Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions – Fall Year 1

CMM 518 – Fundamental Genetic Mechanisms (3 credits)

The function of genes lies at the heart of heritability and variation in biology. Understanding genetic mechanisms and genetic interactions is essential to understanding foundational concepts like developmental biology, cell physiology, evolution, aging and disease. What is known about genetic mechanisms is well advanced over the basics enumerated by Mendel and other early luminaries, but the genetic approach – one that relies on prizing our exceptions – remains fundamentally unchanged. This course covers advanced concepts in gene function, genetic interactions, and genetic analyses and manipulations that are commonly in use in research laboratories that study genetic model organisms or biological processes that go awry in human disease.

CMM 585 - Embryology, Teratology, Birth Defects (3 credits)

This course is designed to help clinicians understand normal and abnormal fetal development as it applies to clinical approaches to prevent, diagnose and manage birth defects. Beginning with an overview of embryology by organ system, concepts of developmental abnormalities leading to birth defects will be explored. These concepts include both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as underlying genetic mechanisms and exposure to teratogenic agents. This course will provide students with the tools to provide accurate and sensitive information on birth defects by examining risk assessment and communication techniques. Methods used in birth defects research, as well as availability and interpretation of relevant literature will be examined.

CMM 527 - Pathophysiology Basics (1 credit)

This course will provide students with a foundational understanding of disease as a manifestation of disrupted physiology. Course content will include introductory cell physiology and disruption of homeostatic maintenance in disease processes associated with hematologic, cardiovascular and immune system. Principles will be illustrated using representative commonly occurring disorders and their treatments.

CMM 528 - Pathophysiology of Integumentary, Respiratory, and Digestive Systems (1 credit)

This course will provide students with a foundational understanding of disease as a manifestation of disrupted physiology. Course content will include an overview of normal physiology of integumentary, respiratory and digestive systems, as well as disruption of homeostatic maintenance in disease processes associated with these organ systems. Principles will be illustrated using representative commonly occurring disorders and their treatments.

CMM 529 - Pathophysiology of Urogenital and Endocrine Systems (1 credit)

The course will provide students with a foundational understanding of disease as a manifestation of disrupted physiology. Course content will include an overview of normal physiology of urogenital and endocrine systems, as well as disruption of homeostatic maintenance in disease processes associated with these organ systems. Principles will be illustrated using representative commonly occurring disorders and their treatments.

CMM 519 - Introduction to Genetic Counseling (2 credits)

This course will introduce first year students to the profession of genetic counseling, counseling skills, and counseling theories. Beginning with the history and current structure of the field, students will explore the role of the genetic counselor in health care and the complex interaction with social, ethical, and legal issues. The course will cover the development of beginning counseling skills necessary for clinical practice, including construction and application of family and medical histories, management of genetic counseling clinical cases, and active listening skills. The process of genetic counseling will be explored through theories of counseling as they apply to the development of interviewing skills, risk perception and communication, psychosocial and family development, multicultural sensitivity and competence and disability awareness.

GENE 670 - Genetics Seminar (2 credits)

This weekly, two-credit-hour course introduces trainees to important and timely topics in basic and applied genetics and genomics research through regular seminars, journal clubs, case conferences, and student presentations.

CMM 600 - Introduction to GC Research (1 credit)

The goal of this course is to introduce genetic counseling graduate students to the fundamentals of conducting a research project. In this course, students will learn essential elements of research including selecting a research topic, research ethics and the Institutional Review Board, reviewing and assessing scientific literature, research design, methodology and analysis and scientific writing. The educational format of this course will include lectures, class discussions and presentations, reading assignments and class projects.

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum (2 credits)

Students enrolled in CMM 594 will familiarize themselves with the various roles and work settings in which genetic counselors and other healthcare team members practice. Students will be exposed to the components of genetic counseling sessions, observe different counseling styles and interpersonal interactions, and gain a better understanding of how different fieldwork sites operate. Students will obtain and apply clinical and non-clinical knowledge to cases, and develop the necessary skills to have an effective career in genetic counseling and to successfully complete the graduate program. This course will also provide students with fieldwork experiences that can help them prepare for the certification exam offered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Course Descriptions – Spring Year 1

CMM 520 – Clinical Cancer Genetics (2 credits)

This two-credit hour course will present important ideas in cancer genetics and precision health, preparing students to identify and evaluate patients with a family history consistent with a hereditary cancer syndrome, and to understand, interpret and apply the results of germline and somatic tumor testing.

CMM 620 – Foundations of Medical Genetics (1 credit)

This one credit course will focus on the foundations of medical genetics. It will introduce various genetic epidemiology study designs and cover basic statistical genetic analysis approaches and inferences. Students will develop an understanding of the different types of inheritance, human genetic variation, the genetic basis of disease, epistasis, gene-environment interaction, and epigenetics. Practical applications of calculating genetic risks for families and clients will be accomplished using specific methods and case examples.

CMM 624 - Advanced Genetic Counseling Skills (2 credits)

This two-credit hour course will cover advanced genetic counseling concepts, such as genetics in public health and social policy, psychosocial issues such as confrontation/resistance and crisis intervention, foundations of family theory, self-disclosure, ethical considerations, and exploration of the aspects of creating appropriate educational materials.

CMM 621 - Genetic Counseling in Reproductive Health (2 credits)

This two-credit hour course will present important ideas in prenatal genetics and genetic counseling. The information provided will span from preconception to delivery and include obtaining and interpreting family history, discussing and recommending testing/screening, and interpreting/delivering results. Specialty situations, such as assisted reproduction and perinatal death and loss, will also be covered.

BIOS 576a – Biostatistics (3 credits)

This course introduces biostatistical methods and applications, and will cover descriptive statistics, probability theory, and a wide variety of inferential statistical techniques that can be used to make practical conclusions about empirical data. Students will also be learning to use a statistical software package (STATA or SAS).

CMM 595 - Genetic Counseling Colloquium (1 credit)

This 1-credit course will focus on a variety of issues specific to JEDI in the field of genetic counseling. It will be taken by first and second year genetic counseling students together in the spring of both years. For one semester, we will be focusing on issues related to individuals living with disabilities by providing an in-depth exposure to the lived lives experiences. Class participation is strongly encouraged by using collaborative learning techniques. For the next semester, we will be focusing on issues related to JEDI using media resources. Students will be required to watch 5 movies and listen to 2 podcasts. Class participation is strongly encouraged by using collaborative learning techniques.

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum (2 credits)

Course Descriptions – Fall Year 2

CMM 622 - Survey of Human Genetic Disorders (2 credits)

This course will provide an overview of multiple common genetic disorders. Each topic will focus on the etiology, availability of diagnostic testing, management, and counseling issues for each disorder. Students will gain an understanding of the impact of specific genetic conditions on individuals, their families and society.

CMM 521 - Molecular Diagnostics and Lab Testing (1 credit)

Diagnostic tools in genetics have been rapidly evolving since the publishing of the Human Genome in 2003. CMM 521 is a 1 credit hour course that will delve into current genetic diagnostic methodologies and discuss future applications, developments, and challenges in the field of genetic testing. Topics covered in this course will include fundamental principles of cytogenetics, chromosome abnormalities, microarray, genetic screening assays, and variant interpretation and reporting. In addition, the course will explore new molecular methodologies, including whole genome and exome sequencing, bioinformatic analysis of DNA sequence data, and regulatory oversight of new DNA-based tests, and examine the ways in which these technological advances are shifting the practice of genetics and genomic medicine. The course will also instruct students on systematic use of lab testing in the diagnostic process for genetic conditions.

CMM 623 - Contemporary Professional Issues in GC (2 credits)

This course will prepare the genetic counseling students for their professional career by focusing on professional development. A variety of practicing professionals involved in specific practice areas will discuss their roles and responsibilities encountered in the field of genetic counseling and medical genetics. Advanced topics to be discussed include supervision of various health care providers, obtaining and maintaining professional credentialing and becoming a life- long learner. Strategies for professional growth, certification and licensure, and preparing for the job market are addressed. Students are also introduced to issues of billing and reimbursement, genetic service delivery models, telemedicine and the business/marketing aspects of providing genetic services.

GENE 670 - Genetics Seminar (2 credits)

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum (4 credits)

Course Descriptions – Spring Year 2

CMM 625 – Survey of Human Genetic Disorders II (3 credits)

This course will expand upon the content and concepts learned in CMM 622: Survey of Human Genetic Disorders. Lectures will dive into additional details on specific human genetic disorders, with a particular focus on adult-onset genetic conditions. During this course, students will also work on transitioning and applying their learning outside of the educational program to prepare them for future board exams, clinical practice and other genetic counseling careers. In-class content will consist of lectures, discussion sections, student presentations and board practice exams.

MCB 504 – Bioethics (4 credits)

This is a writing emphasis bioethical honor course, which considers how advances in the field of biology can impact our society and the ethical issues that this provoke. Originally, the discussion of bioethics used to be dominated by philosophers, but as new knowledge in cellular, molecular, genetics and developmental biology has surged more and more, scientists trained in these disciplines have started to inquire on the extension and significant of the impact of their field in our society. Thus, bioethics is now considered an interdisciplinary field[1]. The rising and arguing about ethical issues require a complete knowledge and understanding of the biological/medical concepts that provoke the issue in the first place. It is also expected that bioethical issues trigger discussion that can be subjective in its character.

CMM 595 - Genetic Counseling Colloquium (1 credit)

This 1-credit course will focus on a variety of issues specific to JEDI in the field of genetic counseling. It will be taken by first and second year genetic counseling students together in the spring of both years. For one semester, we will focus on issues related to individuals living with disabilities by providing an in-depth exposure to the lived lives experiences. For the next semester, we will focus on issues related to JEDI using media resources. Students will be required to watch 5 movies and listen to 2 podcasts. Class participation is strongly encouraged by using collaborative learning techniques.

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum (4 credits)

Course Descriptions – All Semesters

CMM 900/909/910 - UAGCGP Thesis/Scholarly Project Guidelines and Policies (2 credits each term)

Introduction:

All students in the UAGCGP are required to complete a scholarly project for graduation. The goal of the scholarly project is for students to dive deeply into a specified topic, review the relevant primary literature, and develop a new project to expand current knowledge, create a new application based on current knowledge or distill the literature into a comprehensive and thorough review. Students can choose between the thesis and capstone options to best suit their professional goals. Thesis projects typically include the student generating original data to advance the understanding of a particular field, either by designing a new project or working with faculty on an existing project in their laboratory. Capstone projects typically include a novel application of existing knowledge or a comprehensive review of the primary literature in a specified area of clinical genetics or genetic counseling. The writing of a graduate thesis or capstone is a process that is different from other academic writing experiences. Compared to many writing assignments at the undergraduate level, the process of writing a thesis is iterative and involves substantial back-and-forth with the Primary Advisor and Committee. Students typically find that the scholarly project takes more time and effort than anticipated. Thus, careful long-range planning is an important component of success. This document includes guidelines, timelines, requirements and other information to help students complete their scholarly project. General guidelines apply to both thesis and capstone projects; guidelines that are specific to either the thesis or the capstone project are described in their respective sections of this document.

General Guidelines

Scholarly Project Option – Thesis or Capstone

All students in the UAGCGP are required to complete a scholarly project. Each student can choose to complete either a thesis or a non-thesis, capstone option. The major differences between the thesis and capstone options are the range of topics that students can choose to focus on and the composition of the committee. Topics for capstone projects are more flexible and allow for a broader scope of projects compared to the thesis.

The choice between a thesis or a capstone project depends primarily on the student’s topic, area of interest and a student’s professional goals. Students are encouraged to work with their primary advisor and the UAGCGP Research Director to help them determine if a thesis or a capstone project would be more appropriate. Students are required to decide between a thesis and a capstone option before the fall semester of the 2nd year of the program. After the start of the fall semester of the 2nd year of the program, students will not be able to switch from a thesis to a capstone project or vice versa. Exceptions will be made only under extreme circumstances and require written approval from the UAGCGP Research Director.

GENE 670 - Genetics Seminar (2 credits)

This weekly, two credit hour course will introduce trainees to important and timely topics in basic and applied genetics and genomics research through regular seminars, journal clubs, student presentations and case conferences. The class will follow a 4-week schedule: (1) Student Presentation/Journal Club, (2) Genetics Seminar, (3) Student Presentation/Journal Club and (4) Genetics and Genomics Grand Rounds.

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum (1st year: 2 credits, 2nd year: 4 credits)

Students enrolled in CMM 594 will apply theoretical concepts to assess and manage individuals and families with genetic disorders. Students will expand their clinical knowledge base necessary for an effective career in genetic counseling and successful completion of their graduate program. This course will also provide students with the clinical training experiences to prepare them for the certification exam by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Individual clinical rotations will be arranged by the UAGCGP leadership. All clinical practicum rotations will take place in sites that meet the requirements of competencies for genetic counselors, as defined by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling.

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