Undergraduate

Genetics

Studying this major conveys profound knowledge on the function and inheritance of genes, preparing you for jobs in biotechnology, medicine, food production and environmental conservation.
75
ATAR

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Studying Genetics at UWA will open doors to a range of possible career opportunities. Genetics graduates may get jobs in biotechnology, drug development and food production. Molecular geneticists may find jobs in genomics laboratories in public and private research institutes, hospitals, and in broader public health, as well as in agriculture and breeding. Population geneticists are needed in healthcare, wildlife conservation and ecological management, using large amounts of genomics data. Outside the laboratory, jobs include patent law and policy-making. Geneticists take on sales and marketing roles in the medical, research and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge in inheritance and genomics, geneticists can also become valued science journalists and science communicators or science educators. A UWA Genetics major is a starting point for more specialised industry-specific courses such as bioinformatics, applied quantitative genetics, statistical genetics or genetic counselling. Many genetics graduates do a higher degree by research such as a Master or PhD, so that they can reach more senior positions in research and development in academia and/ or industry.

To prepare you for these diverse career pathways, UWA’s unique degree structure provides you with a wide range of specialisation options. For example, it is possible to combine your major in Genetics with a second major in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology, Agricultural Sciences, Botany, Anatomy and Human Biology, Zoology, or do a extended major in Molecular Life Sciences. You can use your personal interests as a basis for your choice of subjects to study, and ultimately, to direct your career. A tailor-made UWA major in Genetics will empower you to become the next leader in future-proof fields, such as biotechnology, synthetic biology, biomedicine or science communication.

Some international, Australian and WA-based companies and institutions include:

• Pharmaceutical/ medical device companies (e.g. CareDx, CSL, Pfizer, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline)
• Agricultural breeding companies (e.g. Australian Grain Technologies, Intergrain)
• Biotechnology companies (e.g. Ozgene, PYC Therapeutics, Dimerix, Novozyme, IDT Australia, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche)
• Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest, Safe Work Laboratories, Precision Oncology, Mater Pathology)
• Research Centres (e.g. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Telethon Kids Institute, Ingham Institute, Garvan Institute for Medical Research)
• Provisioners of scientific instrumentation (e.g. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westlab, LabGear Australia)
• Genetic counselling services (Government/State, e.g. WA Health)
• Government agencies (Primary Industries and Regional Development)
• World Health Organisation
• Top ranked universities around the world

With a UWA Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics you will be prepared to help these companies and institutions in solving humanity’s greatest challenges:

• Fighting infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and drug-resistant bacteria
• Developing treatments for heritable diseases and cancer
• Extending and improving quality of life
• Providing food and water for the world’s ever-growing population
• Understanding and adapting to climate change
• Producing sustainable, bio-based materials
• Preserving our planet’s amazing biodiversity

Studying Genetics at UWA will open doors to a range of possible career opportunities. Genetics graduates may get jobs in biotechnology, drug development and food production. Molecular geneticists may find jobs in genomics laboratories in public and private research institutes, hospitals, and in broader public health, as well as in agriculture and breeding. Population geneticists are needed in healthcare, wildlife conservation and ecological management, using large amounts of genomics data. Outside the laboratory, jobs include patent law and policy-making. Geneticists take on sales and marketing roles in the medical, research and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge in inheritance and genomics, geneticists can also become valued science journalists and science communicators or science educators. A UWA Genetics major is a starting point for more specialised industry-specific courses such as bioinformatics, applied quantitative genetics, statistical genetics or genetic counselling. Many genetics graduates do a higher degree by research such as a Master or PhD, so that they can reach more senior positions in research and development in academia and/ or industry.

To prepare you for these diverse career pathways, UWA’s unique degree structure provides you with a wide range of specialisation options. For example, it is possible to combine your major in Genetics with a second major in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology, Agricultural Sciences, Botany, Anatomy and Human Biology, Zoology, or do a extended major in Molecular Life Sciences. You can use your personal interests as a basis for your choice of subjects to study, and ultimately, to direct your career. A tailor-made UWA major in Genetics will empower you to become the next leader in future-proof fields, such as biotechnology, synthetic biology, biomedicine or science communication.

Some international, Australian and WA-based companies and institutions include:

• Pharmaceutical/ medical device companies (e.g. CareDx, CSL, Pfizer, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline)
• Agricultural breeding companies (e.g. Australian Grain Technologies, Intergrain)
• Biotechnology companies (e.g. Ozgene, PYC Therapeutics, Dimerix, Novozyme, IDT Australia, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche)
• Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest, Safe Work Laboratories, Precision Oncology, Mater Pathology)
• Research Centres (e.g. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Telethon Kids Institute, Ingham Institute, Garvan Institute for Medical Research)
• Provisioners of scientific instrumentation (e.g. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westlab, LabGear Australia)
• Genetic counselling services (Government/State, e.g. WA Health)
• Government agencies (Primary Industries and Regional Development)
• World Health Organisation
• Top ranked universities around the world

With a UWA Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics you will be prepared to help these companies and institutions in solving humanity’s greatest challenges:

• Fighting infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and drug-resistant bacteria
• Developing treatments for heritable diseases and cancer
• Extending and improving quality of life
• Providing food and water for the world’s ever-growing population
• Understanding and adapting to climate change
• Producing sustainable, bio-based materials
• Preserving our planet’s amazing biodiversity

Further Study

By undertaking Honours in Genetics, you will develop an understanding of the research process and your abilities to conduct independent research. You will acquire training and practice in skills such as experimental methods, problem solving, literature searching, data analysis, computing, team building, and written and oral communication. Subjects include Advanced Studies in Genetics and Genomics, Advanced Techniques in Molecular Sciences and others.
By undertaking Honours in Genetics, you will develop an understanding of the research process and your abilities to conduct independent research. You will acquire training and practice in skills such as experimental methods, problem solving, literature searching, data analysis, computing, team building, and written and oral communication. Subjects include Advanced Studies in Genetics and Genomics, Advanced Techniques in Molecular Sciences and others.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$43,900.00
2025
$46,300.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Chemistry / biology requirement

Applicants are recommended to have completed Chemistry ATAR and Biology ATAR / Human Biology ATAR.

International students commencing in semester 2 must have completed Biology ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or equivalent to be admitted.

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

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Course details

This course provides you with a broad overview of the universal principles, potentials and problems associated with DNA-based life. You'll learn how traits are inherited, how genetic processes control development and diseases and how and why genomes are studied. Through a combination of hands-on laboratory sessions, teamwork, interactive tutorials and theoretical foundations, you'll develop skills in critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation as well as skills in oral and written communication.

About the course

Your studies in genetics involve the analysis of DNA and the many ways in which it is expressed. This major delivers a broad overview of the universal principles, potentials and problems associated with DNA-based life, and provides you with the essential skills of a geneticist. 
Genetics

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 16-25 hours teaching time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-GENET
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
Genetics
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 16-25 hours teaching time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-GENET
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.