UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

GNA5042 Cancer genomics

Faculty of Science

GNA5042 Cancer genomics is a level 5, 12-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
12
Offered in 2025
Semester 1
Clayton
Assessment
No exam
5 tasks
Workload
24 hours
per semester

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

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Requisites

Before GNA5042

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After GNA5042

No unit lists GNA5042 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.

Enrolment rules

COREQUISITE: Must be enrolled in Master of Genome Analytics or Graduate Diploma of Genome Analytics (or with permission from the unit coordinator).

PREREQUISITE: GNA5120 

Overview

This unit will enable you to gain knowledge on the application of genome sequencing in the diagnoses and clinical management of cancer. You will learn about the different mechanisms that drive cancers and how integrative -omics can be applied to understanding cancer. You will learn about the types of somatic and germline cancer mutations that develop and how they are identified. You will apply genome curation techniques to analyse cancer genomes and learn how to identify clinically relevant sequence variants. The unit is designed to develop real-world skills in using cancer genome databases and generating clinical genome analysis reports.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • Video reportPresentation
    15%
  • Oral presentationPresentation
    10%
  • QuizzesQuiz / Test
    10%
  • Test design and validation of a genomics test reportDemonstration
    30%
  • Case reportWritten
    35%

Learning outcomes

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

  1. 1

    Evaluate the different mechanisms that drive cancer and explain why genomic heterogeneity is common in cancer cells;

  2. 2

    Evaluate how integrative ‘omics’ can be applied to understanding cancer and evaluate the use of databases in cancer genome analysis and diagnosis;

  3. 3

    Assess how precision medicine can be used in cancer treatment;

  4. 4

    Apply genome curation approaches to analyse cancer genomic sequences;

  5. 5

    Apply skills to critically select different ‘omic’ tools to help answer research questions in cancer;

  6. 6

    Evaluate how cancer genomics impacts diagnosis, treatment selection, and outcome prediction;

  7. 7

    Examine the clinical utility of current and emerging genomics applications in the clinical cancer laboratory setting;

  8. 8

    Evaluate the disease mechanisms and clinical features of specific cancer types, and define and justify their associated genomic testing strategies;

  9. 9

    Critically review the scientific literature relating to cancer;

  10. 10

    Communicate research outcomes in verbal and written form using appropriate tools to a scientific audience.

Workload and teaching

  • Workshops72 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachCase-based teaching
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • Teaching approachOnline learning

A total of 24 hours per week including 12 hours of directed learning such as lectures (online), workshops, and online activities and 12 hours of self-directed study.

A total of 24 hours per week including 12 hours of directed learning such as lectures (online), workshops, and online activities and 12 hours of self-directed study.

You will be presented with patient cases that require genome analytics techniques to be applied. These techniques will first be taught in interactive workshops and then you will apply these techniques to the cases they are provided.

The online and activity learning will both involve problem-based learning, where you must apply your knowledge to new problems.

Educational content, exercises and interactive lessons will be provided in the online-learning environment. All lecture material will be provided online so as to ensure face to face time is spent in workshops and active-based learning.

Learning resources

Recommended resources

References to relevant training materials in the scientific literature and Moodle lessons to introduce concepts and develop skills.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Professor Colby Zaph
Associate Professor Joseph Rosenbluh
Chief Examiners
Associate Professor Peter Boag

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for GNA5042?

GNA5042 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is GNA5042 offered?

In 2025, GNA5042 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.

How much work is GNA5042?

The handbook expects about 24 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does GNA5042 have an exam?

No. GNA5042 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
12
Level
5
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Biological Sciences
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.250
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
202520262027