Part III Biochemistry has been revised extensively and the new course will run from October 2010.

The Part III Biochemistry course follows on from the Part II course and allows students who plan to enter biochemical research to pursue a two-term research project during their fourth year, together with continuing advanced teaching in lectures, seminars and discussion groups. Students get the opportunity for advanced study of the subjects below, to consider critical review of the scientific literature and for in depth analysis of the scientific method and experimental design. They also continue to develop their presentation skills.

In addition to Part III Biochemistry, a Part III course in Systems Biology will be available from 2010-2011. Part II Biochemistry would be an appropriate preparation for the biochemical aspects of this course, although other skills will be involved, and entry to the course is likely to be competitive.

Outline of Course

Lectures
Two advanced 12-lecture modules, one in each of the Michaelmas and Lent Terms.
In Michaelmas
either Molecular Recognition and Interaction (MT1)
or Fate and Longevity (MT2)
In Lent
either Contemporary Cancer Studies (LT1)
or Contemporary Approaches to Metabolic Disease (LT2)

Seminar Series
Two seminar series running in alternate weeks over the first two terms, on a set afternoon
Scientific Method and Experimental Design (A)
Landmark Papers (B)

There will also be a whole day workshop in the Easter Term which is based on Seminar Series A

The Departmental seminar series is an integral part of the course and runs weekly during term.

Research Project
The Part III course offers real research experience through a seventeen-week research project in Michaelmas and Lent Terms. Students choose from a list of possible research projects ranging from literature based projects to bioinformatics or bench work and write a report (8,000 words) describing their investigations. In the research project each Part III student works closely with a research team in the Department, usually under the supervision of a member of staff and a senior graduate student or postdoctoral worker. A selection of project titles can be found in the Departmental brochure. Students can also arrange a project outside the department, with the approval of the Part III project coordinator. Examples of institutes outside the department that have hosted projects in the past are listed in the Departmental brochure.
There are two research symposia in which students make a formal presentation of their research projects, an interim report in the week following Michaelmas Term and a full report early in Easter Term.

Weekly Group Supervisions

Part II/III supervision groups meet weekly and explore a variety of topics such as development of oral communication skills, how to interpret the scientific literature and discussion of science and society and experimental techniques.  These are in addition to any specialist supervisions you wish to organise with lecturers.
 
Assessment of Part III

• Paper 1 (3 hours) to assess the seminar series A and B, containing two sections of equal weight. Section I requires the critical evaluation of a short biochemical research article in response to a series of compulsory questions embedded in the text. Section II requires one integrated scientific essay from a choice of four questions drawing on the overall scope of the landmark papers.
• Paper 2 (3 hours) to examine the advanced modules, requiring two essays covering the chosen Michaelmas Term module and two essays covering the chosen Lent
Term module.
• Research project dissertation (8000 words) with oral examination

Courses of Preparation

Essential: normally NST Part II Biochemistry. Exceptionally students from another Part II in the Natural Sciences Tripos may make a case to the Faculty Board of the School of Biological Sciences to be allowed to proceed to Part III Biochemistry.

Acceptance for Part III is conditional upon performance at a II.2 standard or better in Part IB and Part II.