The focus of this degree is on the new genetic technologies that further our understanding of genetic mechanisms and gene expression in model organisms, plants and higher animals. The programme provides an in-depth understanding of the basis of human genetic disease whilst studying in central London. During the programme you will also train in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and presentation.
KEY BENEFITS
- Europe's largest centre for medical and professional healthcare education.
- Only university to host six Medical Research Council centres.
- Teaching by internationally renowned scientists and researchers.
- Contemporary approach based on our history of pioneering discoveries – including our part in finding the structure of DNA.
- Career opportunities through international exchanges and working in industry.
- One of the UK's best graduate employment rates.
UCAS code
C400
Programme type
Single honours
Duration
Three years
Location
Guy's and Waterloo campuses
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Biomedical Sciences
Molecular Genetics
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
King’s College London
Hodgkin Building
Guy’s Campus
London SE1 1UL
Email
Tel
020 7848 6511
Fax
020 7848 6510
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
This degree focuses on the new genetic technologies which further our understanding of genetic mechanisms and gene expression in model organisms, plants and higher animals. In particular, there is the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the basis of human genetic disease. During the programme, you will also train in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and presentation.
Optional year in industry/research:
You may be offered the chance to take a year outside King's between your second and final year, working in an industrial or research establishment in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. This 'extramural' year provides relevant work experience, and often improves your choice of job opportunities after graduation.
ABOUT THE Molecular Genetics
CAREERS
Our molecular genetics graduates follow diverse career paths, matching the diversity of specialisation possible in your final year. Approximately a third pursue academic or industrial research, most undertaking postgraduate programmes; increasing numbers are now applying to graduate-entry medicine or dentistry degree programmes and many enter a variety of professional and business careers, some not directly within science but for which the basic skills of a rigorous scientific education are becoming increasingly attractive to employers.
Recent graduates have found employment as….
• Commercial Underwriter, an insurance company
• Researcher in Genetics, Institute of cancer research
• Research Assistant, Imperial College london
• Scientific Research Assistant, Wellcome trust
TEACHING STYLE
Teaching is delivered by a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical laboratory work that progresses from supporting your learning and adjustment to university life in the first year, to directing your own learning in the later years. After a Common Year One shared by all the biomedical science students, in the second year, you will study Human & Molecular Genetics, Gene Cloning Techniques, Molecular Biology, Protein Structure & Function and select some optional modules. In the third year you will specialise in molecular genetics and pursue laboratory and/or library-based projects in areas of current molecular genetics research.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Assessment is usually by written examination at the end of each academic year, with increasing weight given to later years of study. First-year students have mid-sessional tests in most first-semester modules in January. Increasing importance is being given to coursework which takes the form of tutorials, workshops, essays, seminars and practical class reports.
LOCATION
Our modern, well-funded laboratories cater for the full range of programmes on offer. As a large multi-faculty university, we have excellent social and sporting facilities, but a key attraction is our central London location. Our three campuses along the River Thames are located in the cultural and social heart of the capital and offer our students the opportunity to explore art galleries, theatres, museums, markets, restaurants and cafés.
SPECIAL NOTES
Year in industry/research
You may be offered the chance to take an extramural year outside King's, between your second and final year, working in an industrial or research establishment in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. This greatly expands both your work and research experience, and often improves your choice of job opportunities after graduation.
Currently, students study the following core modules. Optional modules are available and the current choices are shown. King's reviews its optional modules on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the School/department for further advice.
YEAR 1
In common with all of the BSc programmes in the School of Biomedical Sciences, students take compulsory modules in the biomedical science disciplines.
YEAR 1 CORE
Modules cover biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, cell and tissue structure and function, statistics and issues related to the practice of science, including ethics and communication.
YEAR 2
Students are required to take core modules plus options.
YEAR 2 CORE
Gene Cloning & Expression A/B
Human & Molecular Genetics A/B
Protein Structure & Function
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
Immune System in Health & Disease
Cell Biology A/B
Plus a selection of options including:
Metabolism
Essentials of Embryology
Social Impact of the Biosciences
Molecular Medicine
Medical Microbiology
YEAR 3
Students are required to take core modules plus options making up a total of 120 credits.
YEAR 3 CORE
Extended Laboratory-based Research Project or Molecular Genetics Library-based Project
Molecular Genetics of Model Organisms
Advanced Molecular Genetics
YEAR 3 OPTIONS
Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques
Biochemistry & Genetics of Human Disease
Bioinformatics
Biomedical Diagnostics
Complex Disease Genetics
Free Radicals & Human Disease
Biology of Ageing
Immunology of Human Disease
Immunogenetics & Cancer Genetics
Infection & Disease in the Modern World
Mammalian Iron Metabolism
Medical Genetics
Molecular Biology Laboratory Project
Molecular Immunology
Nutrition & Genetics
Protein Structure & Design
Topics in Regenerative Medicine
or genetics modules from outside the School
or a modern language
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
96+ ATAR, or an OP of band 3 for Queensland including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1 including 1 in Chemistry and Biology
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diplma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 17/20 including 8 or 17 in Chemistry and Biology
Brazil
Brazil
High School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5 including 5.5 in Chemistry and Biology
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 85% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 85% at five grade 12 4U subjects including Biology and Chemistry. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 31 (including Chemistry and Biology).
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80%.
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology plus at least an additional foundation/Access year
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1 including 1 in Chemistry and Biology
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 10 including 10 in Chemistry and Biology
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5, (including 5 in Chemistry and Biology) and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 6 including 6 in Chemistry and Biology
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The Baccalaureat with 13/20 overall and 13 in Chemistry and Biology
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.5 overall including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAB including high marks in Chemistry and one other science
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolytirion with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian univeristy.
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkur) with 16 OR 3 Cambridge A levels at AAB. All including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 including Chemistry and Biology
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at ABB OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year. Including Chemistry and Biology
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 8 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres bien including Tres bien in Chemistry and Biology
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAB including Chemistry and Biology
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of ABB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 including 9 in Chemistry and Biology
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 7.5 including 7.5 in Chemistry and Biology
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects,including Excellent in Chemistry and Biology
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB, including Chemistry and Biology
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university
Poland
Matura
Matura with 80% in extended level subjects including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 8 including 8 in Chemistry and Biology
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB. All including Chemistry and Biology
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 2 including 2 in Chemistry and Biology
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAABB including high marks in Chemistry and one other science
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 8 overall including 8 in Chemistry and Biology
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG including MVG in Chemistry and Biology
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university
United Kingdom
3 A levels & 1 AS level
AAB at A-level plus pass at AS-level
2 A levels & 3 AS level
AA at A-level plus BBpass at AS-level
Compulsory subjects
Chemistry and Biology, at least one at A–level. If one offered at AS–level only, grade A required. At least two A-levels should be in a science subject: Chemistry, Biology, Maths or Physics
12 unit A level in vocational subjects
Grade AA plus B at A–level basic science and pass at AS–level in any subject
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access
Access to Science (or similar) Diploma with the maximum award of 60 credits overall and 45 at level three. Supplementary information and achievement eg percentage mark/scores for certain credits/subjects will be required.
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 M2 including Chemistry and Biology
BTEC
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
A2 A2 A2 B3 B3 at Highers including Chemistry and Biology
International Baccalaureate
36 points with 665 at HL including Chemistry and Biology
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including 80% in Biology & Chemistry
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 554 including Chemistry and Biology
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
NON ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Scholastic activities
We hope to attract applicants who participate in any scholastic activity, e.g. general reading, debating, theological interests etc.
Community activities
We hope to attract applicants who have participated in school, college or community life, making the most of the opportunities available to them and also demonstrated some experience of society beyond their immediate environment.
General activities/interests
We hope to attract applicants who have varied extra-curricular interests and enjoy active participation in areas such as sport, music and the arts in general. Any participation is valued and any achievement in extra-curricula activities will be particularly recognised. King’s aspires to attract applicants who will continue with their personal interests and contribute to the vitality of the College community.
Interviewing
Are interviews offered? Yes.
Are all applicants interviewed? No. Only applicants who may be borderline or from a non-traditional educational background may be called for interview.
Are all those made an offer interviewed? No. The majority of admissions decisions are made on the basis of information provided on the UCAS form.
What form does it take? Interviews last between 20 and 30 minutes and are Chaired by the Admissions Tutor and one other member of academic staff.
What is considered at interview? Your personal statement and academic performance to date will be explored.
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
We welcome applications from students with A-levels or equivalent qualifications from the UK, EU and other countries. Before you apply, you may wish to attend a pre-application open day, usually held in July. All applicants who receive an offer from us will have an opportunity to visit the School, either for interview or at a post-offer open day. These events take place between February and April and give you the opportunity to ask questions about studying at King’s. If you would like a personal discussion with a staff member about your career aspirations and interests, please contact the Health Schools Admissions Centre in advance to make an appointment.