What is the Genetics major program all about?

Genetics as a major field is designed to enhance the ability of the students to understand and apply the principles of the science of heredity and variation. Its core concepts, such as Mendelian laws, chromosomal theory of inheritance, and characteristics of the DNA molecule, hold true for all organisms from bacteria to humans. It is an exciting field in biology which seeks to answer questions about the nature and behavior of the genetic material as expressed in the development of individuals and in the population. Further, it seeks to equip students with analytical minds in confronting current biosocial issues. A solid foundation in genetics helps students to explain chromosomal and molecular bases of biological phenomena, to verify evolutionary relationships between different species, and to elucidate interactions of molecules in relation to heredity.

What research topics can I work on?

Geneticists seek to answer foundational questions about how organisms inherit varied and complex traits, and how these characters are passed on to their progenies, in the population, and ultimately driving biodiversity. When you choose genetics, you can work on phylogenetic studies of all organisms using DNA barcodes. You may also opt to perform recombinant DNA technology, molecular breeding for a variety of agronomic crops and livestocks, and genetic analysis of infectious and zoonotic diseases. 

You may venture on cytogenetic and forensic studies, pedigree analysis and karyotyping. Investigations can utilize molecular genetics, biotechnology, genomics, epigenomics and bioinformatics.

All these research works could be in partnership with institutes and laboratories, more widely across the university, and with researchers at leading institutions and agencies, local or abroad. The research journey usually starts during the Senior Year wherein topics, samples, techniques, and linkages will be discussed and approved by the faculty adviser with a possible co-adviser.

What are my possible career opportunities after graduating with this major field?

Opportunities of graduates with major in Genetics include teaching and/or research positions in the government and private sector, technical support in institutions involved in biodiversity studies and conservation, molecular phylogeny, medical and forensic fields, biology communication and extension work, and biotechnology among others. The said major fields also provide the academic background and skills for pursuing graduate studies in genetics, medicine, molecular biology and biotechnology, forensics, systematics, and other allied fields.

Contact Us

Genetics and Molecular Biology Division

Email: ibsdo.uplb@up.edu.ph
Website: https://ibs.cas.uplb.edu.ph/
Phone: +6349 536 3368

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