The Department of Human Genetics provides a unified curriculum of study in genetics. Areas of specialization include:
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biochemical genetics
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genetics of development
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animal models of human diseases
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cancer genetics
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molecular pathology
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gene therapy
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genetic dissection of complex traits
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genetics of infectious and inflammatory diseases
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non-mendelian genetics
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bioinformatics
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behavioural genetics
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neurogenetics
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bioethics
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genomics
Many of our faculty hold cross-appointments in various departments (including: biochemistry, biology, cardiology, medicine, microbiology, immunology, neurology, pathology, pediatrics, pharmacology, psychiatry, etc.) within the Faculties of Science and Medicine and Health Sciences. This enables numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The Department conducts research on all sites of the 91ÉçÇø Health Centre (MUHC), the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the 91ÉçÇø Life Sciences Complex, the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, the Centre for Genomics and Policy, the Lady Davis Research Institute, the Douglas Hospital Research Centre and the Goodman Cancer Institute.
M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degrees in the Department of Human Genetics
The Department of Human Genetics offers a clinical master’s program, M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling, as well as research training at both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels in Human Genetics. Both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Human Genetics research programs require the completion of a thesis, which is the major focus of the student's effort. A minimal amount of coursework is required, but specific course choices are flexible and vary according to the student's previous training and current research interest.
Most of the faculty members of the Human Genetics Department are located in 91ÉçÇø teaching hospitals, reflecting the medically learned knowledge at the core of human genetic studies.
Detailed information regarding faculty research interests can be found on the Department website.
The Graduate Training Committee requires that students who have been accepted into the M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Human Genetics research graduate program have a guaranteed minimum stipend of $20,000, plus the full amount of tuition and fees. Current and detailed information regarding financial matters can be found on the Student Funding webpage.
Tuition Assistance Packages
A certain number of tuition assistance packages will be offered to incoming out-of-province/international students for the M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Human Genetics thesis program who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.
Students who have a CGPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 or above (as converted by the 91ÉçÇø GPS guidelines) and who submit an online application and documents by their respective deadline will automatically be considered for assistance. Once applications have been received by the deadline, the Graduate Training Committee will review all eligible applications and award tuition assistance to certain top eligible candidates at the time of admission into the program.
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Human Genetics (Thesis): Bioethics (45 credits) |
91ÉçÇø offers specialized education in bioethics to graduate students in the Faculties of Medicine and Law, the School of Religious Studies, and the Department of Philosophy. The Master's degree Specialization in Bioethics is an interdisciplinary academic program that emphasizes both the conceptual and the practical aspects of bioethics.
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Master of Science (M.Sc.) Human Genetics (Thesis): Bioinformatics (45 credits) |
**This program is currently not offered.**
Students successfully completing the Bioinformatics option at the M.Sc. level will be fluent in the concepts, language, approaches, and limitations of the field. Bioinformatics research lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering. The intention of the Bioinformatics Option is to train students to become researchers in this interdisciplinary field. This includes the development of strategies for experimental design, the construction of tools to analyze datasets, the application of modelling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases and the use of algorithms and statistics.
Enrolment in the Bioinformatics option can only be approved after a student has been admitted into the Department. There is an agreement for the option that must be signed by the student, supervisor, and Department, and enrolment in the option is subject to space availability and other constraints that the Department cannot assess at the time of admission. For more information, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.
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Master of Science (M.Sc.) Genetic Counselling (Non-Thesis) (48 credits) |
The M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling program provides the academic foundation and clinical training required for the contemporary practice of genetic counselling. Genetic counsellors are health professionals who provide information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. Genetic counsellors investigate the problem present in the family, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and review available options with the family. Some counsellors also work in administrative and academic capacities, and many engage in research activities.
The curriculum includes a variety of required courses in human genetics and other departments, and 40 weeks of supervised clinical training spread over four semesters. Graduates will be eligible to sit for both the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and the American Board of Genetic Counselling certification examinations. Upon completion of the M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling program, students will demonstrate competence in, or satisfactory knowledge of:
principles of human genetics, including cytogenetics, biochemical, molecular, and population genetics;
methods of interviewing and counselling, and the dynamics of human behaviour in relation to genetic disease;
and social, legal, and ethical issues in genetics. Enrolment will be limited to four students.
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Human Genetics |
The Department of Human Genetics provides a unified curriculum of study in genetics. Areas of specialization include: biochemical genetics, genetics of development, animal models of human diseases, cancer genetics, molecular pathology, gene therapy, genetic dissection of complex traits, genetics of infectious and inflammatory diseases, non-Mendelian genetics, bioinformatics, behavioural genetics, neurogenetics, bioethics, and genomics. Many of our faculty hold cross-appointments in various departments (including: biochemistry, biology, cardiology, medicine, microbiology, immunology, neurology, pathology, pediatrics, pharmacology, psychiatry) within the Faculties of Science and Medicine. This enables numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The Department conducts research on all sites of the 91ÉçÇø Health Centre (MUHC), the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the 91ÉçÇø Life Sciences Complex, the , the Biomedical Ethics Unit, and the .
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Human Genetics: Bioinformatics |
**This prgram is currently not offered.**
Students successfully completing the Bioinformatics option at the Ph.D. level will be fluent in the concepts, language, approaches, and limitations of the field and have the capability of developing an independent Bioinformatics research program. Bioinformatics research lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering. The intention of the Bioinformatics option is to train students to become researchers in this interdisciplinary field. This includes the development of strategies for experimental design, the construction of tools to analyze datasets, the application of modelling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases, and the use of algorithms and statistics.
Enrolment in the Bioinformatics option can only be approved after a student has been admitted into the Department. There is an agreement for the option that must be signed by the student, supervisor, and Department, and enrolment in the option is subject to space availability and other constraints that the Department cannot assess at the time of admission. For more information, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.
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