Studying Genetics at Canterbury
Genetics is the science of heredity. It has a history of less than 150 years, yet the most significant discovery, the double helix, celebrated its 50th birthday in 2003. The completion of the human genome project, followed by a proliferation of genome projects on endemic and endangered species has promised to challenge the creativity of future scientists. Genetics will provide a platform for the development of new drugs to combat diseases, methodology for the conservation of endangered species and understanding evolutionary history. Furthermore, it will help us to understand who we are and what we are, enhance our biosecurity and even to catch criminals.
Career paths
Geneticists have a wide range of possible career options. They are employed by biotechnology companies and research institutes (e.g. AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, Landcare Research) to undertake genetic typing and to develop new strains of organisms.
They may also work for pharmaceutical companies developing approaches to disease control, and for health research organisations and hospitals using genetics to identify disease-causing organisms as well as the genetic basis for human diseases.
Postgraduate
BSc (Hons) - Students complete a fourth year of study
comprising four 400-level papers and a research project.
PGDipSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers.
MSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers (part I), then proceed to a research project (part
II), written up as a thesis.
PhD - Students complete a 3-4 year research project written
up as a thesis. Entry is after successful completion of either BSc(Hons)
or an MSc.
Planning Your Degree
Below is a guide to help you select courses that will give you a well rounded degree in genetics.
Year 1
Essential
BIOL
111 Cellular Biology & Biochemistry
BIOL
112 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
BIOL
113 Diversity of Life
CHEM
112 General Chemistry B*
MATH
101 Methods of Mathematics**
* Unless
you have 9 NCEA level 3 credits in chemistry
it is essential that you take a CHEM 114 before
CHEM 111 and CHEM 112.
** Note: Unless you have good NCEA level 3 credits
in maths, it is essential that you take a minimum
of 15 points in MATH (MATH101).
Optional
SCIM 101 Science, Maori and Indigenous
Knowledge
STAT 101 Statistics 1***
*** Biology majors are required to take BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis (or
equivalent preparation e.g. STAT 201, PSYC 206).
Entry to this course does not require STAT 101,
but if you haven’t done maths or stats at level
12 or 13, then think about doing STAT 101 in your
first year.
Year 2
Essential
BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
BIOL 213 Microbiology and Genetics
BIOL
231 Foundations in Molecular Biology
BIOL
271 Evolution
Recommended
BCHM 221 Biochemistry A - Biomolecules and their interactions
BCHM 222 Biochemistry B - Metabolism; the reactions of molecules in cells
BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry
BIOL 253 Cell Biology 1
BIOL
215 Plant Diversity
& Systematics
Year 3
Essential
BIOL 330 Advanced Concepts in Genetics
BIOL 332 Genetics and Evolution of Invasive
Species
At least 28 points from:
BIOL 309 Experimental Design and Data
Analysis for Biologists*
BIOL 331 Biochemistry 3
BIOL 313 Advanced Microbiology
BIOL 351 Cell Biology 2
BIOL 352 Plant Development and
Biotechnology
BIOL 371 Evolutionary Ecology
BCHM 381 Biochemical Techniques
* Note students wishing to progress to 4th year in any Biology major are expected to have taken BIOL309.