Virtual Open Events
To learn more about the programme and the student experience, and to ask any questions you may have, join us for our virtual open events. To register, follow these links:
Tuesday 27 April 2021 at 1pm GMT
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.
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.
Synchronous teaching dates- 16/10/2021, 30/10/2021, 13/11/2021 & 27/11/2021.
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.
Synchronous teaching dates- 8/01/2022, 22/01/2022, 05/02/2022 & 19/02/2022.
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.
Synchronous teaching dates- 02/04/2022, 24/04/2022, 8/05/2022 & 14/05/2022.
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.