Clinical Trials Design
About
This course seeks to develop students' knowledge of important and emerging areas within personalised medicine. It explores the role of pharmacogenetics developing an understanding of the molecular aspects of personalised medicine. The course reviews the methods of biomarker discovery and translation and considers the issues surrounding personalised medicine research and its application into society.
The course aims are to:
- Provide a detailed knowledge of genetics and pharmacogenomics in medicine.
- Review the principles and progress of personalised medicine in healthcare.
- Develop a detailed knowledge of translational skills relating to biomarker discovery, validation and analysis.
- Consider the potential of personalised medicine and the current issues affecting its implementation into society.
This course provides an academically challenging science education for those who wish to follow a career within the area of Personalised Medicine. You may also undertake this online programme for your continued professional development within your individual area of employment and this may be for career enhancement.
Progression pathways:
- PgCertPD Professional Development
- MSc Biomedical Sciences (specific criteria need to be met to progress to this course)
- MSc Personalised Medicine
Term dates
This course is delivered fully online for 12 weeks in Semester 1, starting 22 September 2025, with no on campus attendance requirements.
Attendance
12.5 hours per week; this includes lecture material and independent study. This is an online course so there is no on campus attendance requirements.
Location
This course is taught online.
Teaching and Assessment
This module is 100% coursework, this includes a class test and written assignments.
Material is released at the start of each week and then you will have the week to complete it at a time that suits you.
There are some live sessions in the module which provide information and support for assessments and provide an opportunity to ask questions.
Academic Profile
Dr Sarah Atkinson is the Academic Lead for Education in the School of Biomedical Sciences and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Alongside her teaching responsibilities, Sarah is actively involved in research within the Genomic Medicine Research Centre at Coleraine.
Further Information
Module
This is a 15 credit module short course.
Entry requirements
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
a second class honours degree or better with significant bioscience (or biostatistics) such as nursing, biomedical sciences, biology, pharmacy from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;
and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).
In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are 18 or over at the point of enrolment;
- have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress your application. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements including competency in English (as evidenced by GCSE Grade C in English or alternative). For English competency, a degree taught in UK or Ireland covers this requirement. If your degree is from outside the UK or Ireland, please see our list of acceptable qualifications or tests.
- are available to register in person at the campus as required.
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come , first served basis.. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications can not be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time (including modules to a total of 45 credits per semester - if studying part-time).
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence of having right to work and undertake training in the UK*
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else
* Holders of UK or Irish passports automatically have this right. if you hold a passport from another nation, please provide evidence of UK immigration permissions to include a ShareCode and/or BRP.
To select the correct course, in the field called Please select the subject area, select Health & Social Care from the drop down box. Then select Introduction to Personalised Medicine & Pharmacogenomics from the next drop down box.
