Genetics

Do you want to unravel the mysteries of the double helix, understand how genes interact with the environment and know how your parents set the scene for your life before you were even born?
The field of genetics is a multidisciplinary science which has progressed rapidly over the last fifty years, becoming increasingly important in modern society.
The ANU Bachelor of Genetics offers a variety of courses covering classical genetics, molecular genetics, population genetics, and bioinformatics. You can follow your interests by complementing the core program requirements with courses in areas as diverse as plant genetics, medicine and health or biological anthropology.
By specialising in genetics and understanding the structure and function of genes, you will learn how to apply the techniques of genomics, bioinformatics and molecular genetics to an ever-increasing range of exciting careers in medical biology, plant science and conservation.

This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

Employment Opportunities

ANU is particularly well placed to present this degree, with contributing geneticists from the Research School of Biology, Biological Anthropology, and John Curtin School of Medical Research, as well as genetic counsellors from The Canberra Hospital.

Graduates can go on to a career in medical and agricultural research institutes, hospitals, government departments, schools and universities, patent firms, genetic counselling services, forensics laboratories, and biotechnology companies.

The Bachelor of Genetics requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 36 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

The 144 units must include:

60 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BIOL1003  Evolution, Ecology & Genetics

BIOL1004  Molecular & Cell Biology

CHEM1101  Chemistry 1

CHEM1201  Chemistry 2

BIOL2151  Principles of Genetics

BIOL2161  Genes: Replication and Expression

BIOL2162  Molecular Genetic Techniques

BIOL3157 Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics

BIOL3161  Genomics & its Applications

BIOL3204  Human Genetics

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

BIOL1009  Diversity of Life

COMP1100  Introduction to Programming and Algorithms

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

STAT1003  Statistical Techniques

STAT1008  Quantitative Research Methods

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

BIOL 2111 Australian Vertebrates

BIOL 2113 Invertebrate Zoology

BIOL2121 Plants: Genes to Environment

BIOL2122 Australian Plant Functional Diversity

BIOL2142 General Microbiology

BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition

BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease

BIOL2191 Ecology of Health and Disease

BIOL2201 Big Questions in Biology

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology

BIAN2115 Race and Human Genetic Variation

BIAN2126 Primate Evolutionary Biology

MATH2307 Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling

STAT2001 Introductory Mathematical Statistics

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL3125 Plants and Global Climate Change

BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity

BIOL3144 Molecular Immunology

BIOL3177 Advances in Molecular Plant Sciences

BIOL3191 Biology, Society and Ethics

BIOL3193 Bacteria and Health

BIOL3206 Evolution of Biodiversity

BIOL3208/BIOL3209 Biology Research Project

BIAN3016 Analysis of Mammalian Remains

STAT3004 Stochastic Modelling

STAT3008 Applied Statistics

A further 6 units from completion of 3000-level courses on the Science course list

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Students must achieve a minimum 65% weighted average mark across all compulsory courses undertaken in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn) and (Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Bachelor of Genetics. Students who do not achieve a minimum of 65% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science single degree.

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements. In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR

• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma or Graduate Certificate; OR

• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution; OR

• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Requirements for domestic applicants:

ATAR:90

QLD Band:6

International Baccalaureate:34

For international students:

Refer to the table to see if you meet the requirements:

http://www.anu.edu.au/files/resource/IntAdmissTabl2014e.pdf 

English Language Requirements:

ANU recognizes a number of English language tests as meeting the University’s English language requirements. The acceptable tests are IELTS (an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6 in each component of the test), TOEFL-paper based test (a score of 570), TOEFL-internet based test (a score of 80, with a minimum of 20 in Reading and Writing and 18 in Speaking and Listening), Cambridge CAE Advanced (80, grade A), PTE Academic (overall 64, minimum 55 in each section.) 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.