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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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