Undergraduate Programs - Genetics

What is Genetics?

Genetics is the science of heredity which deals with the mechanisms of inheritance. From the more general rules of inheritance in whole populations to the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation, genetic research is exciting and has resulted in concepts which are basic to modern biology. It is accepted that no area of biology can be fully understood without the application of genetics at some level.

Genetics is currently divided into three broad areas: classical genetics, population genetics and molecular genetics. Research is being carried out in all three areas at the University of Manitoba. Recently all areas of genetic research have been revolutionized by the application of molecular recombinant techniques, blurring the boundaries among the three areas.

Research in the various areas of genetics is carried out in many faculties including Science, Agriculture, Medicine and Arts. An understanding of basic genetics is necessary for many advancements in medicine, for improvements in agricultural techniques and for understanding fundamental developments in the basic biological sciences. For the general public, an understanding of genetics is valuable in order that many issues commonly discussed in the media such as heritable IQ, the danger of genetically-modified organisms, genetic counselling, and gene therapy, to mention but a few, can be understood and interpreted.
Program information

The Faculty of Science offers an interdisciplinary program which leads to an Honours B.Sc. in Genetics. As the term “interdisciplinary” suggests, courses from the Faculties of Arts, Agriculture, Medicine, and Science are included in the program.

The program is designed to allow students opportunity to participate in original laboratory research in the final year and to prepare a student for an easy transition to graduate studies in some aspect of genetics. The Genetics Graduate program has been specifically designed for the entry of graduates of this undergraduate program.

As with most honours programs, eligibility for entry after University 1 is based on performance in the first and any subsequent years of study. In addition, specific courses must be completed as part of University 1 or in subsequent years in order to complete the requirements for the degree. These requirements are spelled out below and may also be found in detail in the General Calendar of the University of Manitoba.

Courses required in Genetics Program

University 1

• BIOL 1020 - Biology 1
• BIOL 1030 - Biology 2
• CHEM 1300/CHEM 1310 - University 1 Chemistry 1 & 2
• STAT 1000 - Basic Statistical Analysis 1
• MATH 1500 - Introduction to Calculus
• 6 credit hours from the Faculty of Arts, of which 3 credit hours should satisfy the University's written English requirement.

One of:

• MATH 1200 - Elements of Discrete Mathematics
• MATH 1300 - Vector Geometry and Linear Algebra
• MATH 1700 - Calculus 2
• Over University 1 and Year 2, students are required to take 6 credit hours of elective courses or courses from the option list

Entry into the Honours Genetics program is based on your performance in these courses. You must achieve a grade of B in both chemistry courses and not less than a C+ in biology. Alternatively, you may achieve a grade of B in biology and a C+ in both chemistry courses. As well, you must have a minimum grade of 'C' in Statistics STAT 1000, standing in Mathematics MATH 1500, and one of Mathematics MATH 1200, MATH 1300, or MATH 1700 and be approved for admission to this program. 

Year 2

• BOTN 2460 - Genetics 1
• MBIO 2100/MBIO 2110 - General Microbiology A & B
• MBIO 2360/MBIO 2370 (CHEM 2360/CHEM 2370) - Biochemistry 1 & 2
• CHEM 2210/CHEM 2220 - Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 & 2
• STAT 2000 - Basic Statistical Analysis 2
• ZOOL 2280 - Cell Biology

See the University's annual General Calendar  for required courses in Years 3 and 4.

The Cooperative Option

This is a five-year program with the same entry and course requirements as above, except that the program alternates academic terms with terms of paid employment, providing a minimum of 12 months of work experience in research and industry.  Students may enter the program in their third year. MBIO 3410 is required prior to the first work term.
Career opportunities

Depending on the particular interests and training, graduates of the genetics program may work in any one of a number of areas including:

• industry, particularly the fledgling biotechnology  industry
• government laboratories
• clinical laboratories
• school and colleges as teachers
• research laboratories
• universities

For further information

Because there is no department of genetics in the Faculty of Science, the genetics program is regulated by a Genetics Program Committee made up of faculty members from the several faculties from which courses are drawn for the program. The chair of this committee is the Program Coordinator. The Coordinator approves the programs of all students in the program and is also the source of further information which you may wish to obtain about the program.

Dr. L. Graham
lcgrahm@cc.umanitoba.ca
or
Dr. D. Court
dcourt@cc.umanitoba.ca

Genetics Program
Z412 Duff Roblin Bldg
The University of Manitoba
Winnipeg,  MB  R3T 2N2
Telephone: (204) 474-6021
FAX: (204) 474-7603
Website:  umanitoba.ca/science/microbiology/

For information on the Co-op Program

Please contact:
Diane Kunec, Co-op Coordinator
Faculty of Science
Room 214 Buller Building
The University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB  R3T 2N2
Telephone: (204) 474-7396
FAX: (204) 474-7926
e-mail: kunecdl@ms.umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/science/coop

Note: In the event of any inconsistencies between the information provided here and the University's annual General Calendar, the Calendar entry shall prevail.