Medicine - Precision Medicine

Course Features

- Masters Taught Degree; Full-Time (1 year)

- Content formulation in conjunction with industry leaders

- Traditional Didactic Teaching with online, synchronous and asynchronous learning

- Exit and Entry Strategies at Graduate Diploma level

- NFQ Level 9, 90 ECTS Credits



Course Overview

Genomics and precision medicine represents a growing area of science and medicine. A greater understanding of the role a person’s genes, behaviours and environment plays in their general health is becoming an increasingly important part of the global healthcare and biomedical research ecosystem.



Upskilling and diversifying the skillsets of a generation of life scientists, biomedical scientists and healthcare professionals to effectively understand utilize this data driven approach is essential to realizing this transformation. Students will be taught the fundamentals of clinical and translational research, applications in clinical diagnostics and Biomarker development and how precision medicine is being applied in the areas of oncology, drug development and infectious disease. Introductory modules in translational bioinformatics and biostatistics have been added to provide students new to these areas with interdisciplinary skill sets to draw insights and value from precision medicine data and to communicate their findings across different domains. The program will be delivered by clinical and scientific experts from UCD, experienced Bioinformaticians and computer scientists, statisticians and experts in public health as well as industry leaders in precision medicine. This programme is applicable to life sciences graduates and healthcare professionals, wishing to pursue careers in industry, academia and in clinical settings.



We envision the MSc programme to be structured into a series of core and optional strands composed of 5 and 10 credit modules coupled with a 30-credit research project.



The program will be offered as a Graduate Diploma for students completing 60 credits worth of taught modules without carrying out the 30-credit project.



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.



Who should take this course

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.



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.

What will I learn

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.

Am I eligible for this course?

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.



International students

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.



Who should take this course

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.



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.

To Apply

Applications are currently being accepted and can be made via the UCD applications page (see "Application Weblink" below).

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Course Codes

X954 full-time MSc

X956 full-time Grad Dip

X957 full-time Grad Cert

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.