Honors Genetics Program Graduates with Dr. Shiva Singh at the Canadian Genetics Society Annual Meeting 2006. [Photo: Alan Noon] Left to Right: Julie Weng, Morgan Kleiber, Shiva Singh, Melissa Calcagno
GENETICS MODULES
HONORS SPECIALIZATION
- Honors Specialization in Genetics Requirements - This pdf form is a guide only, for complete information see the Academic Calendar.
MAJOR IN GENETICS
- For complete information see the Academic Calendar.
MINOR IN GENETICS
- For complete information see the Academic Calendar.
Have you ever wondered why every mouse . . .
has a nose?
has a mouse nose?
has only one nose?
has a nose in the same place?
has a different nose than any other mouse?
has more nose genes than you do?
Like all other organisms, mice are both very similar to one another as a species and very diverse as individuals. In the Genetics Honors Specialization program you will learn that the remarkable variability within a defined animal, plant or microbe body plan is one of the main areas of interest explored by geneticists – especially when “variability” presents as a disease, or resistance to an antibiotic, or a novel shape of flower, or a nose in a new place. 
Projects are underway right now around the world to determine the entire sequence of the DNA of several organisms. You will work with these data sets “hot off the Web” to better understand the role of genetic continuity and variability in such areas as evolution, medicine, agriculture, genetic engineering, cloning and forensics.
All of this and more is available in the Genetics specialized honors degree module from the UWO Department of Biology. Aside from a theoretical understanding of genetic principles, you will also develop skills in laboratory techniques, computer analysis (bioinformatics), use of a research library, scientific writing and oral presentation.
Consultation with one of the Biology counsellors prior to registration into 4th year is advised.
