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HEIW funded MsC modules in genomics

Published 27/10/2023

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is pleased to offer funding for healthcare professionals within NHS Wales to undertake MSc modules in genomics. 

Delivered by Cardiff University and Bangor University in partnership with the All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS) and Wales Gene Park (WGP), the standalone modules are designed to equip individuals with the skills and expertise required to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of genomics in healthcare, no matter their area of clinical practice or expertise.

Genomics is the study of an individual’s genes to develop a better understanding of their health. The advancing discipline offers opportunities to significantly improve patient care, some of which include:

  • personalised treatment plans
  • earlier diagnosis
  • identifying other health risks 
  • avoiding adverse effects from medication 
  • tracking and responding to infection outbreaks, and  
  • providing risk information for patients and their family members 

Each module is worth twenty credits, delivered through flexible online e-learning programmes to account for students’ existing professional and personal commitments.

Nicola Taverner, Genomics Clinical Lead at Health Education and Improvement Wales said:

“These modules are open to all healthcare professionals. No matter your area of clinical practice or expertise, the benefits that genomics can have on patient care cannot be fully realised in NHS Wales without up-skilling everyone who makes up our healthcare workforce.

“Research continues at a rapid pace to develop a better understanding of the relationship between our genes and our health, providing huge opportunities for increased integration of genomics into patient pathways.”

Available modules:

  • Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases 
  • Application of genomics in infectious disease 
  • Omics techniques and technologies and their application to genomic medicine 
  • Molecular pathology of cancer and application in cancer diagnosis, treatment and monitoring 
  • Introduction to the counselling skills used in genomic medicine 
  • Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genomic analysis 
  • Pharmacogenomics and stratified healthcare 

For details on how to apply, please visit the Cardiff University and Bangor University websites. For more information on genomics in healthcare, visit our Genomics webpage.