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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences : Molecular and Clinical Medicine

Postgraduate Course: Key Concepts in Molecular Pathology and Personalised Medicine (MCLM11070)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course will provide students with an understanding of the different methodologies for molecular pathology sample processing and analysis. Students will be able to critically evaluate the performance of a range of molecular diagnostics. This course provides students with the foundational knowledge required for the next course in the PG cert ("Molecular Pathology of Cancer"), in which students will apply their understanding of molecular diagnostics to a range of site specific cancers. This course will also explore how genetic testing contributes to the clinical care of patients, and the role of testing in determining patient treatment.

Aims of the course:

1. To develop an understanding of the performance markers (sensitivity/specificity) of molecular diagnostic tests

2. To critically appraise the role of mutation analysis in the context of Clinical Genetics and patient care.
Course description The course is divided into three conceptual blocks:

2A. Sample handling and Assessment of diagnostic test performance.
2B. Personalised medicine - strengths & limitations.
2C. Communicating genetic information to patients.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Purchasing of books, personal computers if not using university facilities.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Flexible
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 5, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4, Online Activities 8, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Formative Assessment Hours 4, Summative Assessment Hours 9, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 66 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 100% Coursework

Assessments are designed to be directly relevant to individuals working in the National Health Service, as such they are often modelled on content-specific standardised reports and relevant clinical practice. Assessments utilised to monitor students' progression include participation in online discussions, a written assignment and a short presentation.
Feedback Students will receive formative or summative feedback on all assessed pieces of work.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Describe the different methods for sample processing and the different approaches used for sample analysis (e.g. microscopic pathology, immunohistochemistry, FISH and DNA extraction).
  2. Evaluate the performance of different molecular diagnostics used in the clinic.
  3. Appraise the strengths and limitations of personalised medicine in clinical settings.
  4. Model genetic counselling skills in a clinical context.
Reading List
The theory and practice of Molecular Pathology and Genomic Medicine is a very rapidly advancing field, and no single textbook is appropriate or sufficiently up to date. The course will draw on key established textbooks in the field, but will also use review papers and key research papers to ensure the most up to date learning for students.

The following textbooks will provide students with background information on core genetic, genomic and pathology content:

Strachan T and Read A. Human Molecular Genetics 4th Ed. Garland Science 2010.

Strachan T, Goodship J and Chinnery P. Genetics and Genomics in Medicine. Garland Science
2014.

Muir's Textbook of Pathology, Fifteenth Edition, 2014
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsMolecular diagnostics,Molecular Pathology,Genomic Medicine,Genetic counselling,Personalised Medicine
Contacts
Course organiserDr Amy Hansen
Tel: (0131 6)51 8757
Email: Amy.Hansen@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Louise Pert
Tel: (0131 6)51 1041
Email: Louise.pert@igmm.ed.ac.uk
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