Master of Genomics and Health

Clinical Genome Variant Analysis 1 is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of genome variant analysis. The subject will be taught as a blended (online and face-to-face) subject.

The syllabus will introduce the bioinformatics pipeline associated with whole exome and genome sequencing and variant interpretation. Principles of variant classification and reporting will also be covered.

The subject is a prerequisite for GENE90025 Clinical Genome Variant Analysis 2. Combined, these subjects provide a sound foundation for participation in multidisciplinary clinical discussions on genomic testing and analysis, and would be a useful introduction for laboratory scientists and clinical staff training in variant interpretation. Students must be enrolled in the Master of Genomics and Health or have completed undergraduate subjects in Biology (1^st year or equivalent) and Genetics (2^nd year or equivalent).

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This subject will introduce students to the complexity of the human genome, and tools used by genetic counsellors to access information and inform risk assessment. Students will apply these tools in examining the molecular basis of single-gene and mitochondrial genetic diseases, including diseases caused by chromosomal imbalances and rearrangements, and autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, sex-linked, and triplet repeat disorders.

This curriculum is based on the genetic knowledge requirements of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling, which governs the certification of genetic counsellors in Australia. The subject will be delivered via a combination of on-line content and case-based face-to-face tutorials.

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This subject will examine the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genetics and genomics. It will be organised into 3 overarching topics:

• The principles of ethical and legal frameworks will be introduced, and will be applied in the context of genomics in healthcare practice, with consideration of professional and personal values.
• The foundations of public health will be introduced and applied to public health genomics programs, particularly genetic screening.
• Personal genomic testing will be discussed from multiple perspectives, including historical, ethical, regulatory and social. How genetics is communicated and genetic literacy in the community will be explored.

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In this subject, students will explore key counselling and communication theories within a professional healthcare context. With a focus on person-centred therapy, they will develop essential counselling and communication skills, including attending, reflecting, questioning, emotional processing, and confrontation. The subject will also encourage students to examine the complexities of human interaction, cultivating awareness and responsiveness to culture and diversity. Through experiential activities, students will enhance their self-awareness and critically evaluate their practice.

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This subject will prepare students for undertaking clinical research within hospital, community and primary health care settings. Students will develop skills in how to design and conduct empirical research in an ethically appropriate manner. Content includes: development of a research question, study design and methodology, and ethical issues in health care research.

This subject will be conducted as a mix of face to face seminars, online tasks and intensive workshops.

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This subject will examine the roles of both genetic and environmental determinants in the expression of complex disease traits and cancer. Principles of genetic and genomic testing will be investigated and students will learn to apply these in clinical case-based scenarios.

This curriculum is based on the genetic knowledge requirements of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling, which governs the certification of genetic counsellors in Australia. The course will be delivered via a combination of on-line content and case-based face-to-face tutorials.

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This subject is primarily an experiential subject designed to develop advanced communication skills for working with individuals and groups in professional contexts. The subject emphasises the acquisition of skills for effective interpersonal communication, particularly in managing strong emotions and responses in interactions. Psychosocial issues and their influence on communication outcomes will be explored, with a focus on understanding diverse perspectives and navigating sensitive discussions. Building on the foundational skills covered in Semester One, Genomic and Health students will enhance their communication techniques through role-plays and discussion of real-world examples. By the end of the subject, students will demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to critically reflect on their communication practices to improve outcomes.

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Clinical Genome Variant Analysis 2 is designed to broaden and further develop the basic understanding and principles of variant interpretation taught in Clinical Genome Variant Analysis 1. Application of software and genomic database for collation of evidence for interpretation will be covered in detail.

The subject will be taught as a blended (on-line and face-to-face) subject, commencing in the first half of the semester.

The subject provides a sound foundation for participation in multidisciplinary clinical discussions on genomic testing and analysis, and would be useful preparatory learning for laboratory scientists and clinical staff training in variant interpretation.

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This subject will introduce students to the area of translational genomics. The process of evaluating research and implementing it into routine practice will be studied, using examples of relevant research and current clinical initiatives. Broader workforce implications of translational genomics will also be explored, including workforce education and training.

The subject will be delivered via a combination of asynchronous on-line content and synchronous tutorials that adopt a problem-based approach to meet the intended learning outcomes.

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This subject will focus on translational genomics in public health and the community. Community engagement and education strategies will be considered using current workforce examples, with attention to cultural competence, education in the field of genomics and communication about genomics. The role of personalised genomics and precision medicine will also be explored, using examples of emerging treatments for a variety of genetic conditions.

The subject will be delivered via a combination of asynchronous on-line content and synchronous tutorials that adopt a problem-based approach to meet the intended learning outcomes.

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This capstone internship subject for the Master of Genomics and Health is designed to provide students a practical experience with organisations related to their interests. Students will undertake two professional internships. Organisations may include, but are not limited to, health settings, research and educational institutes, pathology/diagnostic services, community organisations, and government organisations. Students will work across a range of tasks relevant to the organisation’s objectives, and will develop and complete a specific project or professional portfolio in discussion with the host organisation and the Subject Coordinator. The internship experience will enable students to extend and apply the knowledge acquired during the Master of Genomics and Health. Internships will provide students with valuable professional experience and integrate their academic learning, employability skills and attributes. Furthermore, these opportunities will extend their professional networks.

The Subject Coordinator will be responsible for securing these internships by identifying suitable professional work environments. The students will work under the guidance of a senior staff member at the host organisation, with additional support from the Subject Coordinator, who will provide ongoing monitoring of student work and progress, and may conduct site visits.

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This subject offers students the opportunity to design an original research project with academic supervision. The preparation for this subject starts in Semester 1 through the HLTH90014 Healthcare Research: Principles and Designs course. Students are encouraged to collaborate with a research supervisor to develop their own research project and complete any required Human Research Ethics applications. The chosen topics can align with students' personal interests or be relevant to ongoing research in clinical genetics or other healthcare services.

The subject comprises a combination of face-to-face and online seminars, as well as regular meetings with research supervisors. Students will also have access to additional resources and upskilling opportunities provided by the University of Melbourne.

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An original research project will be conducted and a monograph of 5,000 words completed under academic supervision. Preparation for this subject begins in Year 1 when students undertake Healthcare Research: Principles and Designs and new subject Research Project in Human Genomics 1.

Data collection commences in Year 2 and students are required to collect and/or analyse research data, interpret findings and write a monograph to be submitted at the end of Semester 2.

This is supplemented by fortnightly research tutorials, study in existing short courses and other relevant upskilling resources offered by The University of Melbourne.

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This subject provides an introduction to the principles, concepts and methods of economic evaluation and their application to health care and public health. Students are introduced to the foundations of economic evaluation in economic theory and the principal methods used by health economists: cost benefit analysis, cost effectiveness analysis, cost consequences analysis and cost utility analysis. In each case, the steps involved in identifying, measuring and valuing incremental costs and outcomes will be explained. Students will learn the key elements of an economic evaluation study design and be able to critically review economic evaluation studies. Contemporary issues and approaches in economic evaluation will be introduced, including the use of distributional cost effectiveness to capture reductions in inequality; and subjective wellbeing and other approaches for extending the measurement of benefit beyond the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY)

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A thorough comprehension of the different institutions, structures and processes that constitute health systems globally provides a strong platform for further studies and varied career paths in population and global health. This subject provides students with the analytical frameworks to explore the social and political dynamics, institutions and structures that constitute health systems globally. This subject is delivered by a cross-disciplinary team of experts working in health systems strengthening and analysis, and draws on contemporary research and examples from across Australia, the Asia and Pacific regions and other global contexts. Students of this subject will develop and apply skills in critical and comparative analysis of health systems in a range of countries and in settings with varied levels of socio-economic development.

Issues addressed in this subject include, but may not be limited to: global disparities in health system expenditures and outcomes; the characteristics of different health financing systems; health system structures; health system reform and performance measurement; health system strengthening approaches and strategies; intergovernmental relations and development assistance for health; health workforce supply and policy; general practice and primary healthcare; complementary health systems and health system orientation for Indigenous peoples; and the multi-level policy processes that inform health system decision-making.

Comparative Health Systems is a dual delivery block mode intensive subject. This means that the assessable material is delivered through self-directed online modules that students complete over a six-week period. The online modules offer flexibility in relation to the timing of when students complete them, or what hours of the day you may choose to study. However, allocated modules must be completed in time to allow effective participation in live interactive sessions that are linked with those modules. Live interactive sessions are held on six days across the six-week period, in which module material is discussed with fellow students and lecturers. Students may choose to attend these live sessions online or face to face. Students are expected to commit approximately 8-10 hours to learning each week, comprised of learning modules, reading, discussion board activities, group work and live sessions. This six-week teaching period is followed by independent learning towards a major assessment to be completed over six weeks.

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This is a compulsory subject in the Master of Public Health. Qualitative research plays an important role in public health as it can explain how people experience a particular health issue or why they perform a health-related behavior, taking into account specific social, political and economic contexts. Public health practitioners need to be able to undertake and interpret a range of published research (including qualitative research) in order to gather evidence for practice, identify gaps in evidence and evaluate current practice.

This subject will introduce students to qualitative research in public health - both the principles underlying design and the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methodologies. It will cover a range of methods, such as individual interviews, group interviews, visual and participatory methods. Each element of research design will be covered, from recognising research paradigms and sampling strategies through to the different types of analysis. Students will learn how to design, plan and evaluate qualitative research as sources of evidence in public health.

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The use of project management techniques has risen sharply. Examples of projects include research and development studies, reorganisation efforts, implementation of change programs, installation of a new piece of equipment, advertising campaigns, construction, organising special events and other one-off endeavours. The subject will cover the key drivers of project success, training and leadership in project environments. Project selection is the first critical set of decisions. Matching of the projects selected to the organisation’s strategy is taken as the starting point. Practical tools and techniques will then be introduced to manage the project or special event for success. The subject will also involve the use of an appropriate Project Management software package such as MS Project.

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Why is it essential that scientists learn to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences? What makes for engaging communication when it comes to science? How does the style of communication need to change for different audiences? What are the nuts and bolts of good science writing? What are the characteristics of effective public speaking?

Weekly seminars and tutorials will consider the important role science and technology plays in twenty-first century society and explore why it is vital that scientists learn to articulate their ideas to a variety of audiences in an effective and engaging manner. These audiences may include school students, agencies that fund research, the media, government, industry, and the broader public. Other topics include the philosophy of science communication, talking about science on the radio, effective public speaking, writing press releases and science feature articles, science performance, communicating science on the web and how science is reported in the media.

Students will develop skills in evaluating examples of science and technology communication to identify those that are most effective and engaging. Students will also be given multiple opportunities to receive feedback and improve their own written and oral communication skills.

Students will work in small teams on team projects to further the communication skills developed during the seminar programme. These projects will focus on communicating a given scientific topic to a particular audience using spoken, visual, written or web-based communication.

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This subject examines the workplace environment and the range of competencies needed to operate effectively. Communication is central to success in the workplace, from proposing projects, consulting and influencing colleagues, through to reporting. Students will gain a range of communication skills in writing, oral and presentation skills, and using graphics and statistics, to communicate science to others with whom they work.

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Technological advances in DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing and proteomics have provided a wealth of data from which biological insight can be obtained. Refining this data is a non-trivial matter due to the increased input sizes seen in modern high-throughput bioinformatics. This subject provides algorithmic strategies and data structures capable of meeting the challenge. While focused on bioinformatic data, the concepts herein apply to big data analysis as a whole.

This subject covers key algorithms and data structures used in bioinformatics and assumes you have experience in programming. Strategies which frequently appear in modern software are explored so that bioinformatics tools may be appropriately selected, executed, and interpreted. This exploration yields a toolkit from which new computational methods can be created. Indicative topics include sequence operations for comparison, alignment and indexing, graph data structures in the context of genome assembly, phylogenetics and network analysis, and both supervised and unsupervised machine learning within the fields of optimisation, dimensionality reduction, clustering and classification.

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The majority of chronic diseases share a common risk factor: the family history for that disease. Epidemiologists can use families to assess the role of the interrelated genetic and environmental risk factors. This subject provides an introduction to epidemiological methods that are used to determine the role of inherited factors on disease risk. Concepts, methodologies, and interpretation of familial risk factors for chronic diseases are the major topics in this subject. Topics covered include: how disease runs in families, how to identify genetic risk factors and how they can be used to estimate risk of disease, design of family studies, how to identify people at genetic risk and how to use genetics to reduce the burden of disease.

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This subject provides an extension of studies in Health Program Evaluation introduced in Health Program Evaluation 1, aiming to deepen the students understanding of the conceptual bases of evaluation and extend practical skills. Its focus is particularly on issues relating to the selection and development of an appropriate evaluation approach and methods for a particular health program, policy or service. The subject provides an initial grounding in the theoretical origins of program evaluation, contemporary approaches to evaluation as well as implementation science and knowledge translation. The subject then considers the development of an evaluation approach and design from an applied perspective. Case-studies of evaluations will be presented to provide an opportunity to consider theoretical, methodological and practical issues associated with the conduct of complex health program evaluations. Students will have an opportunity to develop evaluation proposals in response to real world funding and policy settings.

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Bioinformatics is a key research tool in modern agriculture, medicine, and the life sciences in general. It forms a bridge between complex experimental and clinical data and the elucidation of biological knowledge. This subject presents bioinformatics in the context of its role in science, using examples from a variety of fields to illustrate the history, current status, and future directions of bioinformatics research and practice.

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Our health is shaped by the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age. The unequal distribution of money, power and resources from local to global levels has significant effects on health. This subject will provide an overview of Australian and international evidence on how social, economic, environmental and cultural processes affect population health.

More specifically, the subject examines how health and wellbeing are shaped by a range of determinants including gender, poverty, socio-economic position, housing, employment and working conditions, race/ethnicity, discrimination and place. Students also explore structural barriers associated with colonialism, sexism, ableism, racism, stigma and violence. By integrating evidence from across these topics, this subject will use contemporary examples to unpack how health inequalities are generated and how health interventions might generate more equitable outcomes in population health.

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AIM

The study of genomics is on the forefront of biology. Current laboratory technologies generate huge amounts of data and computational analysis is necessary to make sense of these data. This subject covers a broad range of approaches to the computational analysis of genomic data. Students will learn the theory behind a variety of different approaches to genomic analysis, and be introduced to key tools in current use, preparing them to use existing methods appropriately as well as developing new ways to analyse genomic data. Students will also have opportunities to apply their skills in workshops and assignments using both existing computational genomics tools and writing custom Python functions.

Computational Genomics can be taken as an elective subject. It can also be taken by undergraduate students, exchange students and PhD students, subject to the written approval of the subject coordinator.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

This subject covers the computational analysis of several important forms of genomic data. Topics include computational resource management, reproducible research principles, genomics workflows, sequence alignment, genome annotation, parallel computing, metagenomics and single-cell sequencing. The subject domain rapidly progresses, and subject content is regularly revised and updated.

Practical work includes writing bioinformatics functions with Python code, accessing genomics data repositories and using popular command-line tools.

Please view this video for further information: Computational Genomics

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Healthcare is information intensive. Health data are generated, shared, consumed, and stored in a variety of partially overlapping complex networks. Healthcare lags behind many other sectors, despite efforts to use digital technologies to shape and improve health data and information processes since the middle of the 20th Century. The need for digital transformation of health is driven by socio-economic concerns (making healthcare more accessible and affordable) and patient safety (reducing medical errors, and redundant and ineffective interventions).

This subject introduces the background, current state, and future opportunities of digital health. It provides a basic understanding of health and disease and how individuals experience both. It explores the nature of biomedical data, information, and knowledge - and how digital technologies are shaping the way these are used. Digital health technologies are examined from ethical, historical, technological, and psycho-social perspectives, considering positive and negative impacts.

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This subject is compulsory for students enrolled in the Master of Public Health, Master of Epidemiology and the Master of Science (Epidemiology). Students should enrol in this subject early in their program of study.

The subject introduces the fundamental concepts of statistics and the essential methods required to equip students to perform basic statistical analyses and interpret research findings in the public health setting.

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This subject is a core subject within the Master of Public Health, the Master of Epidemiology, the Master of Science (Epidemiology) and the Master of Biostatistics. Students should enrol in this subject early in their program of study.

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in human populations and the application of this study to control health problems. It is a fundamental science of public health.

Three main tasks of epidemiology include description, causal inference and prediction. This subject focuses on the first two and emphasises the application of epidemiological evidence to informing public health practice and policy.

Description: the epidemiological measures of disease frequency and summary measures of population health are introduced and used to describe patterns and trends in disease occurrence within and between populations. The role of routinely collected data, particularly for surveillance of infectious diseases, is discussed.

Causal inference: is key to applying epidemiological evidence to controlling health problems if interventions are to be effective. In this subject, causal inference is considered within the modern counterfactual framework. Causal diagrams, which are an integral part of this approach to causal inference are introduced. The common experimental and observational study designs, and systematic reviews, and their relative strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The implications of common types of bias (selection bias, information bias, and confounding) are discussed, as are methods to minimise them. Methods to control for confounding, including standardisation, are discussed.

Differences in characteristics of the major sources of morbidity (infectious disease, non-communicable disease, and injury) are discussed in the context of prevention and early detection of disease. Transmission dynamics of infectious diseases are introduced in this context. The applicability of epidemiological evidence (external validity) to interventions in target populations is introduced. Measures of the validity and performance of tests for early detection are introduced.

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This subject examines the diverse purposes health program evaluations can serve and the wide range of environments in which health program evaluations are conducted. Using Australian and overseas evaluation examples, students gain an overview of conceptual and methodological issues in the key evaluation approaches. The three major stages in the conduct of an evaluation are covered: planning and negotiating the terms and design of the evaluation; data collection and analysis; and the provision of findings. Each stage is considered through example and critique of those examples, with opportunities to apply these skills in the development of an evaluation plan for a real, work-based program.

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This subject is a compulsory subject within the Master of Public Health. It lays the foundation for the degree and provides an orientation to the field of public health. It provides a critical overview of public health historical development, conceptual underpinnings and practice in the following domains.

History and distinguishing features of public health and population health: The historical development of public health is traced. The distinguishing features of public health, emphasising the health of groups and populations rather than a focus on the health of an individual, are presented and explored. Key points of transition in the health of populations over time are identified. The scientific disciplines that make up the toolbox of modern population health are described.

Determinants of the health of individuals, groups and populations: Determinants of health affecting the health of individuals, and populations are identified, recognising that social determinants work in concert with environmental and biological factors. The health of Indigenous people in Australia is examined and resources provided to assist in understanding common influences on the health of Indigenous people world-wide. The increasing importance of health and human rights locally and globally is discussed, including an examination of the ethical frameworks relevant to public health practice.

Strategies and Systems: Major strategies and approaches to public health including health protection, health improvement and health care quality assessment are presented, with illustrations from local and international experience. The elements and function of health systems are defined and the roles of principal public health agencies internationally and nationally are described.

Achievements and challenges: The significant achievements in public health from the late 20 th century through to the 21 st century are identified and emerging challenges and possible solutions are explored, including in relation to Indigenous populations.

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Students will have the opportunity to learn the history of health promotion and the models of health and health promotion, along with key theoretical approaches explaining change in individuals, organisations and systems.

They will be introduced to the fundamental elements of successful health promotion and its application to different health issues in different settings and sectors, and in different populations in Australia and in developed and developing countries overseas.

Students will be exposed to key leaders in health promotion in Victoria from different levels of government, from leading health NGOs and from academia during the course. They will also be required to interview a key practitioner in their place of work as part of assessed group work activity.

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The subject explores the policy decisions, usually made by governments, that determine present and future country or regional level objectives relating to health services; programs; and the regulatory, organisational, social, cultural, physical and natural environments that contribute to population health and well-being. The subject explores the nature of health policy, types of policy instruments, and policy making processes including agenda setting and policy influencing frameworks and theories. The role of evidence in policy formation including the significance of the balance between effectiveness, efficiency and equity as objectives of health policy will be debated. In doing so, students will be introduced to the importance and process of policy analysis and explore the relevant legal, political, managerial, sociological, ethical, epidemiological and economic perspectives to instrument selection and policy implementation across a range of health policy contexts. Australian and international country contexts will be used throughout the subject.

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This subject intends to consolidate student knowledge and skills of conventional microeconomic evaluation techniques covered in Introduction to Economic Evaluation. It also aims to give students hands-on practical experience in applying common methods and software used to undertake economic evaluations.

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This subject introduces students to ethical decision-making, with a focus on health. It explores ethical issues in public health and clinical care, in both Australian and global contexts.

Students will be introduced to frameworks for making rigorous ethical decisions in practice, and learn skills for analysing ethical problems across diverse types of health work and in interprofessional groups.

Topics include: vaccination, voluntary assisted dying, reproduction, children’s healthcare, and resource allocation.

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There is increasing global recognition that research and interventions seeking to change the social determinants of health are most impactful when communities are actively engaged in the process. Therefore, many health researchers are looking towards participatory approaches to the co-production of knowledge and health practitioners are increasingly aiming to co-design health interventions with communities, patients or service end-users. This subject will give students an understanding of, and experience in, the principles, processes and some of the methods used in participatory health research. It will illustrate the ways these principles, processes and methods can be applied to the co-design of health interventions, to support patient-public involvement in health, and to user led health research. This subject will be of interest to students wanting to build the necessary skills to support communities to deepen their understanding of their own circumstances, to engage communities in taking action to help resolve conditions undermining health, and to ensure that community engagement maximises positive health impacts. As part of this subject, students will be expected to participate in (a) practical exercises designed to enhance skills and techniques; and (b) workshopping, analysis and reflection of data collected during an in-class research project.

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What is conflict of interest? What should a scientist do when they find fraud is occurring on a scientific research team? How does a scientist write and defend an animal ethics submission and get it approved? What are the ethical issues associated with peer review? This subject is intended to give students a broad overview of research ethics in a scientific context. It will include topics on scientific integrity; conflicts of interest; data recording management; authorship and peer review; animal experimentation and regulations; privacy and confidentiality of records; and, finally, research in humans.

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As a scientist, it is not only important to be able to experiment, research and discover, it is also vital that you can communicate your research effectively in a variety of ways. Even the most brilliant research is wasted if no one knows it has been done or if your target audience is unable to understand it.

In this subject you will develop your written and oral communication skills to ensure that you communicate your science as effectively as possible. We will cover effective science writing and oral presentations across a number of formats: writing a thesis; preparing, submitting and publishing journal papers; searching for, evaluating and citing appropriate references; peer review, making the most of conferences; applying for grants and jobs; and using social media to publicise your research.

You will have multiple opportunities to practice, receive feedback and improve both your oral and written communication skills.

Please note: students must be undertaking their own research in order to enrol in this subject.

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