Introduction to the Teaching of Genetics at Cambridge
We believe that as far as possible the teaching of genetics should be integrated with, and stimulated by, research in the subject - firstly because of the educational benefits; and secondly, because we feel this is the best way to interest and enthuse students, and to train and motivate good students for research.
We teach genetics in several first year (Part IA) and second year (Part IB) courses within the Natural Sciences Tripos, in the Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos, and to a class of approximately 30 third year (Part II) students wishing to specialise in Genetics. We also organise Part III Systems Biology - an interdepartmental fourth year undergraduate course open to students who have completed Part II courses in Biological, Physical, Mathematics or Computer Sciences. Find more information here.
Biology teaching in Cambridge is organised across departmental boundaries for the first two years: So, if you are a science student with an interest in genetics, you might take courses introducing you to the principles of genetics and biochemistry and/or to the processes of evolution in the first year. This could be followed, in the second year, by courses taking a molecular view of cells, or looking at how cells underpin multicellular organisms, or at how evolutionary processes can explain the extraordinary diversity of plant, animal and microbial life, before specialising in Genetics in the third year. The Cambridge degree system allows a considerable amount of flexibility, and there is a wide choice of possible courses in your first and second years - not just those outlined above (NST course structure). As a result, we have students studying Genetics in their final year with a range of academic backgrounds.
Use the menu on the left to find out more about obtaining a degree in Genetics.
Links at the bottom of the page lead to detailed information on other sections of the University of Cambridge website.
Useful links:
Prospective Cambridge students
Undergraduate admissions [University of Cambridge]
Natural Sciences Tripos website
International Students' Portal
Prospective Part II Genetics students
Part II 2026/27 booklet - for part IBs . This is the brochure for prospective Part IIs and not the course handbook
Vacation Research Opportunities
Procedure for applying for your chosen Part II course[s]
Prospective Part III Systems Biology students
Natural Sciences Tripos, Year Four - Part III
Natural Sciences Tripos Course Hub
Current students
Most of the information you need for your course is stored on the course Moodle site. This is accessed with a Raven password, and if you are enrolled on the course, or just one of its Modules, you should have been granted access. On the Moodle site, you will find course resources such as lecture notes, reading lists, class lists, past exam papers, timetables and more.
Information for current Part II Genetics students can be found on the
Genetics Part II Moodle site : Log in here
Information for current Part III Systems Biology students can be found on the - Systems Biology Part III Moodle site : Log in here
General information about the Genetics Department is available here on this website, and some information about your course may be posted on other University websites - see the links below. If you cannot see an immediately-obvious link below, the information should be on the Moodle site.
If you have any questions regarding our courses, please email:
For Part II Genetics - the Genetics teaching administrator at ugadm@gen.cam.ac.uk
For Part III Systems Biology – the Systems Biology teaching administrator at sysbiol@gen.cam.ac.uk