BSc Genetics

Scrolling through old pictures, you must have wondered about the uncanny resemblance you have with your family. Being identical to your family is not a mere coincidence rather it happens because of the same genetics which is carried forward from one generation to another. Genetics is amongst the leading and emerging branches of Biology and comprises an in-depth study about the heredity processes and genes of living organisms. If you are interested in knowing the science behind how the biological mechanisms of living bodies work, then you must consider pursuing a BSc Genetics degree. Through this blog, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive guide on BSc Genetics, top universities offering this course as well as the career scope it encompasses. 

Highlights

Course Name	B.Sc Genetics
Full Name	Bachelor of Science in Genetics
Level	Undergraduate
Duration	3 years
Eligibility	Minimum 50%-60% in 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Admission Process	Merit Basis or Entrance Exam
Top Entrance Exams	GSAT, DUET
Average cost of study	INR 4 lakh (more if planning to study abroad)
Average Salary	INR 4-5 lakh per annum
Career Options	Animal Breeder, Bio Technician, Genetics Laboratory Technician, Clinical Researcher, Geneticist, etc.
Employment Sectors	Healthcare Centres, Consultancies, Forensic Departments, Testing Labs, Hospitals, Pharmaceuticals industry

What is BSc Genetics?

Bachelor of Science in Genetics is an undergraduate program that focuses on the study of biological variations, mechanism of living bodies, heredity, and how the genes are passed over generations. It is interconnected to various related fields such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Zoology, etc. Usually, the duration of BSc Genetics is 3 years during which you will get to learn the molecular and cellular aspects of genetics, disease development, genetic analysis, and chromosome theory as well as issues related to population and evolution. As it is amongst the major Life Science courses, many universities also design the curriculum of this degree by offering specialisations in varied subjects like Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Evolutionary Biology, Regeneration, amongst others. 

BSc Genetics Syllabus

The B.Sc Genetics syllabus and curriculum revolves around courses that include the study of living organisms’ genes, as well as their body and hereditary variations. They mostly research the history of genetics, its transfusion process, and new developments and techniques in this subject. The following is the semester wise syllabus for the BSc Genetics course:

Semester 1	Semester 2
Microscopy	History of Genetics
Model Organisms	Multiple Alleles
Scope of Genetics	Elements of Biometry
UltraStructure of cells and cells organelles	Law of Segregation
Cell Cycle and Cell Division	Gene Interactions
Practical 1	Law of Independent Assortment
–	Sex Determination
–	Biography of Mendel
Semester 3	Semester 4
Study of types of Drosophila	Nucleic Acids
Genetic Problem of linkage and crossing over	DNA Replication
Culturing and Handling of Drosophila	Chemical Basis of Heredity
Drosophila melanogaster	Genome Organization
Study of chromosomes	Gene Expression
Salivary Gland Chromosome	Mutations
–	Introduction to Genomics and Proteomics
–	Bacterial Genetics
–	Transposable Elements
Semester 5	Semester 6
Introduction to RDT	Development Genetics
Tools of RDT	Evolutionary Genetics
Techniques of RDT	Population Genetics
Isolation of Gene	Biometrical Genetics
Direct gene transfer method	–
Selection and screening of Recombinant	–

List of Electives Offered in BSc Genetics

Apart from the core modules, you will also have to study some electives which will broaden your knowledge bank and help you gain important insights in a field that is related to the domain of Genetics. Enlisted are some of the electives you can pursue in the BSc Genetics course:

• Immunology and Infection
• Food and Fuel
• Conservational Biology
• Cell Biology
• Enzymes and Proteins
• Ageing and Regenerative Medicine
• Molecular Recognition
• Biochemistry
• Genomics & Bioinformatics
• Molecular Microbiology

Popular Universities for BSc Genetics

There are numerous academic institutions across the globe and in India that offer BSc Genetics. To help you further in your research, take a look at the below-mentioned list of major universities providing a bachelor of science in Genetics to students around the world and in India:

Global Universities

The table below represents some of the popular universities around the globe that offers BSc Genetics:

University	Location	QS World University Rankings 2023
Curtin University	Australia	NA
University of Tasmania	Australia	293
University of Birmingham	UK	91
University of Otago	New Zealand	217
Michigan State University	USA	159
Queen Mary University of London	UK	125
University College Dublin	Ireland	NA
University of Essex	UK	465
Aberystwyth University	UK	NA
University of Sussex	UK	240
The University of Manchester	UK	28
University of York	UK	162

Indian Colleges and Universities 

The table below represnts some of the popular Indian colleges and universities that offer BSc Genetics course:

Universities and Colleges	Location	Admission Process
St. Ann’s College for Women	Hyderabad	Merit-based
Dayanand Sagar University	Bangalore	Entrance based
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology	Kolkata	Merit-based
Institute of Genetic Engineering	Kolkata	Merit-based
Calicut University	Calicut	Merit-based
Jain University	Bangalore	Entrance based
Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce	Bangalore	Merit-based
The Oxford College of Science	Bangalore	Merit-based
AIMS Institute	Bangalore	Entrance based
Dayal Singh College, DU	New Delhi	Merit-based
Chandigarh University	Chandigarh	Merit-based

Entry Requirements

For the students wanting to apply for a BSc Genetics degree, there are certain prerequisites that one needs to qualify. It is necessary for candidates to have completed the minimum schooling of 10+2 with Biology as a core subject in classes 11th and 12th. For those planning to study abroad under this degree, it is mandatory to clear any of the English language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc and provide SOP and LOR. Though these are general requirements, students are advised to check the official website of their chosen university to check the eligibility requirements specified for this program. 

Popular Entrance Exams for BSc Genetics

The majority of genetics entrance examinations are for postgraduate programs. There are, however, certain entrance examinations for prominent colleges that offer B.Sc Genetics. Here is a list of some of these admission exams:

GSAT	JET	KCET
GRE	MDUCEE	DUET
SAT	ACT	–

BSc Genetics Future Scope 

There are many study options that are open to BSc Genetics graduates after completing their undergraduate course study. Students can directly opt for post-graduation or doctoral degrees in the field of Genetics. These PG and doctoral degrees will not only be an add-on to your resume and educational qualifications status but will also add a lot of value and experience to life. Some of the further education courses after BSc Genetics are mentioned below:

• MSc in Genetics 
• MSc in Human Genetics 
• MSc (Hons.) Genetics
• M.Phil in Genetics 
• PhD in Genetics 
• PhD in Human Genetics 

Job Prospects and Career Options 

As a constantly evolving and significant field of study, there are a plethora of opportunities that one can explore after completing a BSc Genetics. Further, if you are interested in the technical field of Engineering and want to blend it with the medical domain of Genetics, then you can also opt for Biomedical Engineering jobs. From Health care centres to biotechnology, one can discover an array of career profiles in a varied range of sectors. Here are some of the work profiles and employment areas that you can choose from, after attaining this degree:

Employment Areas and Sectors

A student who has completed BSc Genetics will get the opportunity to work in the following sectors which they can choose according to their preference and interest area:

• Animal Sciences
• Animal Breeding Industry
• Agricultural Firms 
• DNA Forensics Department
• Biotechnology
• Beauty Care Centres
• Genetics Testing Labs
• Health Care Centres
• Food Processing Industries
• Horticulture
• Hospitals
• R&D Institutes
• Educational Institutions
• Pharmaceutical Industry

Job Profiles

After completing the BSc Genetics programme, you can explore the following job opportunities:

• Bio-technician
• Biotech Sales Engineer
• Forensic Scientist
• Genetics Laboratory Technician
• Genetics Counsellor Cytogenetics Technologist
• Drug Discovery Engineer
• Clinical Geneticist
• Researcher
• Animal Breeder 
• Genetic Counsellor
• Professor 

Note: Graduates are expected to earn around INR 3 lakh to 6 lakh per annum on an average in the beginning after the completion of a BSc Genetics degree. The salary is expected to grow with respect to an increase in educational qualifications, skills, and work experience. The figure can even go up to INR 18 lakh per annum. 

FAQs

We hope that this blog has helped you understand what a degree like BSc Genetics entails. If you are planning to pursue this undergraduate program, reach out to our experienced counsellors and experts at Leverage Edu and we’ll guide you in selecting a suitable combination of program and university that aligns with your interests and preferences and provides you with the necessary knowledge and exposure to build a rewarding career in this emerging field.