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Postgraduate Programme Specification

PgCert Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title PgCert Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Postgraduate Certificate
Programme Code MED-PC-BC UCAS Code HECoS Code 100869 - Bioinformatics - 60
100901 - Genomics - 40

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Total Credits for Programme 60
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

AWARDS, CREDITS AND PROGRESSION OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations of the University.

1) The Postgraduate Certificate in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics is an exit award only from the MSc in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics.

2) Students must pass 60 CATS of taught modules to be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics.

Students with protected characteristics

NA

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Yes
No (with the exception of students who are taking this as an intercalated degree and whose primary programmes are subject to Fitness to Practise regulations) Fitness to Practise programmes are those which permit students to enter a profession which is itself subject to Fitness to Practise rules

Educational Aims Of Programme

The overall aim of the Postgraduate Certificate in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics is to offer a high quality supportive teaching and learning environment that gives students the opportunity to:

Develop systematic knowledge and experience in theoretical foundations and practical skills in computational science, statistical analysis, programming and data interpretation for modern molecular biology and omics.

Gain an in-depth understanding of genomics as well as with state-of-the-art computational and statistical methodologies related to genomics research.

Evaluate current and future developments in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics.

Develop an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities and of the impact of bioinformatics and biotechnology in society.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically evaluate scientific literature.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, self-directed study and practical exercises

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments.

Describe how to manage and interrogate and understand complex systems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, self-directed study and practical exercises

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments.

Efficiently analyse and summarise core concepts from diverse sources.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, self-directed study and practical exercises

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments.

Creatively apply and extend scientific principles to new problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, self-directed study and practical exercises

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critical, analytical and creative thinking

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, practical exercises and coursework assignments

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and oral presentations

Oral communication and in writing scientific documentations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, practical exercises and coursework assignments

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and oral presentations.

Handling various types of IT resources.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, practical exercises and coursework assignments

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and oral presentations.

Time management.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, practical exercises and coursework assignments

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and oral presentations.

Team work.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorial-based discussion, practical exercises and coursework assignments

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and oral presentations.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Explain how genetics and omics contribute to medicine and science.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures and tutorials. Self-directed learning is strongly represented in all modules.
Practical teaching is used in most of the modules. Study material will be largely derived from core text books and also from journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments, oral presentations and practical assignments.

Elucidate the principles of cell biology.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures and tutorials. Self-directed learning is strongly represented in all modules.
Practical teaching is used in most of the modules. Study material will be largely derived from core text books and also from journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments, oral presentations and practical assignments.

Elucidate the practical steps involved in performing a range of omics analyses.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures and tutorials. Self-directed learning is strongly represented in all modules.
Practical teaching is used in most of the modules. Study material will be largely derived from core text books and also from journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments, oral presentations and practical assignments.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Interrogate relevant online resources for efficient data retrieval and analysis.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, practical exercises, coursework assignments and oral presentations

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and oral presentations

Utilise a variety of existing databases and prediction tools in biomedical research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, practical exercises, coursework assignments and oral presentations

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and oral presentations

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Biostatistical Informatics SCM8109 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Genomics and Human Disease SCM8095 7 20 YES -- 10 weeks N YES -- 70% 30% 0%
Systems Medicine: from Molecules to Populations SCM8152 7 10 -- YES 6 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Health and Biomedical informatics and the exposome SCM8148 7 10 -- YES 6 weeks N YES -- 80% 20% 0%
Analysis of Gene Expression SCM8051 7 20 YES -- 10 weeks N YES -- 75% 25% 0%
Applied Genomics SCM8108 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 30% 70% 0%
Scientific Programming & Statistical Computing SCM7047 7 20 YES -- 10 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

In addition to the modules listed students will also have an introductory module SCM7046 Introductory Cell Biology and Computational Analysis which is attendance only at the start of semester one.

Students must have obtained 60 CATS from any of the modules listed above for the Certificate in Bioinformatics & Computational Genomics