BSc Hons Genetics

at University College Cork

In Year 1 you will focus on foundation knowledge for Genetics, including how genes work in individuals and populations and how cutting-edge programmes such as the Human Genome Project are revolutionising the way we tackle biological questions.
 

Year 2 is designed to provide fundamental background knowledge in preparation for the specialisation in Genetics in Years 3 and 4.
 

Year 4 also includes a three-month project in the laboratory, during which time you will receive training in the use of genetic approaches to solving a contemporary question or problem in biology. These projects are based in the departments that contribute to the Genetics course.
 

Modules

Year 1

• BC1001 Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease (5 credits)

• BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5 credits)

• BT1001 Introduction to Biotechnology (5 credits)

• CM1200 Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 1 (10 credits)

• GN1001 Principles and Methods in Genetics (10 credits)

• MB1003 Microbiology in Society (5 credits)

• MA1001 Calculus for Science Part 1 (5 credits)

• MA1002 Calculus for Science Part 2 (5 credits)

• PY1010 Physics for Biological and Chemical Sciences (10 credits)  
   

Year 2

Core 

• Biomolecules

• Principles of Metabolic Pathways

• Current Perspectives in Genetics

• Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 2a

• Fundamentals of Microbiology

• Principles of Microbiology

• Introductory Molecular Biology

• Introduction to Plant Biotechnology

• Introduction to Biostatistics

• Vertebrate Diversity
   

Electives

• Fundamentals of Ecology

• Mammalian Cell and Tissue Structure

• Ecological Plant Physiology
   

Year 3 

Core

• Structural Biochemistry

• Cell Signalling

• Molecular Biology

• Principles of Medical Genetics

• Bioinformatics

• Literature Project on Genetics

• Population and Evolutionary Genetics

• Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biotechnology

• Molecular Genetics and Genomics

• Immunology: Host Response to Pathogens

• Genetic Manipulation of Plants

• Biostatistics I
   

Year 4

• Developmental Genetics

• Research Project

• Genomics and Applications

• Genetics and Society

• Computational Biology

• Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics

• Molecular Biology and Physiology of Bacteria

• Biostatistics II
   

Electives (specialisation in specific areas is possible)

• Medical Microbiology

• Advanced Medical Microbiology

• Advanced Virology

• Advanced Cell Biology

• Cancer Biology

• Current Advances in Immunology

Leaving Certificate entry requirements
 

At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
 

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

• English    O6/H7 

• Irish    O6/H7 

• Maths    O6/H7 

• Lab Science  H4 in Biology
   

Special Entry Requirement: H4 in Biology (meets the Laboratory Science requirement). Students presenting with 2016 (or previous) Leaving Certificate must present with an HC2 in Biology (meets the Laboratory Science requirement).
 

Mature applicants

Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest and may be called for an interview. Applicants are assessed on education, life and/or relevant experience as demonstrated in the CAO application and statement of interest.
 

Find out about the mature entry requirements here.
 

Non-EU applicants
 

FETAC
 

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
 

Minimum Requirements and Accepted English Language Tests & Examinations

The minimum English language entry requirements for admission onto a postgraduate programme at UCC are outlined below. These requirements are for postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English. If Gaeilge (Irish) is your first language these requirements do not apply to you.
 

There are a small number of programmes with a higher minimum English language entry requirement and we list these below under Programmes with a Higher Minimum English Language Requirement.

IELTS*    

• 6.5 Overall

• 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)
   

TOEFL iBT    
 

• 90 Overall

• Listening 20

• Reading 19

• Speaking 21

• Writing 20

 The fees for BSc Hons Genetics may vary from  - €10,000 to €25,000 anually for tuition fees. The fee's prices may get higher for international students.

The following companies have recently recruited students from the course:
 

• Abtran

• Advertising Standards Authority

• Anulab CUM

• Biosciences Institute

• Clonakilty Community Hospital

• Education and Research Center

• Eirx Therapeutics

• Human Genetics Division, University of Southampton

• Kerry Ingredients

• Kostal

• Lavanagh Centre

• Millipore

• NASA Space Station

• Nottingham Hospital

• Quintiles

• Science Recruitment Ireland

• University College Cork

• University of Texas

• Vistakon Limerick

• Wyeth Biopharma
   

Graduates have also been successful in securing a broad range of graduate courses in related and non-related areas including accounting, tax, and human resources.