2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Genetics (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Biosciences

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme from September 2024. For students who entered the programme before September 2024, you can find the details of your programme:

BSc Genetics

With a degree in Genetics, you will be playing a vital part in the development of genetic engineering and the decoding of the human genome. Take on the ‘grand challenges’ of medicine and agriculture as you gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature, transmission and expression of genetic information in living organisms.
Genetics is at the core of biological and medical sciences and so upon completion of this degree, you will be suitable for opportunities in a wide range of careers including research, industry, healthcare, forensics and the development of improved crops to address food security. You’ll also develop extensive knowledge and understanding of related disciplines through optional modules such as human genetic disorders and cancer genetics.

Year 1
You’ll establish your foundation of knowledge and expertise with a set of core modules including genetics, cell biology and biochemistry. Other modules from biology and microbiology will serve to enhance your development in the relevant fields. Modules will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practicals allowing you to develop the research skills necessary for completing your degree.
Modules cover globally relevant topics including sustainable agriculture, marine biology, conservation of tropical forests, genome engineering with CRISPR Cas technologies and intracellular signalling. Choose from an extensive range of optional modules including immunology, virology or even learning a new language in a discovery module.
Practical skills include the core techniques for genetic engineering, from isolating DNA, amplification by PCR, molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression and purification, you will cover the essential techniques used routinely in research labs and industry. You can also attend our optional field course to give you hands-on experience of biological field techniques and applying data analysis skills to research.

Year 2
In year 2 you will focus more specifically on genetics with compulsory modules covering topics in sequencing and big data, genetic engineering, human genetics, microbiology and bioinformatics.
This is in addition to a diverse range of optional modules or you to choose from including virology, evolution and cell biology. For example, Molecular Virology introduces students to techniques used for the study of viruses, the structure of viruses and the processes of their replication and evolution. The module also considers how we can exploit virus biology for gene expression and gene therapy.
In the core skills module, you will gain transferable skills including problem-solving, data analysis, teamwork and communication skills, working in small group tutorials. These will support the rest of your studies through enhanced presentations, producing high-quality reports and effective use of scientific literature. This module also provides training in statistics and experimental design, supporting your level 2 studies and preparing you for projects later in the course.
At the end of year 2, you will have the opportunity to complete an industrial work placement, study abroad, or combined study and work abroad. This will add an additional year of study to your degree and enhance your portfolio of transferable skills.

Year 3
In year 3 you will study core genetics modules, including advanced-level human genetics and biotechnology. These modules bring you up to date with the latest research in Genetics, for example, the development of a new range of anti-cancer drugs that exploit weaknesses in certain types of cancer cells that are deficient in the repair of DNA damage.
Choose from a range of optio nal modules including developmental biology, cancer biology, microbiology and evolution and population genetics.
In Cancer Biology, you will discover the variety of functions of oncogene and tumour suppressor gene products, including components of signal transduction pathways, transcription factors and proteins involved in DNA damage repair. This module also covers the importance of cell cycle checkpoints in reducing the risk of cancer and complements the core human genetics module taken in Semester 1.
Year 3 BSc project
You will conduct an independent research project that you choose from a wide range of topics, reflecting the breadth of research undertaken and the expertise of the lecturers on your course. Projects can be laboratory-based, field research, data analysis or literature-based investigations. The choice of projects reflects the diversity of genetics, including molecular genetic studies in plants or animals, clinical genetics, CRISPR-Cas genome engineering or recombinant DNA technologies. You’ll receive dedicated supervision from a leading expert in the area and work alongside researchers including post-graduate and post-doctoral staff.
This 3-year BSc can also be converted into a 4-year integrated Masters (MBiol), subject to suitable academic performance and availability. In years 3 and 4 you would receive additional specialist training, study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates may study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Alternatively, students may choose to study 10 credits of discovery modules as part of optional module selection.

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for years 2 and 3 are not yet available. Before you enter years 2 and 3 details of modules for those years will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

- Intermediate skills in the molecular biosciences (new) - 20 credits

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study up to 40 credits from the following optional modules in either table below:

- Medical Microbiology (new) - 20 credits

Discovery modules:

Students may choose to study a discovery module up to 20 credits in value as part of the optional module selection.

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for year 3 are not yet available. Before you enter year 3 full details of modules for that year will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 40 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Students may choose to study a discovery module up to 20 credits in value as part of the optional module selection.

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:03:44

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