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Biochemistry (BIOC) papers offered to undergraduate students cover a wide range of topics including:

Cell biology and signalling Genetics and DNA
Plant biochemistry Structure and function of molecules
Enzymology Proteins and membranes
Bioinformatics Biochemical techniques
Microbiology and viruses Disease mechanisms
Metabolism Biotechnology

The biochemistry course has a broad first year, moving on to more detailed papers in the second and third years. Teaching involves a combination of lectures and practical sessions in laboratories.

Because biochemistry covers the spectrum of life from bacteria and viruses through to plants and humans, it underpins other life sciences such as Microbiology, Physiology, Zoology, and Botany, as well as being a foundation subject for all the Health Sciences.

In addition to the papers listed below, you can choose to add combinations of Anatomy, Botany, Chemistry, Genetics, Human Nutrition, Mathematics & Statistics, Microbiology, Physiology, Pharmacy, and Philosophy papers, depending on your personal interests and career path choice. Biochemistry is also a good choice as a minor subject in degrees in any of these subjects.

For specific queries on biochemistry-related course advice, please email bioch.evision@otago.ac.nz.

First-year papers

Second-year papers

Third-year papers


Complete list of papers required for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) with a major or minor in Biochemistry

Dedicated teachers

Annika Bokor

Dr Annika Bokor brings to her teaching both her experience in genetics research and her ability to clearly explain complex concepts. Her high quality teaching has won her both the OUSA Best Teacher at Otago award (2016) and the OSMS Distinguished Teaching Fellow award (2014).

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