A brief description about the course:

This course is conducted by the Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The degree will be awarded by the University of Colombo.
This course aims to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by medical and science graduates to deliver the latest genetic diagnostics services.
By the end of this course students must have the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes that would enable them to have a working knowledge of:
• Molecular technologies including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), conventional and Next Generation Sequencing including Whole Exome Sequencing, and array based DNA technologies.
• Cytogenetics including terminology, karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH).
• Clinical applications of cytogenetics such as prenatal diagnosis, identification of congenital abnormalities, and diagnosis and monitoring of malignancy.
• Interpretation of molecular and cytogenetic data from clinical cases and compose diagnostic reports, in correlation with clinical, morphologic, and other findings.
• Bioinformatics.
• Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics.
• Quality assurance, assay validation, ethics, regulatory issues, professionalism, and lab administration.
Duration:
2 years (full-time)
Eligibility criteria:
Applicants should have a MBBS or equivalent degree registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
Foreign applicants should have a MBBS or equivalent degree registered with the Medical Council of the country of residence of the applicant.
B.Sc. in a Biomedical Sciences Subject or equivalent degree

Application fees:
Rs. 5,000.00
Those who are selected for the course, the following fees will apply
Registration fees:
Rs. 25,000.00
Course Fees:
Rs. 800,000/-
Library fees:
Rs. 2,500.00

Teaching style and methods:
The Course of study shall consist of four semesters of 15 weeks duration spanning two years and is designed to provide a broad base training in molecular pathology. It would be delivered by a local and international faculty using a mix of open and distance learning methods.

Course structure and contents:
The course structure and subject areas are as follows:
Semester 1 and 2: Core Modules
Module 1: Cytogenetics
Module 2: Molecular Genetics
Module 3: Special Topics
Module 4: Introduction to Research Methods
Module 5b: Bioinformatics
Module 6B: Diagnostic Methods
Module 7A: Hands on experience attached to a genetic diagnostics laboratory
Semester 3 and 4: Research
Module 8: Research project, dissertation writing, and defense of the dissertation.
Assessments:
The assessments would consist of written and practical assessments in module 1 to 7A and carrying out a research project, writing a dissertation and defense of the dissertation at a viva.

Further Information:
Please contact Dr. Kalum Wetthasinghe at kalum@anat.cmb.ac.lk for any clarifications.

How to apply:
Applications are now being received for the course starting in March 2020.
Application can be downloaded from below link
Applications close at 4pm on 10 January 2020.

Students will be selected to follow the course from applicants on the basis of their performance at a selection examination which has a written component and an interview. The written component will contribute 75% and the interview will contribute 25% to the total mark. Students who obtain an overall mark of 50% or more will qualify for selection.