Master

In Aberdeen

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    Aberdeen (Scotland)

  • Duration

    12 Months

The course gives instruction and training in the theory and techniques associated with identification, cloning and characterisation of genes and mutations associated with human disease, including cancer, heart disorders and inheritable diseases. It describes the use of this information in the diagnosis and prognosis of disease, the ways that environmental factors, including smoking and nutritional factors, interact with predispositions within the genome to produce abnormal clinical phenotypes, and developments in gene therapy. Suitable for: Students whose backgrounds lie in non-clinical areas.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Aberdeen (Aberdeen City)
See map
Polwarth Building, University Of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD

Start date

On request

About this course

Suitable candidates will hold an Honours degree, or equivalent qualification in Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related subject, and Medicine.

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Who would you like to address this question to?

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

Course programme

Syllabus

The first six months of the course contain lectures, practicals, tutorials and seminar presentations. Lecture topics include:

  • Human population genetics
  • Clinical biochemistry/genetics
  • Genetic techniques
  • Medical genetics
  • Cancer genetics
  • Cytogenetics
  • Genetics of complex diseases
  • Statistics

Practical instruction is provided in:

  • gene cloning
  • molecular genetics
  • PCR
  • RFLP
  • haplotype analysis

Additional training is provided in laboratory safety and the use of computers in statistics, genetic linkage and bioinformatics.

This is followed by a five-month, individual research project on a topic chosen by the student with advice from course tutors. Projects may be laboratory or clinically based and are carried out in the Departments of Molecular & Cell Biology, Medicine and Therapeutics and Mental Health. The course also includes a visit to the DNA Diagnostic Laboratory, and seminars from visiting speakers working on aspects of medical molecular genetics.

Assessment

Each course has its own assessment based on continuous assessment of practical and course work, and a written degree examination. Progression to a research project is dependent on performance in the individual courses. If a student just fails to reach a satisfactory level in these, he/she may proceed to a library based dissertation towards a Postgraduate Diploma.

The MSc project is assessed with the submission of a dissertation and viva examination.

Dedication

12 months, full-time.

Additional information

Career opportunities: Career prospects include direct employment in research or diagnostic laboratories using techniques of increasing importance in the understanding of genetic disorders.
Contact person: Mrs Myra Watt

Medical Molecular Genetics

Price on request