BSc (Hons) Biochemistry course preparation

Suggested reading

You’ll be given lots of information about which textbooks to read and introduced to the University Library, as well as the many e-books we have for you to access, when you begin your studies in September.

In the meantime, there are a couple of popular science books you might like to read before starting your degree if you can. We don’t recommend rushing out to buy texts before you arrive. But if you can pick some up second hand, borrow from a library or access online:

• Periodic Tales: The Curious Life of Elements by Hugh Aldersey-Williams, published by Fourth Estate.
• The Double Helix by James D. Watson, currently published as a reprint by W&H
• Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything by Randi Hutter Epstein, published by W. W. Norton.
• Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life by Nick Lane, published by Oxford University Press.

Useful websites

Did you know you can hang out with scientists online via The Natural History Museum?

You can also use the BBC and Guardian websites to follow science (especially biochemistry) stories in the press. Focus on the scientific principles rather than the human element as you read.

For some great articles and insights, the NewScientist.com is highly recommended. And, as it’s never too early to start thinking about topics you enjoy, you could try comparing news articles to scientific papers you can find on Google Scholar. This will be a useful skill for your studies.

Other useful websites include:

• Trello.com to create an online To Do List
• To research future careers in Bioscience, visit the Prospects website