ADVERT I SEMENT F EATURE
GENOMICS ONLINE Find out about free courses that reach more people, support learning and inspire careers
he emphasis on genomics and its role in health and disease is rapidly redefining biological sciences, as well as becoming far
more widely discussed, sparking interest from wider and more diverse audiences who wish to explore genomic science and its impact on society. At the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences (ACSC), a series of courses have been developed to enable as many people as possible from diverse backgrounds to access training in genomics and bioinformatics. There are ten free online courses, open to all, with the aim to broaden global reach and expand the diversity of its programme, making it assessable to adult learners and the continuing education sector. This innovative series of interactive courses, created in collaboration with scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and delivered in partnership with the UK-based digital social learning experts, FutureLearn, cover a range of key topics, such as: genomes, bacteria, disease, antimicrobial resistance, genomics application in healthcare, computational tools and genetic counselling. The courses reach a wide audience including biomedical researchers, healthcare professionals, undergraduates and even secondary school teachers. The
Some of the more advanced courses, aimed at scientists and healthcare professionals, are particularly valuable tools for continuing professional development as they offer free professional accreditation opportunities. Content is delivered via a mix of videos, featuring scientists from leading international research institutes, articles, and tests and quizzes to check and validate learning. Some courses also include practical exercises and peer review activities. All learners on successful course completion receive a free certificate to acknowledge their hard work and new knowledge skills. For teachers, these courses are useful resources to aid secondary education. Educators can introduce elements from them – such as videos and articles – in their lectures and seminars. The FutureLearn course platform provides a forum to talk through ideas, learn collectively and consolidate and enhance learning. Learners can interact with leading researchers and fellow learners internationally. “Our courses provide an opportunity for self-directed learning, making them complementary to busy lifestyles. Each course offers activities to support different preferred styles of learning, plus the opportunity to do practical exercises makes it easy for people to immediately apply their new-found skills,” says Dusanka Nikolic, education developer (online courses).
introductory course, Bacterial Genomes: Disease Outbreaks and Antimicrobial Resistance, is a great resource for scientists and non-scientists alike, including interested members of the public who are keen to learn more about this topic. All the courses aim to make even the most complex and challenging biomedical and genetics concepts assessable and digestible to adult learners from all backgrounds and levels of interest.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS NOW
Each course takes place twice a year, providing plenty of opportunities to start or return and complete the training, so learners can work through them at their own pace to get the most out of all the resources. Seize the opportunity to learn and interact with leading researchers and fellow learners from across the world. The educators look forward to welcoming you or your class to a course of your choice.
Join a course now at: bit.ly/ACSC_elearn
If you have a question on how these courses could benefit you, your class or institute, please email: Catherine.holmes@wellcomegenomecampus.org
113
C A M B S E D I T I O N . C O . U K
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9
Powered by FlippingBook