Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical science

[Sybill]

DC in Yr.12 is interested in drug discovery/pharmaceuticals and was looking at doing a biochemistry degree as thought that would be a good foundation, and then could do a more specialised masters afterwards (or integrated) Been looking at degrees and modules for a few unis and is looking at Bath, Bristol, Leeds, Notts, Loughborough, Warwick and Durham. Should be at least 3 x A predictions, maybe an Astar or 2. Does anyone have any experience of the above unis for Biochem?
Has also seen Pharmaceutical science as an option but thought Biochem might be a better one to start with?
Also likes the idea of going somewhere with strong industry links and heard that Bath and Loughborough are good for this (although L’boro is Biological Science rather than Biochem)
Thanks so much for any thoughts and insights!!

I've posted this in many other threads, but it's very relevant to your son/daughter so I'll repeat it.

It would be worth visiting the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries (ABPI) web site. In particular, the following pages:

https://www.abpi.org.uk/careers/school-college-studies/
https://www.abpi.org.uk/careers/job-case-studies/
https://www.abpi.org.uk/careers/

Thanks so much @NoNotHimTheOtherOne - very helpful!

My DC is Y1 Pharmacology at Notts, which shares some modules with Biochemistry. Didn't want to do Biochemistry as didn’t want to do plant biology! Currently, prefers the Chemistry based modules to the Biology based ones on the course but is generally happy. Boots is a big presence in Notts so potentially useful for industrial experience. I think the Pharmacy School at Notts is well-regarded in the research arena but it is a separate school to Biochemistry and Pharmacology.

Another degree choice could be Chemistry. I know of someone who studied Chemistry in York who then did a placement relating to drug research.

I work with lots of pharmaceutical companies in my job and have a degree in chemist chemistry and PhD in biochemistry. Either biochemistry or chemistry are great to work in the pharmaceutical sciences. By going for an academically rigorous and broad degree you will keep your options open. All of the unis mentioned are great - in my experience with perhaps the exception of Loughborough. A course with industry experience is good but I would not choose this over an academically rigorous course. Most biochemistry degrees have a research project in their final ye are anyway.

Another degree choice could be Chemistry. I know of someone who studied Chemistry in York who then did a placement relating to drug research.

Depending on how specific someone's career intentions are, I would recommend medicinal chemistry as a degree more focused on aspects of chemistry that are related to health, illness and therapeutics. There are more specific degrees in pharmaceutical science (or pharmaceutical & cosmetic science), formulation science, etc., but they are probably a bit too niche for a school-leaver and more appropriate to someone who is already on a related career path and is looking to move upwards to degree-level roles.

If the student is more interested in biology than chemistry, then biotechnology and cell & molecular biology are also in demand by industry.

...Or you can do combined chemistry and medicinal chemistry at many universities (Manchester, Newcastle, Warwick, St Andrews, Birmingham, Glasgow, and probably many more), or biological & medicinal chemistry at Nottingham. The list goes on.

I’d add York and Birmingham to your list, and also strongly consider courses with a year in industry.

I agree a year in industry is greatly beneficial. I did this about 10040 years ago.

This is all so helpful - thanks so much all. Your point @NoNotHimTheOtherOne about the list goes on is the right one - I think he’s a bit overwhelmed by just how many courses there are out there around this subject area. I think biotech and molecular bio is also an area he’s interested in (he’s currently trying to get work experience set up in a biotech research place). I was thinking if he could narrow down to unis that have a good academic reputation in this (admittedly broad) area, then he could have a look at the courses/modules in a bit more detail. He’s very keen on doing a year in industry, so that may help narrow it down a bit as I assume not everywhere does that?

DD did an integrated masters in Chemistry at Nottingham. She loved the course and it included plenty on drug discovery.

DD's best friend did same course at Bath and spent her placement year with a well known international company. Shes been employed by that company since she finished university 3 years ago. Although there's definitely more going on socially in Nottingham than Bath!

Sounds like there are some really good options for this type of course.

If he's interested in molecular biology and biotech then I would strongly recommend biochemistry. Narrower degrees like biotechnology are generally less well thought of and science is so cross disciplinary these days going narrow too early is a bad idea. Doing a masters or PhD to specialise is much better.

Good to know @sunshine7981 , thank you. Do you think the Pharmaceutical Science degrees are broad enough? He quite likes the look of the one in Nottingham

Personally I think pharmaceutical science is a bit narrow unless he knows for sure he wants to focus on pharmacy/pharmacology. It will be more chemistry focused and won't have much molecular biology. Generally you can never go wrong with a generalist degree like biochemistry or chemistry in the pharma fields and there is usually loads of opportunity to focus on drug discovery modules.

Thanks so much for your advice @sunshine7981 I shall pass on to him

It is also worth looking at degree apprenticeships if they are already focused on a particular industry, e.g.: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/laboratory-scientist-apprenticeship. Likely to be very, very competitive, though.

I would say better to go broader as an undergraduate and then specialise at Masters or PhD level. It's really hard to really know what areas your DC will find the most interesting or enjoy the most, so don't narrow things down too early. Also, for a scientific/ research career within Pharma, a masters degree minimum is normally needed, preferably a PhD.

Re Universities, I cannot recommend Bath strongly enough if your DC wants a year in industry. They have existing relationships with many companies and academic institutions both in the UK and abroad and a specific placement team who help coordinate and support this, in contrast to other Unis who just let you get on with it and find your own placement. The experience your DC will get on a placement is as valuable, if not more so, than your actual degree and is something that will set them apart from others when job hunting.

For background, I've worked in a medical/scientific role in the pharmaceutical industry for 20+ years, and both my DC have been to Bath (one as an undergraduate, one as a postgraduate).

Please feel free to DM me if you need/want any more info.

@Iammorethanenough I hope you don't mind; I merged you with regards to my DD.

My DD has done Pharmacology at Bath. To be honest she found she didn't want to do lab work, there was a lot of setting up guinea pig innards to be flushed with drugs... so dropped the industry year, getting a degree instead of Masters (a few do this). Now training to be a teacher which she is enjoying much more (especially with the current large bursary for STEM subjects).

Thanks @Iammorethanenough really appreciate your advice. Bath is his favourite option (albeit just on paper, as he hasn’t visited any yet) as he has heard the same about their links with industry. And I will definitely DM you with more questions after I share your advice with him