Applications are currently being accepted and can be made via the UCD applications page. 

Genomic data, coupled with advances in Bioinformatics, Data Science and AI are transforming medicine, medical research and the biopharma value chain. Upskilling and diversifying the skillsets of a generation of life scientists, biomedical scientists and healthcare professionals to effectively utilize this data is essential to realizing this transformation. Drawing on coursework in Bioinformatics, Machine learning, Biostatistics and Data science for Genomics this MSc is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary skill sets to draw insights and value from such datasets and to communicate their findings across different domains. 

How technologies such as Genomics have revolutionized the application areas of public health, infectious disease, biopharma drug discovery and cancer will also be explored throughout the program using examples internationally and from within the Irish setting. Academically, the MSc will provide conceptual understanding and advanced scholarship, enabling students to critically evaluate and critique current research and innovation methodologies and develop new research questions and hypotheses.

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 interdisciplinary 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 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 couples teaching in the 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.

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.

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 Biomarker 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. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the high throughput technologies and data types that underpin precision medicine.
4. Understand the data analysis techniques used to analyse data from high throughput technologies.
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 to choose and deploy the appropriate statistical, bioinformatic or machine learning analysis strategy for the interpretation of different data types in the exploitation of scientific discovery.
3. Apply their skills in scientific writing (proposals, reports, publications), effectively customise their CVs to specific job applications and apply the basic principles of project planning.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:

1. Understand the conceptual developments and new approaches being applied to further advance knowledge in the precision medicine lifecycle.
2. Identify and deploy cutting edge bioinformatics, statistical and machine learning tools to derive insight from biomedical data in the academic, clinical and industrial spheres.
3. Understand current industrial practice in the workplace and be aware of career opportunities and how to identify and exploit them.

Communications and Working Skills

On successful completion of this programme students will be able to: communicate effectively to their peers in academia, industry and the wider public through scientific writing (proposals, reports, publications) and presentations (pitching an idea, presenting results, convincing in a discussion).

On successful completion of this programme students will be able to: Evaluate their independent learning needs and study independently using library resources, Computer-assisted learning (CAL), and web-based study activities. Understand current industrial practices in the workplace, Understand the career planning process and be able to plan their career more effectively.

Exit & Progression Opportunities

• Candidates will complete a 90-credit MSc programme as a full-time, 1-year programme (X889).
• In addition, there are options to complete the 60-credit Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics for Precision Medicine (X891).
• Stepwise progression enables students who have successfully completed 60-credits to attain the Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics for Precision Medicine.

This programme will be delivered on the University College Dublin Belfield campus with some learning delivered via online resources.

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

Programmes fees are subject to change, please consult the Fees & Grants Office website for the relevant fee.