Genetics

Genetics is one of the most dynamic and transformative fields in modern biology, reshaping our understanding of life and driving innovation across medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. It examines how biological information is encoded in DNA, how genes are expressed, regulated and inherited, and how mutations contribute to disease and to the variation that underlies evolution. The field has been transformed by genomic technologies that allow entire genomes to be sequenced rapidly, generating data that informs personalised medicine, drug development, disease surveillance and the study of biodiversity.

At Swansea University this four-year full-time degree engages with the full scope of modern genetics, from the molecular mechanisms of gene expression to the population genetics that shapes species over time. You will develop practical laboratory skills alongside conceptual understanding, learning to work with the tools and datasets that geneticists use in both research and applied contexts. The curriculum covers areas including molecular genetics, developmental genetics, pharmacogenomics, genetic engineering, biotechnology and evolutionary genetics, reflecting the breadth of a field that touches almost every aspect of the biological sciences.

Graduates from Genetics degrees are well positioned for careers across the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Many find roles in pharmaceutical research, clinical genetics, genomics, biotechnology companies, agricultural research and environmental science. Others go into medical laboratory science, bioinformatics, forensic genetics and science communication.

The degree also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate research in genetics, molecular biology, genomics, pharmacology or biomedical science. The combination of experimental skill, data literacy and conceptual depth that a genetics degree develops makes graduates adaptable across a growing range of scientific and applied contexts.