Biomedical Genomics (MSc)

MSc (Biomedical Genomics)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
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Course Overview

The aim of this programme is to train graduates with backgrounds in the molecular life sciences in genomics relevant to medical applications. With continuing advances in the technologies that are used to sequence DNA, medical applications of genomics are becoming increasingly important. It is now possible to diagnose rare genetic diseases from genomic sequences, while sequencing of tumours has become an important means of refining therapeutic choices in cancer treatment. Graduates of this programme will gain core skills in genomics analysis and practical experience of applying these skills to biological samples and data.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

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You may also be interested in one of our other Mathematics, Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics postgraduate programmes.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. Selection is based on the candidate's academic record at an undergraduate level and their aptitude for the course.

Who Teaches this Course

Pilib Ó Broin, PhD

Dr Haixuan Yang

MSc, PhD

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Professor Cathal Seoighe

PhD

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Dr Andrew Flaus

BSc, PhD.

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Dr Derek Morris

BSc, Ph.D

Senior Lecturer
Biochemistry
Room 106
Arts/Science Building
South Campus
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DR EVA ERZSEBET SZEGEZDI

M.Sc., Ph.D.

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Requirements and Assessment

Students are formally assessed through a variety of both continuous assessment and end-of-semester written examinations. Continuous assessment will include written assignments, programming exercises, genomic analyses, group and individual presentations, and case studies, while assessment of the Research Project includes examination of a written thesis, as well as oral presentations, and participation in a research seminar series.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have achieved a First or strong Second Class Honours degree in a cognate discipline. Qualifying degrees include, but are not limited to: biochemistry, genetics, biomedical science, and biotechnology.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please refer to the review/closing date web-page.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

MSC-BMG

Course Outline

This is a 12-month, 90-credit course consisting of 60 credits of taught modules and a 30 credit research project. Taught modules will be completed by the end of Semester 2 and will consist of 45 credits of core and 15 credits of optional modules. Both the core modules and the set of optional modules available to the student depend on whether the student has a background in the molecular life sciences or the quantitative or computational sciences. From the end of Semester 2, the student will focus on a full-time basis on an individual research project.

Optional modules (10 credits from the options below)

Applied statistics (5 ECTS)
Networks (5 ECTS)
Data Visualisation (5 ECTS)
Advanced and applied immunology (5 ECTS)
Molecular and cellular biology of cancer (10 ECTS)

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Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

The MSc in Biomedical Genomics will provide the mix of skills required to engage in genomics analysis and research in a variety of settings. As advances in precision medicine take hold, it is anticipated that the need for genomics analysts in health care, the pharmaceutical industry and in academic research will continue to increase, generating opportunities to seek employment in each of these areas.

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Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,640 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€8,500 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€27,000 p.a. (€27,140 including levy) 2024/25

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.

Find out More

Cathal Seoighe
T: +353 91 492 343
E: cathal.seoighe@universityofgalway.ie

Haixuan Yang
T: +353 89 949 2030
E: haixuan.yang@universityofgalway.ie

What the Experts Say

Dr. Colm O’Dushlaine | Manager, Statistical Genetics, Regeneron Genetics Center,USA

Genomics has become a transformative technology for drug discovery. This MSc programme will produce graduates with the range of skills needed to attract employers and build excellent careers in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Dr. John Greally | Director,Einstein College of Medicine Center for Epigenomics

I am really excited by this programme because it provides the unique combination of molecular and analytical skills that are critical in order to take advantage of the current wave of innovation in genomics-based technologies. I can see NUI Galway establishing itself as a major centre for biomedical genomics training and research in Europe.

Dr. Terri McVeigh | Specialist Registrar in Clinical Genetics, OLCH Crumlin

I work both as a doctor in Clinical Genetics, and also as a cancer researcher. [The genomics data analysis] module was enormously beneficial to me from both clinical and academic perspectives. The material used in the end-of-module assignment could be derived from our own work or from a dataset of our interest, meaning that we could immediately see real-life applications of our new skills and knowledge base. I would highly recommend this module, and indeed this MSc to anybody with a clinical or research interest in genomics.

Eamon McAndrew | MSc Biomedical Genomics Graduate

My undergraduate degree was in industrial biochemistry, so my background was laboratory-based with a focus on the development of and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. I became interested in this MSc after learning about the potential of precision medicine to revolutionise many areas of healthcare. The short course format at the beginning of the MSc is a very effective style of teaching - it brings everyone up to a standard level of knowledge in the underlying biology and the ability to read and write code, while also establishing an intuitive understanding of the mathematics underpinning the methods used in genomics. With limited knowledge of computer science and mathematics, I did find it challenging, but the small course size was invaluable as help was always on hand from my peers or my tutors, allowing for instant feedback and discussion. The skills developed are not only applicable to the field of genomics but to any profession with data science at its core. As the demand for skills taught in this course are projected to grow, I would recommend this course to individuals interested in a career transition and to those wishing to develop skills to maximise future employability.

International scholarships available

Other postgraduate scholarships available