MOLECULAR NEPHROLOGY (NON-THESÄ°S MASTER)
Second Cycle Programmes
(Master's Degree)

D.1. General Information about Program

Hereditary kidney diseases are one of the important causes of childhood chronic kidney diseases. They may cause growth retardation, poor school performance, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, the need for continuous medication, dialysis or kidney transplantation in children. Through genetic evaluation and thereby  early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the heavy burden of chronic kidney diseases on human health and economics of the country can be reduced.

In current medical practice, preventive medicine and personalized medicine tailored to one's genetic background is becoming highly important. While considering the molecular/genetic profile of the patient, it is aimed to prevent possible treatment side effects, to apply the best treatment choices and to get the best results, and thus to improve  to both individual's and public health  as well as to contribute economics of the country.

Consanguineous marriages and therefore rare diseases are uncommon in foreign countries. For this reason, most of the studies in the literature on genetic causes of rare hereditary kidney diseases include Turkish patients. New genes and diseases are discovered through exporting of DNA samples of Turkish individuals with hereditary kidney disease.  However, all genetic  studies can easily be accomplished in Türkiye. To that end, nephrologists need to know the basic concepts of the  molecular nephrology. Considering all these necessities, we have launched the Molecular Nephrology Non-Thesis Master Program under the roof of Hacettepe University. Hacettepe University Molecular Nephrology Laboratory, founded in year 2009 by Prof. Dr. Aysin Bakkaloglu (the head of the department at that time) and Prof. Dr. Fatih Özaltın (http://lab.hacettepe.edu.tr/tr/pediatrik_nephroloji_nefrogenet-125; http://www.nephrogenetics.hacettepe.edu.tr) will be the main base of this program which will enable genetic research in the field of nephrology. In this well- equipped laboratory 8 genes (i.e. PTPRO, ANKS6, DGKE, ADCK4, TSEN2, HOXA11, TBC1D31, FOXD2) causing hereditary kidney diseases when mutated have been  identified  and have been published in prestigious medical journals, merely with resources of our own country. Furthermore a very large data and DNA archive of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, rare tubular diseases, and cystic kidney diseases have been created with more than 2000 DNAs from 800 families.

With the knowledge of genetic basis of kidney diseases, a nephrologist can  give genetic counseling to families (for prenatal diagnosis), identify eligible kidney donors for specific conditions, decide which treatment to be given or avoided in certain inherited kidney diseases. For these reasons, it is a necessity for nephrologists to learn the genetics of kidney diseases. This is also a prerequisite for conducting high quality research. With the Molecular Nephrology Non-Thesis Master Program, which is the first in Türkiye and is among the few examples in the world, it is aimed to bring all relevant stakeholders together and integrate basic scientific knowledge to the field of clinical nephrology, to make high-level research projects in our country with national and international collaborations, and to pave the way for innovative inventions.

D.2 Qualification Awarded

Non-thesis Master's Degree

D.3. Level of Qualification

QF-EHEA: 2
EQF-LLL: 7

D.4. Provisions for Registration

To be accepted to the Molecular Nephrology master program, it is required to be a pediatric or adult nephrologist or fellow, to have at least 70 points from the Foreign Language Examination (YDS), to fulfill the HU SBE graduate program student application conditions 

(Health Sciences Institute Board and approved by the Hacettepe University Senate)https://saglikbilimleri.hacettepe.edu.tr/tr/menu/genel_yetenek_ve_yabanci_dil_puanla-282

In addition, it is required to be successful in the evaluation of the faculty member-commission in the Molecular Nephrology Non-Thesis Master Program.

D.5. Qualification Requirements and Regulations

"Master without thesis program with a total of thirty credits and at least ten courses, not less than 60 ECTS. consists of a term project course.
Graduate students without thesis who fulfill the Graduation Requirements of the Hacettepe University Graduate Education and Examination Regulations are awarded a master's degree without thesis.

https://saglikbilimleri.hacettepe.edu.tr/

D.6. Specific Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning

There is no similar program in Türkiye.

D.7. Goals and Objectives

This program aims to educate physicians and scientists equipped with knowledge and skills in philosophy and practices of molecular nephrology that will be useful in the follow-up of nephrology patients. It is aimed to train scientists who will be able to educate their peers and fellows, to bring the researchers to global standards, scientifically, ethically and socially. These individuals will hopefully be able to establish a national scientific network for similar programs at different universities. By bringing the laboratory part of the work, and the clinical grounds together, in our country where rare diseases are frequently encountered, it will be possible to have our national ground breaking discoveries in hereditary kidney diseases.

D.12. Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

Graduates of this program can work at universities, Ministry of Health and affiliated training and research hospitals, private institutions. They can carry out projects in the field of health in public institutions or private practice. In addition, they can continue their studies abroad at various universities or research units.

D.13. Access to Further Studies

QF-EHEA:
EQF-LLL:

D.14. Profile of the Programme

The program consists of theoretical and practical courses and the semester project (writing a scientific manuscript and submission to a journal for publication). Elective courses consist of within and outside the field courses and start from the first semester of the education. Whereas obligatory courses in the program are for one semester, elective courses can be opened in both semesters. While the theoretical courses in the program provide basic knowledge about the field beginning from the first semester, practical courses aim to convert the knowledge learned into skills and competencies.

D.15. Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

To graduate from the program, students must complete a total of 60 ECTS courses, not less than 30 credits, and a semester project. Student must successfully complete all courses, applications and semester project as required by the program, according to HU Graduate Education and Examination Regulations and must have at least 2.50 academic average.

D.16. Graduation Requirements

Students who successfully complete the courses and credits specified in the curriculum in the first two semesters must complete the Semester Project during the third semester. Students are required to register for this course in the semester in which the semester project is taken and to submit a written project and/ or report at the end of the semester. Students who meet these requirements can graduate with the Master of Science Degree (Non-Thesis) on Molecular Nephrology.

D.17. Education Type

1. Full Time Education

D.18. Programme Director

HUMS Department of Pediatric Nephrology Faculty Members:

Prof. Dr. Fatih Özaltın

Prof. Dr. Ali Düzova

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Bora Gülhan

Tel: 0312-3051863 -1246