Career opportunities
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.
Uncover the future of Genetics
Join PhD student Conor and Associate Professor Caroline Beck to explore cutting-edge research, hands-on lab experience, and diverse study opportunities in genetics at Otago.
Read transcript
Conor McGuinness:
Hi, I’m Conor. I’m a PhD student at Otago, currently studying breast cancer genetics. I went through my undergrad in Genetics, and I really chose Genetics because it fostered my love of Biology. Coming out of high school, I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do. I did the first year Health Sci, and then Genetics just opened and welcomed me with open arms. Through the labs, the teaching, and all the helpful staff, they really helped me to develop my research skills so that I can implement them in the great research program that Otago offers.
Associate Professor Caroline Beck:
Hi everybody, I’m Associate Professor Caroline Beck, and I’m the Director of the Genetics Teaching Program at the University of Otago. I’ll tell you a little bit about our program here at Otago. Genetics is obviously the study of genes and inheritance, and as a science, it underpins research in a multitude of areas. This can vary from conservation genetics to agriculture, aquaculture, all the way through to health and disease, and understanding complex diseases in our society.
So that’s what we do, and as a student of genetics, what you would do is come to Otago in your first year, where you would study two papers called Cells 191 and Chemistry 191. These are part of the first year health sciences program of papers. You would take these two papers, and we also recommend that you take a statistics paper, either STAT 110 or STAT 115, and Biochemistry 192. That still leaves you a few papers that you can use to put some interest into your science around genetics.
Genetics goes really, really well with other sciences. It goes well with Law, it goes well with Business, so you can put genetics together with a whole bunch of different topics. When you study genetics, your first year will consist of those initial papers, and that’s about a third genetics in that. Then, when you come into second year, you start to study with us. We have three papers in second year that you need to take, and you’ve got four papers that you can take to supplement that. We recommend things like Microbiology and Biochemistry to supplement those papers and to go well with them.
In third year, there’s a choice of four out of six papers that you can do. All of our papers are very laboratory-based, so from the very minute you walk into the university, you’re going to be doing bench work, experiments, and learning hands-on. We also, of course, have our lectures to complement that, and we try and bring our lectures and our labs together to tell a story.
We’re also very fortunate at Otago that we have a large number of genetics researchers all around the university, working in different departments. These departments include Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Zoology, and Botany.
Genetics at Otago
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.
Can I combine my Genetics degree with other subjects?
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.
How will I study?
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.
Postgraduate study options
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.
Recommended background
You need to have an interest in the world around you!
Year 13 Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics are strongly recommended (but not essential).
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Science along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
Combine two majors, one in Commerce and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Genetics
Explore postgraduate study in Genetics at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a suppor...
Related subject areas
Explore all subject areasProgramme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology | 18 |
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health | 18 | |
|
At least two of BIOL 112, BIOL 123, BIOC 192, ECOL 111, HUBS 191, HUBS 192,
MATH 120
, PTWY 131, PTWY 132, STAT 110 or STAT 115. BIOC 192 and STAT 110 or 115 highly recommended.
Note: PTWY 131 and PTWY 132 are only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science. | 36 | |
| 200-level | GENE 221 Molecular and Microbial Genetics | 18 |
| GENE 222 Genes, Chromosomes and Populations | 18 | |
| GENE 223 Developmental and Applied Genetics | 18 | |
| BIOC 221 and STAT 210 highly recommended; MICR 221 and ZOOL 222 recommended. | ||
| 300-level |
Three of: GENE 312 Evolutionary Genetics GENE 313 Medical Genetics GENE 314 Developmental Genetics GENE 315 Genomes And one of: AGRI 323, BIOC 352*, BITC 301, BTNY 302, GENE 312 , GENE 313, GENE 314 , GENE 315, GENE 360, MICR 335, MICR 337, PATH 302*, PLBI 301, PLBI 302, STAT 311*, STAT 312*, ZOOL 316*, ZOOL 319. Notes: (i) PTWY 131 and PTWY 132 are only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science. (ii) *Students should check the prerequisites for these 300-level papers when selecting 200-level papers. | 72 |
| Plus | 162 further points, must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science. | 162 |
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
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 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
GENE papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENE221 | 2025 | Molecular and Microbial Genetics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GENE222 | 2025 | Genes, Chromosomes and Populations | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE223 | 2025 | Developmental and Applied Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE312 | 2025 | Evolutionary Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE313 | 2025 | Medical Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE314 | 2025 | Developmental Genetics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE315 | 2025 | Genomes | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GENE360 | 2025 | Extension Topics and Research Skills | 18 points | Full Year |
| GENE411 | 2025 | Current Topics in Genetics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| GENE412 | 2025 | Current Topics in Genetics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| GENE480 | 2025 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| GENE490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| GENE495 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| QGEN401 | 2025 | Quantitative Genetics and Improvement | 20 points | Semester 2 |
More information
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
Not sure what to study?
Take our short quiz to uncover study options matched to your background and interests.
Take the quiz