Genetics, BSc (Hons) / MSci (Hons) / MSci (Hons) with a Year Abroad / MSci (Hons) with a Foundation Year / MSci (Hons) with a Placement Year / BSc

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Understanding the building blocks of life

Course Overview

Genetics is an exciting and fastmoving field that is transforming our understanding of life and driving innovation across science and medicine. From diagnosing and treating diseases to developing new pharmaceuticals, personalised therapies, genetic engineering, biotechnology and the study of evolution, biodiversity and pathogens, genetics now underpins many of the most important scientific advances of our time. 

Our Genetics BSc (Hons) / MSci (Hons) provides an indepth understanding of the fundamental building blocks of life on Earth. You will gain handson experience with techniques used to analyse gene expression, protein interactions, DNA structure and damage, and biomolecular and cellular imaging, alongside advanced computational approaches used in modern genetic research. 

Throughout the programme, you will develop strong analytical, problemsolving and projectmanagement skills, and learn how to design experiments and plan effective research programmes. 

This single honours, interdisciplinary degree draws on shared modules across the Department and wider School, giving you a broad and diverse learning experience. You will also have the opportunity to enhance your academic and professional development through an intercalary year abroad or a year in industry. 

Why Genetics at Swansea?

By studying at Swansea, you will learn from academic staff who are actively engaged in a wide range of cuttingedge genetics research. Their expertise offers you an exceptional mix of academic excellence and realworld scientific practice. Alongside your formal studies, you will have the opportunity to attend regular research talks delivered by Swansea University academics and guest speakers from other universities, industry, the NHS, and leading research institutions. 

You will also benefit from access to the Medical School’s stateoftheart research facilities, supporting advanced molecular and cellular studies. These include DNA and protein analytical equipment, computerbased image analysers, and a powerful highperformance computing facility for largescale data analysis. 

Your Genetics Experience

Throughout your 3 year BSc (Hons), you will undertake a mix of compulsory and optional modules, giving you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your particular interests, career ambitions, or plans for further study.  

You will have the opportunity to undertake a Year Abroad with our partner institutions, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience. 

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Additionally, this programme is available as a 4-year MSci, which is an advanced undergraduate degree, adding a further research-focused year to your degree. Our MSci leads to a master’s level qualification, in addition to your undergraduate degree, giving you expert scientific training and a springboard towards a range of specialist careers. 

Whichever qualification you choose, you will benefit from the expertise of our academic staff who are active in a diverse range of molecular biological research fields, offering an unrivalled mix of academic excellence and cutting-edge practice. 

An optional Foundation Year is also available. This provides an excellent introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BSc (Hons)/ MSci (Hons). 

Genetics Employment Opportunities

The over-arching principle of the programme is to prepare scientists with the necessary core knowledge, practical and employability skills to succeed in the global, changing environment for medical and life sciences. Therefore, all students will gain the fundamental skills required of every biomolecular scientist. Employability skills are a theme in most modules.  

Biomolecular science graduates go on to a range of potential graduate destinations, including:  

  • Medical and Life Sciences Commercial Sector - for example in research, sales and marketing for pharmaceutical companies, lab technicians. 
  • Medical and Life Science Research - for example as PhD student or technician in academia or non-profit research sector. 
  • Medical and Life Science Regulation - e.g. Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency, Food Standards Agency. 
  • Qualification as health professionals (after further study), for example graduate entry medicine, physicians associates, veterinary or dental. 
  • Qualification as legal professionals (after further study), graduate entry law (especially intellectual property, patents). 
  • Science and technology teaching in schools and Further Education Institutions (after further study).
  • Careers via relevant conversion courses including law and finance 

Accordingly, a wide range of careers will be open to graduates of the programme as their knowledge, skills and competencies are very much in demand. Our graduates will also have had unique opportunities to network with established academics, researchers, practitioners and professionals as part of their modules, final year projects, work placements and/or internships, which could also open up a number of invaluable career opportunities for them. 

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Genetics, BSc (Hons)

Genetics, MSci (Hons)

Genetics, MSci (Hons) with a Year Abroad

Genetics, MSci (Hons) with a Foundation Year

Genetics, MSci (Hons) with a Placement Year

Genetics with a Foundation Year, BSc (Hons)

Genetics with a Placement Year, BSc (Hons)

Genetics with a Foundation Year and Placement Year, BSc

Genetics with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons)

Genetics with a Foundation Year and Year Abroad, BSc (Hons)