Delve into the complex and fascinating world of genetics and unravel the mysteries of DNA, understand how genes interact with the environment and how your heredity determines your risk of developing certain diseases.

When you study a Bachelor of Genetics you’ll learn how genes hold our hereditary information which determines everything from hair colour and height to complex issues surrounding health risks. You’ll also study classical genetics, molecular genetics, population genetics, and bioinformatics. You can even follow interests in areas as diverse as plant genetics, medicine and health or biological anthropology.

Study a Flexible Double Degree to extend your interests further by combining this degree with almost any other at ANU. Whatever you choose, an ANU degree in genetics will kick start your career in a modern and dynamic field.

For more information on our educational offerings, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories please visit our website.

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This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

The program is an elite, research-focused program for exceptional students who want to pursue

• A career based in the quantitative modelling of the real world;
• A research oriented career in government, commerce or industry;
• Or postgraduate research leading to a higher degree.

This program provides a unique opportunity within Australia to study mathematics.

• We offer small class sizes when compared to other top Australian universities.
• We offer student access to some of the best mathematicians in Australia.
• We offer a stream of advanced courses from first year through to the honours year.

This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

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

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Think clearly, sequentially and logically, as demonstrated by the critical analysis of quantitative problems, such as the ability to read, understand and write mathematical proofs.
2. Demonstrate mastery of the concepts and techniques of Advanced Mathematics
3. Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
4. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
5. Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
6. Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives.

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

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 Genetics.

ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol.

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 http://www.uac.edu.au/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 Mathematical Sciences flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

36 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1116 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 2

MATH2301 Games, Graphs and Machines

MATH2305 Applied Mathematics I

MATH2320 Advanced Analysis 1: Metric Spaces and Applications

MATH2322 Advanced Algebra 1: Groups, Rings and Linear Algebra

36 units from completion of 3000- or 4000-level courses from the subject area MATH Mathematics

6 units from completion of an introductory statistics course from the following list:

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

6 units from completion of an introductory computing course from the following list:

COMP1100 Introduction to Programming and Algorithms

COMP1130 Introduction to Programming and Algorithms (Advanced)

COMP1730 Programming for Scientists

24 units from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list and 2000-level courses from the following subject areas:

MATH Mathematics

STAT Statistics

COMP Computer Science

Students must achieve a minimum 75% weighted average mark in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences. 

Students who do not achieve a minimum of 75% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of 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.