Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Genetics

Study plan Bachelor's Degree in Genetics

Basic skills

  • Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
  • Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.

Specific skills

  • Know, apply and interpret the basic procedures of mathematical calculation, statistical analysis and IT, the use of which is indispensable in genetics and genomics.
  • Know and understand the underlying chemical basics of the molecular properties of genetic and biological processes in general.
  • Recognise and structurally and functionally describe the different levels of biological organisation, from macromolecules to ecosystems.
  • Describe the diversity of living beings and interpret it evolutionally.
  • Know and interpret the metabolic and physiological bases of organisms.
  • Enunciate and evaluate the biological properties and genetic characteristics of model genetic organisms.
  • Describe and interpret the principles of the transmission of genetic information across generations.
  • Produce and work with genetic maps.
  • Understand and describe the structure, morphology and dynamics of the eukaryotic chromosome during the cell cycle and meiosis.
  • Describe and identify the structural and functional characteristics of nucleic acids and proteins including their different organisational levels.
  • Design and execute complete protocols of the standard techniques that form part of molecular genetics instruments: purification, amplification and sequencing of genomic DNA from biological sources, genetic engineering in microorganisms, plants and animals.
  • Describe the genetic bases of the development and control of genic expression.
  • Define mutation and its types, and determine the levels of genic, chromosomal and genomic damage in the hereditary material of any species, both spontaneous and induced, and evaluate the consequences.
  • Use and interpret data sources on the genomes and macromolecules of any species and understand the basics of bioinformatics analysis to establish the corresponding relations between structure, function and evolution.
  • Know and apply the ‘omic’ tools of genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics.
  • Describe the organisation, evolution, inter-individual variation and expression of the human genome.
  • Design and interpret studies associating genetic polymorphisms and phenotypical characters to identify genetic variants that affect the phenotype, including those associated to pathologies and those that confer susceptibility to human illnesses or those of other species of interest.
  • Measure and interpret the genetic variation in and between populations from a clinical, conservational and evolutionary perspective, and from that of the genetic improvement of animals and plants.
  • Describe epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Show an understanding of the genetic bases of cancer.
  • Perform genetic diagnoses and assessments and consider the ethical and legal dilemmas.
  • Produce, direct, execute and assess projects where knowledge of genetics or genomics is necessary.
  • Develop analysis, synthesis and communication strategies to transmit the different aspects of genetics in educational settings.
  • Perceive the strategic, industrial and economic importance of genetics and genomics to life sciences, health and society.
  • Apply an entrepreneurial spirit in the area of genetics and genomics from an integrated vision of R+D+I processes.
  • Integrate knowledge and skills to produce an academic or professional study on genetics.

Transversal skills

  • Adapt to new situations.
  • Be able to analyse and synthesise.
  • Apply scientific method to problem solving.
  • Use and manage bibliographic information or computer or Internet resources in the field of study, in one’s own languages and in English.
  • Design experiments and interpret the results. Be able to organise and plan.
  • Make decisions.
  • Be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Work individually and in teams.
  • Work in an international context.
  • Reason critically.
  • Apply knowledge of theory to practice.
  • Assume ethical commitment
  • Develop self-directed learning.
  • Develop creativity.
  • Take the initiative and demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Appreciate the importance of quality and a job well done.
  • Be sensitive to environmental, health and social matters.