MSc in Precision Medicine

at University College Dublin

Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
 

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current state-of-the-art in the area of genomically informed precision medicine and its applications and potential in diagnostics development, cancer and infectious disease.

2. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the role of genetics in cohort driven drug discovery to further advance the discovery of new and highly innovative biotech products.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the processes, procedures, policies and techniques used in clinical biochemistry and diagnostic laboratories

4. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of clinical & translational research methods.

5. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the ethical and privacy issues associated with the use of genomic and phenotypic data in both clinical, research and industrial settings.

6. The role of key stakeholders in the life cycle of precision medicine including, researchers, clinicians, patient groups policy makers, CROs and Biopharma.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding
 

1. Demonstrate skills in problem-solving and incorporating critical thinking and decision-making into a variety of clinical/biopharmaceutical applications and environments. experimental design, problem solving and interpretation of new data.

2. Demonstrate the analytical and technical skills required for experimental research or the interpretation of different data types in the exploitation of scientific discovery in industry and clinical settings depending on their chosen project.

3. Incorporating ethical and information governance considerations into the analysis of patient and research participant genomic and phenotypic data in the era of GDPR.

Making Judgments

On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
 

1. Understand conceptual development and new approaches being applied to further advance knowledge in the precision medicine

2. Identify and appropriately manage the professional, ethical and wider social aspects and impacts of precision medicine and genomic research

3. Identify and deploy appropriate analytical strategies for mining clinical and biological insights from genomics and other OMICs data

Communications and working skills 

On successful completion of this programme students will be able to:

communicate clearly (orally and in writing) with key stakeholders their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these to their peers in academia, industry and the wider public.
 

1. outline and explain barriers that exist in the development of precision medicine
 

Learning skills

On successful completion of this programme students will be able to:
 

1. evaluate their independent learning needs and study independently using library resources, Computer-assisted learning (CAL), and web-based study activities.

2. develop strategies for continuous professional development and continue self-directed learning required to enhance their career ambitions.

Exit & Progression Opportunities
 

• Candidates will complete a 90-credit MSc programme as a full-time, 1-year programme .

• In addition, there are options to complete the 60-credit Graduate Diploma in Precision Medicine.

• Stepwise progression enables students who have successfully completed 60-credits to attain the Graduate Diploma in Precision Medicine.

Applicants should have successfully completed an undergraduate medical degree or primary degree programme (minimum of a 2.1 honours or equivalent) in a biological or chemical science. This includes a B.Sc. in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Physiology, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry or an equivalent qualification.
 

English Language Requirements:

If English is not the applicant’s native language, unless the primary degree was read through English medium in an English-speaking country, an English language qualification is required.

English language qualifications include a minimum score of 6.5, overall, in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted such as the Cambridge Certificate, TOEFL or Pearson’s Test of English, as per the standard UCD requirements.

Non-EU fees for academic year 2022/23 are:
 

• € 24960

This structure which combines clinical and translational research, diagnostics and biomarker development, applications in the areas of oncology, drug discovery, and infectious disease and introductory data analysis skills allied to their application in industry and clinically relevant areas will cater for a broad audience while providing graduates with excellent career opportunities.