Genomic Medicine and Healthcare (MSc)

How will I be taught?

You will be taught by national and internationally renowned experts in the field of genetics and genomics research, education and practice. Therefore, you can be assured that the learning you undertake is informed by the best available evidence and is ‘cutting edge’. During the taught component, you will study 4 core modules and then will have the option to choose 2 other modules from a list of optional ones. Although you will enrol on a Master’s, there are exit points that can lead to the award of institutional credits, a Post Graduate Certificate and a Post Graduate Diploma.

You will be taught through an online environment that uses a combination of engaging synchronous and asynchronous activities that are based on sound educational theory and evidence to stimulate reflection, discussion and synthesis to practice. The methods used vary from module to module and are dependent on what is being taught and how you are assessed. You will experience online tutorial groups, discussion boards, recorded lecturers, podcasts and articles to read and reflect on, catering for the ways in which you would like to learn and at times that you can plan your studying. There are opportunities for online discussion, debate, exploration and peer and tutor interactions designed to enhance learning in addition to guided and independent study.  Learning will be take you from the laboratory to the bedside as you study the science and apply it to real-world scenarios and patient cases.

Practical application is a key feature of the course, and you will be encouraged to try out new approaches to online learning and teaching throughout the programme. Synthesising your knowledge and applying theory to practice within your own clinical teaching setting will be a central requirement of both formal assessments and formative work.  

Opportunities to develop your team working and collaboration skills will be available through your online tasks, activities and general engagement in debate and exploration with tutors and peers. The dissertation stage involves a supervised independent project, negotiated with the programme faculty and supervisor.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be undertaken at the end of each module during the taught component. These assessments will provide you with an opportunity to show case the learning you have undertaken aligned to the learning outcomes for the module and for the programme. There will be opportunities for formative assessment to ensure that you will receive feedback and feedforward to inform the summative assessments you will undertake. The diversity in the assessments across the modules will complement the module content studied. Summative and formative assessment can include case studies, portfolios, oral presentations (recorded and live), group work, poster presentations, and more testing your ability to communicate, critically think, reflect, synthesise and problem solve.

How will I be supported?

As the programme is delivered online, we can support you to study around your work/ life commitments. You will be directed around the learning platform with clear signposting and will receive detailed instructions of how to negotiate around the content. Each module will have a descriptor, this will include an overview of the module, what learning outcomes are intended, the assignment brief and opportunities for formative feedback and feedforward and the ways you will be taught and learn. You will receive a programme handbook on starting the course which provides detailed information about the university, rules and regulations that govern the rigour of our programmes and your role as a student. You will be provided with study skills to support your learning and introduced to the faculty and your fellow students.

All of our students are allocated a personal tutor who is there to support you during your studies and can advise you on academic and personal matters that may be affecting you. You should have regular meetings with your personal tutor to ensure that you feel fully supported.  Personal tutors will be able to discuss your individual circumstances and guide you through your module selection and pathway.  Your personal tutor can support you to progress towards your intended goal.

You will be introduced to our School librarian, who will provide you with an overview of our online resources and help you with searching for evidence to support your learning.

What skills will I practise and develop?

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

KU 1 Critically reflect on how genomic medicine plays a key role in enabling health professionals to learn, understand and integrate genomic data into clinical practice. 

KU 2 Analyse how human genomics and other omics data personalise medical care reflecting on how knowledge of an individual’s genetic makeup can lead to the right person, getting the right diagnosis and treatment at the right time.

KU 3 Evaluate how technologies used to identify genetic variants and biomarkers provide functional insights into a range of disease mechanisms and treatment responses.

KU 4 Compare and contrast whole exome and whole genome sequencing platforms and chemistries. 

KU 5 Reflect on genetic predispositions of common and rare diseases and how these are influenced by environmental risks.

KU 6 Critically review how bioinformatics and computational biology can align sequences to reference genomes and accurately identify clinically relevant sequence variants.

KU 7 Evaluate how genetic information can be used for clinical decision making in the care pathway and to treat patients (pharmacogenomics)

KU 8 Critically evaluate the potential clinical relevance of functional genomics findings and their implications for disease diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Intellectual Skills:

IS 1 Reflect on and debate potential and actual ethical dilemmas and challenges that arise in the context of genomic medicine and healthcare, such as privacy and confidentiality, informed consent and testing.

IS 2 Formulate unbiased, research informed, patient orientated debate regarding the strengths and limitations of individual stratification and precision or personalised medicine.  

IS 3 Approach leadership, clinical change and clinical care with a critical perspective based on your enhanced ability as a reflective practitioner who can use data, resources and guidelines in an innovative, sustainable and constructive manner. 

IS 4 Develop a critically informed approach to searching for evidence, evaluating and grading the strength of evidence, reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence and synthesising the outcomes to inform practice.

IS 5 Use a range of ‘cutting edge’ technologies and genomic data to support patient care.

Professional Practical Skills:

PS 1 Apply molecular mechanisms of disease to understand initiation and progression.

PS 2 Master the skills needed to be a life-long learner, influencing care, using valid and reliable tools to effect and evaluation change.

PS 3 Navigate around Learning Central, and be familiarised with distance learning library, discussion boards, Grade Centre and Turnitin. 

PS 4 Use genetic counselling and advanced communication skills to present complex issues in ways that others will understand and to support and manage the impact of the diagnosis being given. 

PS 5 Lead and work within teams in a collaborative and positive way being respectful of others. 

Transferable / Key Skills:

KS 1 Approach health care from an ethical, social and environmental perspective.

KS 2 Apply professional self-awareness and self-reflection to your own professional development in ways that enhance your practice and improve patient outcomes.

KS 3 Demonstrate initiative, autonomy and personal responsibility in the planning and implementation of solutions in health care.  

KS 4 Plan, organise and manage coursework effectively, demonstrating independence, initiative and originality.

KS 5 Actively reflect on own studies, achievements and self-identity.

Engage with new ideas, opportunities and technologies, building knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts.