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Course Descriptions

As courses are still under development, they are subject to change in title and scope. The courses listed here may be different/updated from those currently listed in CHRP catalog. The department may always be contacted for further information.

Course 5002: Introduction to Molecular Genetics

Background in the principles of medical and molecular genetics, such as Mendelian inheritance patterns, and familiarizing the student with the genetic techniques/services now being provided in clinical medicine.  The course will also assist students in developing the problem-solving skills required to extract and utilize genetic information from patients/families. Acceptance into the program of Genetic Counseling is the prerequisite.

Course 5013: Psychosocial Genetic Counseling / Family Theory

An overview of the psychological and sociological impact that genetic disease and birth defects have on affected individuals, families, and society at large. The theories of psychosocial counseling that represent the core of the profession will be explored.  In addition, the students will examine their own beliefs and backgrounds, and understand how these may impact their ability to provide genetic counseling. Prerequisite for the course is acceptance into the Genetic counseling program.

Course 5023: Topics in Genetic Counseling I

An introduction to the profession of genetic counseling. It will provide students with information necessary to function in a role in a variety of settings.  Teaching will include lectures, demonstrations, and special independent and group assignments.  Topics include: history of the profession, obtaining accurate family histories/recording accurate pedigrees, multicultural sensitivity, and constructing an overall genetic counseling session.

Course 5042: Medical Genetics

Instruction in Mendelian Inheritance, atypical patterns of inheritance of human disease, the pathogenesis of genetic conditions and birth defects, the importance of the field of genetics in clinical medicine, including the basics of genetic screening, testing, and treatment.  In addition, the role of chromosomes in heredity will be introduced and human hereditary disease mechanisms will be discussed in detail.

Course 5052: Writing and Critical Analysis / Journal Club

A course in writing review and scholarly genetic journal manuscripts, as well as medical documentation, physician referral letters, and patient letters.  Critical analyses of scientific and lay articles will be performed by the student.  Introduction to grant-writing and grant-review processes.  Course projects will include grant writing and writing for publication.

Course 5062: Human Embryology  

This course will cover in detail normal and abnormal human development as well as placental anomalies as required by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.  The approach will explore why and when congenital malformations occur.

Course 5141: Genetic Research Principles

An overview of the processes of developing research questions, methods, publications, and evaluations.  The student will also learn to review current genetic research methodology critically as published in the genetic literature.

Course 5142: Advanced Human Cytogenetics

Graduate instruction in all aspects of human cytogenetics including chromosomal anomalies, rearrangements, uniparental disomy, and epigenetics, with particular relevance to the genetic counseling profession.  The course content will include human chromosome structure, behavior, and nomenclature, current cytogenetic laboratory methods—covering both their capabilities and their limitations, and the clinical relevance of chromosomal abnormalities. 

Course 5153: Counseling/Interviewing

Exploration of the basic concepts of group and family therapy as foundation for the facilitation of genetic counseling management of clients’ healthcare needs in a holistic, efficacious, and timely manner.  A major emphasis in this course provides students, through practice, with a knowledge base to intervene with families who may be experiencing the stress of a genetic diagnosis.

Course 5162: Population Genetics

The basics of genetic epidemiology and population genetics, including interpretation of large-scale, population based genetic studies. The course will introduce and teach students to use probability theory, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, segregation and linkage analysis, and the Bayesian Theorem.

Course 5172: Teratology and Prenatal Diagnosis:

Presentation of basic information on known and potential human teratogens.  Students will become familiar with the major teratogen references and databases.  Participation in state teratogen information services will be required.  Prenatal genetic counseling techniques and prenatal diagnosis procedures will be introduced, discussed, and demonstrated.  Observation in a prenatal diagnosis clinic will be required.

Course 5182: Systems Disorders for Genetic Counselors

An overview of human congenital malformations and inherited disorders of all organ systems, which will include diagnostic criteria as well as treatment.  The course will be presented by a variety of lecturers in multiple clinical specialties. 

Course 5192: Genetic Syndromes/Dysmorphology

Information on the genetic, clinical, and diagnostic testing bases of a variety of genetic syndromes.  Information on the normal and abnormal human development, and the study of Dysmorphology.  

Course 5232: Topics in Genetic Counseling II: Professional Issues

Instruction specific to the profession of genetic counseling.  Topics include: awareness of available genetic services for appropriate patients including clinical, education, and psychosocial support, computer literacy with regard to important genetic databases, methods of genetic outreach in rural areas including telemedicine, and other professional issues of genetic counselors.

Course 5242: Cancer Genetics

The genetic basis of inherited cancer and cancer syndromes, with an overview of the development and treatment of these cancers. In addition, exploration of cancer genetics patient education, and psychosocial adjustment to presymptomatic testing.

Course 5251: Biomedical Ethics

Methods of ethical case analysis through lecture, demonstrations, and problem-based learning.  Focus will be placed on cases and situations that genetic counselors will encounter in everyday employment and other professional areas

Course 5262: Metabolic Genetics

Discussion of the recognized clinical disorders that are caused by inherited errors in particular human metabolic pathways, including hemoglobinopathies, disorders of energy transport and storage, and mitochondrial disease.  Students will be able to recognize the symptoms of such conditions, as well as be able to discuss testing and treatment of these disorders.

Course 5282: Death and Dying

An interdisciplinary elective course taught in support of these specific educational goals: 

The student will explore and understand her/his own issues, feelings and beliefs regarding self, loved ones and patients relative to death and dying.  The student will be able to describe roles of patients, family, and health care team members (including genetic counselors, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, other allied health personnel, and clergy) relative to death and dying.  The student will develop and demonstrate skills in communicating with patients and families about dying.  The student will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues in limiting treatment at the end of life.

Course 5312: Public Health Genetics

Introduction to the concept of genetic disease as a public health concern.  Introduction to a variety of health care delivery systems, financial and reimbursement issues, and review of genetic screening issues.  Students will have the ability to participate in one of several large/state/regional/national registries, such as the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, other state cancer registries, the Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Registry, and in a variety of genetic disease support groups.

Course 5322: Emerging Topics in Genetics

An overview of epigenetics, the genetics of the immune system and genetic bases of autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes and lupus will be explored.  A portion of this course will also be devoted to a new field of research (pharmacogenetics) involving treatment of disease with specific combinations of drug therapies based on patient genotypes. In addition, the emerging field of psychiatric genetics will be explored.

Course 5411: Laboratory Practicum

Provide the student with practical experience in institutional chemistry and genetic laboratories; the cytogenetics laboratory at UAMS/ACH, the maternal serum screening laboratory at UAMS, the newborn screening laboratory at the Arkansas Department of Health. 

Course 5513: Clinical Practicum I

Provide students with practical experience performing genetic counseling for patients/families referred to a prenatal diagnosis program for a variety of reasons.  These includes advanced maternal age, abnormal maternal serum screening, abnormal ultrasound findings, teratogen exposures, chronic maternal disease, and infertility issues.  Students will observe and counsel patients under the supervision of trained genetic counselors and maternal-fetal medicine specialists.

Course 5613: Clinical Practicum II

Provide the student with practical experience performing genetic counseling in both pediatric and adult genetics clinics for patients and families referred for a variety of reasons, including family history of inherited or genetic diseases and/or chromosomal abnormalities, abnormal newborn screening results, and evaluation for features of specific syndromes.  Students will observe and provide counseling under trained genetic counselors, medical geneticists, and other appropriate medical specialists.

Course 5713: Clinical Practicum III

Provide the student with practical experience in providing patients and families with genetic counseling for a variety of genetic diseases in multidisciplinary adult specialty clinics, such as sickle cell disease clinic, hemophilia clinic, cystic fibrosis clinic, and Huntington’s disease clinic.

Course 5813: Clinical Practicum IV

Provide the student with practical experience in providing patients/families with genetic counseling for a variety of cancer disorders and cancer syndromes.  The student will observe and/or counsel these patients under the direct supervision of trained genetic counselors, oncologists, and medical geneticists.

Course 6152 and 6162: Genetics Research Project
GENC 617V:  Thesis in Genetic Counseling

Independent study for initiation, design, and completion of their thesis study under the approval/guidance of the faculty advisory committee.   For a student who chooses the non-thesis track, the special project course will enable them to complete an independent project or presentation that has been approved by the faculty advisory committee.


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Department of Genetic Counseling
Bruce R. Haas, M.S., C.G.C., CLSp(CG), Chairman
Beverly A. Williams, Administrator
4301 West Markham St., #836  •  Little Rock, AR 72205
Telephone: 501-526-7700
GeneticCounseling@uams.edu


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