Major Overview

Description

Genetics is the science of how traits are inherited and expressed by living organisms. This major encompasses the universal principles, potentials and problems associated with how biological information is encoded in nucleic acids. Students will learn how traits are inherited, how genetic processes control development and diseases, and how genomes evolve. Through a combination of hands-on laboratory sessions, independent and group work, interactive workshops and theoretical foundations, students will develop skills in critical thinking, experimental design, data interpretation, communication and evidence-based decision-making. As a cornerstone of the biological sciences, this major equips students with an adaptable and universal skillset applicable to a wide range of careers or further study. Employment destinations include agricultural science, biodiversity and conservation, molecular diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, animal and plant breeding, fundamental and applied research, patent law, policy development and more.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of how traits are inherited and expressed, and the molecular basis of these processes
  2. demonstrate knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome structure, content and evolution
  3. demonstrate knowledge of how genetic processes control development and disease in animals and plants
  4. demonstrate knowledge of how inheritance can explain diversity in natural populations, and be exploited in artificial breeding programs
  5. practise technologies and methodologies used in modern-day genetics and genomics
  6. develop skills in oral and written communication, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics unit.

Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year

Courses

Genetics can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2026 – may be available in 2027 or 2028

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry ATAR
or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
S1 BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology None
S1, S2 SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
Co-requisites
MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
or MATX1721 Mathematics Foundations
or SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists or equivalent
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
S2 SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Human Biology or equivalent
or ATAR Subject(s) Biology or equivalent
or ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or IMED1001 Form and Function
and Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
Bridging units

Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50] or with permission
Incompatibility
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50 or greater] or Equivalent or higher
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50) or equivalent
Incompatibility
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
and MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2 and
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
or MATX1011 Multivariable Calculus
and
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
or MATX1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A GENE2220 Molecular Genetics
Prerequisites
IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
Incompatibility
GENE2210 Functional Genomics Students enrolled in both MJD-GENET and MJD-HUMGE may choose either GENE2210
OR GENE2220
S1 GENE2250 Principles of Inheritance
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
or Successful completion of
any one BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology
or ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Incompatibility
Unit(s) GENE2204 Principles of Genetics

Level 3

Students are encouraged to take all Level 3 genetics units to appreciate the diversity of the discipline and its application in all areas of biological sciences, and to acquire the broadest knowledge and the skills for future study and — or employment.

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A AGRI3310 Phenotype to Genotype
Prerequisites
SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
and GENE2250 Principles of Inheritance
S1 BIOL3364 Evolutionary Processes
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
or SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists or equivalent
and
BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or GENE2250 Principles of Inheritance
and
SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
or STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
Incompatibility
ANIM3362 Evolutionary Processes
S2 GENE3350 Evolution and Development
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) GENE2230 Molecular Genetics I
S1 GENE3370 Genomics
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) GENE2230 Molecular Genetics I