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Engineering, Mathematics and Science
163
Course overview
This course provides you with a strong base in the basic
sciences of biology, chemistry and mathematics, as well as in
the classical principles of genetics – molecular, population and
quantitative genetics, bioinformatics and molecular evolution.
Over the four-year period of your degree programme, the
course will also demonstrate the importance of studies in
model organisms, especially the mouse. Seminar and tutorial
programmes, organised with staff from various disciplines,
are an integral part of your studies, and encompass such
subjects as the interactions between genetics and the social
sciences, ethics, linguistics, philosophy and law, and the general
relationship between genes, society and culture.
The Freshman years
In the Junior and Senior Freshman (first two) years you will
concentrate on the areas of biology, chemistry and mathematics,
and will also be introduced to the principles of genetics in
separate tutorials.
In each of the first two years you will take some of the
same courses as Science students: biology, chemistry and
mathematics in the Junior Freshman (first) year and biology
modules BY2201, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2208 and 2209, chemistry
and mathematics in the Senior Freshman (second) year – see
page 141-143. In addition you will have a weekly genetics
tutorial with faculty from the Department.
The Sophister years
In the 3rd and 4th years you will undertake specialised studies
in areas such as:
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Medical genetics:
includes the identification of genes
causing various clinical disorders and the development
of genetic and stem-cell therapies to treat them
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Neurogenetics
: studies how genes control development
and function of the nervous system and their influences
on behaviour and psychiatric disease
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Molecular and cell biology:
explores the control of
gene expression and function of genes in various cellular
processes, such as cell death, proliferation or differentiation
n
Computer programming:
provides an essential skill for this
field, where large amounts of data must be analysed, and
one which is easily transferable to other careers
n
Population genetics and human evolution:
deals with
genetic variation in populations and the role of this variation
in evolution, especially in humans
n
Cancer genetics and mutation:
studies the mechanisms
of mutation and its role in cancer
Subjects are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials
and practical courses.
In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year, you will be able to
specialise in areas of particular interest, and will carry out
an
original research project
in an area such as: hereditary
blindness, cell death, neural development, stem-cell biology,
human evolution and psychiatric genetics. Specialist lecture
courses include cancer genetics, genetics of vision, behavioural
genetics and human evolutionary genetics.
Why study Human genetics
at Trinity College?
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Human genetics is housed in the Smurfit Institute of
Genetics, with state-of-the-art research facilities.
n
Ireland was ranked number 1 in Europe in the 2010
national rankings for research in molecular genetics
and genomics (source: Thomson Scientific Essential
Science indicators), ahead of countries such as the
UK and Germany. This ranking is based on the high
numbers of citations received by research papers in
genetics published from Ireland, primarily by scientists
at the Smurfit Institute of Genetics - the only dedicated
genetics research institute in Ireland. The institute has
an outstanding reputation for producing high-quality
research and holds two of Ireland’s three European
Research Council Advanced Grants in biology - the
most prestigious research awards in Europe.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a combination of continuous
assessment and end-of-year examinations.
Study abroad
At the end of the Junior Sophister (third) year,
you may be able
to spend the summer months working in a human genetics
research laboratory.
This is often in the USA, with some
financial assistance provided.
Career opportunities
Many Human genetics graduates go on to study for a higher
degree or to a career in research, whether in a university,
research institute, or in industry. Opportunities exist in
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, agricultural
organisations, medical or clinical diagnostic laboratories,
forensics, public health and epidemiology programmes, and in
teaching. Genetic counselling is a rapidly expanding field that
might also interest you. Other graduates have gone into careers
such as medicine, patent law or science journalism. Even if you
choose a career not directly related to the scientific subject, the
skills of critical thinking and problem solving provided by the
Human genetics degree will put you in high demand.
Further information
Tel: +353 1 896 1140
