Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

About Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms.

Biochemistry has become the foundation for understanding all biological processes and has provided explanations for the causes of many diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Biochemistry frequently suggests ways by which such diseases may be treated or cured.

This Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry program is a subject in life sciences that aims at imparting an understanding of the Molecular Basis of life in plants and animals. It is a multi-disciplinary subject that focuses on the structure and function of molecules as well as their interplay to create the phenomenon of life.

Biochemistry as a subject particularly looks at how this interplay is translated into basic metabolism, energy transduction, defense, and physical responses for purposes of growth and development. The Molecular Basis of the ongoing struggle between higher organisms and disease is aptly captured in subjects like Medical Biochemistry, Biochemistry of parasites and tumors as well as Immunochemistry. Strategies designed to control disease and enhance food security are adequately addressed in the areas of Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology. These areas of specialization form part of recent advances in biochemistry and are covered in this program.

This BSc in Biochemistry program is a laboratory-based science that brings together biology and chemistry and is designed for students who intend to pursue careers in biomedical research, quality assurance in food and beverage industries, in biochemical/biotechnological entrepreneurship.

The knowledge gained through studying biochemistry is widely used in various industries like medical research, food, and packaging, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and genetics. Candidates who have an aptitude for complex biological processes and have a thorough understanding of relevant texts and have good research skills can take up the course.

Entry requirements for Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

A candidate for the degree of B.Sc. in Biochemistry must satisfy the following minimum university entry requirements.

• They must have passed KCSE with a minimum of C+ in the overall average aggregate and attained the grades in the following subjects:
• Alternative A: Alternative B:
• Biology B- Biological Sciences B
• Chemistry B- Physical Sciences B
• Mathematics/Physics C+ Mathematics C+
• KCSE Mean grade of C- (minus) at KCSE and progressed from certificate to Diploma at a recognized/accredited Institution.

Objectives of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

This Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry program focuses on processes happening at a molecular level. It focuses on what?s happening inside our cells, studying components like proteins, lipids, and organelles. It also looks at how cells communicate with each other, for example during growth or fighting illness. Biochemists need to understand how the structure of a molecule relates to its function, allowing them to predict how molecules will interact.

The program offers three degree options, namely Medical Biochemistry, Nutritional Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

The main aim of the program is to make students understand the dynamics and mechanism of the biological activities taking place inside the human body.

This program is designed for students who intend to pursue careers in biomedical research, quality assurance in food and beverage industries, in biochemical/biotechnological entrepreneurship. Biochemistry has advanced this program will be equipped with skills to employ recombinant DNA technology for the production of biomedical products including genetically modified organisms.

Biochemists are interested, for example, in mechanisms of brain function, cellular multiplication and differentiation, communication within and between cells and organs, and the chemical bases of inheritance and disease. The biochemist seeks to determine how specific molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins, and hormones function in such processes. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulation of chemical reactions in living cells.

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry - Programme

Year 1 Units

• Structure of Bio-molecules
• The Cell and its External Environment
• Proteins and Enzymes I
• Carbohydrate Metabolism
• Introduction to Genetics
• Quantitative Genetics
• Survey of Plant Kingdom
• Plant Morphology and Anatomy
• Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry
• Introduction to Physical Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry 1
• Mathematics for Science I
• General Zoology

Year 2 Units

• Lipid Metabolism
• Proteins and Enzymes II
• Analytical Techniques I
• Bio-membranes and Sub-cellular Organelles
• Amino acid and Nucleotide Metabolism
• Medical Biochemistry I SBC
• Cytology and Histology SBC
• Reproductive Biochemistry
• Fundamentals and Applications of Biotechnology
• Cellular and Molecular Biology I
• Introduction to Immunology
• Organic Chemistry II

Year 3 Units

• Biochemistry of Microorganisms
  
• Metabolism and Respiration in Plants
• Analytical Techniques II
• Signal Transduction and Cell Communication
• Applied Microbial Biochemistry
• Biochemical Pharmacology
• Pharmacognosy
• Biostatistics and Research
• Ecological Biochemistry
• Regulation and Integration of Metabolism
• Attachment in Biochemistry
• Cellular and Molecular Biology II
• Drug Bioscreening
• Plant Biochemistry I

Year 4 Units

• Biochemical Endocrinology
• Medical Biochemistry II
• Advanced Immunology
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Plant Biochemistry II
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Biochemical Toxicology (prerequisite SBC 306)
• Food Biochemistry
• Fermentation Technology
• Research Project in Biochemistry ( 2 units equivalent) SBC
• Gene Technology
• Bio-processing
• Fundamentals of Bioinformatics
• Applied immunology