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Genetics  (GNC2)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2024/2025
School
School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Tara McMorrow
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
N/A
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 0

Curricular information is subject to change.

If you are interested in why some families are more prone to disease and how to use biotechnology to produce drugs and other products, then a degree in Genetics could be for you. Genetics is the scientific study of heredity – how information is passed from one generation to the next. You will study developing new areas, such as personal genomics, which uses DNA sequence to determine health and ancestry. The UCD Genetics degree also covers genetic engineering and biotechnology, transgenic animals, genetically modified plants, medical genetics, molecular evolution, developmental biology, DNA fingerprinting and bioinformatics.

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Genetics students in third year have studied in The Netherlands, USA and Canada in University of Amsterdam, University of California Irvine, University of Connecticut, and Queen’s University Canada. 

Genetics students also have the opportunity to carry out their fourth year project at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Most Genetics graduates work in hospital laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and genomics companies, forensic science laboratories, agribiotech and horticulture companies, and food and drink companies. 

Many graduates study for a higher degree (MSc or PhD), or obtain additional professional qualifications, such as in medicine and dentistry.

MSc programmes at UCD include the areas of Biotechnology, Biotechnology & Business and Biotherapeutics.

Associate Professor Peadar Ó Gaora
UCD School of Biomolecular and
Biomedical Science
askscience@ucd.ie


Stage 2

Students take 4 core modules, Students must select 50 credits from programme modules (cores/options). Additional credits can be selected from the BSc programme or alternatively, student can select 10 credits from elective modules.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
BMOL20060 Biomolecular Lab Skills 1 Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
BMOL20090 Molecular Genetics and Biotech Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
BMOL20110 Biomolecular Sciences Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
GENE20020 Principles of Genetics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
CHEM20090 is a CORE MODULE for students who wish to progress with any subject in the BBB stream. Students registered to or who have taken both CHEM20080 and CHEM20100 are not required to take CHEM20090. Students who are unable to register to CHEM20090 should contact the Science Office.
CHEM20090 Chemistry for Biology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students must select one option from this list. Students may find some of their required modules preselected if they are core modules for another subject.
BIOL20060 Scientific Communication Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students must select one option from this list. Students may find some of their required modules preselected if they are core modules for another subject.
BMOL20070 Biomolecular Lab Skills 2 Spring  5