Genetics major
Genetics is the study of biologically inherited traits as diverse as those that cause human disease, allow a rare plant to live in a single, isolated location, or result in a desirable characteristic found in a domestic animal used in agriculture. Your studies in genetics involve the analysis of DNA and the many ways in which it is expressed. The knowledge acquired by studying the Genetics major is important for study in all biological sciences including agriculture, biochemistry, botany, conservation biology, ecology, medicine, microbiology, molecular biology and zoology. This major delivers a broad overview of the universal principles, potentials and problems associated with DNA-based life, and provides you with the essential skills of a geneticist.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) appreciate that as genetics is the study of inheritance, it is a cornerstone of the biological sciences; (2) demonstrate knowledge of how traits are inherited and the molecular nature of these patterns, how genetic processes control development and disease and are affected by the environment and evolution, and how and why genomes are studied; (3) demonstrate oral and written communication skills; (4) practise technologies used in various fields of genetics; (5) demonstrate skills in critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and teamwork; and (6) apply relevant employability skills for genetics.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
ATAR Mathematics Methods or equivalent or higher and ATAR Chemistry or equivalent or higher.
Genetics can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BP006 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Genetics is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- six Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- five Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | SCIE1106 | Molecular Biology of the Cell |
|
| S1, S2 | STAT1400 | Statistics for Science |
Take all unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1001 | Chemistry—Properties and Energetics |
|
| S2 | CHEM1004 | Biological Chemistry |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB1101 | Human Biology I: Becoming Human | |
| S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology |
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods |
|
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | GENE2230 | Molecular Genetics I | |
| S1 | GENE2250 | Principles of Inheritance |
|
Level 3
Take all units (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | GENE3340 | Molecular Genetics II |
|
| S2 | GENE3350 | Evolution and Development |
|
| S1 | GENE3370 | Genomics |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANIM3362 | Evolutionary Processes |
|
| S1 | PATH3305 | Medical Genetics |
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Genetics degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
- With WACE Chemistry
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-GENET-1
- Without WACE Chemistry
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-GENET-2
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Genetics degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
- With WACE Chemistry
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-GENET-Generic-1
- Without WACE Chemistry
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-GENET-Generic-2
- Example 3:
- Course Study Plan: CSP006-GENET-Generic
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .