| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Please note the course details apply to 2023 entry. Details for 2024 entry for our undergraduate courses will be published from September 2023.
Key information
Course type: Single honours Delivery mode: Classroom Study mode: Full time Required A-level: AAA
Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements
Duration: Three years, or four years with a year abroad or extra-mural year, or four years with transfer to MSci Application status:Closed
Start date: September 2023 Application deadline:25 January 2023
Optional study abroad
Apply via UCAS
The Molecular Genetics BSc at King’s is a multidisciplinary degree programme focusing on the advances in the field of biology that investigate how the structure and functions of genes and the genome regulate the processes and mechanisms of life. Geneticists study how DNA is replicated, repaired, and decoded to make protein and other molecules within cells and tissues, which in turn impact the physiology, behaviour, and wellbeing of living things. The course covers the broad range of genetics from the molecular basis of genes and genomes to evolutionary and healthcare genetics. The understanding of how genes and genomes work provides insights into disease and avenues for developing new therapies within personalised medicine, As an expanding research area, Molecular Genetics contains many topics about our life, health and wellbeing and many issues of wide relevance for today’s society. Studying a Biomedical Science degree with us means that you will be able to enjoy the flexibility to choose your degree after your first year with our Common Year One curriculum. All Biomedical Science disciplines are covered in the first year, making the decision for your future an informed one. You will be able to choose from the following Biomedical science degrees; Anatomy, Developmental & Human Biology BSc, Biochemistry BSc, Biomedical Science BSc, Medical Physiology BSc, Molecular Genetics BSc, Neuroscience BSc, and Pharmacology BSc.
Key benefits
Program Outline
The Molecular Genetics course is continually evolving in the light of advances in the field, and reflecting the rapid rate of conceptual and technological development. The course provides knowledge and training in understanding how genetic information influences the processes of life in healthy and diseased organisms. This degree focuses on the new genetic methods and technologies that advance our understanding of mechanisms of life. You will have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of genetics and the basis of human genetic disease as well as a wide variety of other disciplines including biochemistry, cell biology, molecular imaging, systems biology, bioinformatics, neuroscience and psychology. During the course, you will also train in modern laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and presentation. In the first year this course forms part of the suite of ‘Common Year 1’ modules within the School of Bioscience Education together with other undergraduate programmes Anatomy, Developmental & Human Biology; Biochemistry; Biomedical Science; Medical Physiology; Molecular Genetics; Neuroscience; Pharmacology. Once you have successfully completed year one, you can choose to switch to another course within this suite. In Year 2 you may also choose to study abroad at one of our partner institutions for either a semester or for a full year between your second and third years, or you can apply to undertake an extra-mural or work placement, usually at a leading biomedicine employer.
Base campuses
Guy’s Campus
The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Special features
Optional study abroad
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
Find out more about Study Abroad
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures Seminars Tutorials Practical laboratory work Directed self-studyTeaching on this course takes place in lectures, seminars and tutorials and through practical laboratory work. The rest of your time will be spent on self-study, including reading, research and writing assignments.
|
Course Stage |
Percentage of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities |
Percentage of time in guided independent study |
| Year 1 | 25% | 75% |
| Year 2 | 30% | 70% |
| Year 3 | 41% | 59% |
| Year 4 | 55% | 45% |
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work. On our BSc programme, you can also choose to study a semester abroad during Year 2 or take either a full year study abroad or take an extra-mural year between Years 2 and 3.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Guy’s and Waterloo Campuses, both on the South Bank of the Thames, putting you at the heart of everything London has to offer in terms of academic resources and also close to its social and entertainment attractions.
Assessment
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written, oral and practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include multiple choice tests, essays, reports or presentations. Coursework typically contributes approximately 40% and examinations approximately 60% to your final module mark.
Regulating Body
King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.
Study Abroad
You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for either a semester in your second year, or for a full year between years 2 and 3 at one of our partner universities, which currently include:
You may be required to fulfil additional entry requirements for this option, and the availability of partner universities may vary depending on whether you wish to study abroad for a semester or a full year.
Extra-Mural Year
Alternatively, you may apply for an extra-mural year, to be taken between the second and third years if selected. Students apply directly to placement providers through a process facilitated by the university. Placements, either in the UK or overseas, may be in a pharmaceutical company, a government research establishment or academic research institute.
Transfer to the MSci
During Year 3 you can apply to transfer to the four-year MSci Molecular Genetics. In Year 4 you have the opportunity to undertake a six month research project within a research group at the University and to take modules that introduce you to research.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 360 credits. On the three-year BSc programme, you can also choose to study a semester abroad during Year 2 or study a full year abroad or take an extra-mural year between Years 2 and 3. If you choose to study a year abroad or to take a extra-mural year this will change your three year programme to a four year programme.
Select a year of study
Required modules
You are required to take:
Biochemistry (15 credits) Chemistry for the Biosciences (15 credits) Genetics & Molecular Biology (15 credits) Cell Biology & Neuroscience (15 credits) Fundamentals of Physiology (15 credits) Anatomy (15 credits) Fundamentals of Pharmacology (15 credits) Skills for the Biosciences (15 credits)Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this course in Year 1.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Graduates from the School of Bioscience Education are equipped with a variety of transferable skills including data gathering, analysis and interpretation, presentation skills and teamwork. Our graduates are well-qualified to undertake a wide range of careers or training for a higher degree such as an MSc or PhD.
A degree in Molecular Genetics opens the door to many career options. Graduates are in great demand in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, food, biotechnology and healthcare industries, or in the marketing, sales and management areas.
Students have gone on to further study in molecular genetics whilst others have continued to study in medicine, dentistry and other related fields including genomic medicine, cardiovascular pharmacology and biomedical research.
Destinations
Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies: