Medical Genetics & Genomics [MSc MedSci ]

at University of Glasgow

GENETIC DISEASE: FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE CLINIC
 

• This course is designed in collaboration with the West of Scotland Regional Genetics Service to give students a working knowledge of the principles and practice of Medical Genetics and Genomics which will allow them to evaluate, choose and interpret appropriate genetic investigations for individuals and families with genetic disease. The link from genotype to phenotype, will be explored, with consideration of how this knowledge might contribute to new therapeutic approaches.
   

CASE INVESTIGATIONS IN MEDICAL GENETICS
 

• Students will work in groups to investigate complex clinical case scenarios: decide appropriate testing, analyse results from genetic tests, reach diagnoses where appropriate and, with reference to the literature, generate a concise and critical group report.
   

CLINICAL GENOMICS
 

• Students will take this course OR Omic Technologies for Biomedical Sciences OR Immunotherapy & Precision Oncology. This course will provide an overview of the clinical applications of genomic approaches to human disorders, particularly in relation to clinical genetics, discussion the methods and capabilities of the new technologies. Tuition and hands-on experience in data analysis will be provided, including the interpretation of next generation sequencing reports.
   

OMIC ANALYSES FOR THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES: FROM GENOMICS TO METABOLOMIC
 

• Students will take this course OR Clinical Genomics OR Immunotherapy & Precision Oncology. An introduction to workflows for the resolution and characterisation of complex mixtures of biomolecules, from DNA to small molecule metabolites. The course emphasizes the potential and challenges of omic approaches and will include data handling tasks and demonstration.
   

IMMUNOTHERAPY AND PRECISION ONCOLOGY
 

• Students will take this course OR Clinical Genomics OR Omic Technologies for Biomedical Sciences. The course will enable the students to gain in depth knowledge on the use of state of the art 'omic' technologies in stratifying patients into prognosis and treatment groups, the use of personalised medicine, latest targeted treatment regimens and the rapidly developing field of immunotherapy to target cancer.
   

DISEASE SCREENING IN POPULATIONS
 

• This course will cover the rationale for, and requirements of, population screening programmes to detect individuals at high risk of particular conditions, who can then be offered diagnostic investigations. Students will work in groups to investigate and report on, a screening programme of their choice from any country.
   

SNP ASSAY DESIGN AND VALIDATION
 

• Students will work independently to develop and validate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

MEDICAL GENETICS DISSERTATION
 

• The course will provide students with the opportunity to carry out an independent investigative project in the field of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

You should have a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biological science. Applicants with a degree in medicine/dentistry or equivalent and a clear interest in genetics will also be considered. Professional experience and 2:2 applicants with a strong subject specific expertise may also be considered. 
 

You are required to provide one reference and a full degree transcript with your application.
 

English language requirements
 

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
 

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0. 

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications
 

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
 

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

• 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23. 

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

PTE (Academic or Academic Online)

• 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months, combined scores from 2 tests sat within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

• 65%.

• Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
   

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

• Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
   

Alternatives to English Language qualification

• Undergraduate degree from English speaking country (including Canada if taught in English)

• Undergraduate 2+2 degree from English speaking country

• Undergraduate 2+2 TNE degree taught in English in non-English speaking country

• Masters degree from English speaking country

• Masters degree (equivalent on NARIC to UK masters degree) taught in English in non-English speaking country

MSc(MedSci)
 

UK

• Full-time fee: £10560
   

International & EU

• Full-time fee: £25980

Graduate jobs can be found in the UK, Europe, North America, Middle East, South Asia and East Asia in overseas hospitals, life science companies, the NHS and academia.
 

Research: About half of our graduates enter a research career and most of these graduates undertake and complete PhDs in fields such as genetics, cancer studies, biosciences, neuroscience and genome science and technology. One or two graduates have also progressed on to graduate entry routes to medicine.
 

The MSc in Medical Genetics and Genomics facilitates acquisition of skills relevant to a career in research in many different bio-molecular disciplines.
 

Diagnostics: Some of our graduates enter careers with clinical genetic diagnostic services, often within NHS laboratories.
 

Several graduates have become heads of diagnostic services or laboratories, around the world.
 

Clinical genetics: Those of our graduates with a prior medical / nursing training often utilise their new skills in careers as clinical geneticists or genetic counsellors.
 

Other: The focus of teaching is on using the current technologies for genetic diagnostics within health service laboratories.
 

Many of these technologies are also used in diverse areas of biomedical science research and in forensic DNA analysis.
 

Graduate jobs can be found in the UK, Europe, North America, Middle East, South Asia and East Asia in overseas hospitals, life science companies, the NHS and academia. Many have entered careers in education; industry, particularly with companies providing or developing genetics and genomics-related medical services; medicine and scientific publishing.
 

Example job positions include:

• genetic technologist, medical technical officer (NHS), R&D lab technician, product development technician, trainee clinical scientist (NHS), university laboratory officer, university lecturer