PhD

In the Name of God

Title: Medical Genetics

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Introduction

The field of Medical Genetics is a main branch of medical sciences whose PhD graduates will be able to solve the problems in identification, prevention, consultation, and cure of genetic disorders. Medical Genetics knowledge, as a fundamental science, serves in promotion of national economy, health, treatment, public welfare, and promises a future full of valuable outcomes for human being. 

Definition

Medical Genetics PhD degree provide both course and research programs for whom are seeking an advanced understanding of professional skills and practice, often within the context of national policy issues and developments. The program combines modules of advanced subject knowledge, training in general research methods and management, understanding of disciplinary enquiry.  

We aim to develop student skills in appreciating and applying molecular techniques to problems in medical education and research fields by strongly connecting basic and medical genetics sciences. The graduates will be able to provide consultation for specialized laboratories or supervisors in order to improve the application of Medical Genetics in universities and research centers.

Aim

The main mission of this course is providing the student with the necessary disciplines as follow:

• Training committed, knowledgeable and competent people for educational purposes in Medical Genetics and presenting scientific ideas, basic and fundamental genetic research targets to serve diagnostic and prevention services,
• Producing the capacity to improve basic possibilities in prevention, consultation, detection of genetic disorders according to the aim of the PhD course,
• Improvement of the interaction between basic genetic sciences and medical equipments,
• Strengthening analytical and presentational skills, and developing the growth of personality, and providing the graduates with necessary social and professional skills.

 Outcomes and Principal Roles and Tasks of the Graduates

Graduate in PhD course of Medical Genetics will be able to take educational responsibilities, conduct researches and provide expert genetic and consulting services related to medical genetics, as well as become directors of genetic laboratory:

• Education:
  • Contribution to teaching theoretical and practical Medical Genetics and related subjects to students of various fields according to the universities needs,
  • Actively attending in general and scientific seminars, journal clubs and workshops,
  • Actively participating in producing the knowledge of Medical Genetics.
• Research:
  • Designing, implementing and evaluating basic and applied researches in various contexts of related fields,
  • Interpretation and criticize research outcomes and establishment of new laboratory techniques in Medical Genetics field,
  • Actively participating in finding the molecular mechanisms of existence of genetic disorders in the country,
  • Writing and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals,
  • Actively participation in national, regional and international seminars in Medical Genetics field,
  • Leading and consultation services on student thesis in Medical Genetics field.
• Services:
  • Providing expert services for laboratory and genetic diagnosis using standard and ingenious methods,
  • Consultation on Medical Genetics aspects in general.
• Management: Management of specialized Medical Genetics laboratories and national programs in related fields.

Expected General Competencies

• Communicative and practical skills,
• Learning and teaching,
• Research and writing papers,
• Presenting ideas, formulating hypotheses and theorizing,
• Managerial skills including policymaking, planning, organizing, and evidence-based monitoring, supervision, control and evaluation.

Specific Competencies (Skills & Performances)

Besides those of the MS, they include:

• Student seminars, lecturing, and lecture handout,
• Laboratory practical's,
• Team-working,
• Evaluating the data generated, and data interpretation,
• Producing laboratory reports, and interpreting the test results,
• Keeping the physical and psychological environment as well as the workplace healthy,
• Using specialized equipment,
• Working in professional environment,
• Skills in handling with animals.

Condition of Admission to the Course

• A master's degree (MS) in one of the fields of Genetics, Human Genetics, Clinical Biochemistry, Medical Biotechnology, Medical Immunology, Biology (Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Genetics, and Biochemistry branches), or General Doctorate (in one of the fields of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinarian, specialists in various medical branches and Professional Doctorate in the Laboratory Sciences (approved by the Medical Branch of the Supreme Council of Planning) awarded by one of the home or foreign universities approved by the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education.
• Being eligible for entering to the course according to the PhD educational rules and regulations.

*Important note: These general conditions do not necessarily exclude specific conditions of each institute or university.

Educational Strategies, Methods and Techniques

Educational strategies are a combination of student- and teacher-centered learning and teaching with an emphasis on self-learning and teaching methods, includes following criteria:

• Introducing students to the latest technologies and theoretical concepts according to the needs of Medical Genetics graduates by professional board members in a teamwork and fabricant competition,
• Actively participation of both student and professor in each teaching module over-viewing the topics and educational methods upon the scientific developments and peer-reviewed journals which lead to our current understanding in Medical Genetics,
• Attending students actively in general, scientific seminars and weekly journal clubs organized by genetic board members,
• Cooperating with other scientific and research centers around the country in order to use available scientific capabilities.

Student Assessment

a)      Methods of assessment

Residents will be evaluated by the following methods:

Written, verbal, and practical assessment.

b)     Types of the assessment

Periodic, comprehensive (final), monitoring the progress and completion of the thesis

Ethical Issue

The graduates should:

• Observe the Patient's Bill of Rights¹ when working with the patients,
• Strictly observe Biosafety and Patient Safety Rules* concerning the patients, personnel and workplace,
• Observe the Rulebook for Dress Code²,
• Carefully preserve resources and equipment,
• Truly respect faculty members, the staff, classmates and other students and work for creating an intimate and respectful atmosphere,
• Observe social and professional ethical considerations in criticism,

1 and 2 are contained in Enclosures.

* Biosafety and Patient Safety Rules will be set out by the Educational Department and will be available to the students.

Total Number of Credits:

The course credits totals 50 including:

The core credits:                      27

The noncore credits:                maximum 3

Writing dissertation:                  20

Total:                                     50

Table A. Compensatory Courses in the Medical Genetics PhD*

*Students should earn all or some of compensatory course credits (Table A) as specified by the Department of Education and approved by the Postgraduate Education Council.

Table B. Core Courses in the Medical Genetics PhD

*Genetic Counselling and Special Hospital Training courses will be given to students in a semester after passing all of the abovementioned courses in Table B.

Table C. Non-Core Courses in the Medical Genetics PhD*

*Students should choose 3 credits as specified by the corresponding department.