The world of genetics is enormous. It touches our everyday lives in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.
Genetics is a rapidly-progressing science, a central theme of modern biology, and a critical component of most biological research.
With a high demand for genetics graduates within New Zealand and overseas, a degree in this ground-breaking and practical discipline will provide you with many career options.
Genetics is the study of genes and inheritance. It's fun, interesting, challenging and relevant to everyday life! It's a very diverse subject, in which you'll learn about the molecular basis of life right through to the study of whole organisms, populations and evolution.
You will learn to make informed decisions about topics such as genetic engineering, cloning and your own health. In your lectures, you'll also learn about the cutting- edge research being undertaken at Otago and you'll have many opportunities to undertake hands-on research.
Graduates with a genetics degree from Otago can be found all over New Zealand and around the world, doing all sorts of interesting things. A degree in Genetics gives you a wide range of marketable skills suitable for employment in biologically- based industries, research organisations and government departments.
You could be a research associate, policy analyst, biotechnologist, conservation worker or biosecurity analyst, to name but a few!
With further study you could be a patent lawyer, science journalist, or a researcher in human, animal, plant, or microbial genetics.
A Genetics degree from Otago also provides an excellent foundation for the further training required to be a genetic counsellor or forensic scientist.
Genetics is a rapidly-progressing science, a central theme of modern biology, and an indispensable component of most biological research.
The Genetics programme at Otago draws together the departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Women's and Children's Health, and Zoology.
This allows staff and students to interact and share ideas across a broader sphere than is possible in any one department.
Yes! Genetics and almost anything is a marketable and desirable combination.
Popular subjects include various business subjects, Law, Bioethics, Mathematics, Statistics, Information Science, and Computer Science.
You can combine Genetics with other biological sciences such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, and Zoology; and other science subjects such as Anthropology, Geology, and Psychology.
It is also possible to take Genetics papers as part of a BBiomedSc degree. In particular, Genetics is an integral component of the Reproduction, Genetics and Development major.
Genetics is an experimental science with a strong theoretical background, so you will have a combination of lectures and lab-based practicals.
The lab classes in second and third year are extremely varied. You'll examine everything from viruses and bacteria through to fruit flies, worms and humans. For example, in second year you create genetically-modified bacteria and test for genetically-modified organisms in supermarket products.
During third year, you'll have the opportunity to look at your own chromosomes, and to analyse a portion of your own DNA to determine which 'Daughter of Eve' you are descended from.
You also get to design and carry out your own group projects.
Computer simulation labs enable you to study evolutionary genetics.
A Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Genetics can lead to a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci), a Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)), Master of Science (MSc), or PhD degree. You can apply to enter these postgraduate programmes during the third year of your BSc.
If you have a degree with a major other than Genetics, but wish to study postgraduate Genetics, you can study for a Diploma for Graduates endorsed in Genetics.
You need to have an interest in the world around you!
Year 13 Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics are strongly recommended (but not essential).
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology | 18 |
| 200-level | At least two of: | 36 |
| 300-level | Two of: GENE 312 Evolutionary Genetics GENE 313 Medical Genetics GENE 314 Developmental Genetics GENE 315 Genomes | 36 |
| Prerequisites for GENE 221 include CHEM 191 | ||
| Total | 90 |
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENE221 | 2024, 2025 | Molecular and Microbial Genetics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GENE222 | 2024, 2025 | Genes, Chromosomes and Populations | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE223 | 2024, 2025 | Developmental and Applied Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE312 | 2024, 2025 | Evolutionary Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE313 | 2024, 2025 | Medical Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE314 | 2024, 2025 | Developmental Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE315 | 2024, 2025 | Genomes | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GENE360 | 2024, 2025 | Extension Topics and Research Skills | 18 points | Full Year |
| GENE411 | 2024, 2025 | Current Topics in Genetics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| GENE412 | 2024, 2025 | Current Topics in Genetics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE480 | 2024, 2025 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 18 June 2025), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| GENE490 | 2024, 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 18 June 2025), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| GENE495 | 2024, 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 18 June 2025), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| QGEN401 | 2024, 2025 | Quantitative Genetics and Improvement | 20 points | Semester 2 |
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
Genetics Office
Email genetics@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/genetics
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.
