GNA5051 Medical and forensic genetics
Faculty of Science
GNA5051 Medical and forensic genetics is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2022 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 30%
- and 1 other task
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2024 entry.
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Requisites
Before GNA5051
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After GNA5051
No unit lists GNA5051 as a prerequisite in the 2022 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PROHIBITION: GEN3051
COREQUISITE: Must be enrolled in Master of Genome Analytics (or with permission from the unit coordinator)
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
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 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-semester assignmentsAssignment70%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Exam30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Assess the application of modern genetic techniques to: i) the characterisation, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases; and ii) the identification of individuals and relationships between individuals by forensic genetics;
- 2
Evaluate how variations in sequence can affect gene function and lead to disease symptoms; outline how understanding molecular pathology can aid in the treatment of disease; and illustrate the value of model organisms in investigating human disease;
- 3
Demonstrate high-level skills in data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation, and combine these in written scientific reports and oral presentations;
- 4
Combine advanced problem-solving skills to evaluate issues involving medical and forensic genetics;
- 5
Critically evaluate and summarise new discoveries from the scientific literature in medical and forensic genetics.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops12 hours
- Lectures23 hours
- Practical activities15 hours
- 23 hours lecture material;
- 15 hours practical activities;
- 12 hours workshops activities and
- 94 hours of independent study per semester
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Robert Bryson-Richardson
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Robert Bryson-Richardson
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for GNA5051?
GNA5051 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is GNA5051 offered?
In 2022, GNA5051 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does GNA5051 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.