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Student experience
Overview
As the first degree of its kind in Australia, the Master of Genomics and Health is an innovative area of study that provides ample opportunities for students who wish to learn about the rapidly expanding field of genomics. The degree is suited to medical and allied health professionals wishing to upskill their knowledge in genomics, as well as scientists or undergraduates of science and biomedicine wishing to learn more about ethical and socially responsible genomic programs and practices.
The day-to-day experience
This two-year, full-time (four-year part-time) degree is delivered in a blended learning format, complementing face-to-face tuition with online learning.
The degree offers flexibility to tailor your study experience to meet your individual interests; whether you’re looking to pursue a career in science, laboratory work or study the legal and ethical implications of this burgeoning field.
In your second year, you will have the option to complete an internship at one of our partner organisations. This is a valuable opportunity to hone your skills and gain first-hand industry experience, while providing the chance to build useful networks and professional opportunities after graduation.
Opportunities
The breadth of research electives offered by the Master of Genomics and Health provide an ideal foundation for students wanting to embark on a PhD.
Students can craft their degree to encompass relevant areas, such as public health and policy, ethics and law, bioinformatics, variant curation, clinical trials and research, indigenous health and more.
Upon graduating, you will be empowered to enhance genomic literacy across a wide range of workforces and as the demand for genomic specialists rises, you will be well-equipped to tackle the challenges in this emerging field.
Read about Sarah's experience:
Sarah Casauria
I’ve been fascinated by genomics ever since watching the BBC TV show Orphan Black in Year 12, so the opportunity to immerse myself in pure genomics and everything surrounding it really appealed.
The course offers so many different pathways. We touch on genetic science, ethics, counselling, public health and more. We’re learning so many different skills and I think there will be a lot of career options for us. I’m interested in pursuing a career where I can utilise my science communication skills, whether that be for consumer information, medical ethics or research.
In second year we start internships, which are helping me realise how many different industries need genomics. I’m doing my first internship with a reproductive service, doing client information, which combines my passion for science communication with my knowledge of genomics.
I’m enjoying communicating genomics with patients who may have no knowledge of the topic. I’m also meeting people who are big names in the field, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn from them.
I’ve really enjoyed the coursework so far, too. Because we’re such a small cohort we get a lot of attention and support, not just with our studies but with our wellbeing as well.
For our first year we mingle in with the genetic counselling students because we overlap core subjects so we get to know everyone in both courses. I’ve gotten to know the other students much more than I did in my bachelor degree, which I’ve really enjoyed.
In first year the teaching is fairly self-directed with classes once or twice a week at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Second year is more demanding, but if you manage your time well there’s still space for life outside of uni.