Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences - Technologies & Analytics in Precision Medicine

The health sector is facing into a new era as it looks to incorporate the areas of data science, omics, bioinformatics, computational biology, artificial intelligence and machine-learning to create a future of ‘connected healthcare’.

We are seeing disruption to existing models of healthcare delivery, coupled with increasing demand for healthcare access, an aging population and the associated cost challenges, all of which have led to an increased focus on preventative medicine and tailored therapies for individual patients. The fusion of digital technology with traditional science will shape the future of healthcare not only in Ireland, but on a global scale as our world adapts.

With this, there is a need for a skilled and educated workforce that is focused on emerging and future healthcare technologies and who can deliver through multi-disciplinary and collaborative approaches. RCSI's Technologies and Analytics in Precision Medicine programmes aim to equip this talent pool to address emerging skills gaps and enable future growth in healthcare and the (bio) pharmaceutical industry.

This project has been supported by the Higher Education Authority under the Human Capital Initiative, Pillar 3. Grant agreement: 17796884 'Enabling Future Pharma’.

We have collaborated with industry partners Congenica Ltd, Novartis Ireland, Aerogen, S3 Connected Health, Inflection Biosciences, Phion Therapeutics and Almac in the development of the grant application that has led to this programme.

Course details
The programme will produce students with increased systematic understanding and critical awareness of key emerging therapeutic technologies, increasing the provision in identified skills needs.

The overall teaching and learning strategy for the programme is designed to be flexible, accessible and responsive so that students can access quality, evidence-based learning and professional development.

The programme will be delivered in a blended learning environment and underpinned by a small group, problem-based and peer learning ethos. It will also incorporate active learning techniques with a mix of team-based and individual-focused projects and a significant practical focus with a view to ensuring workplace readiness.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Technologies and Analytics in Precision Medicine is a 60 ECTS fully accredited one-year full-time programme or two-year part-time programme from September, which will produce students with increased systematic understanding and critical awareness of key emerging therapeutic technologies, increasing the provision in identified skills needs.

For any queries, please email mtapm@rcsi.ie.

Modules
Block 1: Genetics, Genomics and Precision Medicine

Human Genetics and Genomics/Omics Technologies
Concepts of Precision Medicine
Applications of Precision Medicine
Block 2: Data Analytics and Computational Biology

Bioinformatics and biostatistics
Computational Biology 1
Computational Biology 2
Block 3: Connected Healthcare

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the Healthcare Setting
Connected Healthcare
Internet of Medical Things
Block 4: Innovation and Leadership

Innovation – Translating the Concept
Leadership Development
Contemporary Issues in Society

Applicants should have successfully completed an undergraduate healthcare (pharmacy or medicine) degree or a primary degree programme (minimum of a 2.1 honours or equivalent) in a biological, chemical or mathematical science (including computer science). In addition, candidates who hold a primary degree, with a second-class grade (H2.2) in a biological, chemical or mathematical science (including computer science) and with industrial experience will be considered.

If English is not the applicant’s native language, an English language qualification is required. English language qualifications include a minimum overall score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as per RCSI requirements.

Students who successfully secure a place on the programme can apply for a student visa. RCSI can provide a visa letter to support an application for a student visa.

Please note:

Students must liaise with immigration services independently to secure their own visa and ensure they undertake in a timely manner to have their visa secured for commencement of the programme.

Candidates can be in full-time employment while completing the one-year full-time or the two-year part-time programme as part of the flexible and blended learning approach.

Your future
The RCSI Postgraduate Diploma in Technologies and Analytics in Precision Medicine brings together a unique educational offering filling an essential and emerging skills gap in the life sciences sector in the area of future transformative therapeutic technologies.

Graduates will be in a position to apply for roles such as but not limited to computational biologists, data scientists/analysts, bioinformatician/bioinformatics scientist across the biopharmaceutical industry. In addition, this course will further enhance the student's academic profile and students can choose to continue on to build up to the MSc Award (90 ECTS credits).