Undergraduate Diploma in Genetics

Who is this course for ?

The course is open to anyone with an interest in Genetics, regardless of previous educational experience. It is not necessary to have studied our Certificate in Genetics, but an understanding of basic genetics or cell biology or molecular biology would be helpful.

What will I be studying?

The programme is arranged into three complementary termly units taught at the Institute of Continuing Education and other sites around Cambridge. The dates for the day schools are given below; the majority of the day schools are being held at the Institute of Continuing Education (Madingley Hall), whilst others are being held at the Science Education Centre (marked with * in the date lists below).

Unit 1: The regulation and control of gene expression

This unit includes a detailed examination of the cellular mechanisms by which the information present in the genetic information is turned into functional molecules, how this process is regulated, why regulation is important and what can happen when regulation goes wrong.

Examples will be provided from both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems. The unit will also introduce the importance of recombinant DNA technology by exploring key historical advances alongside modern day approaches. Where possible local academic and industrial case studies will be used.

Day schools are on Saturdays on the following 5 dates: 5th October, 19th October*, 9th November*, 23rd November, and 7th December 2019.

Unit 2: Model organisms

This unit will introduce students to the essential biological and genetic experimental system, the model organism. Students will be able to explore the historical importance and modern day relevance of key model organisms including Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, Mus musculus, and Arabidopsis thalania. The unit will also explore the importance and relevance of bacterial and viral experimental systems.

Day schools are on Saturdays on the following 4 dates: 25th January, 15th February, 29th February* and 14th March 2020.

Unit 3: Plant and microbial genetics

This unit will use the study of the genetics of plant and microbial systems to deepen student understanding of how genetic methods work in the context of physiological, metabolic, development and cell signalling processes. The importance and benefit of comparative genomics will be introduced. Topics of study will build on and enhance the material from the first two units, particularly in relation to understanding how plant and microbial systems have influenced our understanding of human genetics and how genetic engineering of these systems is integral to scientific and societal advancement.

Day schools are on Saturdays on the following 5 dates: 25th April, 9th May, 30th May*, 13th June* and 20th June 2020.

What can I go on to do?

Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice

Students who have successfully completed an Undergraduate Diploma in Genetics course might be interested in progressing their studies further and apply to join the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice (60 credits at FHEQ level 6) which will offer an Biological Sciences strand. Students on this course will have the opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with qualified researchers in their field and will be introduced to a research community where they will begin to forge an identity as a researcher in their own right.

Credit awarded by the Institute can also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the amount of credit which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Day school - Epigentics (24th November 2019)

Students on the Diploma in Genetics might also be interested in a day school on the theme of Epigenetics to be held on Sunday 24th November 2019 (the day after one of the course day schools). Further details about the Epigenetics day school can be found at http://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/course/epigenetics-more-just-our-genes

Additional information

Should you need to book accommodation in order to attend the day schools this may be possible at Madingley Hall depending on availability. Please visit the Madingley Hall website or telephone +44(0) 1223 726222. When making a reservation please state that you are a student on an Institute undergraduate award bearing course and the name of the course you are booked onto.  The student B&B rate is £60/night.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by September 6th 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).

Entry requirements

The course is open to all regardless of previous educational experience, but an understanding of basic genetics or cell biology or molecular biology would be helpful.

Acceptance onto the course will be entirely at the discretion of the Institute and subject to confirmation by the Academic Director for the Diploma.

Please be aware that the course is taught at second year university level and you should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

English language requirement: If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our international students' pages for further information.

International Students: If you are not a UK resident please visit our international students' page to read about visas for part-time students. Please make sure you have investigated your visa requirements in advance of booking as we cannot offer a refund if you find you are unable to take up the place due to visa constraints after you have booked your place on the course.

Non-EEA students

This course is not suitable for students from outside the EU and EEA who do not already have immigration permission to be in the UK. The University cannot provide visa support for this course.*  

*  Please note: There may be other courses of interest within ICE’s non-award-bearing short course provision, including the International Summer Programmes for which non EU and non EEA students might be able to obtain a short term study visa.  See ICE’s visas page.

The fee for the course is £2,250 for the year and covers tuition, and tea, coffee and lunch at each of the day schools held at Madingley Hall. Please note that catering is not provided for day schools taking place at the Science Education Centre.

 You can pay in two ways:

• in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
• in four equal instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, and the second, third and final instalment being taken 1 month, 3 months and 5 months after the course start date. The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details

Please note, your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education accompanied by any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency.

ICE fees and refund policy

For information on bursaries for this course, please see  https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/bursaries

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and maintenance costs, please see http://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 6 September 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).

Please apply via the link at the top of this page. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by email.

As part of the application process the Academic Director may require you to supply further information in support of your application. If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis.

The course guide, giving full course details, will be available later this year.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on the 2 September 2019. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees (£ 2,250) or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by September 6th 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Refund and Cancellation policy).