Overview

Human Genomics, studied within the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at The University of Western Australia, investigates how the human genome influences health and how genomic information is used to diagnose disease and guide treatment. It sits where molecular science meets healthcare, with a particular focus on personalised medicine. Learning is grounded in hands-on laboratory work and problem-based tasks that develop critical thinking, and it prepares students for careers in biomedical research, biotechnology and bioinformatics.

What You'll Learn

• Cellular biochemistry and the molecular biology of the cell

• Data analysis and the relationship between science and society

• Principles of inheritance and functional genomics

• Research methods used in studies of human health

• How genes, development and disease are connected

• Personalised medicine, and how genomic information shapes diagnosis and treatment

• Genomic technologies, bioinformatics and the use of large datasets in human health

• Ethical questions in genetics, including privacy and the value of diversity in genetic research

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to explain how variation in the genome contributes to health and disease, and describe how genomic findings inform diagnosis and treatment. They will analyse genomic data using laboratory and computational methods, and apply data analytics and bioinformatics to questions in human health. Students will evaluate research critically and weigh ethical issues such as privacy and fair representation in genetic studies. Graduates will be prepared to move into research-focused and technical roles in genomics, or to continue to postgraduate study, including pathways toward professions such as genetic counselling.