BSc (Hons) Genetics course preparation
To help you feel prepared for your BSc (Hons) Genetics studies, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities including suggested reading, useful websites and some great things to do right now. Read on to find out more:
Suggested reading
You’ll be given lots of information about which textbooks to read and introduced to the University Library, as well as the many ebooks we have for you to access, when you begin your studies in September.
In the meantime, there are a few popular science books you might like to read, if you can, before starting your degree. We don’t recommend rushing out to buy texts before you arrive. But if you can pick some up second hand, borrow from a library or access online, our Genetics Programme Leader suggests:
- The Epigenetics Revolution: How modern biology is rewriting our understanding of genetics, disease and inheritance. Nessa Carey
- The Gene: An Intimate History. Siddhartha Mukherjee
- Crack in Creation: The New Power to Control Evolution. Jennifer Doudna and Samuel H. Sternberg
- Gene Machine: The Race to Decipher the Secrets of the Ribosome. Venki Ramakrishnan
- Life’s Greatest Secret: The Race to Crack the Genetic Code. Matthew Cobb
Useful websites
Did you know you can hang out with scientists online via The Natural History Museum?
You can also use the BBC and Guardian websites to follow science (especially biology) stories in the press. Focus of the scientific principles rather than the human element as you read.
For some great articles and insights, the New Scientist website is highly recommended. And, as it’s never to early to start thinking about topics you enjoy, you could try comparing news articles to scientific papers you can find on Google Scholar. This will be a useful skill for your studies.
Other useful websites include:
- Trello.com to create an online To Do List
- To research future careers in Bioscience, visit the prospects website
Things to do over summer
Here are a couple of ideas for you to try some genetics related fun:
- Try some home experiments. STEM Learning has some good ideas
- Discover a new and exciting topic with a TED talk
- Start a journal. Get practicing for writing a lab book
- Listen to the latest Genetics Shambles podcasts