Medical Genetics (MSc)

Overview

The MSc Medical Genetics course is designed to promote a deep understanding of the rapidly evolving field of genetics and genomics as applied to human health and disease. Students will develop knowledge and skills, which will equip them for future careers in medical genetics and related areas. The course will foster students to become effective learners/practitioners by developing a variety of personal skills and capabilities.

Emphasis will be placed on self-directed and problem based learning within a lecture/tutorial/ practical framework. Students will explore case studies to promote high level reasoning in a professional context and to enhance a comprehensive and critical understanding of the existing state of knowledge in medical genetics. Students will gain intellectual and practical skills necessary for the collection, analysis, interpretation and understanding of scientific data through practical exercises, IT exercises and a research project.

For more in depth detail of this course download our course brochure.
MSc Medical Genetics course brochure

Faculty of Life Sciences

Applying and entry

PLEASE NOTE There is no official closing date for this course, but you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.

Tel: 020 7133 4202
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk

The normal academic standard for entry is a Lower Second (2.2) UK first degree in biomedical or life sciences subjects. Other related subjects such as biochemistry, biological sciences or human biology may be considered on an individual basis. Equivalent overseas qualifications will also be accepted. Proficiency in the English Language is essential. If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS 6, TOEFL 580, CBT TOEFL 237 or equivalent.

Course contents

Aims of the course

The Postgraduate taught Medical Genetics programme aims to:

• provide a programme of advanced study for graduates that will equip them for future careers in medical genetics and related areas;
• foster intellectual skills necessary to develop a critical and comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles, informatics and ethical frameworks that underlie the theory and practice of medical genetics;
• develop skills for the collection, analysis, interpretation and understanding of scientific data;
• provide practical opportunities in a multidisciplinary environment; enable students to become effective learners/practitioners by developing a variety of personal skills and capabilities

Course structure

The MSc is a one-year full-time course involving 30 weeks of taught units divided into two 15-week semesters commencing in either September or February. The part-time mode follows a similar pattern over two years. You take five taught core units: Medical Genetics, Biomedical Informatics, Ethical Issues in Biomedical Science, Biomedical Diagnostics and Scientific Frameworks for Research. The Research Project and Dissertation (equivalent to three units) is also compulsory. You must take one other unit chosen from the options offered.

A Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma may also be awarded: to be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma you need to successfully complete six units (four core plus two optional) and for a Postgraduate Certificate you need to successfully complete three units, (all core).

Core Units

• Medical Genetics
• Biomedical Informatics
• Ethical Issues in Biomedical Science
• Biomedical Diagnostics
• Scientific Frameworks for Research (MSc only)
• Research Project and Dissertation (MSc only)

Optional Units

• Epidemiology of Emerging Infectious Disease
• Advanced Immunology
• Metabolic Pathology
• Integrated Pathology
• Bioinformatics and Molecular Modelling

Dissertation/project

A 5000 word dissertation of original research is submitted after the end of one year’s full-time study. The aims of the project are to demonstarte your synthesis of knowledge and skills developed through the course. Typically the choice of project will be decided in consultation with your supervisor and generally reflects the research interetsts of the group. It may be possible to carry out the project in the workplace or at an external institution, providing a suitable supervisor can be arranged.

Careers

Employment

The MSc course is supported by research within the School of Human Sciences and the Institute for Health Research and Policy, both of which have collaborative links with research units and medical schools in the London area and beyond. Main areas of research at LMU in genetics include haemochromatosis, community genetics, cell-cycle control, and a project on health in children in Columbia. The last is a new and exciting initiative in which about 700 samples of DNA from a genetically homogenous population of Columbian children will become available for analysis. Importantly each child will undergo a comprehensive survey of health and fitness and there will be a unique set of phenotypic data which provide material for investigating genotype – phenotype interactions. This project involves a collaboration with hospitals in Columbia, USA and Canada and is one of the first of its type in the world.

Progression opportunities

The course provides students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that would place them well for employment in the health sector, medical research, or in health care biotechnology. A significant number of students are medically qualified and find the course a very useful introduction to modern genetics, supporting their career aspirations in clinical genetics. Many students have gone on to do PhDs in labs around the world (Spain, Australia, Germany, UK). Other students have gained jobs in health industries (cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and hospital or research laboratories).

Student profiles

Read a student profile: Eirini Alexopoulou