What is the difference between biochemistry and biomedicine? – Pharmacology Zone (2024)

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Richard Princeanswered on 15 Jun 2015:

Ok…. Biochemistry is a subject that incorporates quite a lot of things but it’s basically the chemistry of life. If you did a biochemistry degree, you’d have to study a fair bit of chemistry, but you could take optional modules in more diverse subjects like pharmacology or physiology.
Biomedicine (or Biomedical Sciences) is a much broader degree. You would HAVE to study things like pharmacology, physiology and biochemistry but you would probably have a lot of choice of subjects in the later part of the degree.
In some universities, the Biomedical Science degrees are “accredited”. This means that they follow a much stricter curriculum and the degree you get allows you to work in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist. Those are people who do lab work in hospitals. It’s a good career, but not really the best way to get into research.
Here’s some information on Biomedical Science careers in the NHS:
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/healthcare-science/careers-in-healthcare-science/careers-in-life-sciences/biomedical-science/

All the best
Richard

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Laura Newtonanswered on 15 Jun 2015:

Hey!

In addition to what everyone else has said let’s look at the subject lists for a biomedicine degree vs a biochemistry degree at my uni so you can get an idea of what you’d be studying for each.

Biomedical science covers:
Human genetics and genomics
Physiology
Cancer biology
Pathology
Anatomy
Immunology and microbiology
Molecular and cellular biology
Biochemistry
Pharmacology

Biochemistry covers:
Biological chemistry
Biochemistry
Enzymology
Protein structure
DNA and genes
Bioinformatics
Molecular biology

Biochemistry is more focused on the microscopic level whereas biomedical science also covers how the human body works as a whole. It’s also focused on humans whereas biochemistry often covers plants, other animals, bacteria and viruses as well.

Different universities offer slightly different things and there are many other various degrees in the bioscience area, like pure genetics, molecular biology, medical biochemistry, biotechnology, immunology, microbiology, molecular medicine which are all very similar but have slightly different emphasis so read as much as you can about different subjects before you apply!

Best wishes,
Laura

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Vedia Cananswered on 15 Jun 2015:

Hey 259prmc54!

In addition to all of the fantastic answers above, it is worthwhile looking at the IBMS website too https://www.ibms.org/ to give you an insight into what the outcomes are of studying a Biomedicine.

As I studied Biomedical Sciences (Biomedicine), I can tell you that there is a huge difference between Biochemistry and Biomedicine. Biomedicine is a degree designed for laboratory diagnostics. By studying Biomedicine you will be equipped (knowledge wise) to diagnose a range of diseases across a wide range of disciplines; Immunology, haematology, microbiology, virology, genetics, you name it the list is endless! Biochemistry only looks at the biochemical pathways of compounds, and anything and everything related to chemistry. It is much more specific than Biomedicine; only focuses in one discipline; Biochemistry. The career prospects are very different too!!! But not limited. For example, if you are studying Biomedicine you are being trained to work in a diagnostics laboratory (like hospital laboratories), if you are studying Biochemistry you are more likely to be trained to enter into research companies.

Hope this helps!!

Best Wishes,

Vedia

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Richard commented on 16 Jun 2015: