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.

Are you a leader? The Australian National University is a leader too, especially in the fields of philosophy, politics and economics. This progressive and well regarded degree will arm you with the moral, economic and political perspectives you need to make a real impact.

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics has a strong international component that gives you the opportunity to engage with other leading Universities around the world.

You will develop exceptional problem solving skills and critical and conceptual thinking, all while gaining a passport to some of the world’s most promising careers.

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.

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.

Learning Outcomes

Identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of PPE, and the relationships between them;

Identify main currents in the three disciplines of PPE and their theoretical bases;

Define, critically discuss and apply:

1. major philosophical theories and approaches to the evaluation of social institutions;

2. the methods of economics to the study of political institutions and processes;

3. the methods of economics to questions within political philosophy;

4. the assumptions, ‘tools’ and limitations of political economy;

5. the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory.

Describe and evaluate how the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory affect and influence political situations, institutions and complex political processes in liberal democracies;

Recognise and analyse the different actors, processes and stages involved in formulating public policies; and

Analyse practical dilemmas that arise in politics using the theories, approaches and methods of the three main disciplines of PPE.

Admission Requirements

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, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; 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 international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

From 2010, the UAI/ENTER/TER will be referred to as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for admission. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ for further information.

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

Prerequisites

ACT major in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent.

Students who do not meet the chemistry requirement may be admitted into the program via a different pathway. Students who:

• Have an ATAR score of 90 or higher, and

• Commence the Bachelor of Science program after completion of the chemistry bridging course available in February through the ANU Research School of Chemistry (or equivalent) and complete CHEM1101 and BIOL1003 with a minimum average of 65%, may then apply to transfer to the Bachelor of the Medical Science program.

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

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.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas for more information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply 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.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Genetics flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 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 96 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:

BIOL2111 Australian Vertebrates

BIOL2113 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

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Genetics must maintain an average of 65% in all Science courses each semester to remain this program. Students who do not maintain 65% will be transferred to the 3 year BSc program.

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.

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

54 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ECON2101 Microeconomics 2(P)

ECON3056 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 3: Classic Literature in PPE

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking

PHIL2116 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 2

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts

POLS1008 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 1: Puzzles in Politics, Philosophy and Economics

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list, which may also be counted towards completion of any other other requirements:

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory (P)

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory

POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions

POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science

PHIL2064 Theories of Ethics

PHIL2080 Logic

PHIL2113 Global Justice

PHIL2115 Political Philosophy from Hobbes to Mill

PHIL3073 Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

CRIM2000 The Illicit Economy

ECHI1006 The Australian Economy: Past and Present

ECHI2005 History of Economic Thought(P)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

ECON2013 Behavioural Economics: Psychology and Economics

ECON2014 Managerial Economics

ECON2026 Money and Banking

ECON2120 Law and Economics(P)

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory (P)

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

INDG3003 The Indigenous Economy

6 units from the completion of 2000- and 3000-level courses from one of the following subject areas:

ANIP Australian National Internship

ECON Economics

PHIL Philosophy

POLS Political Science

Study Options

Honours

Students who attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree may be admitted to the Honours year to become candidates for the degree with Honours.

See the Honours Degree listed in the Bachelor of Science.

Students interested in undertaking a fourth Honours year of study should contact the relevant Honours Convenor in their second year of study to discuss eligibility requirements and the choice of later-year courses.

Further information about Honours in Economics can be found on the webpage:

http://studyat.anu.edu.au/programs/3200XBECON;honours.html

Further information about Honours in Philosophy or Political Sciences can be found on the webpage:

http://studyat.anu.edu.au/2011/programs/3100XBARTS;honours.html