Genetics Undergraduate Program

Discover Your Future in Genetics

Iowa State is one of only a handful of universities in the Midwest offering a dedicated B.S. in Genetics. Here, you'll get more than just a biology degree with some genetics courses, but a comprehensive program designed specifically for students who know they want to focus on this rapidly growing field. With alumni working at leading companies and pursuing advanced degrees at top universities, you'll be joining a network of successful professionals who got their start right here at Iowa State.

Study Genetics

The beauty of a Genetics degree is its versatility. With a strong foundation in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biological sciences, you'll leave our program prepared for whichever career path you choose.

Major in Genetics

My genetics major helped me stand out to potential medical schools and I would recommend this degree course to anyone on the fence between genetics and biology.

Richard Uhlenhopp, '17 Genetics

scientist looking at samples lined up on a rack

Research Experience

Faculty in three different departments (BBMB, EEOB, and GDCB) administer the undergraduate Genetics major. These faculty provide undergraduates with a multidisciplinary perspective on genetics and a broad range of possibilities to become involved in cutting edge genetics research.

Students can begin working in research labs as early as their freshman year! In addition, the Genetics Program offers freshmen the unique opportunity to participate in state-of-the-art research by enrolling in a developmental biology lab utilizing the CRISPR/Cas 9 system to perform gene editing in a model organism, the zebrafish.

Research and Other Student Experiences