Genetics
Genetics is the branch of biology concerned with heredity and genetic variation, asking how traits are passed from one generation to the next, how genes control the development and functioning of organisms, and how mutations in the genetic code can cause disease or drive evolutionary change. It is a discipline that has been transformed in recent decades by the development of DNA sequencing technologies, and the questions it now addresses range from the genetic modification of organisms and the prediction and treatment of genetic disease to the reconstruction of evolutionary history and the understanding of gene-environment interactions in human health and behaviour.
At Aberystwyth University, this three-year full-time programme offers a genuinely broad and rigorous training in genetics, combining the theoretical foundations of inheritance, molecular genetics, genomics, and evolutionary genetics with the practical laboratory skills that modern genetic research requires. You will study the genetics of model organisms, population genetics, bioinformatics, cell biology, and the applications of genetic knowledge in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Aberystwyth's strong biological sciences research culture and the opportunities for fieldwork in the Welsh landscape both contribute to a stimulating and well-rounded learning environment.
With a typical entry tariff of 104 UCAS points, this degree is accessible to students with strong biological and scientific ability and a genuine fascination with genetics. Graduates pursue careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical genetics, genetic counselling with further training, genomic medicine, agricultural science, environmental consultancy, scientific publishing, and science communication. The analytical and laboratory skills genetics develops are also valued in forensic science, food science, and a range of biomedical support roles.
Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, or bioinformatics.