Genetics and Genomics

About the major

Genetics and Genomics will provide you with knowledge that can be applied to improving our understanding of evolution (past and present) and of many aspects of the biology of all organisms.

This knowledge can also be applied to the development of novel biotechnology products, to improving the health of humans and animals, to forensics, to the conservation and management of plants and animals, to the diagnosis and control of pests, parasites and harmful micro-organisms, to improving the means by which plants and animals can sustain the feeding and clothing of humanity and to further our understanding of the biology of organisms.

Genetics is the science of biological inheritance and variation. Its fundamental principles are embraced by genomics, molecular genetics, 'Mendelian' genetics, epigenetics, cytogenetics, population genetics, and quantitative genetics.

Genomics is a relatively new discipline that has been developed through the capacity of geneticists and genome scientists to generate very large data sets using by high-throughput DNA, RNA and protein technologies, and the need to determine the control of biological functions by informatics analysis of the large data sets generated.

Requirements for completion

The Genetics and Genomics major and minor requirements are listed in the Genetics and Genomics unit of study table.

Contact and further information

W http://sydney.edu.au/science/life-environment/
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Example pathways

For a career in Medical Genomics for students from Medical Sciences:
First Year: CHEM1XX1, MEDS1X01;
Second Year: GEGE2X01, MEDS2003
Third Year: SCPU3001; BIOL3X18; GEGE3X04; QBIO3X01.

For a career in Bioinformatics:
First Year: BIOL1XX6, BIOL1XX7;
Second Year: GEGE2X01, BCMB2X01 or AVBS2005
Third Year: QBIO3888; BIOL3X18; GEGE3X04; QBIO3X01.

For a career in Wildlife Conservation Genomics:
First Year: CHEM1XX1, BIOL1XX7;
Second Year: GEGE2X01, BCMB2X01
Third Year: SCPU3001; BIOL3X18; GEGE3X04; BIOL3005.

For a career in Quantitative Genetics and Plant and Animal Breeding:
First Year: CHEM1XX1, BIOL1XX7;
Second Year: GEGE2X01, BCMB2X01
Third Year: SCPU3001; BIOL3X18; GEGE3X04; QBIO3X01.

For a career in Molecular Genetics and Genomics:
First Year: CHEM1XX1, BIOL1XX7;
Second Year: GEGE2X01, BCMB2X01
Third Year: SCPU3001; BIOL3X18; GEGE3X04; BCHM3X92.

Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from Genetics and Genomics will be able to:

1. Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of the principles of information transfer from molecular, chromosomal and cellular mechanisms and describe how information is inherited in individuals and populations.
2. Exhibit depth of knowledge in the key functional components of genomic structure and organisation.
3. Collect, manage, analyse and interpret genetic and genomic data acquired through modern techniques.
4. Model, and communicate in a visually meaningful and logical manner, patterns of biological and medical quantitative data.
5. Communicate concepts and findings in genetics and genomics to diverse audiences, using an evidence-based approach that is robust to critique.
6. Evaluate relationships between genotype and phenotype for simple and complex traits using genomic data and gene mapping tools.
7. Adhere to safe working conditions in genetic research practice in the laboratory.
8. Evaluate how genomic biotechnologies can be used in diagnostic and therapeutic applications and examine these applications across a range of social and ethical perspectives.
9. Address authentic problems in genetics and genomics, working responsibly and professionally within collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
10. Examine and evaluate contemporary issues in genetics and genomics from a range of social and cultural perspectives.