MPhil in Medical Molecular Genetics

MPhil IN MEDICAL MOLECULAR GENETICS

MPhil Medical Molecular Genetics is the first Medical Molecular Genetics programme to be introduced to Ghana. Graduates from this programme will provide expert support in molecular genetics research and training and medical diagnostics to help manage and find solutions to genetic diseases in Ghana and Africa at large.

Aim

The aim of the proposed MPhil programme in Medical Molecular Genetics at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre is to produce postgraduates with expertise in molecular genetics research and diagnostics.

Objectives

The programme is intended to achieve the following objectives:

Equip students and provide them with an all-encompassing knowledge about genetics as it pertains to human development, population dynamics, diseases and disorders and the molecular factors responsible for these genetic patterns.
Train a new cadre of scientists to gain competencies to conduct research and perform diagnostic testing in medical molecular genetics.
Train students to demonstrate the understanding of medical molecular genetics informed by research in genomics and to develop intellectual, practical, and transferable skills in medical molecular genetics.
Train students to apply technological knowledge in genetics and increase the use of genetic information as part of diagnosis and treatment.
Train students with the skill to be critical thinkers who can conduct systematic research relevant to medical molecular genetics.
Update and extend students’ knowledge of research methodologies and clinical opportunities.
Introduce medical molecular genetics as a key scientific field of research in Ghana. This field is rapidly developing and its unique role in identifying the molecular and genetic causes of diseases has made significant contributions to public and global health advancements.
Develop capacity for advanced genetic research at the PhD level in molecular genetics and similar fields of study e.g., genomics or support the work of professionals in academia and industry as medical molecular genetics research assistants.

Accreditation
The programme has been accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

Course Duration
It is a two-year academic programme.

1. Required(core) course(s)

Mammalian Developmental Genetics
Methods in Biostatistics I
Molecular Basis of Genetic Diseases
Medical Molecular Diagnostics I
Medical Molecular Diagnostics II
Bioinformatics and Research Methods
Genetic Analysis of Animal Models
Seminar I
Advanced Molecular Cytogenetics
Seminar II
Thesis

2. Elective course(s)

Molecular Basis of Hematological Disorders
Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Disorders
Human Population Genetics
Renal Genetics
Neurogenetics

3. Research component

Thesis: The programme will comprise a 30-credit thesis as the research component and a 6-credit seminar series (Seminar I and II) that will prepare students to carry out their research successfully. Students will receive supervisory support to identify a relevant topic in medical molecular genetics, collect data, undertake critical analysis of data, and write a thesis. At the completion of the course, students will submit the thesis, which will be examined by two examiners appointed by the University. In addition, students will undertake a departmental oral defence of the thesis before submission to the School of Graduate Studies for examination.

Practical: The programme offers students hands-on practical training in the laboratory. Students will be introduced to key molecular biology techniques and procedures used in clinical molecular diagnosis, genetic testing, and genetics research. They will gain knowledge and skills in specimen collection, performing molecular biology and diagnostic procedures, and nucleic acid analysis techniques such as PCR.

YEAR 1

Semester 1: Core Courses

*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	*CREDIT*
*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	Credit Allocated to Teaching	Credit Allocated to Practical	Total Credit
MGEN 601	Mammalian Developmental Genetics	3	0	3
**BSTT 601	Methods in Biostatistics I	2	1	3

**Existing course

Semester 1: Required Courses (Students are required to take the following courses)

*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	*CREDIT*
*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	Credit Allocated to Teaching	Credit Allocated to Practical	Total Credit
MGEN 605	Medical Molecular Diagnostics I*	2	0	2
MGEN 609	Genetic Animal Models	2	0	2
MGEN 611	Advanced Molecular Cytogenetics	2	0	2

*This will include a weekly Molecular Diagnostics Practicum

Semester 1: Elective Courses (Students may take at least 3 credits)

*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	*CREDIT*
*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	Credit Allocated to Teaching	Credit Allocated to Practical	Total Credit
MGEN 603	Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Disorders	3	0	3
MGEN 607	Human Population Genetics	3	0	3

Total course work credits for Semester 1: 12 – 18

Semester 2: Core Courses

*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	*CREDIT*
*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	Credit Allocated to Teaching	Credit Allocated to Practical	Total Credit
MGEN 604	Molecular Basis of Genetic Diseases	3	0	3
*MGEN 606	Medical Molecular Diagnostics II	0	2	2
**GENC 608	Bioinformatics and Research Methods	2	1	3

*This will include the weekly Molecular Diagnostics Practicum **Existing course

Semester 2: Elective Courses (students are required to take at least 3 credits)

*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	*CREDIT*
*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	Credit Allocated to Teaching	Credit Allocated to Practical	Total Credit
MGEN 602	Molecular Basis of Hematological Disorders	3	0	3
MGEN 608	Renal Genetics	3	0	3
MGEN 612	Neurogenetics	3	0	3

Semester 2: Seminar (Students are required to participate in all seminars)

*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	*CREDIT*
*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	Credit Allocated to Teaching	Credit Allocated to Practical	Total Credit
MGEN 610	Seminar I	3	0	3

Total Credits in Year 1: 27 – 39

YEAR 2

Core Courses

*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	*CREDIT*
*COURSE CODE*	*COURSE TITLE*	Credit Allocated to Teaching	Credit Allocated to Practical	Total Credit
MGEN 620	Seminar II	3	0	3
MGEN 600	Thesis	0	30	30

Total credits for the entire programme: 60-72




		2

N/A

By the end of the programme, it is intended that students will acquire the following knowledge and skills:

Understand the genetics of human development, population dynamics, molecular basis of genetic diseases and disorders.
Have knowledge in genomic medicine areas, including Biochemical genetics, Developmental genetics, Cancer genetics, Neurogenetics, Renal genetics, Pharmacogenetics and Health services.
Have a theoretical understanding of medical molecular genetics and possess practical skills to conduct research in medical molecular genetics and genomics.
Possess professional expertise to work in healthcare facilities, where they can perform diagnostic testing in medical molecular genetics to increase the use of genetic information as part of diagnosis and treatment.
Conduct systematic research relevant to medical molecular genetics and make critical inferences from the data.
Have the needed skills and training for advanced research at the PhD level in molecular genetics and similar fields of study.
Have the expertise to support the work of professionals in academia and industry as medical molecular genetic research assistants.

• Potential applicants must purchase a University of Ghana (UG) postgraduate admissions voucher. For more information visit: https://admission.ug.edu.gh/applying/postgraduate/how-apply-graduate-programmes
• Visit https://apply.ug.edu.gh/admissions/graduate/login to access the admission form
• Shortlisted students will be notified for interview
• Students who are interviewed will be notified about the admission status
• Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are open.

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