Applied Bioinformatics and Genetic Epidemiology (MSc) 12 months Postgraduate Program By Cardiff University |Top Universities

Program overview

Main Subject

Medicine

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Blended

The aim of this programme is to provide individuals with a platform to explore, analyse and interpret contemporary biological data. This course offers Masters level instruction in Bioinformatics and Genetic Epidemiology with a focus in genetic epidemiology.

With a focus on genetic epidemiology, this programme is ideal for graduates from a life sciences, mathematics, or computer sciences discipline.

It will provide you with the skills and knowledge of computational and statistical biosciences to prepare you for a challenging career in academic research, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Bioinformatics is the field of study that utilises computational tools to understand biology. Genetic Epidemiology is the study of how genetic factors play a role in determining health and disease, and their interplay with the environment. As well as developing core skills in computational and statistical biosciences, you will focus gene discovery approaches including GWAS, explore copy-number variation (CNV) analysis, and post-GWAS approached such as pathway/network, gene-set and polygenic epidemiological methods.

This programme has been designed to meet the growing demand from academic research, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical and health care industries for capable informaticians with bioinformatics skills. We will provide instruction in computational and statistical biosciences and you will foster the additional complementary skills required to enable you to work effectively within a multidisciplinary bioinformatics arena.

Aims of the Programme

  • To introduce the commonly exploited computational, statistical and analytical approaches to post genomic biology and genetics
  • To develop skills to understand and critically evaluate research methodologies and conclusions that allow you to make sound judgements about the applicability of these techniques to your own research
  • To develop competency in both the design and analysis of studies and the effective extraction of information in genetics, genomics and other biosciences coupled with the ability to communicate the information, results, issues and ideas to audiences of both a specialist and non-specialist background
  • To prepare and provide guidance to perform an original piece of research within the specialist area in which you wish to pursue your career

Distinctive features

This course was first established over a decade ago in response to the completion of the first drafts of the human genome project and the subsequent informatics needs of the genetics and genomics communities.  Ongoing advances in genomic technologies and analytic approaches have dictated the continuing evolution of this programme to provide contemporary instruction in new essential skills.

Our course is accessible to students with primary degrees in mathematics, life sciences or computing. Modules in core complementary areas such as in computation/scripting, statistics and molecular biology provide the fundamental building blocks necessary to succeed in bioinformatic analysis and interpretation.

In the Spring Semester, you will undertake a 20-credit case-study. This will include taught elements in research skills and involve working directly with a client using real data. You will be embedded in one of the many research centres across campus and gain valuable experience in delivering bioinformatics projects for research programmes.  The resulting data will also be presented alongside your peers at our case-study poster sessions.

You will be taught essential organisation and coding skills and given extended instruction in statistics. If you are not from a life sciences background, we will introduce you to the biology behind the data and help you make informed decisions around data choice and interpretation.

Program overview

Main Subject

Medicine

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Blended

The aim of this programme is to provide individuals with a platform to explore, analyse and interpret contemporary biological data. This course offers Masters level instruction in Bioinformatics and Genetic Epidemiology with a focus in genetic epidemiology.

With a focus on genetic epidemiology, this programme is ideal for graduates from a life sciences, mathematics, or computer sciences discipline.

It will provide you with the skills and knowledge of computational and statistical biosciences to prepare you for a challenging career in academic research, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Bioinformatics is the field of study that utilises computational tools to understand biology. Genetic Epidemiology is the study of how genetic factors play a role in determining health and disease, and their interplay with the environment. As well as developing core skills in computational and statistical biosciences, you will focus gene discovery approaches including GWAS, explore copy-number variation (CNV) analysis, and post-GWAS approached such as pathway/network, gene-set and polygenic epidemiological methods.

This programme has been designed to meet the growing demand from academic research, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical and health care industries for capable informaticians with bioinformatics skills. We will provide instruction in computational and statistical biosciences and you will foster the additional complementary skills required to enable you to work effectively within a multidisciplinary bioinformatics arena.

Aims of the Programme

  • To introduce the commonly exploited computational, statistical and analytical approaches to post genomic biology and genetics
  • To develop skills to understand and critically evaluate research methodologies and conclusions that allow you to make sound judgements about the applicability of these techniques to your own research
  • To develop competency in both the design and analysis of studies and the effective extraction of information in genetics, genomics and other biosciences coupled with the ability to communicate the information, results, issues and ideas to audiences of both a specialist and non-specialist background
  • To prepare and provide guidance to perform an original piece of research within the specialist area in which you wish to pursue your career

Distinctive features

This course was first established over a decade ago in response to the completion of the first drafts of the human genome project and the subsequent informatics needs of the genetics and genomics communities.  Ongoing advances in genomic technologies and analytic approaches have dictated the continuing evolution of this programme to provide contemporary instruction in new essential skills.

Our course is accessible to students with primary degrees in mathematics, life sciences or computing. Modules in core complementary areas such as in computation/scripting, statistics and molecular biology provide the fundamental building blocks necessary to succeed in bioinformatic analysis and interpretation.

In the Spring Semester, you will undertake a 20-credit case-study. This will include taught elements in research skills and involve working directly with a client using real data. You will be embedded in one of the many research centres across campus and gain valuable experience in delivering bioinformatics projects for research programmes.  The resulting data will also be presented alongside your peers at our case-study poster sessions.

You will be taught essential organisation and coding skills and given extended instruction in statistics. If you are not from a life sciences background, we will introduce you to the biology behind the data and help you make informed decisions around data choice and interpretation.

Admission requirements

1 Year
Sep

Tuition fee and scholarships

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Cardiff University offers 350 degree programmes offering choice and flexibility. Our range of modules mean that you can effectively tailor your degree programme to suit your particular interests and career ambitions.

Our courses rank #40 in the world for Communication & Media Studies, #43 for Dentistry, in addition to Architecture/Built Environment, English Language & Literature, Psychology, GeographyNursing and Pharmacy & Pharmacology all ranking in the top 100 according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. 

Cardiff University’s undergraduate teaching has been recognised as excellent in the UK, with Electrical & Electronic Engineering as #1, Architecture recognised as #2, Midwifery as #3, Physics as #10, and Psychology as #12 by the The Guardian University Guide 2024. Cardiff's Optometry, Ophthalmics & Orthoptics ranked #3, Dentistry as #4 and Pharmacology & Pharmacy ranked #5 in The Complete University Guide 2024, and Nursing as #4, Communication & Media Studies as #9 by The Times University Guide 2024. Many of the University’s degree schemes are accredited by professional bodies and provide partial or complete exemption from relevant professional examinations.

Cardiff offers unique opportunities for its students during their undergraduate studies. Students can undertake international study, volunteering and work placements through the Global Opportunities Team. Students can also learn a language for free as part of the Languages for All initiative – Welsh lessons are also offered to help students get a flavour for the unique cultural environment Cardiff provides. These extra services, as well as a dedicated Students’ Union (voted 2nd best in the UK two years in a row), ensure that students at Cardiff University thoroughly enjoy their experience. In the National Student Survey 2023, 72% of final-year undergraduate students reported that they were satisfied with their course.

Undergraduate students at Cardiff University are supported throughout their courses, right from day one up until graduation. In addition to having access to facilities supporting student wellbeing, such as the dedicated International Student Support team, Cardiff University students also have access to excellent careers and employability services. 95% of our graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, 15 months after the end of their course.

A place in one of the University’s 5,543 student rooms is guaranteed to all first-year undergraduates entering the normal admissions cycle. The vast majority of student residences are single en-suite study bedrooms in self-catered flats. Students enjoy some of the lowest rents in the UK as Cardiff is the most affordable university city in the UK.

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Study with us at Cardiff University and you’ll join a thriving community of 10,000 postgraduate students from more than 115 countries. We have more than 300 postgraduate study options for you to choose from, including full-time, part-time, blended learning and distance learning courses for balancing study with professional, financial or family commitments.. 

90% of research at Cardiff University is officially world-leading or internationally excellent according to the latest independent assessment of research quality across UK higher education institutions (REF 2021). 

We have a long history of providing outstanding research-led teaching. Our staff are experts in their fields, working at the forefront of their academic discipline – which means that you will too.

Bursting with culture, cuisine, architecture, entertainment and history, where beyond the buzz of the city, you will find incredible beaches, countryside and mountains. Cardiff was ranked the best city in the UK by Condé Nast Traveller in 2023. The city is also budget-friendly: Cardiff was recently ranked as the second UK’s most affordable university city (Natwest Student Living Index 2023).

We have a number of funding opportunities available, including our Master’s Excellence Scholarship scheme. Many courses are also eligible for government postgraduate loans for master’s programmes for UK and EU students. We want to help you make the most of your postgraduate experience, by ensuring you can access any additional help you may need. From money advice and confidential counselling to disability services and award-winning childcare, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our Students' Union is the 2nd best in the UK (Whatuni Choice Awards 2024). Home to over 200 student societies and 60 sports clubs, a free employment service and a number of social spaces, the Students' Union caters to every student's needs.

Our Languages for All programme gives you the chance to improve your language skills alongside your studies – for free. Our flexible choice of study options allows you to learn in a way that suits you, through weekly classes, intensive sessions or independent learning.


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