Program Overview

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Genetics

Course Description

This course provides a broad overview of the universal principles, potentials, and problems associated with DNA-based life. Students will learn how traits are inherited, how genetic processes control development and diseases, and how and why genomes are studied. Through a combination of hands-on laboratory sessions, teamwork, interactive tutorials, and theoretical foundations, students will develop skills in critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation, as well as skills in oral and written communication.

Career Pathways

Studying Genetics at UWA will open doors to a range of possible career opportunities. Genetics graduates may get jobs in biotechnology, drug development, and food production. Molecular geneticists may find jobs in genomics laboratories in public and private research institutes, hospitals, and in broader public health, as well as in agriculture and breeding. Population geneticists are needed in healthcare, wildlife conservation, and ecological management, using large amounts of genomics data. Outside the laboratory, jobs include patent law and policy-making. Geneticists take on sales and marketing roles in the medical, research, and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge in inheritance and genomics, geneticists can also become valued science journalists and science communicators or science educators.

Further Study

By undertaking Honours in Genetics, students will develop an understanding of the research process and their abilities to conduct independent research. They will acquire training and practice in skills such as experimental methods, problem-solving, literature searching, data analysis, computing, team building, and written and oral communication. Subjects include Advanced Studies in Genetics and Genomics, Advanced Techniques in Molecular Sciences, and others.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee: $46,300.00 (2025)

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE): 9
• Canadian High School (except Quebec): 68
• French Baccalaureate: 10
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750: 507
• GCE A-Levels: 8
• German Abitur: 3.6
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 14
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE): 45
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65: 75.5
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 24
• Malaysian STPM: 10
• Monash University Foundation Year: 254
• NCUK Foundation Program: 8
• Norwegian Vitnemål: 3.5
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels: 6.5
• South African National Senior Certificate: 4
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 324
• Sweden Slutbetyg: 14.5
• Trinity College Foundation: 280
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): 14
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program: 61
• US College Board Advanced Placements: 7
• US College Board SAT: 1130
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP): 56
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards: 75

English Competency

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Chemistry/Biology Requirement

Applicants are recommended to have completed Chemistry ATAR and Biology ATAR / Human Biology ATAR.

International students commencing in semester 2 must have completed Biology ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or equivalent to be admitted.

How to Apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core: SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell (6)
• Core: SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis (6) or STAT1400 Statistics for Science (6)
• Core: BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry (6) or CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (6)
• Core: ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human (6) or BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (6)
• Bridging: CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6), MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6), or MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)

Level 2

• Core: GENE2230 Molecular Genetics I (6) and GENE2250 Principles of Inheritance (6)

Level 3

• Core: GENE3340 Molecular Genetics II (6), GENE3350 Evolution and Development (6), and GENE3370 Genomics (6)
• Core: BIOL3364 Evolutionary Processes (6) or PATH3305 Medical Genetics (6)

Your Degree Options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Philosophy
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science