The educational aims of a PhD in Biochemistry are to acquire and hone skills in experimental design, develop competence in technical skills and refine the ability to interpret scientific data in a logical and meaningful way. To enable such skill development students are expected to engage fully with the relevant scientific and technical literature and to expand and enrich their scientific knowledge through attending research seminars in Biochemistry and other departments. Another educational aim of the programme is to develop competence in the communication of science through oral and written skills. The PhD thesis describes and interprets fully the work done by the student throughout the research project. To be of acceptable PhD standard the research described in the thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to existing knowledge in the field of study. At the beginning of their first year in the department students attend an in-house training course of lectures and practicals and after that they choose from the wide range of opportunities available. During the first year, students give a short oral presentation on their project to their peers. Near the end of their first year, students write a dissertation, which is assessed in an oral examination by two Examiners. They are only registered for the PhD after satisfactory performance in this first year. In their second year, students present their research work progress in poster form in a departmental mini symposium. In the third year, students present their work in a talk to the whole Department. In all years they can take part in events and competitions organised within the Graduate School of Life Sciences and the University.