Course details
A Levels AAB Other entry requirementsUCAS code C431
Duration 3 years
Fees and additional costs Home/EU students International students
Related subjects Biomedical Science Medicine Biology Developmental and Cell Biology Medical Genetics Genetics
Any questions?
Principal Admissions Tutor (Genetics)
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Telephone +44 (0)114 222 2740
Email mbb@sheffield.ac.uk
Website sheffield.ac.uk/biosciences/undergraduate/courses/genetics
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
UK top 10 for biological sciences
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
UK top 10 for overall satisfaction
National Student Survey 2019
Course description
This course will give you a broad understanding of genetics with an emphasis on topics of medical relevance, allowing you to understand how genetic information can be used and its role in future medicine, before putting your skills and knowledge into practice in the lab. You'll study the structure and expression of genes, inheritance and mutations, and learn about the latest molecular techniques for modifying genes, including CRISPR. We'll introduce you to how modern genetics is enabling us to understand and treat a range of diseases, as well as helping us to tackle global challenges like food sustainability and security.
All of our students take compulsory modules which will give you specialist knowledge of genetics and microbiology, whilst also introducing you to biochemistry and molecular biology. As you progress through your degree and discover what you're passionate about, optional modules will allow you to explore your chosen subject in greater depth, specialise in one area, keep your interests broad or even switch to another degree programme within the molecular biosciences.
In your first year, you'll spend six hours in the lab each week learning the practical skills and knowledge that every bioscientist needs, including how to establish bacterial cultures, assess bioenergetics and perform gene cloning. Analysis classes will equip you with the skills you'll use outside the lab, from interacting with your data to interpreting your findings. Your lectures will give you a broad understanding of the molecular biosciences, allowing you to explore what you're most interested in.
In your second year, you'll begin learning more advanced scientific techniques, both in the lab and in lectures, with topics including experimental design, genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 and protein purification. You'll continue to take analysis classes to develop your data handling skills further and you can choose to study modules like "Molecules to Market", allowing you to work in teams to come up with pioneering science enterprise ideas to launch a virtual business.
In your third year, you'll complete an extended research project alongside your chosen specialist modules. This will reflect an area of molecular bioscience that interests you and will take place either in the lab or in wider society. Depending on your interests and career goals, you can choose a project from experimental science, clinical diagnostics, industrial biotechnology, molecular systems and computing, science communication or education and outreach.
If you want to study medical genetics but don't meet the entry requirements to go straight into the first year, our Biosciences with Foundation Year could be for you. After successfully completing the one-year programme, you'll progress onto the first year of your chosen degree.
Financial help from the University - bursaries
If you're a UK student, you could be entitled to a University bursary. A bursary is the same as a grant - you don't have to pay it back.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | AAB, including two science subjects |
| A Levels + additional qualifications | ABB, including two sciences + B in a relevant EPQ; ABB, including Chemistry and another science + A in Core Maths |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 with 6, 5 in Higher Level Chemistry and another science |
| BTEC | Interim-reformed: DD in Applied Science + A Level grade A in a science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Maths and Further Maths) + interview. Reformed: DDD in Applied Science, including modules in Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry and Practical Chemical Analysis and no more than one of the following: Forensic Evidence Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation or Forensic Traffic Collision Investigation + interview |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3 D3 M2, including two science subjects |
| Scottish Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | AAABB + AB, including two science subjects |
| Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | B + AA, including two science subjects |
| Access to HE | Entry requirements for mature students |
| Other qualifications |
Other UK qualifications
Other EU/international qualifications |
Other requirements
|
|
| If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department | |
Modules - what you study and when
The modules listed below are examples from the last academic year. There may be some changes before you start your course. For the very latest module information, check with the department direct.
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology website
First year
Core modules:
| Practical Molecular Bioscience 1 | |
| Biochemistry | |
| Genetics | |
| Microbiology | |
| Molecular Biology | |
Second year
Core modules:
| Practical Molecular Bioscience 2 | |
| Biochemistry 2 | |
| Biostructures, Energetics and Synthesis | |
| Genes, Genomes and Chromosomes | |
| Genetics 2 | |
Third year
Core modules:
| Project | |
| Genetics Data Handling | |
| Genome Stability and Genetic Change | |
| Human Reproduction and Fertility | |
| Literature Review | |
| Molecular Immunology | |
| The Genetics of Human Disease | |
Optional modules:
| Biochemical Basis of Human Disease | |
| Biochemical Signalling | |
| Genetic pathways from zygote to organism | |
| Genetics of Cell Growth and Division | |
| Genomic Science | |
| Human Evolutionary Genetics | |
| The World of RNA | |
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers.
In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
These figures give an indication of how you'll learn and be assessed. They're a combined average of all the years of the course. The learning and assessment percentages could vary depending on the modules you choose.
| Learning | |
| Scheduled teaching | 32% |
| Independent study | 68% |
| Placement | 0% |
|
Assessment |
|
| Exams/tests | 77% |
| Coursework | 18% |
| Practical | 5% |
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Molecular biology crosses the boundaries of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and medical science. Our courses will give you the skills to be part of new developments within these fields throughout your career.
We'll challenge you to achieve your very best. We have small tutorial groups to support your learning, extensive practical experience, and a project in the third year that could involve laboratory research, computing, clinical diagnostics, science communication, or school teaching, depending on your career aspirations.
The course lets you combine topics from biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, so you develop a wide-ranging knowledge of the molecular biosciences. However, the first year is common to all of our courses, meaning that you're not tied to the course you register for. At the end of the first year, you can transfer to any course in the department: Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, and combinations of these subjects.
What our graduates do
Our graduates go on to make a difference in all sorts of ways. Many of our graduates are employed in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, food safety and manufacture, brewing and agrochemicals, forensic science and as NHS scientists. They also work in education, the scientific civil service, bioinformatics or medical schools. Others use their skills in IT, management and commerce. Many choose further study and go on to do research for organisations all over the world.
Student profile
Your degree puts you at the heart of the discoveries we are making in the molecular biosciences. The world-leading academics who teach our courses are here to help equip you for careers in areas that include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medicine, agrochemicals, food and genetics.
"The module choices allow you to be specific to a particular field such as biochemistry or to gain a broader knowledge across several fields such as genetics and molecular cell biology."
Jason Brocklesby
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Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply:
How to apply >When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:
ucas.com >Contact us
Principal Admissions Tutor (Genetics)
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Telephone
+44 (0)114 222 2740
Email
mbb@sheffield.ac.uk
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