UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

GEN2041 Foundations of genetics

Faculty of Science

GEN2041 Foundations of genetics is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 7 units, leading on to 10 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2025
Semester 1
Clayton, Malaysia
Assessment
No exam
3 tasks

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Overview

In this unit, you’ll explore fundamental genetic principles common to all complex lifeforms, exploring the key concepts and methods that underpin the foundations of genetics. The unit encompasses a broad array of topics including: inheritance patterns of traits; the structure and organisation of genes, chromosomes, and genomes; and gene regulation, mutation, and function. You’ll examine the relationships between genotype and phenotype, the intricacies of genetic linkage and gene mapping, and the significance of chromosomal variation in both evolutionary processes and human disease. To illustrate these concepts, we'll draw on examples from a diverse array of organisms, including the human species. The unit will include lectures, hands-on workshops, and lab work to help you understand and apply these concept.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • Laboratory assessmentDemonstration
    20%
  • TestsQuiz / Test
    60%
  • ReportWritten
    20%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Explain what genes do, how they can vary and how they influence the inheritance of traits through interactions with other gene products and environmental factors;

  2. 2

    Identify the common molecular mechanisms that underlie inheritance and describe the structural features of DNA, genes and chromosomes;

  3. 3

    Compare and evaluate the unique features of a range of organisms used in studying genetics;

  4. 4

    Apply skills in group work, written and oral communication to convey complex concepts to peers and non-specialist audiences;

  5. 5

    Apply basic experimental and statistical techniques to design experiments, collect, interpret and analyse data, and solve genetic problems.

Workload and teaching

  • Laboratories19 hours
  • Assessments6 hours
  • Workshops16 hours
  • Lectures12 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachResearch activities
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • One 2-hour workshop/assessment session;
  • 2-3 hours laboratory week;
  • One 1-hour online lecture (own time) and
  • 6-7 independent study per week.

Where it fits

GEN2041 is part of 6 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Richard Burke
Dr Tan Hock Siew
Chief Examiners
Dr Richard Burke

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for GEN2041?

GEN2041 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after GEN2041?

GEN2041 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 7 units, including BIN3800, BTH3820, GEN2052, GEN3030, GEN3040 and GEN3051. Those lead on to 10 units in all.

When is GEN2041 offered?

In 2025, GEN2041 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.

Does GEN2041 have an exam?

No. GEN2041 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.

Which majors and minors include GEN2041?

GEN2041 is part of Biotechnology; Genetics and genomics; and Genomics and bioinformatics.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Biological Sciences
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available