Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Genetics requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses

A minimum of 96 units must come from completion of courses from the Science course list

The 144 units must include:

60 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology & Genetics (6 units)

BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular & Cell Biology (6 units)

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (6 units)

BIOL2151 Genetics (6 units)

BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)

BIOL2162 Molecular Gene Techniques (6 units)

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

BIOL3161 Genomics & its Applications (6 units)

BIOL3204 Genetics of Human Disease 1 (6 units)

 A maximum of 6 units from completion of a computer programming course from the following list:

BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)

COMP1730 Programming for Scientists (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following list

BIOL1009 Diversity of Life (6 units)

BIOL2114 Evolution (6 units)

BIOL2117 Cell Biology (6 units)

BIOL2142 General Microbiology (6 units)

A minimum of 18 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL3002 Plants: Genes and the Environment (6 units)

BIOL3108 Hallmarks of Cancer (6 units)

BIOL3109 Developmental Biology (6 units)

BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity (6 units)

BIOL3144 Advanced and Applied Immunology (6 units)

BIOL3157 Bioinformatics and Its Applications (6 units)

BIOL3177 Advances in Molecular Plant Sciences (6 units)

BIOL3178 Recovering Threatened Species and Ecosystems (6 units)

BIOL3188 ANU SynBio Challenge Team Project (6 units)

BIOL3191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)

BIOL3201 Big Questions in Biology (6 units)

BIOL3205 Genetics of Human Disease 2 (6 units)

BIOL3206 Evolution of Biodiversity (6 units)

BIOL3208 Biology Research Project (6 units)

BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12 units)

BIOL3213 Australian Wildlife (6 units)

BIAN3113 Human Evolution (6 units)

6 units from completion from a 2000 or 3000 level course from the following subject area:

BIOL Biology

MEDN Medicine

NEUR Neuroscience

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU.

Students must achieve a minimum 65% Weighted Average Mark across all Science courses undertaken in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn) and (Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Bachelor of Genetics. Students who do not achieve a minimum of 65% Weighted Average Mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science single degree.

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Prerequisites

ACT: Chemistry (Major); NSW:  Chemistry or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

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.

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

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.

Employment Opportunities

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Genetics, you can forge a career in medical and agricultural research institutes, hospitals, government departments, schools and universities, patent firms, genetic counselling services, forensics laboratories, and biotechnology companies.

See where a Bachelor of Genetics could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand and evaluate the significance of genetic information and discoveries in educational and professional contexts;

2. apply a range of skills and laboratory genetic techniques to addressing specific problems in the field of genetic research;

3. use a range of analytical techniques for the interpretation of genetic data to address specific hypotheses;

4. convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;

5. exercise personal, professional and social responsibility by acting as an interpreter of genetic information in the public domain.

Inherent Requirements

To be determined

Further Information

Advice for first year students:

Students should complete BIOL1003, BIOL1004, CHEM1101 and CHEM1201 in their first year.

Additional advice:

• Students interested in bioinformatics or quantitative genetics should take COMP1730.
• For students taking BIOL3208 or BIOL3209 as part of this program, the research project must be in the field of genetics.
• Students interested in incorporating an internship into their degree can find out more from the College of Science website.

Want to learn more about the structure of the Bachelor of Genetics or wish to map out your degree? Click here to see a short program presentation video and access the study plan.

Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD (not available in FDD)

• This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year undergraduate single degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions, please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees
• Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.
• This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Progression hurdle:

• Students in the Bachelor of Genetics who have opted for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
• If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.