69360 Precision Medicine
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Precision medicine is at the forefront of Medical Science innovation and individualised health care improvements, taking into account individual variabilities in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. In this subject, the current context and overall clinical utility of precision medicine are explored. The latest advances in Science which feed into precision medicine - including ‘omics’, customised therapies, molecular profiling, cellular and biologic interventions - are investigated through the lens of real-world cases to ensure students are aware of the very latest innovations in the sector as well as the current challenges and limitations. Sector-wide progress and medical needs for the future of precision medicine are examined in the contexts of prevention, diagnosis, intervention, therapy, and prognosis for the individual.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Evaluate the current utility of precision medicine in the contexts of medical and health applications. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Critically analyse new innovations, current challenges, and limitations in precision medicine. |
| 3. | Research and authenticate potential solutions for future advancement in precision medicine. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise and apply advanced skills and knowledge to contribute to professional practice, leadership and scholarship relevant to medical science contexts. (1.1)
- Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate independent research to solve complex problems contributing to a field of work or learning to address medical or health research needs. (2.1)
- Reflexively determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information and engage with abstract concepts to derive innovative solutions to complex medical science problems. (4.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Precision Medicine is a Medical Science core subject for the Master of Medical Science Leadership (CO4451) course. This subject aims to develop knowledge of the use of genetics in healthcare, particularly the use of genetics in patient diagnosis, guiding treatments and choice of medication as well as providing information about the likely course of a patient’s disease.
This subject links to the desired Faculty of Science graduate attributes of:
1. Disciplinary knowledge
This subject provides students with knowledge of how genetic testing can be used to individualise the clinical care of patients. It does this by providing a foundational understanding of genetics, by describing the variation that occurs in genomes between individuals, and by providing examples and case studies of how this variation in genes can be used to guide diagnosis and treatment in a range of clinical contexts. This will be achieved through delivery of the subject curriculum, which is reinforced through participation in online discussions, and assessments covering the core concepts throughout.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Students will develop the knowledge and expertise to critically evaluate the challenges associated with genetic testing and precision medicine in patient treatment and diagnosis. Much of the content of this subject is future facing and includes current research that is shaping the future of precision medicine. Concepts will include technical limitations, equity considerations, incidental findings impacting patient care, challenges in interpreting the clinical relevance of genetic information, and how genetic testing and healthcare support services may need to evolve to meet these challenges.
4. Reflection, Innovation and Creativity
There are a number of ethical, legal and social challenges that genetic testing and precision medicine pose. Through this subject, students will gain an awareness of these challenges, and learn how professionals currently mitigate these risks. Assessments and activities require students to reflect on these challenges and think about creative and innovative ways to address and overcome these challenges in the future.
Teaching and learning strategies
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered online with all subject material provided through Canvas. Each week, students will engage with the subject material, working through the prepared content and examples at their own pace. Students explore the subject-matter through a range of interactive content, media and case studies and participate in peer-connected learning activities, including formative quizzes and discussion boards, to build the required skills and knowledge in a collaborative online environment. Assessments in this course are designed to complement student learning, providing them with opportunities to apply and monitor their skill development and grasp of essential concepts. Students will receive formative feedback on their work throughout the session.
Students are expected to dedicate 15-20 hours per week to cmoplete the learning activities and work on assessment items.
Content (topics)
This course is designed to provide you with an introduction to human genetics, genomics and the use of genetic testing to inform clinical decisions, and to encourage you to think critically about the current status of precision medicine and the practical realities and utility of futurist proposals and innovations.
The topics covered in this subject will include the following:
- Introduction to molecular biology and developing genetic literacy
- Development of genetics and genomic technologies
- Human genome sequencing, genomic variation and epigenetics
- Current clinical utility of precision medicine (what we can do now)
- Precision medicine in practice: perspectives of genetic testing labs and clinicians on realities and limitations of the field
- Barriers to further progress in precision medicine (scientific and non-scientific – regulatory, ethical, business)
- Innovations in the field of precision medicine
- Potential solutions and aspirations for the future
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Module Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1. Disciplinary knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 10 questions in length (each quiz). |
| Criteria: | Submitted work will be marked against the marking rubric provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Critical analysis
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 2.1 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 1500 words. |
| Criteria: | Submitted work will be marked against the marking rubric provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Brochure, infographic, fact sheet or poster
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 4. Reflection, Innovation and Creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 4.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Maximum 2 pages. |
| Criteria: | Submitted work will be marked against the marking rubric provided in Canvas. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject, you must obtain an overall mark of 50% or more.