Program Overview

Get the best start for a career in industrial or academic research. The course spans human, plant and microbial genetics, genomics and molecular biology. You'll study the structure and expression of genes, inheritance and mutations, and learn about the latest molecular techniques for modifying genes, including CRISPR.

You’ll gain a broad understanding of genetics with an emphasis on topics of medical relevance and learn how genetic information can be used in medicine. We'll also introduce you to how modern genetics is helping us to understand and treat a range of diseases, as well as tackle global challenges like food sustainability and security. The first three years of your course will have the same structure as the BSc, with the fourth year devoted to a major research project working in industry or in an academic lab with our world-leading academics.

From your first year, you’ll study modules that span the molecular biosciences covering genetics, biochemistry and molecular and cell biology. Alongside these modules you’ll have the freedom to explore complementary topics across the breadth of bioscience, such as microbiology, biomedicine, ecology, plant science and zoology, so you have the option to study medical genetics in greater depth, keep your interests broad or even switch to another degree programme within the biosciences.

No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop the practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.

We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals across molecular genetics, DNA manipulation and protein structure analysis and you’ll get the chance to use cutting-edge equipment to run your own research projects in an area such as clinical diagnostics or brewing biotechnology.