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MINORS · MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM · Dept. of Physiological Nursing
Three dual specialty programs in Advanced Practice Nursing are currently available: Cardiovascular/Genomics, Oncology/Genomics, and Gerontology/Genomics.
Our Masters Degree (MS) dual programs that link Genomics with these essential areas of practice will prepare advanced level experts to join multidisciplinary teams in a wide variety of health care settings.
The Human Genome Project, an international quest to understand the genomes of humans and other organisms, will lead to unprecedented advances in science and medicine.
Individual variations in the human genome can have a major impact on how an individual responds to disease, environmental insults, drugs, and other therapies.
The growing momentum of genomics (the study of genes and their function) is revolutionizing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease, including the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
| Genomics at UCSF School of Nursing | |
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| (click photos for enlarged views) | |
 The genetics clinical practicum class proudly shows their pedigree constructions. |
 In the lab, Dr. Brad Aoiuzerat explains a genetic mutation detection method. |
 Dr. Aoiuzerat illustrates genetic mutation processes. |
 A presentation on Marfan's syndrome by a cardiovascular/genomics masters student in the Nursing Advanced Practice in Genetics class. |
 Genes contain instructions for making proteins (click diagram for an enlarged view). | |
Nurses are already being called upon by clients and their families to answer questions about genetic information, testing, and/or treatment. Technology is advancing so rapidly in genetics that health care delivery will soon be affected. For example, screening for pharmacogenetic profiles will predict if an individual client is likely to benefit from a medicine, and if they will be free of serious side effects.
Some individuals might be predisposed to toxicity of a certain drug due to an inherited deficiency in drug metabolism, while others might have an inherited defective drug receptor that can alter the client's response to medications. The increasing number of serious adverse drug reactions and drug-related morbidity and mortality as well as the associated costs are accelerating the progress of pharmacogenetics.
Currently, cardiovascular, oncology, and gerontological clinical nurse specialists are being called on to deliver therapies based on genomic technologies and to identify persons who might benefit from analysis of their genetic predisposition to specific disease.
Discoveries in the genetic basis of diseases afford earlier and precise, non- (or less-) invasive diagnostic tests, novel therapeutics and the estimation of more accurate prognoses.
As genomic technology crosses from the laboratory to the healthcare setting, the graduates of these three dual programs will be on the cutting-edge of advanced practice nursing.
Genomics coursework includes: basic genomic science; genetic variation and patterns of inheritance; genetic basis of disease (cancer, cardiovascular, gerontology disorders); genetic screening and diagnosis; pharmacogenetics; genetic therapies; and the ethical, social and policy implications related to genetic information technology for culturally competent health care delivery.
The Cardiovascular/Genomics focus provides training in newly emerging areas of cardiovascular genetic risk assessment and testing.
The clinical experiences for Cardiovascular/Genomics students offer residencies in settings such as clinics or research settings where they gain expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with arteriosclerosis, emphasizing diagnosis and therapy determined at the genomic level. Preventative approaches to cardiovascular disease in individuals with genetic risk are emphasized.
The Oncology/Genomics program provides students with the traditional CNS Oncology content--with the addition of a focus on genomics. Students train to identify individuals who would benefit from screening for cancer risk, become familiar with the use of genetically targeted therapies, and develop the ability to educate patients, families, and nurse colleagues in the newly emerging cancer genetics technologies.
The linking of Genomics with the specialty in Gerontology will prepare the CNS for the optimal health planning and management of aging patients with genetically mediated disease.
All three of these programs will offer opportunities to participate in counseling and clinical research in the prevention, early detection, treatment, and long term follow-up of individuals with genetic conditions.
Doctoral studies in Genomics are also available.
Come join us in the Genomics Graduate Nursing Program. Be empowered in this fast pace of genetics advances in healthcare.
| More Information | |
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|  Dr. Mary Engler prepares genetic samples for gel electrophoresis. |
See the information page for Application Procedures (website).
Course descriptions are available on the Genomics Minor courses page, as follows:
Masters Specialties page | UCSF School of Nursing Home Page
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Revised: Oct. 2007, Jan. 2005
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