Genetics

Genetics at Monash covers a broad scope of genetics and genomics topics, including conservation, developmental and medical genetics, to ensure that students are well prepared for the job market.

Our teaching labs have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for practical, hands-on training. Our lecturers are all active researchers as well as teachers, ensuring each course taught at Monash reflects the most recent advances in the various genetics disciplines.

Genetics is the study of genes, their structure, function, transmission and evolution, and encompasses a rich and diverse range of research topics. Genetics lies at the centre of biology because the same basic genetic principles apply to microbes, plants, animals and humans. The genetic code provides the blueprint for life and every aspect of biology, from development, physiology and biochemistry through to behavior and ecology, is ultimately controlled by the products of genes and their interaction with the physical environment.

Genetics underpins many exciting areas of science such as biomedical science, biotechnology, conservation biology, and forensics. Graduates with a major in genetics find employment in medical and agricultural research institutes, hospitals, government departments, schools and universities, patent firms, genetic counselling services, forensics laboratories, and biotechnology companies.

Availability

Genetics is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a major, extended major or minor and in the Bachelor of Science at Malaysia as a minor.

The genetics minor, major and extended major are not available in the double degree course S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:

• demonstrate a thorough understanding of the broad principles of genetics and their application through suitable approaches and methodologies at the molecular, cellular, organismal and population levels
• demonstrate advanced practical skills in contemporary experimental methods such as recombinant DNA techniques, gene expression analysis, genetic breeding experiments, analysis of transgenic organisms, genotyping methods, the use of modern laboratory equipment and the application of bioinformatic and genomic approaches
• design laboratory or computer-based genetics experiments, incorporating the principles of effective experimental design and suitable methods for collecting, analysing and interpreting resultant data.