UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

GEN3051 Medical and forensic genetics

Faculty of Science

GEN3051 Medical and forensic genetics is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2025
Semester 1
Clayton, Malaysia
Assessment
No exam
5 tasks

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before GEN3051

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After GEN3051

No unit lists GEN3051 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUISITES: One or more of GEN2041, BMS2042, MCB2011

Overview

Advances in DNA sequencing and gene editing technologies are leading to rapid improvements in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease. These developments are paving the way towards a future of personalised medicine, where each individual is managed according to their specific genetic make-up.  This unit explores the theoretical basis and application of genetic and genomic approaches to both medicine and forensics. Topics include genetic screening, clinical diagnostics, gene mapping, molecular pathology, genetic multi-factorial disease, gene therapy and DNA profiling. The impact and ethics of recent genetic advances on both the individual and society will be discussed. Practical sessions will include mapping of disease loci and its application to risk analysis, critical examination of recent literature, investigation of genetic disorders, genetic testing for disease mutations, and forensic profiling.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonBlended
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • In–semester testsQuiz / Test
    50%
  • Cystic fibrosis reportWritten
    20%
  • News and views articleWritten
    10%
  • Oral presentationsPresentation
    15%
  • Forensic genetics reportWritten
    5%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Explain the application of modern genetic techniques such as gene mapping, genome-wide association studies and individual genome-sequencing to: i) the characterisation, diagnosis and treatment of simple and complex human diseases; and ii) the identification of individuals and relationships between individuals by forensic genetics;

  2. 2

    Describe how variations in the DNA sequence of a gene can result in changes in gene function that ultimately lead to disease symptoms and explain how improved understanding of this molecular pathology can aid in the treatment of disease, and illustrate the value of model organisms in investigating the molecular pathology of human diseases;

  3. 3

    Demonstrate high-level skills in data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation, and apply these in written scientific reports and oral presentations;

  4. 4

    Apply advanced problem-solving skills to issues of medical and forensic genetics;

  5. 5

    Critically evaluate and summarise new discoveries from the scientific literature in medical and forensic genetics.

Workload and teaching

  • Lectures24 hours
  • Practical activities36 hours
  • Two 1-hour lectures;
  • One 3-hour practical session and
  • Seven hours of independent study per week

Learning resources

Required resources

A laboratory coat and closed shoes are required for laboratory-based classes.

GEN3051 Moodle pages.

Where it fits

GEN3051 is part of 8 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Professor Robert Bryson-Richardson
Professor Sadequr Rahman
Chief Examiners
Professor Robert Bryson-Richardson

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for GEN3051?

GEN3051 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is GEN3051 offered?

In 2025, GEN3051 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.

Does GEN3051 have an exam?

No. GEN3051 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.

Which majors and minors include GEN3051?

GEN3051 is part of Biochemistry; Biotechnology; Genetics and genomics; Genomics and bioinformatics; and Plant sciences.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
3
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Biological Sciences
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available