Biotechnology and Genetics in Cambridge

Biotechnology and Genetics Summer Courses in Cambridge

Explore how biological information is inherited, investigate how scientists can study and work with genetic material, and develop your understanding of rapidly evolving areas of modern biology with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Biotechnology and Genetics summer courses in Cambridge, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to explore genetics and biotechnology beyond your usual studies while developing your scientific reasoning, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll investigate biological concepts, examine scientific evidence and consider how developments in genetics and biotechnology can influence medicine, agriculture, research and society while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Cambridge with Atlas Summer Courses.

What's Included?

Your residential Biotechnology and Genetics summer course in Cambridge includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer and insurance.

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Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.

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Compare package options.

Study Biotechnology and Genetics in Cambridge

Our Biotechnology and Genetics summer courses in Cambridge give students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring genetic information, biological processes and biotechnology as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.

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Genetics investigates how biological information is stored, expressed and inherited. Biotechnology builds on our understanding of biology to develop techniques and applications that can be used across fields including medicine, agriculture, research and industry.

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Studying the subjects together gives you the opportunity to explore both the fundamental science of genetics and some of the ways biological knowledge can be applied. You'll consider how scientists investigate genes and genetic variation, how biotechnology can be used to address practical challenges and what questions can emerge when our ability to work with biological systems advances.

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Across the course, you'll be encouraged to look beyond simply learning biological facts. You'll examine evidence, make connections between different processes and consider both the scientific possibilities and wider implications of developments in genetics and biotechnology.

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Outside your academic sessions, you'll experience the wider programme alongside other students, with time to enjoy Cambridge and take part in the social and cultural elements of your Atlas Summer Courses summer.

What Will You Study on a Biotechnology and Genetics Summer Course in Cambridge?

There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests, abilities and learning needs of their students into account.

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Depending on your tutor, group and age range, you could explore different areas of genetics and biotechnology, potentially including DNA, inheritance, gene expression, genetic variation, molecular biology and applications of biotechnology.

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You might consider questions such as:

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• How is genetic information stored and inherited?
• How can differences in DNA contribute to variation between individuals?
• How do genes influence biological characteristics and processes?
• How can scientists study and analyse genetic material?
• How can biotechnology be applied in medicine, agriculture or biological research?
• What possibilities could developments in genetic technologies create?
• What scientific, ethical and societal questions can arise from our ability to work with genetic information?

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The depth and approach will reflect the age group you're studying with, as well as your tutor's academic expertise and the interests of the group. Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact genetic concepts, biotechnology techniques or applications you'll study.

How You'll Learn on Your Biotechnology and Genetics Course

How you'll study Biotechnology and Genetics depends on your age group, with each course with Atlas Summer Courses designed to provide an appropriate level of academic challenge and independence.

Ages 13–15

24 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in eight seminars where you'll explore genetics and biotechnology through interactive discussions, scientific questions, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to examine evidence, make connections between biological concepts and explain the reasoning behind your conclusions.

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12 hours of private study
You'll complete a small amount of work for each seminar. Depending on the course, this might involve researching a genetic question, interpreting scientific information, investigating a biotechnology application or preparing work to discuss with your group. There will be opportunities to work independently as well as collaboratively with your peers.

Ages 16–17 and 18–24

18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring genetics and biotechnology through discussion, scientific research, case studies, data and other academic activities.

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2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, usually with your tutor and one other student. Tutorials provide a focused opportunity to discuss the essay, problem sheet or other academic work you've been completing, explain and defend your scientific reasoning and receive detailed feedback.

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Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading and preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay, problem sheet or other academic work for each tutorial.

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Across all age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, examine scientific evidence critically and become more confident approaching complex biological questions.

Your Summer Experience in Cambridge

Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Biotechnology and Genetics course.

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You'll spend two weeks living and learning alongside other students, combining your academic programme with the wider social and cultural elements of the summer experience.

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Outside your academic sessions, you'll have opportunities to spend time with other students, enjoy Cambridge and take part in the activities and experiences included within your programme.

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Accommodation and additional programme benefits vary according to the package you choose, so you can compare the available options before applying.

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Explore the summer experience in Cambridge.

Who Are Our Biotechnology and Genetics Summer Courses in Cambridge For?

Our Biotechnology and Genetics summer courses in Cambridge are designed for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 who are curious about genetics, molecular biology and how biological science can be applied to real-world questions.

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You don't need to have studied Biotechnology or Genetics as standalone subjects before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy Biology and Chemistry, are fascinated by DNA and inheritance, want to understand how genetic technologies work or are interested in the role biotechnology could play in areas such as medicine, agriculture and scientific research.

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You don't need to know which area interests you most before joining. The course gives you the opportunity to encounter different scientific questions and applications and discover which aspects of genetics and biotechnology most capture your interest.

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You'll develop transferable skills including scientific reasoning, analytical thinking, evaluating evidence, interpreting scientific information, problem-solving, independent study and communicating complex scientific ideas clearly.

Learn from Expert Tutors

Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, research, industry and education.

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They bring their own academic expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This means different Biotechnology and Genetics summer courses in Cambridge may explore different genetic concepts, biotechnology applications and areas of contemporary biological research.

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Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.

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Meet our tutors.

Where Can Biotechnology and Genetics Take You?

Biotechnology and Genetics develop the ability to understand biological processes at a molecular level, analyse scientific evidence and consider how scientific knowledge can be translated into practical applications.

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Students interested in Biotechnology and Genetics may go on to study areas such as genetics, biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, medicine, bioengineering or other life sciences.

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The scientific, analytical and research skills associated with these subjects can also support future paths across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medical research, genomics, agriculture, bioinformatics and other science-related fields.

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A Biotechnology and Genetics summer course in Cambridge gives you the opportunity to explore these rapidly developing areas of biology before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which scientific questions and applications interest you most.