Study program "Biochemistry" within the undergraduate academic studies has the workload of 240 ECTS and includes compulsory (189 ECTS) and elective (51 ECTS) courses in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular genetics, biotechnology and a bachelor thesis. The program is based on extensive study of the basic disciplines of chemistry (68 ECTS) and biology (19 ECTS) which are essential for studying biochemistry. The disciplines of chemistry are studied within the courses in inorganic, analytical, physical and organic chemistry while the disciplines of biology are studied within the following courses: Cell Biology, Physiology and Molecular Genetics. Compulsory biochemistry courses (67 ECTS) include all basic disciplines of biochemistry and an introduction to basic experimental methods in biochemistry. These topics are covered within the following courses: Biochemistry of Proteins and Nucleic Acids, Enzymology, Chemistry of Natural Products (lipids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, antibiotics, etc.), Biochemistry of Metabolism, Regulation of Biochemical Processes, Pathobiochemistry, Immunochemistry and Methods in Biochemistry. Within the courses Fundamentals of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (12 ECTS altogether) students learn about the organization, expression, regulation and evolution of genes. Within the courses Microbiology with Microbiological Chemistry and Fundamentals of Biotechnology (15 ECTS altogether) students learn about the application of biochemistry in technology. During the four years of study, students can choose from a wide range of elective courses in the fields of fundamental and applied disciplines of biochemistry, chemistry, biology and some other fields (e.g. mathematics, ecology, psychology). Students complete their education in biochemistry by writing up their final thesis (16 ESPB) which is a product of their independent, experimental research work in the fields of fundamental and applied biochemical disciplines.

Biochemistry is a specific discipline since students are required both to study and gain knowledge of the complex subject matter and to spend considerable amount of time doing experimental work in laboratories. Therefore, the methods of teaching and instruction include both lectures, which typically involve multimedia teaching techniques, and the instructional work of teachers and assistants with small groups of students (practical classes, doing problems, writing term papers). Experimental laboratory work is an integral part of all chemistry, biochemistry and biology courses. There are some special (compulsory) courses which have been designed to help students gain an understanding of the latest analytical, structural and biochemical methods. Apart from that, students can pursue their individual interests within elective courses, such as Toxicological Biochemistry, Methods in Clinical Chemistry and Bioanalytical Chemistry, and thus learn about specific methods which are used in biochemical and biomedical practice. Within most courses, students will be instructed on how to use computers in order to search various databases (including finding the relevant data in the literature) and process experimental data. Students will learn the fundamentals of bioinformatics within the relevant biochemistry courses.

Entrance requirements

Completed four-year secondary education and successfully passed entrance exam.

Study programme goals

The primary goal of this study program is to enable students to obtain a diploma in biochemistry which will be recognized by all European institutions and which will enable them to find suitable employment or to continue their education (if they have high enough grades) within a master study program in biochemistry or related disciplines at Serbian or European universities.

Study outcome

Upon completing the study program Biochemistry, the candidate is awarded the title "BSc in Biochemistry".

Students will acquire fundamental knowledge of some disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry, they will possess a broad knowledge of fundamental biology and a basic understanding of some specialized disciplines of applied and fundamental biochemistry. They will get to know how the latest instruments used in biochemical laboratories work and they will be thoroughly familiar with the basic biochemical techniques and methods.

Students will be able to solve technical problems in a laboratory and to use computational methods in data analysis. They will be able to conduct research in the field of biochemistry and related disciplines under mentor’s supervision.

Students will be able to clearly present basic biochemical concepts and the results of their work both orally and in writing. They will be trained for teamwork.

At the level of undergraduate academic studies, students should gain the knowledge of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry), biology (cell biology, molecular genetics, physiology), core biochemical contents, including the structure and function of macromolecules (proteins and enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates), metabolic pathways and signal transduction pathways and the basic knowledge of some specialized disciplines of biochemistry (immunochemistry, pathobiochemistry, biotechnology). Students will be able to perform standard biochemical laboratory procedures and use basic laboratory instruments. They will have some basic knowledge in bioinformatics and they will be able to use a computer for experimental data processing, searching databases, etc. Students will be able to work safely with biological material and various chemicals by taking the appropriate protection measures. They will be able to conduct a part of research, to describe the results in their bachelor thesis and to defend the thesis orally. Students will be able to further develop professionally, which includes their ability to conduct some independent work.

Access to further studies

Diploma holders are entitled to apply for master academic studies (which have the workload of 60 ECTS).

Professional qualifications

Students who have successfully completed the study program "Biochemistry":

  • Have gained the fundamental knowledge of chemistry (general, inorganic, organic, analytical and applied chemistry).
  • Have gained the fundamental knowledge of biology (cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, physiology).
  • Have a broad knowledge of fundamental biochemistry, including the structure and function of macromolecules (proteins and enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates), metabolic pathways and signal transduction pathways and the basic knowledge of some specialized disciplines of biochemistry (immunochemistry, pathobiochemistry, biotechnology).
  • Are able to apply standard biochemical techniques and methods and use basic laboratory instruments.
  • Have a fundamental knowledge of bioinformatics and can use a computer in order to process experimental data, search databases, etc.
  • Are able to work safely with biological material and various chemicals by taking the appropriate protection measures.
  • Are qualified to participate in fundamental research and development projects and assignments in the field of biochemistry and related disciplines, both independently and as members of a team which consists of experts of various profiles.
  • Have professional and ethical responsibility.
  • Can further improve their knowledge and keep up with the development of technology and their profession throughout their professional lives (lifelong learning).
Curriculum

Weekly number of classes for each course is shown as: lectures + practical classes + laboratory classes or as: (active teaching + independent work).

Course Code ECTS Semester
Year   I 1 2
Mathematics 001A1 9
4+4+0
  
Fundamentals of Physics 019B1 2
2+0+0
  
Cell Biology 061B1 7
5+0+2
  
General Chemistry 101A1 8
5+2+0
  
Laboratory Work in General Chemistry 101E1 4
0+0+4
  
English Language 031A1 3  
3+0+0
Inorganic Chemistry 102B1 3  
3+0+0
Inorganic Chemistry Labwork 102D1 3  
0+0+3
Organic Chemistry 1 201B1 11  
4+3+4
Analytical Chemistry 1 301B1 6  
2+0+4
Elective Course 1 E11B1 4  
—
  60  
Year   II 1 2
Physical Chemistry 029B1 8
4+0+3
  
Organic Chemistry 2 202B1 10
5+1+4
  
Biochemistry of Proteins and Nucleic Acids 401B1 12
4+0+7
  
Molecular Biology 062B1 6  
2+0+3
Analytical Chemistry 2 302B1 8  
2+1+4
Chemistry of Natural Products 411B1 12  
4+0+7
Elective Course 2 E12B1 4  
—
  60  
Year   III 1 2
Structural Instrumental Methods 221K1 7
4+2+0
  
Biochemistry of Metabolism 402B1 6
4+0+2
  
Methods in Biochemistry 404B1 10
3+0+7
  
Enzymology 431B1 7
2+1+4
  
Physiology 063B1 6  
4+0+2
Molecular Genetics 064B1 6  
4+2+0
Regulation of Biochemical Processes 403B1 5  
2+0+2
Microbiology and Microbial Chemistry 412B1 7  
3+0+4
Elective Course 3 E13B1 6  
—
  60  
Year   IV 1 2
Fundamentals of Biotechnology 413B1 8
3+0+5
  
Immunochemistry 421B1 7
2+0+4
  
Elective Course 4 E14B1 7
—
  
Pathobiochemistry 422B1 8  
4+0+4
Elective Course 5 E15B1 8  
—
Elective Course 6 E16B1 6  
—
Bachelor Thesis Z10B1 16  
(0+16)
  60  
Elective Course 1
Elective Course 2
Elective Course 3
Elective Course 4
Elective Course 5
Elective Course 6

The courses which are compulsory within other study programs of the same level of study can also be elective courses for the students of this study program.

Chemistry
Biochemistry
Environmental Chemistry