Building Skills for the Future of Genomics

Genomics is the study of an organism’s complete set of DNA - often described as its genetic blueprint. Over the past two decades, rapid advances in DNA sequencing technologies have made it possible to read and analyse genetic information faster and more cheaply than ever before. This has opened up exciting possibilities across biology and medicine, from understanding how diseases develop to exploring how species evolve and adapt to their environments. However, modern genomics is not just about generating data; it is also about learning how to interpret vast amounts of information using computational tools and biological knowledge.

In the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, genomics is embedded across our teaching programmes, giving students the opportunity to explore both the biology behind genomes and the analytical skills needed to study them.

In our undergraduate programmes, several modules introduce students to key concepts and tools in genomics. At Level 5, the Genes and Bioinformatics module introduces how scientists analyse DNA sequences and investigate genes using computational approaches. Students explore topics such as sequence comparison, transcriptomics and molecular phylogenetics, gaining insight into how genetic information can be studied to answer biological questions.

Students who wish to explore this area further can take Functional Genomics and Epigenetics at Level 6. This module examines how gene activity is regulated and how these processes influence development, cellular differentiation and disease. They also explore how environmental factors can shape gene expression. Throughout the module, students are introduced to modern genomic technologies and learn how computational biology helps researchers interpret complex genomic data. 

Alongside genomics-focused modules, students can also develop valuable computational skills through modules such as Coding Skills and Data Science. These provide an introduction to programming and data analysis, equipping our students with practical tools that are increasingly important across the life sciences.

Learning does not stop in the classroom. Our popular weekly co-curricular Coding Club offers a supportive environment where students can practise coding together with guidance from staff and more experienced peers. These informal sessions help students build confidence, develop problem-solving skills and apply coding to biological data.

For students interested in specialising further, we also offer a  Bioinformatics MSc. This programme equips graduates with the skills needed to manage and analyse large biological datasets. One of the modules focuses on analysis of large genomic datasets by introducing the tools used to process and interpret genome-scale data, including genome assembly, gene identification and variant analysis. Through hands-on practical sessions, our students gain experience with command-line tools and high-performance computing. In the final semester, students undertake a substantial research project, allowing them to explore a genomics-related question in depth.

Together, these teaching activities reflect our commitment to preparing students for the data-driven future of biology. By combining strong biological foundations with practical computational skills, our programmes help students develop the expertise needed to contribute to the rapidly evolving field of genomics.