5 and two other subjects (HL or SL) grade 5

Find out more about the programme and entry requirements at www.qmul.ac.uk/F154

or www.qmul.ac.uk/F152

Pharmaceutical Chemistry provides the type of training required to work in the pharmaceutical industry in the discovery and development of new medicines. The emphasis of the degree is on training in synthetic organic chemistry, while also providing a good general foundation in physical and inorganic chemistry. In addition, you will receive insights into pharmacology, the way drugs work, physiology, biochemistry and cancer chemotherapy. The four-year MSci is the standard qualification for those wishing to follow a professional career as a research chemist in the pharmaceutical industry. The threeyear programme gives an excellent grounding in pharmaceutical chemistry, suitable for those who wish to pursue other careers in the industry or allied areas. During the final year of the MSci programme, you will conduct an extended original research project. These programmes have been recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry and lead to Associate Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry status.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry

F153 MSci (four years)

UCAS points: 300 points at A2 level

A-level: BBB including chemistry

IB: 32 points overall with chemistry HL grade 5 and two other subjects (HL or SL) grade 5

Find out more about the programme and entry requirements at www.qmul.ac.uk/F153

This programme closely follows the content of the traditional MSci Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree – the first two years are identical – but also gives you the option (subject to performance and interview) of spending your third year undertaking paid work in the

pharmaceutical industry. This year in industry will give you invaluable work experience, allowing you to practise your chemistry skills in a real industrial laboratory setting and helping you to decide what kind of career you want on graduating. The fourth (final) year is then spent back at Queen Mary. This programme has been recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry and leads to Associate Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry status.