Medical Genetics, BSc (Hons)

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Course Overview

The study of medical genetics is an exciting and fast-moving field that is making an enormous impact on medicine, helping us to understand, diagnose, and treat many human diseases.

Our Medical Genetics degree will give you an in-depth knowledge of these essential building blocks of life. You will learn techniques for analysing gene expression, protein interactions, DNA structure and damage, image analysis of biomolecules and cells, and advanced computer analytical methods.

You will develop excellent analytical and project management skills and learn how to design experiments and plan work programmes.

Why Medical Genetics at Swansea?

You will benefit from access to the Medical School’s state-of-the-art research facilities, including DNA and protein analytical equipment, and computer-based image analysers for molecular and cellular studies.

This degree is a Pathway to Medicine programme. Provided you meet the minimum entry requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine. You have successfully completed this Pathway, you will be guaranteed an interview for our flagship Medicine (Graduate Entry) MBBCh course.

Your Medical Genetics Experience

You can choose to study Medical Genetics as a:

  • 3-year BSc,
  • 4-year BSc with a year in industry in the form of a placement year,
  • 4-year BSc with a year abroad, or a
  • 4-year MSci with an integrated master’s level qualification

Studying the 3 year BSc, 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.

Additionally, the 4-year programme with a Placement year offers an additional placement year between the second and final year, giving you the opportunity to experience work in industry, and allowing you to build confidence and gain real-world experience.

Adding a year abroad, as part of the 4-year BSc option, allows you to add invaluable international experience to your CV while building intercultural communication skills that will improve your ability to interact with people from a variety of backgrounds.

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.

Don't think you meet the entry requirements? Why not consider our BSc Medical Genetics with a Foundation year?

Medical Genetics Employment Opportunities

With a degree in Medical Genetics, career opportunities are diverse and extensive. They include:

  • Medical research,
  • Pharmaceutical industry and health sciences,
  • Post graduate studies (MSc, MRes, PhD)
  • Genetic counselling,
  • Clinical scientist,
  • Graduate entry medicine
  • Physicians associate
  • Teaching
  • Scientific writer
  • Bioinformatics

This degree also provides an ideal base for further study to become a medical doctor and many of our students have gone on to study Graduate Entry Medicine at Swansea. 

Modules

The 3-Year BSc structure is as follows:

Your first year is made up of modules covering the essential scientific foundations, including evolutionary & molecular genetics, genetic analysis, eukaryotic cell biology, and human physiology.

As you progress, you will further develop your knowledge, studying specialised topics, including human and medical genetics, animal development, human immunopathology, genetic toxicology, genetics of cancer, and doctors patients and the goals of medicine.

In your final year, you will complete an independent research project under the guidance of a professional research scientist.

If you choose to undertake a year abroad, this will take place between the second and third years of study listed above.

Medical Genetics, BSc (Hons)

Medical Geneticswith a Placement Year, BSc (Hons)

Medical Genetics with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons)