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Course Descriptions
GENC 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 Genetic Counseling
program is the prerequisite.
GENC 5011 - Clinical Genetics Field Placement I
Rotation through individual outpatient genetic clinics or
laboratories to lay a foundation for a student's more active
participation in later clinical genetic counseling.
GENC 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 this course is
acceptance into the program.
GENC 5021 - Clinical Genetics Field Placement II
Continuation of GENC 5011's rotation through individual
outpatient genetic clinics or laboratories to lay a foundation for a
student's more active participation in later clinical genetic
counseling. Rotations in the second semester of the first year
specifically ask the students to analyze information presented in
outpatient clinic rotations by genetic health care providers, to
observe clinical practice agendas in the rotations and to acquire
familiarity with case management and the genetics evaluation
process.
GENC
5023 - Topics in Genetic Counseling I
An
introduction to the profession of genetic counseling. It will
provide students with information necessary to function in that role
in a variety of settings. Teaching will include lectures,
observations, role playing, and special independent and group
assignments. Topics include: history of the profession,
obtaining accurate family histories/recording accurate pedigrees,
multicultural sensitivity, advocacy, client decision-making,
constructing an overall genetic counseling session, and reviewing
societal and public policy issues particularly relevant to human
genetics and genetic counseling.
GENC
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.
GENC 5052
- Writing and Critical Analysis
A course in scientific writing, medical documentation and critical
analysis of both the medical literature and lay articles/patient
information as it pertains to genetic counseling. Prerequisite:
acceptance into the program.
GENC
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.
GENC 5141 - Research Methods in Genetic Counseling
Introduction to research methodologies in genetic counseling.
Students focus on developing research questions; reviewing the
literature; methodology, and data analysis plans for their independent
research or thesis project; and writing and submitting an IRB proposal.
Prerequisites: successful completion of GENC 5052 Writing &
Critical Analysis, acceptance in the program, a research advisor, and a
research topic.
GENC
5142 - 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, clinical chromosomal abnormalities as well
as current cytogenetic laboratory
methods covering both their capabilities and their limitations.
GENC
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.
GENC
5162 - Human 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.
GENC 5171 - Prenatal Diagnosis
Prenatal genetic counseling techniques and prenatal diagnostic
procedures will be introduced, discussed, and demonstrated.
Observation in a prenatal diagnosis clinic will be required.
GENC 5181 - Teratology
The course will present an overview of teratology. Information on
known and potential human teratogens will be provided. Students
will become familiar with major teratogen references and databases, and
will practice strategies for informing patients and providers about
teratogen information.
GENC
5182 - Systems Disorders for the Genetic Counselor
This course
will provide the student with an understanding of genetic disorders as
they present with malformations in multiple body systems. It will
cover the natural history and diagnosis of disorders.
Students will develop an understanding of the variation in presentation
of birth defects and genetic conditions.
GENC
5192 - Dysmorphology and Common Syndromes
Information on diagnostic testing bases of a
variety of genetic syndromes. Information on the normal and
abnormal human development and the study of Dysmorphology.
GENC
5232 - Topics in Genetic Counseling II
Instruction specific to the profession of genetic counseling. Topics
include: awareness of available genetic services for appropriate
patients including clinical, education, and psychosocial support;
methods of genetic outreach in rural areas including telemedicine;
clinical skill development utilizing difficult clinical cases; and other
professional genetic counseling issues, expanding upon the counseling
theory and techniques introduced in previous semesters and clinical
clerkships.
GENC
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.
GENC
5252 - Genetic Counseling Ethics
Methods
of ethical case analysis through lecture, demonstrations, and
problem-based learning. Focus will be placed on cases/situations
that genetic counselors will encounter in everyday employment and other
professional areas
GENC
5262 - Metabolic Genetics
Information on inborn errors of metabolism: diagnosis, biochemical
characteristics, inheritance, and treatment options.
GENC
5312 - Public Health Genomics
This course introduces the learner 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 the following: a genetic support group,
advisory committee, disease registry, or similar group or program.
Prerequisite for this course is acceptance into the program.
GENC
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, it will include hereditary immunodeficiencies and psychiatric
genetics.
GENC
5411 - Genetic Laboratory Practicum
Instruction and laboratory rotations specific to the profession of
genetic counseling. Providing the graduate student with practical
experience in the UAMS molecular cytogenetics laboratory, the UAMS quad
screen laboratory, as well as a weekly semester long seminar in genetic
laboratory testing.
GENC
5513 - Genetics 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.
GENC
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.
GENC
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.
GENC
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.
GENC 6152 - Research Project I
Independent study for non-thesis genetic counseling students.
Students focus on data collection and drafting their research
manuscript. Pre-requisite: successful completion of GENC
5141 Research Methods in Genetic Counseling, acceptance in the program
and an IRB proposal that is either in-review or approved.
GENC 6162 - Research Project II
Independent study for non-thesis genetic counseling students.
Students focus on data collection, data analysis, finalizing their
research manuscript and present an oral public presentation of their
research. Prerequisite: successful completion of either GENC
6152 Research Project I or GENC 617V Thesis.
GENC 617V
- Thesis in Genetic Counseling
Independent study for thesis genetic counseling students. Thesis
students must register for a total of six semester hours; three semester
hours per semester. Prerequisite: successful completion of
the entire Genetic Counseling program first year curriculum including
GENC 5141 Research Methods in Genetic Counseling.
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