Teaching
The MSt (flexible, intensive) in Genomic Medicine is a continuation of the Postgraduate Certificate in Genomic Medicine. It is a one-year, part-time Master’s-level course resulting in 120 additional FHEQ Level-7 credits and the University of Cambridge Masters award.
During the intensive MSt year, students can take either an additional four modules, plus a 60 credit research project dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words on an agreed topic in Genomic Medicine OR an additional six modules, plus a 30 credit literature-based dissertation of 5,000-6,000 words on an agreed topic in Genomic Medicine.
Modules are chosen from a range of modules, some of which are core and some of which are optional. There is additional between-module reflection, study and assignment work. The list of core and optional modules is announced by the Degree Committee for the Faculties of Clinical Medicine and Veterinary Medicine by the end of the Easter term preceding the examination, stipulating which modules are core and which are optional.
The following is a list of likely modules, but as noted above, the list of core and optional modules is not announced by the Degree Committee until the Easter Term preceding the examination. Not all of the modules below will necessarily be offered in any one year:
- Fundamentals of human genetics and genomics - mandatory during the PG Certificate year
- Omics techniques and the application to genomic medicine
- Genomics of common and rare inherited disease
- Molecular pathology of cancer and application of genomics in cancer
- Application of genomics in infectious disease
- Pharmacogenetics and stratified healthcare
- Bioinformatics, interpretation, and data quality assurance in genomic analysis
- Variant interpretation
- Introduction to counselling and communication skills in genomic medicine
- Professional and research skills
- Epigenetics and disorders of the epigenome
- Genomics of obesity and metabolic disease
- Genomics of neurodegenerative disorders
- Genomics of cardiovascular disorders
- Research and statistical skills for genomic medicine
- Workplace-based module
Each module generally requires submission of an assignment of 2500-3500 words or equivalent, and modules are equally weighted, providing 15 FHEQ-7 credits if successfully completed.
A student who has successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Genomic Medicine who wishes then to complete the MSt will, if admitted (which would normally need to be within two years of completing the Postgraduate Certificate), have the need to complete four modules waived, and will be required to complete four to six additional modules chosen from the list of core and optional modules and either the 60 credit research project or 30 credit project plus two additional optional modules, in one year.
The MSt subsumes the Postgraduate Diploma and the Postgraduate Certificate; if a student holding the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma progresses to the MSt or returns to complete the MSt at a later date, then, on successful completion, any prior award of the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma is withdrawn in favour of the award of the MSt degree.
| One to one supervision |
Students will be allocated a named supervisor and can expect to receive around 12 hours of supervision. This includes meetings and feedback on drafts. Supervisions can take place on at least a termly basis with increased frequency in contact as the dissertation progresses. |
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| Seminars & classes |
The programme is delivered through a combination of in-person teaching sessions and asynchronous approaches provided via the course virtual learning environment. Examples of the type of teaching methods used include, but are not limited to, live and pre-recorded lectures, seminars, group discussions, online readings, quizzes, data handling exercises, group activities and discussion forums. Peer-to-peer learning forms an important element of course teaching. |
| Lectures |
Each module involves approximately five days of face-to-face teaching via a mixture of lectures, classes, practicals and seminars. |
| Practicals |
Each module involves approximately five days of face-to-face teaching via a mixture of lectures, classes, practicals and seminars. |
| Small group teaching |
Around 5 hours of supervision will be provided that is directly relevant to the dissertation or literature review. This will be complemented by small-group sessions exploring the research and academic writing skills needed to complete a dissertation or literature review. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Predominantly Taught
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Feedback
For modules studied: Students will receive formative feedback throughout the course to support learning, along with tutor provided feedback on the summative assignments that contribute to final marks.
For the dissertation: Students will receive feedback on both formative submissions (this does not contribute to the final mark) as well assessor feedback on the final submission.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Either:
a research project of 10,000 to 12,000 words for students that have taken 8 prior modules, or
a literature-based research project of 5,000 to 6,000 words for students that have taken 10 prior modules.
Essays
The programme will contain items of formative and summative assessment. Formative assessment will receive tutor and/or peer feedback and is designed to facilitate completion of the summative assessments. Summative assessments will consist of tasks appropriate to the discipline of study and may include, but not be limited to, essays, reports, presentations, posters, critical reviews, data handling and analysis, and group activities.
Students are assessed formatively throughout the taught modules of the programme using a variety of techniques and interrelated strategies including evidence of regular reflection; demonstration of active participation in the programme will also be required. There may also a requirement for the students to take part in peer review of other students.
For each module taken, students must complete summative assignments of 2500-3500 words or equivalent for each module.
Taught modules account for two thirds or five-sixths of the final MSt, depending on the option selected for the dissertation.
Written examination
There are no written examinations for this course.
Practical assessment
Practical assessment techniques may be used, where required, for certain parts of the programme, for example, the development of a visual aid for the Counselling Skills module.