MSc in Genomic Medicine

About the course

The MSc in Genomic Medicine is a full-time, one-year cross-disciplinary programme, which benefits from world-leading expertise in genomic science across the University of Oxford coupled with direct links to clinical and translational medicine.

The course is designed to equip students from diverse academic and workplace backgrounds with knowledge of the fundamental principles, technologies and basis of genomic science and how this can be translated for the benefit of human health, economics and broader society.

The course seeks to promote:

a multi-disciplinary approach to genomic medicine that will provide students with the awareness and skill sets needed to engage with relevant specialists and technologies for the future development and delivery of genomic medicine;
insights into the processing, analysis, interpretation and delivery of genomic knowledge at all stages following data generation, both within bioinformatic and clinical care pipelines and at the end-user interface, critical for delivering the translational potential of genomic medicine; and
the concept of ‘gene to patient’ in its broadest sense, encompassing education and training on the wider impact of genomic medicine – for example on clinical trials, drug development and interface with the life sciences industry – and equipping students with the skills needed to develop this in the future.

Assessment
Summative assessment of the course

Core module content is assessed by two exam papers with a mix of question types, taken at the start of the second term and contributing 30% of the final course mark. Towards the end of the second term, elective modules are assessed by extended essays or an equivalent piece of written work, with each chosen module (3 in total) contributing 10% of the final mark. The research project is assessed by a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation contributing 40% of the final mark.

Students will be required to pass the summative assessment elements for both core and elective modules, and will have one opportunity to retake/revise each component if needed within a one-month period.

Formative assessment of the course

All modules will include formative assignments devised to test the ability to understand, apply and extend the learning from the module in a variety of formats and through a mix of group/individual work. Formative assessment in the first term will be carefully designed to prepare students for the core module exam papers. Successful completion of these will ensure all students have attained a sufficient level of understanding of fundamental material to complete the elective and research elements of the course. Formative assessment of the research project will include submission of a project proposal during the second term and an oral presentation reporting on progress eight weeks after starting the project.

Graduate destinations

This course will help train the next generation of expert practitioners and leaders in genomic medicine by:

providing critically important skills and knowledge for specialist health care professionals;
equipping students to apply for doctoral research and academic careers; and
offering career development opportunities for industry professionals.

There are routes to tailor the course to individual interests and future career trajectories, which are carefully woven into the overall programme.

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant field. The qualification above should be achieved in one of the following subject areas or disciplines: biological or biomedical sciences; medicine or nursing; bioinformatics or computer science; statistics or other quantitative discipline. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.