Genes, Environment & Development

MSc Genes, Environment & Development will provide interdisciplinary postgraduate training in a range of behavioural genetics topics and research methods relevant to psychology and psychiatry, in three compulsory modules and a research project that will cover the broad range of subject areas that are considered fundamental to an understanding of behavioural genetics.

Watch the video here, or access the 'interactive' tab to view at a larger size and see any alternative films playOverviewVideo('/prospectus/images/home.jpg','http://podcast.ulcc.ac.uk/accounts/kings/KCL_Marketing/Psychiatry_21Dec.flv','true','details_105'); KEY BENEFITS

• Offers specialised interdisciplinary graduate training in several subject areas and research methods.
• The programme will be taught by the MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, a department recognised as a world leader in the field of interdisciplinary studies in psychology, psychiatry and behaviour.
• Extensive collaborations within the College, as well as with other universities and industry.
• Appeals to students from a variety of backgrounds.
• Modern, state-of-the-art DNA banking, extraction and genotyping facilities.

PURPOSEMany recent advances in behavioural genetics have been made with growing evidence for the role of genes in shaping our behaviour. The purpose of this programme is to focus on how genes and environments influence the development of human behaviours, providing interdisciplinary training to students from a range of backgrounds.

DESCRIPTION

The programme, drawing from different disciplines, will cover the advances that have been made in behavioural genetics during recent years. Specifically, the programme will focus on how genes and environments shape the development of normal and abnormal human behaviours, including cognitive ability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), anxiety and depression and schizophrenia. In addition to disorder characterisation and presentation of both the genetic, social and other environmental risk factors, the programme will cover the molecular mechanisms and the specialised analysis methods relevant to interdisciplinary research in this field. By focusing on current research in this area, the programme will enhance the student’s understanding of research methods and place a strong emphasis on enabling students to critically appraise the relevant scientific literature. In addition, this programme aims to provide a thorough grounding in a range of research methods and their application, and develop skills of critical evaluation, problem solving and intellectual argument in order to carry out independent research. Students will develop an awareness of the practical and ethical issues related to conducting, writing up and disseminating research and develop transferable skills and knowledge needed for a career in academic research.

The programme will seek to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of behavioural genetics, especially in those students wishing to convert from their original degree discipline and to equip them to apply it in their future career choice, either in further postgraduate education (e.g. PhD) or employment related to the subject.