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Master’s degree

ECTS: 90 credits
Duration: 1 years full-time

Overview

 

This course provides a broad grounding in human genetics, with the emphasis on the molecular aspects of human genetics, particularly in relation to human disease.

It is aimed mainly at science graduates who seek research careers in areas such as fundamental human molecular genetics, genetic factors in human health and disease, or molecular and cytogenetic approaches to diagnosis.

The course is flexible, and updated regularly to reflect important advances in human genetics.

Teaching covers a wide range of topics, including the fundamentals of human genetics, clinical genetics and genomics, together with more advanced topics such as diabetes, cancer genetics, gene therapy, animal models and epigenetics.

 

Study programme

  

There are up to four weeks of intensive laboratory practical sessions, as well as computer practicals in bioinformatics and genomics, regular research seminars, student seminar and journal presentations, study group activities and a six-month full-time research project, where students pursue a novel research question within an active research group environment. Areas covered include:

  • analysis of human monogenic disease
  • analytical methods and bioinformatics
  • animal models and transgenesis
  • cancer genetics
  • diabetes
  • epigenetics
  • gene therapy
  • molecular diagnostics and clinical genetics
  • multifactorial inheritance
  • the fundamentals of human and molecular genetics

 

Careers

 

Approximately 50% of our students go on to do a PhD, 25% become research assistants/associates, while others go on to jobs in industry or further studies (bioinformatics/ computing, medicine).

Typically one or two students every year enter the NHS in clinical genetics training posts.

    Structure

     

    Modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

    Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.

    Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.

     

    Core modules

     

    • 6–month research project
    • Analytical Methods in Human Genetics
    • Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics
    • Genetics of rare and common disease
    • Genomics in the Laboratory

    Teaching and assessment

     

    Teaching methods

          

    • Lectures
    • Study group learning
    • Practical laboratory classes
    • Blackboard Learn
    • BL-embedded Qualitrics surveys
    • Class conference field trip
    • 6-month student research project
    • Panopto (lecture capture)
    • Research project placement
    • Tutorials
    • Videos
    • Workshops

     

    Assessment methods

     

    • E-learning exercises
    • Essays
    • Journal clubs
    • Lab performance
    • Oral examination
    • Peer formative assessment methods are used
    • Presentations (poster, oral and in the lab)
    • Research Dissertation
    • Study groups
    • Tutorial discussions
    • Written examination

    Entry requirements

     

    We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

    Minimum academic requirement

    Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in biochemical sciences, genetics or other science-based degree.

    Mature applicants with relevant academic or professional experience will also be considered.

    International qualifications

    We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.

    The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a USA qualification.

    For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.

    If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.

    English language requirement (all applicants)

    All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

    For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.

    How to apply

     

    You can submit one application form per year of entry, and usually choose up to two courses.

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    Making an application

    All applicants to our Master’s courses must apply online.