Human Genetics Courses

The Medical Genetics Seminar courses introduce students to topics relevant to clinical genetic counseling. Students learn from and interact with experts in their respective fields, gaining an in-depth understanding of fundamental genetic conditions and syndromes as well as current counseling issues and practices. Students will apply their new understanding by utilizing team-based learning activities and case discussions.

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. Students will understand that in order for literature to be translated into clinical practice to best serve patients, practitioners must be critical consumers of publications. To build a foundation of evidence-based practice, students will explore processes of clinical research and examine definitions of evidence. They will develop their own evidence-based practice by learning how to collate judgments about available data – judgments which are perpetually uncertain, ambiguous, and complex as research adds to and alters our present knowledge of health. By the end of the course, students will grow to be consciously critical clinical practitioners who personalize their case preparationto their patients by embodying a practice grounded in research-derived clinical skills.

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 in-depth introduction to a pediatric genetics counseling session, including diagnostic processes and assessment and exposure to natural history of common and complex genetic conditions through course-long case scenario examples. Client and family factors are incorporated into such cases, allowing for the student to assume responsibility for their assigned client and experience the life of a pediatric genetics case from beginning to end. Course structure includes lecture, group discussion, and case presentation.

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is a fast-growing and expanding marketplace.  Many assume that DTC options will play a big role in integrating genetics into society, for better and worse.  Historically, clinical providers of genetic medicine have cast a cold eye on the commercial companies selling unmediated access to genetic testing, as have government regulators.  Today, most positions are more nuanced and the types of testing that are on offer are more varied.  Using lecture, case studies and guest speakers, we will examine a variety of the tests and modes of access often lumped together in the DTC bucket, and consider the risks and benefits of online access to genetic testing, the regulatory options, and the role that genetic counselors should play in pre- and post-test counseling for DTC results.

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.