MSc Applied Genomics
Harnessing the power of big data and experimental research to revolutionise biological sciences and biomedicine.
Overview
This Master’s course will teach you how 'big data' (omics) can be used to understand the mechanisms underlying biological processes and diseases. You will learn to extract the relevant information and perform functional analysis and validation of your selected targets. You will apply novel experimental techniques in the laboratory to work towards understanding the causes, and potentially find cures, for diseases.
This programme will be especially appealing to students with a background in biology, genetics, biochemistry, medicine and related areas, and for those who are interested in a career in modern biomedicine, whether going on to study a PhD in academia or straight to work in biomedical industry.
Study programme
During the first six months, you will acquire theoretical knowledge on how large scale data (for example, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) can be generated and deployed to find interesting genes associated with a particular disease. You will also gain knowledge on the experimental tools (in vitro and in vivo) that you can use in the laboratory to test your hypotheses by attending lectures, workshops, journal clubs, demonstrations and practical laboratory sessions.
You will also select a biological or medical topic of your choice and prepare a report in the form of either a literature review or a PhD/grant proposal. This will equip you with a breadth of transferable skills that are essential to design a successful research programme and highly desirable in both academia and industry.
During the last six months of the programme, you will conduct a research project in one of our internationally recognized laboratories at Imperial. You will be able to choose from a wide range of projects, focused either on experimental research ('wet lab'), with a strong computational component, or blended.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Page last reviewed on 25 October 2021.
Core modules
All modules are compulsory.
Introduction to Multi-omics Research
An introduction to omics (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.) and the approaches to handle, understand and find targets from big data in biology.
Non-coding RNAs, Gene Editing and In Vitro Modelling
Role of non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, CRISPR, etc.) and application of gene editing and other widely used laboratory research techniques in biology and medicine.
In Vivo Modelling and Use of Human Material and Data
Use of animal models and human samples to investigate mechanisms of disease.
Core and professional skills
Training in basic laboratory skills during the performance of a mini researchproject (3 weeks long) designed by the students in groups.
Systematic Review
A literature review on a topic of your choice leading to a scientific poster and a written review paper, PhD project or grant proposal.
Experimental/Computational Disease Modelling Research Project
Six-month laboratory project in a host research group leading to the production of an MSc thesis. Students will choose between wet laboratory-based and/or computational research projects.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Laboratory project
- Laboratory sessions
- Online tests
- Seminars
- Small group teaching
- Systematic review
- Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Assessment methods
- Literature project thesis
- Laboratory project thesis
- Oral presentation of laboratory project and journal club
- Oral examination
- Poster presentation
- Team Based Learning
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Admissions
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, or related biomedical science discipline.
Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements listed but who have substantial relevant industry experience may exceptionally be admitted following completion of a ‘Special Qualifying Exam’ (SQE).
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
How to apply
Application deadlines
We consider applications to this course in three batches. Applications received before each deadline are considered in those batches.
- First batch: 28 January 2022
- Second batch: 22 April 2022
- Third batch: 1 July 2022
If you wish for your application to be considered in a particular batch, please apply at least five working days before the deadline to ensure your application is included in that round of decision making.
If all spaces are filled before these deadlines, applications will close early. Therefore, we suggest you apply as soon as possible.
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
ATAS certificate
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£13,000
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£37,800
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies.
See what opportunities you may be eligible for:
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
Got a question?
T: +44 (0)20 7594 6515
E: deborah.jones@imperial.ac.uk
Read more about the Department and our research in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction.
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