Undergraduate studies of genetics at UNE
Why study Genetics at UNE?
In a Nutshell;
Studying genetics at UNE is superior because:
UNE offers a large range of units specialising in genetics and others that have a substantial component of genetics ranging from evolution, through molecular biology, ecology, bioinformatics and quantitative genetics all underpinned by relevant research and application.
UNE is a focus of livestock genetics in Australia and in the world with high calibre genetic scientists of international standing.
UNE teaching staff have a reputation for being friendly and approachable.
UNE offers well equipped research and training laboratories.
The university campus provides a safe learning environment with a focus on studies and a high level of support both in and out of the University Colleges.
UNE hosts the headquarters of the National Beef Cooperative research centre, the offices of Sheep Genetics Australia (a unit of Meat and Livestock Australia) and the world class Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, a joint venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and UNE. The majority of the cattle breed societies are located in Armidale.
Armidale is set in a scenic regional environment with landscapes ranging from dramatic gorge country to forests and rural scenes and only a two hour drive from the NSW North coast.
What do I get from studying genetics?
Studying genetics will equip you with both relevant knowledge about the various fields in genetics as well as other widely applicable skills related to conducting and managing good scientific research.
Genetics could be described as the information technology of life. Every gene is a piece of biological information, and at the same time geneticists use the tools of information technology to study life.
The tools used for quantitative genetic analysis can be used for a range of applications, which is why graduates in genetics quite frequently find themselves in seemingly unrelated fields, such as pharmaceutical research, where genetic algorithms are used to model the process of drug development or using their mathematical skills for banks detecting fraudulent use of credit cards.
Similarly, molecular genetics techniques have wide-spread use in biological and medical fields, from research to diagnostics. An understanding of molecular processes in biological systems has become indispensable for any life science application.
Is it for me? What skills do I need to study genetics?
The skills you need to have a career in genetics will vary greatly with the field and subject you are working in.
The field of genetics can be divided into four main areas: molecular genetics, population genetics, quantitative genetics, and bioinformatics. Whatever interests you have, and whichever strength you bring with you, there is probably a way to use them!
If you are interested in population genetics or quantitative genetics, then some maths skills are essential, and working on the computer certainly should come easily to you.
If on the other hand, you’d rather find out how things really work in organisms, and you prefer to work with your hands rather than with a keyboard, then molecular genetics might be more to your liking.
If you can’t make up your mind yet because it all sounds kind of interesting, all the better, because in most areas a good understanding of both molecular and population genetics, and skills in both bench work and bioinformatics, will really set you ahead.
Where will it take me?
The world of science is truly global. As a qualified scientist you enter that global community.
Collaboration between scientists is critical to the success of the research process and is one of the satisfying opportunities open to people who become scientists. Many geneticists have a successful and fulfilling career in research, others in companies specialising in development of research instrumentation and reagents. Geneticists hold positions in breeding organisations and breeding companies.
Some geneticists have moved into research management and have held positions in some of the world’s most influential organisations such as the WHO, FAO and the CGIAR.
How can I study genetics at UNE?
While UNE does not offer a Bachelor of Genetics, internationally competitive study programs in genetics can be built within the Bachelor of Science Degree (including majors in genetics) or within a number of rural science focused degrees offered by the UNE School of Environmental and Rural Science.
Lifelong learning has become part of nearly any career path you might take, and any of the following degree programs from UNE will equip you with the broad set of skills and sound basic knowledge you need to make the best use of future learning opportunities.
Study genetics as part of a Bachelor of Rural Science degree
Degrees in rural science follow a set study plan which ensures balanced and well rounded training to meet the needs of Rural Industries. Genetics is an integral component of the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Agriculture (BAgr)- three year degree
- Bachelor of Livestock Science ( BLivestockSc)- four year degree
- Bachelor of Livestock Science with Honours (BLivestockSc(Hons))- four year degree
- Bachelor of Rural Science (BRurSc)-four year degree
- Bachelor of Rural Science with Honours (BRurSc (Hons))- four year degree
Degrees with honors offer an ideal opportunity to specialise in genetics by completing a genetics focused honors project in the fourth year of the degree programs.
Additional courses including the Bachelor of Agriculture degree combined with other degrees such as Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Business can be found in the School of Environmental and Rural Science web pages
Study genetics as part of a Bachelor of Science degree
The broad foundation of a Bachelor of Science degree ensures a sound basis on which a solid career can be built. Many combinations of units can be chosen from a wide array of up-to-date courses to tailor this degree to suit your interests. As you explore the different areas of genetcis you may find yourself gravitating towards a particular field in genetics that you can further develop in postgraduate study.
UNE is offering three separate BSc degrees with combined majors specialising in different fields of genetics. The combined majors are:
- Applied and Environmental Genetics
- Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
Combined majors offer the opportunity to combine subjects into a cohesive degree, widening and enriching the training benefits and career prospects considerably. Recommended units for each of these combined majors are outlined below.
Double degrees in Science and Law at UNE
Genetics at UNE can also be studied as part of a double degree in Science and Laws. Successful candidates for this double program are awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science and the degree of Bachelor of Laws. A combined degree of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science is also offered offered.
Study units in genetics offered to Undergraduates at UNE
| Introductory Genetics | |
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GENE210
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This unit is offered in second year to BSc students and is mandatory for BRurSc. This unit gives an introductory overview of all areas of genetics. |
| Units in Molecular Genetics: | |
| BCHM210 | Introductory Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I |
| BCHM220 | Introductory Biochemistry II |
| BCHM320 | Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine |
| BCHM330 | Molecular Biology (DNA Technology) |
| GENE340 | Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology |
| Units in Bioinformatics: | |
| BINF350 | Bioinformatics |
| Units in evolution, conservation and biodiversity: | |
| EM453 | Biological Conservation |
| EVOL211 | Evolution and Biogeography |
| GENE322 | Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics |
| BIOL301 | Systematics I |
| Units in Quantitative Genetics, Animal and Plant Breeding include: | |
| GENE251/351 | Applied Animal and Plant Breeding |
| GENE422 | Genetic Evaluation and Breeding Program Design |
Unit outlines
The unit outlines give a general overview of each of the units in genetcis listed above. The title of each unit in that table is a link to up-to-date information for each unit in the UNE Handbook.
For direct links to the UNE Handbook click here.
Recommended Units for a BSc with a major in Genetics
| Year 1 | |
| BIOL110 | Biology I |
| BIOL120 | Biology II |
| CHEM110 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM120 | General Chemistry II |
| Plus one of the following: | |
| MATH101 | Algebra and Differential Calculus |
| MATH102 | Integral Calculus, Differential Equations & Introductory Stats |
| MATH120 | Introductory Mathematical Methods |
| STAT100 | Statistical Modelling in the Sciences I |
| Year 2 | |
| BCHM210 | Introductory Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I |
| GENE210 | Introductory Genetics |
| Year 3 | |
| BCHM330 | Molecular Biology (DNA Technology) |
| And four from the following: | |
| BINF350 | Bioinformatics |
| GENE322 | Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics |
| GENE340 | Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology |
| GENE351 | Applied Animal Breeding and Plant Breeding |
Recommended units for a BSc with a combined major in Applied and Environmental Genetics
| Year 1 | |
| BIOL110 | Biology I |
| BIOL120 | Biology II |
| CHEM110 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM120 | General Chemistry II |
| Plus one of the following: | |
| MATH101 | Algebra and Differential Calculus |
| MATH102 | Integral Calculus, Differential Equations & Introductory Stats |
| MATH120 | Introductory Mathematical Methods |
| STAT100 | Statistical Modelling in the Sciences I |
| Year 2 | |
| BCHM210 | Introductory Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I |
| ECOL203 | Quantitative methods for resource surveys |
| EVOL211 | Evolution and Biogeography |
| GENE210 | Introductory Genetics |
| Year 3 | |
| BCHM330 | Molecular Biology (DNA Technology) |
| BIOL301 | Systematics I |
| GENE340 | Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology |
| GENE351 | Applied Animal Breeding and Plant Breeding |
| And one from the following: | |
| ECOL 307 | Ecology of Plant Populations |
| GENE 422 | Genetic Evaluation and Breeding Program design |
Recommended units for BSc with a combined major in Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics
| Year 1 | |
| BIOL110 | Biology I |
| BIOL120 | Biology II |
| CHEM110 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM120 | General Chemistry II |
| MATH120 | Introductory Mathematical Methods |
| STAT100 | Statistical Modelling in the Sciences I |
| Year 2 | |
| BCHM210 | Introductory Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I |
| BCHM220 | Introductory Biochemistry II |
| GENE210 | Introductory Genetics |
| MICR220 | Introductory Microbiology |
| Year 3 | |
| BCHM310 | Proteins -the machines of life |
| BCHM330 | Molecular Biology (DNA Technology) |
| GENE340 | Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology |
| MICR360 | Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology |
For further infomation on studying molecular biology at UNE and current research projects visit the Molecular Biological Sciences subject area page.
Recommended units for a BSc with a combined major in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
| Year 1 | |
| BIOL110 | Biology I |
| BIOL120 | Biology II |
| CHEM110 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM120 | General Chemistry II |
| COMP131 | Computer Science I |
| COMP132 | Computer Science II |
| MATH101 | Algebra and Differential Calculus |
| MATH102 | Integral Calculus, Differential Equations & Introductory Stats |
| Year 2 | |
| BCHM210 | Introductory Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I |
| GENE210 | Introductory Genetics |
| PMTH212 | Multivariable Calculus |
| PMTH213 | Linear Algebra |
| STAT260 | Probability and Simulation |
| STAT261 | Inference |
| Plus one from the following over Year 1 and Year 2: | |
| COMP170 | The Linux/Unix Programming Environment |
| COMP282 | Data Structures and Algorithms |
| Year 3 | |
| BINF350 | Bioinformatics |
| Plus three from the following: | |
| BCHM330 | Molecular Biology (DNA Technology) |
| COMP315 | Web and Internet Programming |
| COMP389 | Databases |
| STAT354 | Distribution Theory and Inference |
On-line Application and Enrolment at UNE
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