Human Genetics Courses

The Advanced Human Genetics course provides students with a foundation in human genetics in preparation for their clinical training and other coursework in the genetic counseling program. The Advanced Human Genetics course is organized into lectures, self-study activities, and team-based learning. The team-based learning and other student-driven activities enable students to apply in a clinically relevant way information presented in the lectures and readings.

This course frames the healthcare literature as the foundation of evidence for clinical practice. By exploring processes of clinical research, examining definitions of evidence, and practicing skills for reviewing this literature, students will understand that evidence must be generated, questioned, synthesized, and applied to clinical judgment and action. Evidence-based practice is presented as a collection of judgments about available data—judgments which are perpetually uncertain, ambiguous, and complex as research adds to and alters our present knowledge of health.

Fundamentals of Genetic Counseling 1 introduces students to skills necessary for genetic counseling. The course is structured around key components of a genetic counseling encounter. Readings provide foundational knowledge of relevant concepts and class discussions encourage comparison of different perspectives and applications. Course instructors demonstrate each skill and students then engage in skill development through role-play, peer feedback, and self-assessment.

The Pathophysiology course provides students with an understanding of human anatomy and physiology of most of the major organ systems. Through course readings and oral presentations, students learn to identify, synthesize, and understand physiological mechanisms of the human body; explain a genetic condition from a physiological standpoint using both technical terminology and lay language; and identify and access information resources pertinent to physiological diseases.

The Ethics course covers the principles of medical ethics, and their application in the field of genetic counseling. The significance of current and historical examples of eugenics, and how past abuses affect the clinical practices of genetic medicine today are explored. Through a combination of lecture and discussion, the class reviews hot button issues such as abortion, ‘designer babies’ and genetic engineering. The course also covers legal and ethical dilemmas with specific relevance to genetics, including genetic discrimination, the genetic testing of minors, and the extent of a genetic clinician’s responsibility to biological relatives.

This course and practicum broadly covers contemporary topics of disability. Through guest speakers, panels, and internships, students gain an understanding of the impact of disability, improved communication skills with individuals, families, and service providers, and an increased awareness of the contributions that genetic counseling can make to persons with and without disabilities.

The Clinical Genomics course builds upon topics covered in Advanced Human Genetics. Early, current, and future uses of genomic technologies are covered, especially as they apply to clinical care. Students develop critical thinking skills related to testing strategies and genomic data interpretation, with a focus on whole exome sequencing variant interpretation. The course also explores the psychosocial, ethical, and legal factors associated with genomic testing. Students apply their learning to various case examples.

The Research Methods course serves as an introduction to the research process, with multiple connections to the development of their thesis projects. Students are encouraged to become better consumers of the scientific literature, including the use of search engines, a reference program and critical reading skills in the construction of a literature review as a first step toward study design and publication. The course includes a review of qualitative and quantitative research models, development of surveys, focus groups and questionnaires, and the basics of data analysis and working in SPSS.

Building on the skillset of Fundamentals of Genetic Counseling 1, Fundamentals of Genetic Counseling 2 develops skills relevant to clinical risk assessment. By traversing the path from calculations to care, students will understand that risks are composite predictions for future disease, assessment of those risks enables a preventive approach to healthcare, and outcomes of risk assessment are mediated by risk perceptions. Course activities include discussion, small group activities, demonstration, and role-play with peer feedback.

The Cancer Genetics course provides students with an understanding of cancer genetic counseling through case-based study of clinical services. Students are introduced to the anatomy and physiology of affected organs, screening modalities and treatment options; become familiar with the pathology and cancer genetic counseling; interpret pedigrees and utilize cancer risk models; understand testing criterion, options and interpretation of results; and explore the psychosocial aspects of hereditary cancer syndromes.

The Reproductive Genetics course prepares students for clinical practice in reproductive genetic counseling. Using sample cases, students offer and interpret genetic testing and develop case management skills. Students will be expected to read and present peer reviewed journal articles and utilize core genetics databases. Course structure includes lecture, interactive learning activities, and case discussion.

Clinical Pediatric Genetics provides students with an introduction to the basic vocabulary, case scenarios, and genetic counseling issues encountered in a pediatric genetics session. Emphasis is on understanding the previous medical records, symptoms, and physical signs needed to construct the targeted questioning and differential diagnosis. Course structure includes readings, lecture, and group discussion.

The Professional Issues in Genetic Counseling course covers topics relevant to professional development and career management, including resume development, interviewing, membership in professional organizations, and billing and reimbursement. Course structure includes guest speakers, panel discussions, and small group work.

The Medical Genetics Seminar courses introduce students to topics relevant to clinical genetic counseling. Experts in the field lecture on topics ranging from significant genetic conditions and syndromes to current testing options. Students learn from and interact with authorities in their respective fields, gaining an in-depth understanding of the genetic conditions covered in the course and related issues they will encounter in their careers.

In this elective seminar, students will explore cognitive, emotional, cultural and socio-economic factors that may impact an individual's engagement in genetic counselling, as well as psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based approaches to building an empathic and productive working alliance. Relevant history, theory, and evidence-based research will be examined and explored through relevant case studies. Students will have the opportunity to formulate case summaries considering contextual factors and working alliance.

This course traverses multiple topics that complement core genetic counseling knowledge and skills to enhance and deepen students’ personal approach to practice. Students engage in interactive workshops on narrative medicine, variant curation, cultural humility, education outreach, and professional development. Students have opportunities to compare and contrast viewpoints and experiment with applying insights from other disciplines to their work in genetic counseling.

Genetic counseling is a complicated, bifurcated profession – one that forges connections between technological sciences and lived experiences of risk, health, and illness. Health humanities is a discipline which enables us to glean insights into these experiences by interacting with the arts - by reading, writing, watching, and moving, we’ll mine for meaning and understanding, wisdom and wit. This course aims to build empathic understanding and critical consideration of genetic counseling practice by exploring genetics, genetic illness, and the profession of genetic counseling as conveyed through books, films, and other media.

The Case Management Practicum utilizes a standardized patient model to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate and assess their skill levels in competencies necessary for the practice of genetic counseling. Students participate in prepared role-playing exercises, followed by class discussion and feedback. The course structure allows students to demonstrate competence in key skills; assess their own strengths and weaknesses and those of their peers; and formulate a plan for addressing areas needing improvement.

The Public Health Genomics course introduces students to the epidemiologic approach to genetic disease, counseling, and testing. The course examines the applications of genetic information and genetic counseling in public health and international contexts. Students learn to identify various types of study design including their strengths and weaknesses. By working through case studies and course exercises, students learn key genetic epidemiologic and public health concepts and consider application of these to the development and implementation of new initiatives.