Fundamentals in Human Genetics and Genomics 15 credits

The aim of this microcredential is to prepare students to understand the role of genetics in disease, how genomic information can be utilised to elucidate disease mechanism and biology, and its role in personalised medicine. This microcredential will serve as a foundation for those wishing to advance their careers within the NHS in genomic medicine.

This microcredential will cover the structure and variations in the human genomics, including fundamental principles of genetics and genomics. Students undertaking this module will review the architecture of the human genome and the functional units embedded in it. In addition this module will cover DNA sequence variation and how variation is structured across the genome explaining the principles of linkage disequilibrium and its extent in human populations (e.g. HapMap project). Students will also cover aspects of gene regulation and chromatin structure and understand the importance of genotype to phenotype correlation.

Microcredential content

• Structure and organisation of the human genome and genetic variation within it.
• Overview of DNA replication, transcription and translation.
• Overview of cell division (mitosis, meiosis) and recombination.
• Gene regulation: enhancers, promoters, transcription factors, silencers and the role of epigenetics.
• DNA sequence variation, type and frequency, for example, single nucleotide variants (SNVs), small insertions and deletions (indels), copy number variation (CNVs), rearrangements and tandem repeats.
• How variation arises and its extent in populations.
• Concept of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
• Mutational mechanisms: how different types of DNA variants (including epigenetics and imprinting) affect gene function or expression to cause disease.
• Correlation of genotype with phenotype, including penetrance and variation in expression.
• Concepts of heterogeneity and pleiotropy.
• Modes of inheritance for clinical manifestation of human variation.

Credits

15 credits

Attendance required

On campus teaching will be delivered over 5 days:

• 22nd, 23rd, 26th, and 29th September 2025
• 3rd October 2025

To apply, students should have a good honours degree in a life sciences subject, although we will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and professional experience within the health service or other relevant background.

Please contact the Programme Coordinator for further information at genomics@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Please note this microcredential is available for home applicants only.

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note the deadline for submitting an application:

• Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
• Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.