Why study Genetics and Biochemistry at Aberystwyth University?

• Study in a University that’s in the top 5 in the UK and 1^st in Wales for student satisfaction (NSS,2017).

• The syllabus of this course is identical to its sister course BSc Genetics & Biochemistry (CC47) however you will spend an additional year in industry after the second year. Your placement will be relevant to the degree and the year is assessed, counting towards your final degree grade.

• Students will organise their work placement under the guidance of our Director for Employability. There is no guarantee that the work experience will be paid. (If you cannot obtain a placement, then you must transfer to the sister course BSc Genetics & Biochemistry CC47).

• During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee.

• Learn and live in an exceptional environment where you will be surrounded by a great diversity of beautiful environments, including marine, moorland, mountain, waterways, grassland and coast.

• The Cambrian mountains as a backdrop and just a stone throw way from Cardigan Bay and its bottlenose dolphins.

• We place great emphasis upon practical skills, so that our graduates become practitioners from the word go.

• We have extensive research and teaching labs equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including bioimaging facilities, high-throughput DNA sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, phenomics and spectroscopic platforms.

• The subject is taught within an internationally recognised centre of excellence, by enthusiastic experts.

• We ensure that our graduates have the skills to communicate their science effectively, so that they can join the often controversial genetics debates

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry.  The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Employability is embedded in our teaching. This scheme offers you an avenue into employment in the growth areas of biomedicine, forensic science, DNA profiling (humans, animals and plants), clinical cytogenetics and genetic counselling, biotechnology and food production, and aspects of biodiversity and the conservation of genetic resources and endangered species. This scheme can also lead to postgraduate research at Masters and PhD level.

Your year in industry:

In the 2016 Highflyers report, 32% of graduate vacancies are taken by those who have previously worked for a company on a placement or/ a internship.  Make no mistake, you will develop confidence and gaining experience in the industry will stimulate your enthusiasm for the subject.

 Completing a year in industry will allow you to:

• Apply the learning from your course to the work environment;
• Make industry contacts;
• Develop practical skills related to your area of study;
• Apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study;
• Enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating.

Students on this scheme should note that the department institute does not have automatic placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for finding securing the work experience, however, you will have the assistance of our institute Work Experience Coordinator and our dedicated careers advisor (James Cuffe, jpc11@aber.ac.uk). If you fail to find work experience you will be able to convert your course to the three-year version of your subject. 

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

In your first year you will explore:

• The diversity of biological disciplines which includes;

• Animals, microbes and plants at the organismal, cellular and molecular levels

• Physiology, muscle and locomotion, nutrition, endocrinology, cardiovascular respiratory systems and homeostasis

• Genetics and the chemical basis of biology and metabolism

In your second year you will discover:

• Cell biology

• Immunology

• Chromosomes

• Molecular biology

• Qualitative and quantitative procedures for data analysis

In your third year you will undertake your work experience in an industry that is relative to this degree BSc Genetics and Biochemistry.

In your final year you will study and undertake:

• Bioinformatics

• Genomics

• Pharmacology

• Microbes

• Developmental genetics

• A research dissertation

How will I be taught?

The course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals. You will be assessed through;

• Essays

• Practical exercises

• Oral presentations

• Worksheets

• Reports

• Posters

• Literature reviews

• Exams